To blog or not to blog?

[Nancy Bea Miller]

Michele, the News Blog does not cancel out your resume. Like most folks you probably have a resume or c.v. page on your websites. On this, you list (in resume format) all the major shows, events and honors. This is a static page that I personally only bother to update three or four times a year. Because it's a bit of a pain!

On the News Blog you put everything ....like small charity events that may not make it onto the formal resume. Maybe you met an art hero of yours and want to post the photo of the two of you shaking hands. You can also post about any classes or workshops you are teaching. Think of your "News Blog" as what you might reply if an interested friend asked "So, what's happening with your art these days?"People may not bother to read your formal resume, but seem to enjoy reading the News Blog. It's more conversational!

[Enzie Shahmiri]

I agree with Nancy that you end up making a lot of new contacts. Having looked at all three blogger sites and I found them very interesting. They each give a new insight into the artists we all know, but on a much more personal level.

Nancy I like that you have seemless website blog thing going. Mine is a link although I have tried to stay within a similar style of web design. Isn't it funny though as artists how many things we manage to juggle all at once?

[Bianca Berends]

It is so interesting to see that more and more people have a blog. Since a week or two I have totally replaced my website with a blog (did it through blogger.com). I can now update my content myself and I get feedback from people that they really like the active content, news items. Now I post a message when I have seen a great exhibition for example, something I didn't do on my old website. All the content that was on my website is still on my blog, including my portfolio. I must admit, I have a husband who is a webdeveloper and showed my some tricks to do al this in a blog. It is also possible that your get a higher listing in Google (you have to uses labels though!) and use a lot of keywords in your text (portrait, portrait painter ect. especially in your headers).

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Bianca, I love your layout. It clearly communicates that you are a portrait artist. You and your hubby did a great job.

How about us bloggers do a little blog review and point out to each other things that could be better via Email. Anyone who is interested to participate Email me at [email protected] and I will give you my honest opinion in return for yours.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Enzie,

What a great idea, I will definitely participate in your review exchange. I welcome any other comments/critique of my blog too. It's the homepage on my website.

Joan

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Joan, I just sent you an Email. Thanks for your review!

[Enzie Shahmiri]

I am starting to wonder if maybe my blog design is too crowded with visual information. My daughter seems to think so, she has been nice enough to create a new blog, recommending I go with a layout that is more with the times.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Bianca,
I took a look at your blog, it's very nice. You have managed to get a lot of information and photos on your blog very nicely.
Joan

[Bianca Berends]

Thanks Joan! I still have to find time to translate to English. It is strange because before I was so happy with my website and now when I look back it was a bit boring, I like that I can easily ad news and post, I don't need my husband for that anymore!

[Karin Wells]

I did indeed start a blog. It satisfies that left brain itch after exercising the right brain all day as I paint.

I used to post more on this forum but found that mostly I wanted to say some things that won't be interrupted, take longer and gets more detailed in a technical kind of way. (But I do still enjoy the format of a large dynamic forum like this one).

My blogging satisfies my need to teach, do demos and reach out to other artists...in my "spare" (ha!) time. I've accumulated a little knowledge over the years and really want to share it.

I'd looked into making demo videos but I have been fortunate to make a good living from just painting portraits (and still life and landscapes). I jcannot see myself charging for workshops, etc. - I don't have the time or inclination.

My blog has brought me neither business nor fame...my website with Cynthia on Stroke of Genius is supposed to do all that.

But it is fun to put something out there and hope it helps another artist. Art is, after all, a very lonely profession and I've gotten a lot of interesting letters from old friends and readers who stumbled into it.

If you feel that you have something to say - start a blog. It sure is easy! I use blogger.com but there are are many others out there.

Here is the link to my blog. Please drop by and tell me what you think of it. Suggestions welcomed:

http://karinwells.blogspot.com/