Lady Gaga Explains Art with Prosodic Genious

OMG! Who knew the final authority on ART was Lady Gaga?! I, for one, will pay attention, and show proper respect!

By ARTINFO
Published: May 12, 2011
– Lady Gaga Explains Art, at Long Last:
The singer’s first art and fashion column for V magazine hits the stands in its summer issue, and if the advance leaks are any indication, the world’s leading experts on those subjects should start looking for other jobs. Because when it comes to knowing the history of fashion and art, and brilliantly reconfiguring it to new ends, the Gags is Picasso and Matisse combined. (Forget Madonna, that hack.)
“I myself can look at almost any hemline, silhouette, beadwork or heel architecture and tell you very precisely who designed it first, what French painter they stole it from, how many designers reinvented it after them and what cultural and musical movement parented the birth, death and resurrection of that particular trend,” Gaga writes. “Art gives birth to new art, there is no chicken or egg…. The past undergoes mitosis, becoming the originality of the future.”
According to V editor Stephen Gan, Gaga didn’t even require much editing for this first effusion of prosodic genius. [NYT]

Scientific Study Explains Why Art Gives Us Pleasure- Guinea Pigs Prove it…

Great Article from The TELEGRAPH
Brain scans reveal the power of art
Works of art can give as much joy as being head over heels in love, according to a new scientific study.

By Robert Mendick, Chief reporter 8:00AM BST 08 May 2011
Human guinea pigs underwent brain scans while being shown a series of 30 paintings by some of the world’s greatest artists.

The artworks they considered most beautiful increased blood flow in a certain part of the brain by as much as 10 per cent – the equivalent to gazing at a loved one.

Paintings by John Constable, Ingres, the French neoclassical painter, and Guido Reni, the 17th century Italian artist, produced the most powerful ‘pleasure’ response in those taking part in the experiment.

Works by Hieronymus Bosch, Honore Damier and the Flemish artist Massys – the ‘ugliest’ art used in the experiment – led to the smallest increases in blood flow. Other paintings shown were by artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Cezanne.

Professor Semir Zeki, chair in neuroaesthetics at University College London, who conducted the experiment, said: “We wanted to see what happens in the brain when you look at beautiful paintings.

Related Articles
Forget Mars and Venus: men and woman are on the same planet
30 Dec 2010
Why falling in love gives you butterflies
13 Jul 2000
National Art Pass for free museum entry
13 Apr 2011
Art and soul
08 May 2011

“What we found is when you look at art – whether it is a landscape, a still life, an abstract or a portrait – there is strong activity in that part of the brain related to pleasure.

“We put people in a scanner and showed them a series of paintings every ten seconds. We then measured the change in blood flow in one part of the brain.

“The reaction was immediate. What we found was the increase in blood flow was in proportion to how much the painting was liked.

“The blood flow increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation direct to the brain.”

The test was carried out on dozens of people, who were picked at random but who had little prior knowledge of art and therefore would not be unduly influenced by current tastes and the fashionability of the artist.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan measured blood flow in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, part of the brain associated with pleasure and desire.

The study, which is currently being peer reviewed, is likely to be published in an academic journal later this year.

Professor Zeki added: “What we are doing is giving scientific truth to what has been known for a long time – that beautiful paintings makes us feel much better.

“But what we didn’t realise until we did these studies is just how powerful the effect on the brain is.”

The study is being seized upon as proof of the need for art to be made as widely available to the general public as possible.

There is currently concern in the arts world that widespread budget cuts could affect accessibility while also slashing acquisition budgets.

“I have always believed art matters so it is exciting to see some scientific evidence to support the view life is enhanced by instantaneous contact with works of art,” said Dr Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, the national fund-raising charity which has spent £24 million over the last five years helping to buy art for galleries and museums.

Last month, the organisation launched a National Art Pass giving free entry to more than 200 museums and galleries and 50 per cent off entry to major exhibitions.

The Art Fund has pledged to increase its funding by 50 per cent to £7 million a year by 2014 to make up for widespread budget cuts in the arts world.

