MMCA Marketplace

Christine Goldbeck Marketplace Shop Update

Christine Goldbeck has added some wonderful black & white artwork to her Marketplace shop, as well as gorgeous photo artcards. To see these and more visit her Marketplace shop.

 

Invitation to join the MMCA Marketplace

You've been hearing all the buzz lately about the up & coming MMCA Marketplace, and now we'd like to extend an invitation for you to join in on this exciting online marketing venue.  If you are an artist who is committed to producing quality, original art, we welcome you to apply for membership now while we're doing an open enrollment.   

Applicants are judged on quality, style and value to ensure that our Marketplace can effectively represent you, and so that we can offer "something for everyone" who comes to the Marketplace to shop.  We strive to represent those artists who are devoted to their work and are constantly refining their skills.   Artists accepted into the Marketplace will be coming together with the current members , adding to the already widely varied background of styles, mediums, and pricing, making it possible to offer our clients quality art in the medium of their choice.   

 

While our standards are high, our membership costs are not.  Benefits of belonging to the MMCA Marketplace include:

• Your own shop page including your branding logo and short bio
• Local, Regional and National Press Campaign
• Website, blog and contact links listed on shop page
• 20 images with short product descriptions with Buy Now buttons
• Featured Artist rotation on Marketplace Blog

Some of our more recent promotions are:

• We made headlines in local, regional and national publications
• Our artists participated in a gallery exhibit in Central Pennsylvania
• We advertised in a nationally published magazine

To accommodate various budgets, we have three membership options. If you believe you belong with us, please consider submitting an application at http://www.mmcamarketplace.com/application.html. 

 

Guest Interview with Linda Benton McCloskey

MMCA Marketplace is thrilled to introduce to you Linda McCloskey.  Linda enjoys discovering creative ways of expression and totally keeps traditional rules of painting out of the picture.  Since she loves to vary her palette of colors and new approaches, Linda's most recent works are experimental water media (abstract), mixed media, and encaustic (beeswax) with lots of texture and exciting color.  Diversity with all its fascinating choices, intrigues her and is evident in her work.  Since Linda begins a new work without a preconceived outcome in mind, she simply begins painting and then intuition, love, desire, and experience take over.  As she begins to see images, she develops them further.  No matter what the results, the works take Linda to a new destination.

After changing careers and researching her family's history, Linda discovered that Thomas Hart Benton (an American Regionalist Painter 1889-1975) was her great uncle.  Although she has no "formal" education in the art field, Linda has studied under international artists such as Pat Dewes, Betsy Dillard-Stroud, Karlyn Holman, George James, Barbara Nechis, Gerald Brommer, Carrie Burns Brown, and Mary Todd Beam.  Linda is a member of various local art groups and is a teacher of experimental water media, collage, abstract design, and encaustic.

Linda has exhibited in numerous national and international juried shows, universities, cultural centers, galleries, and museums.  Most of her works are in private collections and universities.  Linda is married and has 5 children and 8 grandchildren and lives near Harrisburg, PA in the suburb of Paxtang.

MP:  What made you decide to become an artist and how old were you when you knew?

Actually, it wasn’t until I was in my late fifties …. Years ago when I was a young high school student, loving my art class, I mentioned to my art teacher that I was thinking about art as a career.  Her response to me was that she felt that I didn’t have a talent in the art field and that it would better to pursue something different.   And, I believed her.  Over the years I continued to love art - going to museums and galleries and even collecting some art pieces, but never painting, just admiring those who could.   One day while working at Rite Aid Corporation one of my co-workers suggested that I take a beginners watercolor class held in the evening.  My first thought was “Are you kidding? I haven’t picked up a brush for over 40 years ”.  But, what did I have to lose?  I took that first class and the first night my teacher asked me to paint a landscape.  Afterward - looking back on that 1^st painting - it was awful - my first reaction was “my art teacher was right - I don’t have talent”.  But I was encouraged to continue to try… the rest is history.

 

MP:  You are an incredibly great and patient teacher, according to one of our members who took a class of yours at the Art Association of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, PA. How do you find time to teach and to make art? 

 

Sometimes it’s very difficult.  But, I always go back to my art teacher in high school who convinced me not to pursue my dreams.  Today, I feel that it is my mission to help others who love art and to encourage them.  It always amazes me when I see a brand new student create a wonderful piece - it’s priceless!   I cherish those moments when I see a student’s painting hanging in an exhibit and even winning an award.  One of my beliefs is that everyone has talent…. You just have to pull it out and guide new students in the right direction.  I always stress the fundamentals of design….the principals and elements which we discuss often in class. As far as finding time for my own art - as I have said many times - I can’t imagine life without painting, it‘s my passion.  I try to work art into my daily life - sometimes it’s just reading an art magazine or book or researching artists and their work on the internet. 

