Categories
website updates

Buy artwork directly from Abstract Collage online store

You can now buy artwork directly from Dan Schreck through the AbstractCollage website. The store resides in the section called Available.

I have quite a bit of experience in artwork fulfillment and realize that shipping can be a real headache, especially when it comes to art. I’ve decided to offer free shipping on all artwork purchases to help alleviate this stress.

Framed pieces from the ‘Snail Mail Security’ series are now available as well as a few other pieces. Stay tuned, different types of artwork will be featured in the future as well as possible additions from other artists.

Buy Artwork Directly from AbstractCollage.com
Buy Artwork Directly from AbstractCollage.com
Categories
artist resources

Get Tips for Taking Better Photos with This Interactive Guide

The most simple photography tips can make a big difference when you’re trying to capture a special moment. This guide from Shutterfly offers tips for smartphones and cameras, across a range of photo types.

Read more… via Lifehacker http://ift.tt/TTZipC

Categories
art updates

New secure envelope pieces. Long Live Snail Mail!

Roots In The Ground (2014) SOLD 31 x 39 in (framed)

Here are new additions to the Snail Mail Security series. The images are created from an evergrowing collection of business envelopes. The patterns are used to make secure envelopes though I find them absolutely amazing. Long live snail mail!

We Built A City (2014)
31 x 39 in (framed)
Continue reading “New secure envelope pieces. Long Live Snail Mail!”
Categories
artist resources

6 Scanning Tips from an Artist

acrylic on paper scan

Here are 6 Scanning Tips from an Artist that will help you get the best possible scan for your buck. These points will apply to any scan wether the desired output is a fine art print or an instagram.

  1. Before you scan, clean the scanner bed. This will help cut down image editing later on. There is dust on the scanner bed even if you can’t see it. (Detailed instructions on cleaning the glass here)
  2. Scan in high resolution. If you plan on printing later on your images should be at least 300 dpi. If you want to print larger than your source material you will need to scan larger than 300 dpi.
  3. Scan more area than what you need. This leaves some room for error. You’ll be especially happy you did this if you need to rotate the image later on.
  4. Keep a copy of the original scans so you can revert back if necessary. An extra pro tip would be to keep whatever source material for your scan as well. If there are problems with the scan then you could do a rescan later on.
  5. Beware of level clipping. Some scanner software is horrible and you have to make sure it doesn’t blow out the highs and lows.
  6. Don’t have the scanner software do anything fancy if you don’t know what you are doing. There are some settings the scanner understand what type of material it is scanning. These settings are good. There are a lot of other potential adjustments that will actually degrade your image. Real image editing and enhancements should be saved for post production in Photoshop.
Categories
security envelopes

Top 10 hand opened envelopes I have collected

I have begun to catalog the hundreds of envelopes in my collection. Here is a selection of the top 10 hand opened envelopes I have collected.

To make it into the top 10 list the pattern of course had to be great. This is not, however, a list of the top envelope patterns. The way the envelope was opened and how it was treated through the mail delivery system is also, if not more, important. Since I have received envelopes from many amazing friends and fans we can enjoy a wide variety of different opening techniques, mistakes, and frustrations, all taken out on the paper. Take notice that sometimes the glued flap comes completely off, sometimes partially, and sometimes barely at all.

Continue reading “Top 10 hand opened envelopes I have collected”
Categories
artist resources

Tips for submitting your work to galleries

Tips for submitting your work to galleries

Here are some tips for submitting your work to galleries and to get your submission the attention it deserves. I’ve looked at thousands and thousands of submissions by artists and I’ve noticed some reoccurring issues.

  1. Read any directions for submitting work. This may seem too obvious to mention but you would be surprised how many times I have looked over incomplete submissions. Directions for submissions are in place to consolidate the interaction and to give the reviewer the best chance for making a good decision for their organization.
  2. Personalize your submission to each specific gallery. A lot of people buy bulk lists and blast their submission to every nook and cranny on the internet. I received many submissions to our abstract gallery by artists working in figure painting. It was obvious who was familiar with the kind of work that we showed, and those who were not. Make sure you are sending a quality submission and not just spamming gallery owners.
  3. Don’t demand an answer. People may disagree with me on this one and that is fine. I understand that submitting work can be anxiety provoking and sometimes it seems that hearing a definitive yes or no is priority number one. I think this is being shortsighted. One scenario that submissions fell into was of “not right now.” These were artists whose work I genuinely liked, however given the current lineup of shows and artists the work just wouldn’t fit in the near future. When these artists demanded an answer, I was forced to say “no” when in reality the answer was “not right now.”
Categories
further reading

Critiquing Critiques – Gabriel Orozco

Critiquing Critiques

Critiquing Critiques. In today’s Exclusive, artist Gabriel Orozco conducts what he calls a “Mirror Crit,” during which he presents a student’s artwork as if it is his own.

Orozco sought an alternative to help students better understand what their images communicate. He discusses each photograph without having previous knowledge of the student’s background or intentions, allowing the images to, in a sense, speak for themselves.

via Art21 Magazine http://ift.tt/1dULvYN

Categories
security envelopes

Security Envelope Inspired Projects by Sweetie Pie Press

The Sweetie Pie Press has some sweet sweet security envelope inspired DIY projects. Looks like the creator, Becky Johnson has been making security envelope inspired art since at least 2008. That is so cool!

tired of feeling like installations are only for bank lobbies and boutique hotels? want some thing small for your walls that lives in three dimensions and exalts the mundane? want it to be relative easy?

…then the sweetie pie press do-it-yourself security envelope installation kit is for you!

Check out the DIY installation project here:
http://sweetiepiepress.bigcartel.com/product/diy-security-envelope-installation-kit-21-piece-triangle

I’m looking forward to meeting more people that have been inspired by security envelopes. The amazing patterns, the collectable nature, the subtlety. If you know of someone who’s work has been directly or indirectly influenced by security envelopes, please get in touch with me here: abstractcollage.com/contact/