The charity has been praised by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt for showing that “philanthropy can be about small as well as large donations”.
Reproduced from The TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/8500012/Brain-scans-reveal-the-power-of-art.html)

Soooo…Want a RUSH of pleasure? Visit Elizabeth Marshall Gallery of Fine Art and enjoy!!!
EmarshallGallery on Etsy
http://elizabeth-marshall.artistwebsites.com/(Fine Art America)

Advice from “Pricey” Etsy seller…Real Story, Real Numbers…

Well, someone finally said it. CrazyHappy on Etsy came right out and made a Treasury featuring those of us who are really too…ummm…expensive for the average Etsy buyer. I’m glad she did. And YES, I am featured in this treasury: “If You Have To Ask…” by HappyCrazy
I love Etsy but the thing about it is this:
* Etsy shoppers don’t want to pay “Fine Art” prices. Thats sort of the point of Etsy…
* Etsy shoppers are looking for inexpensive homemade treasures, of which there are many.
* The artwork I have for sale on Etsy fits neither of those categories.
Now, I’m not trying to ask more money than my artwork is worth on Etsy (or in my other galleries). My prices are based on what it costs to produce a very high quality giclee reproduction of my artwork. I don’t offer prints made on my Hp printer in my home office. My artwork is professionally printed by Pearl Printing in Portland, Oregon. Therefore, the less than Etsy-ish prices.

This is a great lesson for those of you thinking about selling on Etsy. Let me give you my statistics, just so you can learn from my experience. And this information applies to large oil pastel artworks- both originals and giclee reproductions, done by an artist (me), who has been a professional for 30 years (therefore the higher price point)…
* I have been on Etsy as Emarshallgallery (Elizabeth Marshall Gallery of Fine Art) since April 2010
* I have had a total of 2,119 visits
* 6,565 Pagesviews
* from 54 countries around the world
* and 51 of the United Sates
* one of my paintings alone, has been viewed 734 times
* As of today, I have been “favorited” by 82 other Etsy shops
* I have been in countless treasuries and have received massive compliments but… for all of this, I have ONLY…
* SALES: 2 (from my friend Dan who bought two paintings for his office)
I’m not really surprised, in this economy, that I have so few sales. And it would take a monster leap of faith to buy a $1,200 painting online, without ever having seen it in person. I just share all of this with you because, if you’re thinking about selling on Etsy, you need to understand the rules.

There is a website called CraftCount (Scroll down and see my post somewhere below- there is a link to it and everything) which tells you who the top sellers are on Etsy. You can easily see what they are selling and how many of those…let’s call them “widgets”, they have sold. These people know how to do Etsy right. They have sold tens of thousands of their “widgets,” and made tens of thousands of dollars. These are the people who get to quit their day jobs and live comfortably off their Etsy businesses. Do your research and learn from them.
The end of my story is this, if you’re thinking of selling on Etsy, know this: this is a real business. You need to offer a very high quality product, and a very low price, and offer very professional, high quality customer service. You also will need to work your business- participate in groups, promotion, etc, and spend the money for showcases, relisting, etc. But really, is a bargain. I’m sticking with Etsy. Its a really fun, nice community of people, who lift each other up. AND, I’m taking my own advice- I’m starting a new line of Etsy friendly artwork that should sell like hotcakes. At least that’s the plan. Good luck to all of you- I hope sharing my experience helps you make the right choices 🙂

The Real Me, Portrait of The Artist…

I just finished a portrait of myself for my website and I thought I’d share with you all. Now you can picture me as you read my riverting entries. Okay, the truth is, I left out a couple of the wrinkles, but mostly, this is me.

Also, I am doing a brand new line of colored pencil art and this self portrait is my warm up. The line will include fun sayings and mostly momisms along with some really fun artwork. I’m so excited to move on and capture the real me…enough with the serious oil pastel artwork, and on to looking at the world and all its humorous sides… keep checking back- I’ll post each piece as I fininsh it. They will then be available for purchase on my gallery website, my Etsy website and Fine Art America…and anywhere else I can find!

Do a Little Dreaming Here: “Dreaming Again” on Etsy

Gorgeous Blues in the “Dreaming Again” treasury by ajmerbyjodi on Etsy:http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbed717efde6d916cf9ee23/dreamming-again#4dbf15d9f60a6d91d0fb127b

I don't know what this has to do with Etsy, But I want to have this in MY House!