 

MP:  Do you have a favorite medium or technique that you use a lot in your work?  

 

Actually, I have two.  Acrylic with mixed mediums and the other is encaustic (beeswax with oil paint).   When I first started painting I painted in a more realistically and was quite successful.  Many thought I had gone insane when I decided to paint abstractly or non-objectively.  But, I was bored with realistic work because I would “copy” what I saw in front of me or maybe change it somewhat to make it more appealing to the eye. I felt that something was missing in the challenge.  Today I realize that my creativity was what was missing.  To paint abstractly, your work has to come from within.  You stretch your imagination - you can use the colors that you want - you can paint shapes that you love - you create…you don’t just copy.  However, I still love to look at beautiful realistic paintings and occasionally paint one myself, but I always go back to abstraction.  

My techniques vary as much as the wind blows - that’s the fun of “experimental medias”….. it changes from day to day.  What techniques I love today will evolve into something different tomorrow.  It’s never ending.

 

 

MP:  What advice would you give an emerging artist?

 

Never give up - never trust that inner self when it tells you that you don’t have talent - TALENT COMES FROM PRACTICE.   If you love art and involve art in your everyday life - talent will come.

 

MP:  Do you have certain times of the day or night that you find your muse is at its best?

 

Absolutely - the beginning of the day.  As the day goes on and my energy begins to drain, so does my creativity.   But, at AAH, I can only teach at night because of the parking restraints…. So if you only have nighttime, find a way to make it happen. 

 

MP:  If for just one day, you could be anyone from anytime in history, who would that be?

Lord, that’s a tough one….there are so many.

MP:  Are there artists whose career you follow?

Yes, there are 2.  One is a teacher that I still take workshops from myself who is an international artist and has written at least 20-30 books.  Gerald Brommer.  He is a true mentor, a wonderful artist of many mediums and techniques and is a kind and humble man.  The other is a local artist - Debi Watson a watercolorist and teacher from Lancaster County.  I admire her work and her never ending drive.  She’s my role model.    

 

MP:  Do you have an affinity for any of the art masters of yesteryear?

Yes, I found out only a few years ago that Thomas Hart Benton was my great uncle. Our painting styles are very different, but I feel that his passion was passed onto me.

MP:  Do you have any upcoming projects/books/events/etc we can look forward to seeing in the future?

 

Actually something that will be new for me…. To curate a show.  AAH has asked me  to curate a Whitaker Center show at the end of this year.  My students will be exhibiting there and will have their works for sale.  Everyone’s excited about it. 

 

MP:  Is there anything you would like the art world to know about you or your art that we did not cover in our interview?

 

Never give up!  As I mention often to my students… think of each painting as a learning experience - even though it may not be a masterpiece - think of it as a sheet of paper or canvas that you learned something from.  Take off your adult hat and become a child again - only then will your creativity flow.

Any regrets?  Yes….that I waited so long and late to paint. 

 

Please visit Linda's website for more incredible works of art, upcoming workshops and more.

 

Linda Benton McCloskey, Fine Art

 

Linda, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to share with our readers.  If you enjoyed learning about the art life of Linda, please leave a comment.

 

Product Review - Color Mists

Color Mists are custom blended intensely concentrated sprayable watercolors. They are water soluble and can be diluted for multiple hues of color. The Metallics have a beautiful iridescent sheen that adds an illuminating touch to your art!

Color Mists can be used to create brilliant backgrounds on a variety of surfaces such as paper, canvas, wood, fabric to name a few. Washes from skin and fabrics with soap and water OR can be sealed with a fixative. No more Stained hands or messes that won't come clean!  So far I haven't found a surface yet that I haven't been able to use the Color Mists on as long as I have a heat gun and seal it with my favorite sealer PYM II.

There are 3 sets: Brite Lights, Molten Metals and Mother Earth. Each set comes with Six-2 1/4 ounce Bottles with fine mist spray nozzles for optimal spraying.

