Blog Feed: I'd Rather Be Making Art

5 Things you should do for your art in 2012

Published on 2012-01-07 21:27:07

So, 2012 is here and your art dreams still have not come true.  Don’t fret, IRBMA has compiled a  list of 5 things you can do to boost your art mojo and make some progress in 2012 1. Draw #365 I’m not sure when this drawing everyday, documenting it via blog and then posting to [...] > read more

6 Ridiculously rich contemporary artists

Published on 2011-12-08 10:10:52

These artists not only make a living, they defy all that your parents and guidance counselors might have told you about a career in fine art. Damien Hirst When you think of Damien Hirst, the first thing that might come to mind is Formaldehyde. The leading member of the Young British Artists  is famous for [...] > read more

The Beauty of a Second

Published on 2011-12-07 05:09:37

To celebrate the invention of the chronograph 190 years ago, Montblanc is holding a one-of-a-kind contest presented by famed film maker, Wilm Wenders The challenge? Create a one second video of a beautiful moment. Anyone can participate, from cell phone camera enthusiasts to professional film makers. Upload your video to the site, for a chance to [...] > read more

Artful Mondays: Artist Trading Cards

Published on 2011-12-05 11:43:32

Have you always wanted to develop your artistic skills or pick up an old art hobby, but felt like you didn’t have the time or resources? Just go small. In the past few years, many people have started making time for art. Making it, trading it and collecting it in the form of  artists trading cards (or [...] > read more

Artful Mondays: Clean out your junk drawer and make altered art

Published on 2011-11-14 07:15:13

In 2007, I decided to sell some of my artwork online.  I checked out ebay to see what people were buying. I didn’t see anything like the kind of stuff I made, but I did see something that I wanted to make.  It was something called Altered art.  It reminded me of dreams and memories [...] > read more

Our world in a million little pieces: The art of Chris Jordan

Published on 2011-10-30 04:26:16

In our digital age, we can spot when something has been photoshoped and talk about movies with sub par CGI. We’re not easily impressed anymore. But the work of  Chris Jordan, a photographer and digital artist could deservedly be described as impressive. At first glance,  you see a beautiful work of art, but  look closer [...] > read more

Artful Mondays: How to make cool art by doodling

Published on 2011-10-17 09:15:48

If you can’t draw to save your life, you can still make something as awesome as the above picture. All you need is patience, the ability to copy patterns, and a little bit of imagination. This method of drawing one stroke at a time is called Zentangleâ„¢.  It involves combining patterns of tangles. The end [...] > read more

Artful Mondays: 3 ways to save beautiful things you find online

Published on 2011-10-10 16:33:01

I’m pleased to introduce you to IRBMA’s new series, Artful Mondays. An awesome way to get that extra jolt, without the caffeine crash.  Artful Mondays will feature new ways you can get inspired and add just a little art to your life.  Do you often come across beautiful things online? With photo sharing sites you [...] > read more

Your time is limited. Don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Published on 2011-10-06 20:20:15

Some months ago, I stood in line with my husband and our two little boys for the release of the first ipad. We waited in line, happily for almost 4 hours. If you’re an Apple fan, this makes perfect sense to you. As I am writing this post, the entire world knows by now that [...] > read more

Art Re-imagined: Thinking outside of the brush

Published on 2011-09-22 07:12:09

It has often been said, when it comes to creative pursuits, that the only limits that really exist are the limits we place on ourselves.  So,what if you approach every obstacle like a question that has a hidden answer? What if you allow your imagination to run wild and then turn your ideas into reality? [...] > read more

Art on the edge of insanity: Molly Crabapple’s week in hell

Published on 2011-06-28 11:16:38

  I believe some of the best art is the kind that involves the public. I found Molly Crabapple’s project on kickstarter.com and now I’m sorry I didn’t contribute before it became fully funded. Molly will be locking herself in a > read more

Guest post: Art at the crossroads of America

Published on 2011-06-15 21:57:40

  The Mid-west, which in reality is neither mid nor West, can at times get overlooked when it comes to arts and entertainment.  Of course, Chicago usually sees many national touring acts come through its windy doors, but most other Mid-west cit > read more

