“Get your Artist Jet Pack “on is a free newsletter devoted to your art practise (and mine!) Whether you are regularly making and marketing your art or just getting started. It’s a spin off from Ageless Artist as my intention is to focus on the artist 50 and up . Of course all ages are welcome and your opinions and thoughts encouraged.
I also offer a paid subscription option ( The Jet Pack Club) -If you are interested in a smaller group format with more options to participate . This is quite new and evolving.
I recall feeling disappointed that I could not film my young daughter as many parents I knew were keeping a record of their various milestones and everyday cuteness with camcorders -expensive equipment that was not in my affordability range.. I have instead a heaping pile of photo albums which are actually quite lovely to look through (no scrolling) when I feel sentimental. My daughter continues to gravitate to them when she visits.
During my childhood my dad brought along his movie camera to every occasion and to many events that interested him specifically (air shows,parades) . He was our family memory curator .
The drawn out ritual of setting up the projector and screen for a two minute show was an event in itself . I am fortunate to have the record of these hundreds of small reels on flash drive (courtesy of my mom and brother) and this is both a fascinating and surreal trip into the past for me.
Times have shifted so that everyone who has a smartphone can now film endless recollections of everyday events..Reels are expected to reach numbers on instagram and even Etsy recommends short videos to capture buyers attention . Of course everything is ephemeral ..Most people don’t print out or often even save their photos and videos for posterity. VHS is out of fashion and production . …dvds also. (I’m guessing a lot of those old VHS tapes and CD’s will have to be converted to continue to live on )
The pandemic that we endured also fostered heightened online use -and many artists were busy conjuring up ways and means to meet other artists, run classes and create community via Zoom, Youtube and Facebook Live events. Patreon has evolved into a platform where artists/creatives can follow their favourite artists/instructors and participate in different tiers of involvement with a corresponding cost.
For artists who live in more isolated places this is an another way to gather and meet other artists..and participate -without weather, distance,transportation issues as a barrier.
There are opportunities to take life drawing classes with live models online London Drawing and Draw Brighton are a couple of options (there are costs to participate ) and a few Patreon artists also offer this option. ( Searching online you may find a local arts organization that provides this choice also as time zones may influence participation)
Another interesting option is Drawing is free. Online opportunities to draw together just might spark the artist in you to return to what you love best!
This is quite an interesting phenomenon as this form of reaching out continues to flourish despite our ability to meet in person again.
Have you participated in any of the artist Patreon or Substack drawing sessions? If so What was your experience like?
I have offered my art classes online through my website for several years -and its been so lovely to connect with other artists as well as extend this learning world wide. In the past year I migrated all of my prior classes to my Youtube channel in order to increase accessibility rather than putting them to rest . There continues to be an interest in these classes despite passage of time. It pleases me greatly to learn that creatives may continue to benefit from these experiences. My youtube channel and online classes
I filmed my classes using the technology of the time -my Ipad and edited using imovie. I was completely self taught and it was a learning curve. Sometimes my partner filmed me - and provided me with his own musical accompaniment/ guitar compositions. My hens, roosters.. goats and pigs often appeared as “extras”
A promo video for my class featuring my engaging Jack Russell Eddie!
If you enjoy drawing and sketching then I recommend Koosje Koene for a little inspiration.
For lots of different kinds of media demos and techniques check out Emily Hughes Art
melissa martin Hosts Art Hang events
Art by Louise provides art business tips as well as user friendly instructional videos!
offers tons of inspiration and drawing opportunities through her substack publication the Introvert Drawing club..and let me not overlook
who provides tips and support around nature journaling. Here is a lovely demo of hers of a Canada geese drawingThere are of course so many others!
There is information via educational videos on youtube and other online resources to learn how to use video making to enhance your art sharing. Domestika and skillshare also offer affordable educational options .
The bar has been raised higher of late-with many dedicated online instructors using professional lighting and cameras/technology to film much more professional productions.
Nonetheless I still believe the content is important as is the connection to your followers .
Here is something you might like to try offered by Blueshine Art this Thursday October 5th morning EST pre Canadian Thanksgiving ! A free sketch and meet zoom event that artist
is generously hosting..You can find the info at this link below ..
free Sketch with Blueshine art online
Videos and education online have enhanced my art making by learning from others ..And by providing opportunities to connect with other revered artists . If you have any other artists links you wish to recommend including yourself :-) please feel free to add in comments!
Have you considered filming your art making process to share ? Or your working space? Or perhaps an art event you have attended ? It’s just another way to inform others interested in your art about “you -the artist” Please do share your experience!
On the topic of filming..I will be offering a live opportunity to work on mixed media sketchbook pages together online soon..stay tuned !
Cheers,
Heather
What an honor to be included in this wonderful list! Thank you so much, Heather. You made my day. Hope to see you at a session soon!
I’ve done very limited filming...short reels, etc. with help from my very tech savvy children. I actually find it exhausting! It’s another aspect, although key to many social platforms, I find takes me away from creating. Wing this age, I’m weighing what’s absolutely necessary with what brings me joy and may bring joy to others. With that said, I enjoy attending online classes! I’ve done many in-person classes for students in the past and enjoyed it. Still debating & learning whether I want to be a film producer, too!🤔😘