Here's what one of Aileen's customers had to say about Color Mists: "I am eclectic in my creativity. The most exciting thing that I have found with Color Mists is that I can use them for just about any project I am working on...from paper collage to jewelry making. I love the saturated colors. The sheen in the metallic Color Mists is so softly pleasing to the eye. The vivid and striking contrast between the colors always gives me the punch I am looking for. Color Mists have given me more bang for my buck than any other paint or dye product that I have ever used." -Kris Henderson

Product Review by Aileen Roberts of Outside The Margins.

 

New Art in Marketplace Shop

Charter member Carrie Todd has added some wonderful new works of art to the Marketplace. 

Here's a sneak peek.....

and one more peek.....

To see Carrie's latest additions click here.

OWOH Winner

The members of MMCA Marketplace would like to thank everyone that came by to visit us during our OWOH giveaway.  We wish we could give each and everyone of you a Dick Blick Gift Certificate, but we know you understand.

Congratulations to Mary Beth Shaw @ The Common Denominator for being our lucky winner.  We know Mary Beth will enjoy and put it to good use. 

Marketplace Founder Featured on Womenwise Marketing

MMCA Marketplace founder, Debbie Overton is this weeks featured Woman In Business on Womenwise Marketing.  Womenwise Marketing is an online community run by marketing consultant, Kelly Watson.  Whether you’re running your own business, working for ‘the man’ or searching for a job, you can experience success today using talents and strengths you already have.....this and more on Kelly's Blog.

Guest Interview with Izabella Pierce

MMCA Marketplace is excited about our newest feature.....Guest Interviews!  We have had a great response and know you will enjoy reading and viewing the photos shared with each.

We start off with a name that is very familiary to the art world ~ Izabella Pierce~ from Las Vegas, NV.  Bella as many call her is known as an "Outsider Artist" and inquirying minds wanted to know more about her story of being an artist.  She is one of the sweetest, most generous and giving art girls on the web and we feel sure she is the same in person if you are fortunate to know her personally.  Before we get to the interview questions, today is a special day for Izabella and we would like to start by wishing her a Very Happy Birthday!  Enjoy your day! We know all of you have been anxiously awaiting our first interview, so let get started.....

First off I would like to thank Debbie for giving me this opportunity to share a little of my art life. I feel greatly honored!! This is a wonderful birthday present, to announce her first interview on her site, on my birthday! Thank you Debbie from the depth of my heart for allowing me to be a part of your series of artist interviews~

MP:  Izabella online we know you as an "Outsider Artist". Tell us more and what defines "Outsider Art".

This is a great question but hard to define in just a few paragraphs.  When I first found out about this mixed media art world a few years ago, I did not know what it was called, I just new I had to create it.  I felt very alone and very unsure of my art.  I started showing my friends & family my art, well, that didn't go over very well, most of them would get this glazed look in their eyes and didn't know what to say. They just didn’t “get it” so I stopped showing my work to them & went in search of other like minded souls.  At that time I did find a few artists on the internet that could relate to my work.  I started to sell on eBay & that was a grand success!  It built my confidence level sky high when my pieces where selling for hundreds of dollars, but I still felt like I was alone in this new journey.. 

One day I was researching some things on the internet & I came across the definition of "Outsider Artist”, it immediately struck a cord...that was ME!  An outside artist, I could finally place a name to my art "mixed media outside artist”.  Wikipedia defines an outside artist as ..... "artists with little or no contact with the mainstream art world. They are frequently on the margins of society: for example, slaves, prisoners, and the mentally ill. Their creative output is referred to as Outsider Art."  Although I am not mentally insane, a slave or a prisoner, I have often thought about these artists' that they are referring to.  They could easily have gone insane, mostly because they didn't have other like minded souls to communicate with & lost their minds ;)  Which in the beginning of my  art life journey, I thought I might do the same, but thank God for the internet & finding my tribe, my art friends, for if I didn't, I surely would have lost my mind. Artists need to share & receive feedback in order to grow~

Also in my opinion Outsider Art is someone who is just trying to find a label for their work, when the art doesn't seem to fit into the mainstream, and definately I feel my work is full of raw emotion & a bit outside the box~

MP: You are also known for the Creative Souls group. Can you share how the group came to be and what your goals are for the group?

The group Creative Souls came to fruition because I needed inspiration, I wanted to be surrounded with other artists that I could relate to, that I could learn from.  I thought if I am wanting this, I am sure there are others out there searching for the same thing as I.   I was scared to pieces to start the group as I never did anything so bold, but now it’s the most rewarding thing I have done so far in my art world.  I love each & every member there.  The Creative Souls group has so many amazing talented artists, the blog posts, the photo albums, the sub groups, the interaction & the meeting of new friends, continue to inspire me daily!  I am so thrilled by this group especially the fact that I only sent out  a few invitations in the beginning & it has grown so quickly without me promoting the site~  I highly admire everyone in this group!  It's like my second family!

