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If you're an illustrator or art student anywhere near western Pennsylvania you want to sign up for the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators' first annual illustration conference.  I'll be conducting a workshop on children's book illustration…

Why pay more?

Here is a glimpse into the heart of an unscrupulous art buyer. I don't use the word 'unscrupulous' lightly.  He may defend himself by saying he merely pays what these artists ask, and in a free market parties may enter into contractual agreements…

Should I major in art or in business?

Ashley writes: I need some college Major advice I want to be a freelance illustrator, and I'm going into college this Fall. I was talking to a friend of mine about another mutual friend who graduated college with an Art Degree, and had a…

What if friends want free work?

A former student of mine wrote: I am having an issue with people thinking just because they know me I should paint portraits of their kids and do graphic design work for them for nothing—or next to it. I have gotten five demands this week…

Fixing up the new studio

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Here is the main staircase of the National Transit Building, leading up to the art studios. Painting over the gothic purple walls with 'custard yellow,' a Martha Stewart paint color.

In Transit

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Yippee!  I've been approved; signed the paperwork and forked over my rent & security deposit.  I'll begin renting a studio space in Oil City's Transit Building on May Day—the maddest, merriest day of all the glad new year.  In the meantime,…

PSI newsletter

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The April 2010 Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators' newsletter, PSInside, is here!

There’ll be some changes made

Okay, right now it doesn't look like much.  Add a filing cabinet and it becomes an Edward Hopper painting.  But if I'm approved, this is the studio space I'll be occupying beginning next month.  I need to move out of the dining room and into…

A martini for Harriet

I'm going to deviate from my standard practice of avoiding adult topics in this blog—usually I keep it kid-friendly.  Today, however, I mention the name of an adult beverage. That's because today is different.  The proprieties must be observed. …