Elizabeth Marshall Gallery of Fine Art is honored to be included in this beautiful Etsy Treasury. I absolutely LOVE these shades of BLUE. So peaceful, calm and zen… I will leave you with a couple of pics from the treasury, but DO check out the whole treasury at: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbed717efde6d916cf9ee23/dreamming-again#4dbf15d9f60a6d91d0fb127b

Newest Etsy Treasury titled “Falling in Love With You”

<
Dear Readers,
It was not my intention to make this blog all Etsy, all the time, but I seem to be honored with many treasuries lately that are too great to not share. Today’s treasury is called “Falling in Love With You” by blouldnart on Etsy. Its full of lovely romantic images, and Lauren, the curator, has included my painting “A Bee’s Eye View” in this one. I am including just one of the many images in this treasury so you can get a feel for it, but DO take a minute and take a look at it. You know how one click leads to another- you may end up in EtsyLand all day- there are so many fun things to look at and so many talented people!

To see my art full sized while listening to some great music, check out my gallery website at: http://elizabethmarshallgallery.com

“After The Storm,” this Etsy Treasury is Awe Inspiring

Do you love storms as much as I do? I mean a good old fashioned thunder and lightning storm with the drama and the feel of electricity in the air? Of course they’re much better if you’re safe in your cozy house, watching it out of a great big window. Then, there is the calm after the storm, when all is still, and the birds are venturing out from their hiding places, and there may even be a majestic rainbow to signal the all clear.
This Etsy Treasury called “After the Storm” is worth taking a look at. There is some awe inspiring artwork here for sure. I love the way the artist have shown the God-like essence in the sun’s rays coming through the dark storm clouds. The stillness is palpable in these works of art. I am honored to have my painting “A Bee’s Eye View” included in this treasury. I hadn’t really thought of this painting as an “after the storm” sort of day, but I love to hear others’ interpretations of my work. This particular painting of mine originally had a different name until, at a gallery show, it was pointed out that it appeared to be from the viewpoint of an incoming bee into the scene. It was immediately obvious that was exactly right, and the new name was born.
Check out my painting, and many other wonderful works of art at: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db9a78e9b068eefe19bd4bd/after-the-storms#4db9ff9f96b06d9116b8f69c
<

Please check out emarshallgallery on Etsy to see more of my work!

Featured in this Etsy Treasury “Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy” by WildWildernessPhotos

My painting “Lavender Fields Forever” is featured in this Etsy Treasury called “Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy” by Wild WildernessPhotos. Lots of people are creating SUMMER themed treasuries and I’m lovin’ it! Today is a gorgeous sun shiny day here in Oregon (after record breaking rainfall) and I am soooo ready for summer and sun. Check out this treasury and take a moment to relive some fun summer memories.

You can see all my paintings and listen to some cool music on Elizabeth Marshall Gallery.com

Craft Count Inspires Elizabeth Marshall Gallery to Add New Line!

I am so excited this morning! The sun is out and I am INSPIRED!
Yesterday, I discovered Craft Count, which is a website that posts Etsy’s top sellers by Category and Country.
There are 4 categories that Top Etsy Seller statistics are listed by:
*Top 10 Overall
*Top 10 Handmade
*Top 10 Vintage
*Top 10 Supplies

Now, Personally, I am not just an Etsy seller, although I do maintain an Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/emarshallgallery .
Admittedly, I am overpriced for the average Etsy shopper, but I do get a lot of positive feedback from Etsy people, and it is a very inexpensive avenue by which to gain tons of exposure. It’s just a fun site to be associated with, so I would recommend it to everyone…

Oops, I started to ramble, so back to the point I want to make…
I spent some entertaining and valuable time just looking at the Top 10 shops, and I scrutinized them for the why’s and how’s of their success as it applies to Elizabeth Marshall Gallery And LIGHTBULB!…I have come up with an idea for a line of artwork that I believe will fit the gap that I need to fill. Selling Fine Art, especially Originals, is a wonderful, rewarding business, but, lets face it, it’s not a constant, guaranteed income, and I’m just not that patient.
I need to generate some sales just for the regular boost…the daily THRILL…know what I mean? I need the RUSH. Plus, my NEW LINE will be more broadly appealing, I believe.

I am excited to share my inspiration with you, and I hope that you will check out Craft Count and possibly find some inspiration of your own.
AND, if you enjoy Craft Count, Check out their BLOG too! So much FUN! Craftcount Blog Happy Creating!