Goals for the future of the group are for more interactive activities with the members.  I mainly have wanted it to be a relaxed place for others to help promote their work, but I would also like to have more of the artists' play together with collaborative projects. 

Also, I, am starting Artist online interviews, the first interview is with Richard & Jane Salley.  I am really excited about this new venture. As I am a very shy person, so this is pushing me to new grounds.  Also looking into creating some video type interviews in the near future.

There are other ideas that I am considering but will keep those under my hat for now~  I will continue to enjoying the never ending support & inspiration and look forward to this group growing with new people and new ideas.

MP: What made you decide to become an artist and how old were you when you knew? Did you attend Art School or is all that talent self-taught through trial & error or does it just come naturally for you?

My journey in discovering collage began only a few years ago. I came across a magazine called "Somerset" which I had never seen before. It contained an article about an artist name Keith Lo Bue. I read that article in pure amazement; I never knew this kind of art even existed. It was the most amazing art I have ever seen! His art is eerie & hauntingly archaeological, historical, small scale assemblage/jewelry. His pieces are like "Little vapours of memories" an exact quote from Mr. Lo Bue.

After viewing Keith's website, it was like an awakening for me...as if I had been in a deep slumber all these years! His art moved me to take deep reflection on life in general. I then, came to the conclusion, "I HAVE to create!" and create I did, obsessively for months almost non stop ;)

Self taught through trial and error.  Art does not come naturally for me, I struggle with perfection, and that hinders me from creating alot of pieces, I am very very slow at creating.  But if I turn on my melancholy music, the art just flows from my fingertips~

MP:  Do you have a favorite medium or technique that you use a lot in your work?

Right now, I am deep into Photoshop, it is very difficult to figure out, but I manage to create something that amazes me every time.  There is so much to learn in this program & I haven't even begun to scratch the surface, so I look forward to learning more.

As for my favorite technique,  I would have to say it's not so much as a technique but my signature,  that I am in a constant search for pained and bittersweet vintage images, I love to use these images to invoke emotion into my work.  I want my art to touch people’s soul.  I receive amazing letters from people who have stumbled upon my art and been deeply affected by my art I hold these letter close to my heart.

MP:  Izabella your name is everywhere, so we know you do Social Networking. How does this help you as an artist? What Social Networking would you recommend to those that have not taken the leap yet?

I am a firm believer that self promotion is key to your success!  I personally "don't like" to self promote myself mostly because I am so shy, but I feel as though I am sharing little pieces of myself not really self promoting. 

I feel it is very important to get yourself out there, and to be able to converse with other artists’ keeps you motivated & inspired.  Being involved with social networks is a must for me.

Deviant Art, Facebook, MySpace, ZNE, Ning, Yahoo Groups, Flickr

There are so many amazing places to meet & promote your work, its endless, you just have to keep searching until you find your tribe, the place you feel the most comfortable.

I might add, ZNE was a huge influence in my beginning days.

MP:  Starting Creative Souls tells us an online community is important to you. Why do you feel our online contacts are important?

If you don’t have a good support group near you, then online groups are essential, we HAVE to connect with our peers on all levels and the internet has endless possibilities in meeting other artists’.

My online friends are my lifeline to sanity ;)  I love and adore them & hope to meet each one in person some day!

I am involved with a group of gals , we call ourselves “the outsider artists” there are 9 of us & we have a private group on Ning, where we just chat & share with each other, it’s our place of refuge, we have been through deaths, babies, sickness, family trauma & art lessons with each other, it’s been my saving grace at times.  I love these gals. I would highly recommend getting into a small group that you can share your life events with, people that you can trust & whom you admire it will lift your spirits.

MP:  What advice would you give an emerging artist?

It’s so important these days to follow your own heart, be your own, and find your own style.  We have all been given unique fingerprints, not one is identical to another, I feel that each individual artist has their own “identity print”  Sometimes it’s not a good thing to spend hours admiring other well known established artists, and this can hinder your own process.  The key is to find your own & perfect it. Make your own signature, your own finger print.

MP:  How do you manage your schedule?  Not only are you a very active artist in the online communities you also home school your children. Do you have certain times of the day or night that you find your muse is at its best?

