Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Another Exploration - Online Art Galleries

Ok, so I finally decided to pursue some art websites and online art galleries for uploading my art for sale as well as feedback. I have browsed some websites earlier. When I was in India, even then I used to come across some websites. But never signed up for any. I used to draw and paint, though less frequently than I am doing now. Given my full time job, long drives and hectic schedule with a kid, fnding time to pursue online art galleries and art websites were not very lucrative, nor did I think I had the time. Now, in a new place, where I hardly know people around, online art galleries seemed to be a good option to explore.

After moving to USA, I got more time to paint, write and think. Introspection is necessary for me before moving on with anything new. Although the thoughts or ideas come intuitively, it is follwed by some amount of introspection.

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci


Art and writing are two things I have been passionate about since my childhood. What better time than "now" to continue pursuing those full-time. My poetry collection was released in 2015 along with some of my drawings (some drawings here) and now I am trying to create the poetry that can be seen.

Since we moved to US, people often ask me if I get bored here at home. For 16 years, since the year 2000, I was working full time, without a break. Also was involved with many different activities apart from full tie job. The obvious conclusion to draw would be that now as I am not in a full time job, no television at home, not many friends and family to spend my time with, I would be getting bored at home.

Somehow, sitting idle for very long has not been in my nature. If nothing else, I have a long list of things I want to read. Other than the books from the local library, internet is loaded with information if one really wants to explore, read and learn something. Every morning when I wake up, I am eager to get back to my canvas, paper, paint and pen. I get so engrossed when I start drawing or painting, time just flies!! This sense of timelessness is something all artists and creative people aspire for, something Mihaly termed as "Flow" (reminds me of my PhD thesis draft, that I submitted a couple of months back, where I have referred to the "Flow" theory or the "theory of optimal experience").

I started to explore some online art galleries as well as print-on-demand art websites. Fine Art America has some of my paintings, starting from my college days when I was studying Drawing and Painting (Honours) for my graduation. I am yet to fully explore this print-on-demand market for artists.

Saatchi Art has some of my more recent work, drawings and paintings. I have been taking my time to update it, slowly. During the process of exploration, a lot of things come up, some of which I like, some I don't, and some may or may not be suitable for all art platform.

Art and paintings submitted to Vango are curated based on the requirement of their platform. So the artwork on Vango is what they have selected to be sold through their websites. Hopefully, I will talk more about these platforms later.

As I mentioned in my previous post, more updates have been on my Facebook page lately, also on Instagram @seemakumar9 and Twitter @seemakumar9, than on my blog or website. Writing took a back seat when it came to drawing and painting.


Some of my work or links to my work is on my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/seemakumar13/.
I would appreciate your suggestions, feedback, critiques, comments to improve, and find my way around in a new country, new place as an artist-designer. 

No comments: