Seth Apter's Blog, page 29

Bloggers Best.... #2

Best of...
End of the year. Brings on reminiscing and reflection. Time for the "best of" lists in every area imaginable: TV, movies, records (does anybody still call them that?), and more.

How about blog posts? Today I am sharing the second of two posts that highlight bloggers best. Each of these creative bloggers has shared their most popular post from 2016. Sit back, get comfortable and start clicking...

Gwen Lafleur
Using StencilGuts in a Handmade Art Journal
Nathalie Kalbach
Art Tapas - Tip #6 Go-To Brushes

Dina Wakley
Well, how about that.

Michelle Ward
Painting with Purpose

Carolyn Dube Comparing Gelatos and Distress Crayons
Tina Walker
Using Stencils with Terracotta Clay

Jane LaFazio
from my sketchbook - a peek at my Madeline Island sketches

Debi Adams
You Had Me At Shibori

Bloggers Best.... #1

Best of...
End of the year. Brings on reminiscing and reflection. Time for the "best of" lists in every area imaginable: TV, movies, records (does anybody still call them that?), and more.

How about blog posts? Today I am sharing the first of two posts that highlight bloggers best. Each of these creative bloggers has shared their most popular post from 2016. Sit back, get comfortable and start clicking...

Tracy Verdugo On letting go and the art of allowing...
Lesley Riley Art - What is it for?
John Arbuckle South Indiana Avenue
Mary Beth Shaw Making Mandalas with Stencils

Roben-Marie Smith How to Create a Pocket Art Card Tri-Fold Book
Caterina Giglio Hand Stitched Mini Concertina
Roxanne Evans Stout A Quietness in the Cold

IG: My Best Nine

Best of...
Pop your Instagram handle into 2016 best nine and out pops a 3x3 grid filled with your most popular images from the year. It is always fun and informative to see what is popular.

My Best Nine

My wish...

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and creative holiday season!

Trending Trends

Best of...
As one year turns into the next, trend watchers often share their finds of what to expect in the new year. This is the case in art and craft as much as in every other industry. Here is a round-up and summary of predictions from online trend spotters.

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Top Drawer, a design-led, lifestyle event in the UK for creative retailers, shares six trends that cut across craft, home, gift and fashion for Spring/Summer 2017...
The Blues: The tranquil tones of myriad different blues grace everything with a touch of beautiful, ethereal cool.









Honest Simplicity: Here the aesthetic is fluid; the color palette soft, warm and natural.

The Tribe Vibe: Pattern, material and texture reference a tribal, natural vibe.












Echoes of Deco: Bold geometrics. metallics and an aura of luminous luxe characterize this ultra-glam trend.










[image error] Happy: This direction sees eye popping colour, modern materials and strong, graphical influences...


'70s Remix: The distinctively bright color combinations and dynamic patterns so redolent of '70s decor get a fresh update.










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Creativeworld, the annual, international trade fair in Frankfurt for hobbies, arts & crafts, and artists, focuses on trends in both exhibition and education. They have created three "trend worlds" for 2017/2018.
Whimsy: a trend full of contrasts. Playful, bizarre or lively. The idea is to mixed and patch together intensive colours with various patterns or outlandish forms...juxtapose contrasts and in turn generate a new exciting unity.


Thoughtful: delicate and modest. This trend uses modest neutral colours and delicate minimalist patterns... This modest style uses neutral grey, black and white nuanced colours which are complemented by sensuous pastel shades such as rose and bright blue.
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Imperfect: the new perfection... Derived from nature and folklore... it closely mirrors the Japanese Wabi-Sabi principle which says you can find beauty in everything, even imperfection... It is where imperfect and haphazard meets ordered and conventional.

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Robert Rusin shares his 5 top 2017 trends for artists and designers...
Abstract CompositionsUnusual Geometric ShapesBold, clashing coloursFree-hand sketchesRandom Photography 

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Miriam Harris shares 5 visual trends for 2017 in multiple categories, including...

Colour: Pantone'c color for 2017 is greenery and is all about new beginnings, freshness, and environmentalism.