I do struggle with time management, but I have a journal book that I carry with me at all times, writing things down that I have to accomplish & crossing things off is something I am doing all day long, just to try to stick to some type of organization.  I also have learned to type really really fast to get my computer work done quickly ;) and copy & paste is my best friend!! 

Homeschooling is very intense & time consuming.  My children come first before all things.

I love to create in the night, after everyone has gone to sleep, I don’t like to be disturbed while creating.  After taking care of the kids all day, I NEED some peace.  Although I do have to create with my music on…I shut the door to my dungeon & let the muses take me away to that creative land~

MP:  Sue Pieper wants to know, if for just one day, you could be anyone from anytime in history, who would that be?

I adore Marta Beckett, immensely!!  I would have loved to be her in the 70’s when she followed her heart and found her soul in the middle of Death Valley.  I am so excited to finally be able to meet her this month, this is a dream come true!  She is an amazing & inspiring woman. Any artist will ab~soul~utely love her documentary, you can find it on Amazon

Armgosa http://www.amazon.com/Amargosa-Marta-Becket/dp/B000JLTSBW

Link to the trailer of the documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkIS6_nIEtQ

Book~ To Dance on Sands http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Sands-Death-Valleys-Becket/dp/193217334X

MP:  We all want to know your secret for always maintaining an upbeat positive outlook on life?

Praying without ceasing!  Is a must for me.   And choosing to be around positive people is essential. I easily can get pulled under if I am not careful so I purposely strive to be around people who motivate & inspire me~

MP:  Do you have any upcoming projects/books/events/etc we can look forward to seeing in the future? 

I am currently finishing up a piece for a book project for Susan Tuttle’s new book, due out late next year~

Lisa Kettle’s “Art Circus” is due out anytime.  My art is included in her book.

I will be concentrating more of my time on getting the “Outsider Artists” website rolling.

My newest adventure has been creating collage sheets, this has been a dream of mine & I want to thank Lynne Tears & Richard Salley for their help in this & making my little dream come true.  I will be selling them in my etsy store.

This year I want to submit more of my work to magazine publications, I never have taken the time to do this, but it is a goal of mine to do this!

Also working on a book of my own ~ slowly. Not exactly art related.

MP: Is there anything you would like the art world to know about you or your art that we did not cover in our interview?

Finding art has changed my life; even though my art is dark & emotive, creating has helped me work through some things, and has made me a happier person.

I HAVE to read poetry everyday, it’s my fuel

I love God

I adore my family

I have to listen to music while I create, mostly Evanescence

In 5^th grade I failed art class because I covered my Barbie doll in clay; little did I know I was doing altered art way back when. Michael deMeng would be proud; he is doing something similar, an altered toy class.

I am addicted to dark chocolate m & m’s!!

Izabella's work has been published in....
~Bernie Berlin’s book “Altered Art Cards Workshop”
~"Never Forgotten"(front cover) ZNE
~"Exhibition 36" by Susan Tuttle
~Another book by Susan Tuttle in late 2009
~Altered Art Circus by Lisa Kettle

Izabella’s Blue~ http://izabella.typepad.com

Creative Souls~ http://creativesouls.ning.com

Etsy~ Velvet and Rust~ http://izabellah.etsy.com

Outsider Artists~ http://outsider-artists.net/ 

 

Slideshow and You Tube courtesy of Izabella Pierce (Copyright 2009)

 

Izabella, all of us here at MMCA Marketplace thank you for sharing with our readers a little of what makes you the girl next door we all want to know and be friends with.  We wish you all the best in all your ventures.

Press And Journal (Middletown, PA) & ArtBeet (Kewaunee County, WI) show support of Marketplace Exhibit

Middletown PA local paper, "Press And Journal" spotlights MMCA Marketplace with front page promo, as well as press release and color picture.

For more photos of the exhibit please view the Marketplace Exhibition Album in the upper right sidebar.

The above photo provided courtesy of Christine Goldbeck, who was also kind enough to host this first time exhibit featuring artists from the MMCA Marketplace, an online marketing venue owned by Debbie Overton. 

Thanks ArtBeet for the article on our exhibit!

ArtBeet: Representing The Arts Community in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin: MMCA Marketplace - article includes artist Sue Pieper

Read ArtBeet: Representing The Arts Community in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin: MMCA Marketplace - article includes artist Sue Pieper.

Carrie Todd - First Friday Art Walks

Join Marketplace member, Carrie Todd...