Herding cats: Organizing for artistic types

Published on 2011-05-22 23:51:46

You know that commercial with the cowboys herding cats? It was always hilarious to me because it reminded me so much of myself.  Cats are my favorite animals because of their insistence on non-conformity.  They only adhere to restrictions if their > read more

Inspiring design: Interview with Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Jessica Nolan Billow

Published on 2011-05-02 23:31:02

When did you first know you had a talent for drawing?  I always loved to draw, I was quite the “chalker” back in the day. I can remember my brother and sisters wanting to play road in the driveway with our bikes and play cars. We would g > read more

William and kate: Inspiring royalty

Published on 2011-04-29 11:49:30

In the past few weeks, I was not in involved in all the hoopla surrounding the the anticipated royal nuptials. I had little intention of tuning in to see Kate meet William at the alter, but this morning when I turned on pbs and realized I had missed > read more

T.V, Film and advertising illustrative art: Interview with Paul Shipper

Published on 2011-04-27 00:52:26

When did you first know you had a talent for drawing?  From an early age, My family and friends never stopped encouraging me, I would doodle Batman and Robin in my scrapbook, and even though looking back they probably weren’t even that good, e > read more

3 inspiring ways to experience poetry

Published on 2011-04-25 10:50:58

April is national poetry month and with the month winding down I wanted to do a post especially about poetry. A lot of people write poetry and most people know at least one poem, but few realize what a positive effect poetry can have on our lives. I& > read more

The art of Irony:Interview with editorial illustrator, Scott Dubar

Published on 2011-04-15 17:44:26

How long have you been drawing?  Ever since I picked up my first crayon! I started drawing on the wall of my parent’s living room and never looked back… What is the most challenging part of editorial illustration?  At this stage in my c > read more

3 inspiring art projects you can be a part of now

Published on 2011-04-07 14:40:53

The inside out project The inside out project is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. You can upload your photo to their site and they will send you a poster to paste somw > read more

Inspiring:Amazing 3D portraits and microscopic sculptures

Published on 2011-04-01 20:34:54

I admire artists that value the craft as much as the message.  The best art has elements of beauty and pain. Sculptor Andrew Myers creates portraits using screws, phone book pages and plywood. He pre-drills 8,000-10,000 screws into the plywood that > read more

The art of the title sequence

Published on 2011-03-27 18:42:14

The artistic genius behind title sequences often go unsung. The art of the title sequence is a site that features opening title design from film and television. A visit here is guaranteed to inspire you! A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albi > read more

Elizabeth Taylor and my grandmother: Artful, spirited, living

Published on 2011-03-23 09:49:42

A few minutes ago as I was watching my morning news I found out that Elizabeth Taylor has died at 79, due to congestive heart failure.  Although she lived a very full life, she touched a lot of people that spanned several generations and she will be > read more

IRBMA artful finds

Published on 2011-03-17 22:32:24

I’ve always had a favorite fashion accessory that was well worn and loved. I remember my little turquoise Chinese purse I left on a bus in Manhattan when I was 5. Then there was my nifty-thrifty, all-purpose black sweater, which I’m sure > read more

6 Random things that might inspire you

Published on 2011-03-07 23:02:50

  1. A-typical Shoes Nothing like a crazy pair of shoes to get you thinking outside of the box. 2. Crocheted plastic bags Our world is drowning in plastic, especially ubiquitous are plastic shopping bags. You can learn use this undesirable, yet > read more

Art on tape: Interview with Erika Iris Simmons, aka iri5

Published on 2011-02-23 03:43:50

Last year, I found Erika’s amazing art on Flickr and I requested to interview her for my blog. I had to know what inspired her and how she did it. I was floored when I saw the Bruno Mars music video, “Amazing”. I just knew that this > read more

How to write a good poem in 2 minutes or less

Published on 2011-02-21 18:20:36

I’ve written hundreds of poems in my life. Some are really good and some are only for my eyes.  I had to write many bad poems to get to write some good ones, but you may not have to do that because I’m going to give you a surefire formul > read more

10 places online where you can gather inspiration

Published on 2011-02-21 03:05:28

Sometimes I get in a funk creatively. Nothing gets me out faster than seeing other people’s creativity at work. Here are 10 places I like to gather inspiration from online: 1. Etsy A site where all things are handmade. I always leave with an ex > read more