America Creates

In contemporary culture, certainly ours, Christmas is the biggest commercial season by far.  Love it or hate it, most retailers depend on holiday sales for their year’s make or break.  In this economy we are surrounded with desperate holiday sales gimmicks and giveaways.  The big box discounters are leading the pack.  That’s maybe good for their bottom line, but is it creating jobs for people here in the US?

America Creates brings the best of American artists and craftsmen directly to you.  If you’re buying gifts this season -  discover the  work of an artist near you and make your home brighter and their season the best ever.

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How do we describe how we feel about “art?”  Much less, how do we presume to tell others what art is “better?”

Valuing art is also a thorny conundrum.  After all, what is art?  Historically speaking, art described a high level of skill in many disciplines.  The distinction between art and craft is a fairly modern one.

Today has gotten away from me.  I’ll return to this post tomorrow…

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We had a great show last night on Blog Talk Radio with artist and author JoAnn Depolo. JoAnn is the author of “Making It As An Artist,” an inspirational and instructional guide for working artists in the “business of art.” We dove right in and talked about what it takes to get a “career” off the ground.  The shaping of a personal perspective and believing in the value of what you do and create.  And of course, we get into the nitty-gritty of marketing and self promotion.

Listen to the show from our archived podcast:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AmericaCreates

Learn more about JoAnn and see her paintings by going to her pages on AC:

http://www.americacreates.com/JoAnn_DePolo26426/galleries

And read two great intros to her book and seminars in our Community pages:

http://www.americacreates.com/article.php

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We had a great time in our first podcast.  Hope you were there, but fear not, there are always the archives!  Just go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AmericaCreates and tune in at any time.  In case you missed it, we were privileged to have as our first guests, jeweler, Jamie Santellano and visionary painter, Dennis Larkins.

We got to talk with Jamie about her burgeoning designs in classic chain and medieval mail.  Jamie gave us insights on her early inspirations and continuing growth as a jeweler. Check out her work on America Creates.

Jamie_Santellano-Gallery

It’s been my pleasure to have known Dennis Larkins for over thirty years now.  Dennis and I met when we were both working for Bill Graham, the San Francisco rock impressario - think Fillmore, Winterland and the mondo-rock tour as we know it today.  Dennis was the scenic artist that presided over the flowering of that particular form of “bigger than life” presentation.

Dennis’ art can be yours in affordable Giclee prints on America Creates. Dennis_Larkins_Gallery

Here are a few visuals to go along with the recorded show.

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Join us Monday night (Labor Day) at 8:00 PM PST for our first podcast on Blog Talk Radio. www.blogtalkradio.com/AmericaCreates  We’ll be visiting with California jeweler, Jamie Santellano and legendary scenic artist and visionary painter, Dennis Larkins.  Don’t miss the fun and inspiration as we talk about the creative process that each bring to their singular work.  But, if you can’t make it to the live broadcast be sure and check out the podcast, which can be played or downloaded at the BlogTalkRadio site.

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

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