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Also expect to see a rise in deep hues such as khaki, olive green, brick reds, maroon browns, and charcoal grey. The long term colour forecast is a trend in primary colors of red, blue and green.

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Based on search terms, Getty Images shares 6 visual trends in photography for 2017...

Virtuality: Rather than looking at an image, we are now in the image.


Color Surge: Color is no longer just one component of the image; it became the star.

Unfiltered: Fearless and passionate, bold documentary-style imagery is quickly gaining ground.

Gritty Woman: Fighter, feminist, phenomenon - more concerned with what she can dothan how she should look.
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Global Neighborhood: Our collective cultural identities will be less about where we are and more about what we believe.

New Naivety: Celebrating visuals that are spontaneous and playful, and at times uncomfortable.

10 Top 10s

Best of...
I love seeing the "best of" lists that seem to be everywhere at the end of the year. 2016 is no exception and I have culled 10 Top 10 art lists for your viewing pleasure...

Top 10 Art Installations
Top 10 Most Spectacular Art Installations
Top 10 Art Exhibitions (NSFW)
Top 10 Art Works Sold at Sotheby's
Top 10 Art Projects
Top 10 Most Expensive Living Artists
Top 10 Art Galleries in the World
10 Biggest Moments in Art in 2016
Top 10 Craft Projects
Top 10 Art Discoveries 

NEW Impression Obsession Stamps

Very excited to share with you today my newest releases from Impression Obsession. 


Pathways
Shattered
Alleyway
Intersection
Mark Makers
Grid Skid
Tire Tracks
Corrugated
Made in the USA, these stamps are deeply-etched, red rubber cling stamps. Perfect for art journaling, mixed media backgrounds, and all your mark making needs. The two sets are available for pre-order now from my online shop. The stamps are also available individually, as either cling or wood mount, from the Impression Obsession shop.

Art in New York

I have had a few opportunities in the last month to visit a number of museums and galleries in NYC -- one of my favorite activities. The number of galleries in NYC boggles the mind (well over 1,000) and the quality of the museums and their exhibitions even out-boggles that.
I feel so fortunate to have such easy access to so much art and always visit the exhibitions with an eye toward sharing what I see with you. So put on your walking shoes and let's go on an art tour. Hopefully this post captures a bit of the breadth and variety of art that can be seen on any random day in NYC...
Carl Palazzolo: Lennon, Weinberg, Inc. (through 12/22/16)



  






Calder and Picasso: Almine Rech Gallery (through 12/17/16)





Agnes Martin: The Guggenheim (through 1/11/17)


Highlighting her early, less-often-seen work...








Who knew that while in NYC she worked with found objects...

Tony Scherman: Winston Wachter Fine Art, Inc. (through 12/23/16)








Ai Weiwei: Lisson Gallery (through 12/23/16)





Artists of the New York School: Allan Stone Projects (through 12/23/16)
John Graham
Michael Goldberg
Alfred Leslie
Richard Stankiewicz
Scraps: Cooper Hewitt (through 4/16/17)

Make it Your Own: 10

One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching how every participant creates artwork that is truly their own. At the end of every workshop, no two pieces are the same.


I also find it exciting when I come across artwork online that incorporates my product lines. Seeing how different people use these items in such creative ways is always inspiring. I love the wide variety of styles and unique choices. Click each link below for more details on each and click here to see other posts in this series.

Amanda Southern (Impression Obsession Everything Rubber Stamp, Choice Rubber Stamp)
Nikki Acton (Spellbinders Splatter Proof Die Set)
Tammy Tutterow (Spellbinders 3-Ring Binder)
Sue Davies (Spellbinders 3-Ring Binder)
Donna Gray (Spellbinders Drip Drop Die Set, Ring Around Die Set, Robo Bar Die Set)
Cecile Graven (Spellbinders FrameUps 4 Rubber Stamp, Turnarounds 3 Rubber Stamp Set)
Alison Hall (PaperArtsy Eclectica 01 Stamp Set, Eclectica 02 Stamp Set, 

Revelation