SURVEY FOR ARTISTS #2

Dear Fellow Artists, Please take my 2nd Survey now at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNS58L3

Results on Survey of Artists Regarding Groups-Nov 2009

41 artists took my survey by November 27th when I made this tabulation. To all of you who took it, I really do appreciate all your answers, comments and observations- of all types. Here’s what I have. (Note: If the numbers don’t add up, it means that question was not answered)

Question 1
Is belonging to a group of artists with a common purpose…
10 answered GOOD
0 answered BAD
16 answered VALUABLE or somewhat valuable
9 answered WORTHWHILE
0 answered UNWANTED

Question 2
A group of artists banded together to make positive change for mankind is…
11 answered GOOD
0 answered BAD
13 answered VALUABLE or somewhat valuable
12 answered WORTHWHILE
1 answered UNWANTED

Question 3
A way to pool resources for the betterment of others and yourself is…
15 answered GOOD
0 answered BAD
15 answered VALUABLE or somewhat valuable
11 answered WORTHWHILE
0 answered UNWANTED

Question 4
Getting your art into fast moving markets is…
13 answered GOOD
0 answered BAD
22 answered VALUABLE or somewhat valuable
4 answered WORTHWHILE
1 answered UNWANTED

Question 5
The concept of belonging to a guild to promote and protect quality artists is…
15 answered GOOD
0 answered BAD
14 answered VALUABLE or somewhat valuable
10 answered WORTHWHILE
1 answered UNWANTED

On, “Which of the above is most valuable?”
#1 had 8
#2 had 9
#3 had 6
#4 had 7
#5 had 11

On, “Which of the above is the least valuable?”
#1 had 5
#2 had 6
#3 had 2
#4 had 14
#5 had 10

On, “If a guild as stated above started, would you want to be notified?”
25 said YES
4 said NO
The rest didn’t answer

Observations:
The first thing I discovered is that there is both confusion and hostility to the term and concept of a guild. This was new to me. Some have had the experience that guilds are in the business of regulating and evaluating artistic output, both type and quality and this is very much unwanted (understandable). Some experienced guilds that acted more like unions or exclusive clubs and weren’t really there on behalf of the artists in general.

The other observation I have on this is that mostly artists would like to help each other more, but often don’t really know how best to go about it, and being individualists by nature, don’t understand how best to align their efforts for mutual results.

My own purpose for this research is not to in any way get into the artistic/ creative output side of things which is up to every individual artist. My research has to do with coming up with some new and innovative ways that artista can group together to assist in marketing, promotion and selling more of everyone’s art. Basically to use the power of a group more effectively to provide more selling and marketing power to all members of the group.

With that I need a little more research, so I’d like to ask you all (if you are an artist) to take my next survey here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNS58L3


or click the link on the above right- this survey is to be taken anonymously, I do not need your identity for this one unless you want to give to me.

GERANIUMS AND BANANA TREES-watercolor

GERANIUMS AND BANANA TREES
Originally uploaded by Mikalaartist
Available at www.michelerossfineartist.com
or in my Ebay Store

Watercolor Study for November 22nd-

Reviews so far

"Oh wow! Pretty! Love, love the colors! "

"Wonderful artwork !!! Beautiful colours and composition !!! "

"GREAT ARTWORK AND DETAIL!! BRAVO!!! "

"This is wonderful! "

"Fantastic! I love the delicacy of the geraniums against the power of the strong trunks of the bananas. "

"It's very great composition, it's original and brings nice and clear effect of light, congrats."

Survey for Artists

I am surveying my fellow artists on the value of guilds and groups for a project I'm doing. I really would like to hear from you and I really appreciate your help on this.

Just click the link on the upper right and you will be directed to the Survey. Thanks!

PUNALUU HONU- watercolor

PUNALUU HONU- watercolor
Originally uploaded by Mikalaartist
Available at www.michelerossfineartist.com
or on Etsy or Ebay- first come, first serve etc.

Watercolor on 12x16 in (31x41cm) Arches 140lb CP

KEALAKEKUA PLUMERIA-watercolor

KEALAKEKUA PLUMERIA-watercolor
Originally uploaded by Mikalaartist

Watercolor on 12x16in (31x41cm) Arches 140lb CP
Available on Ebay or Etsy or just contact me directly

Why I love Veteran's............ thoughts on Veteran's Day, Warriors, and Taking a Stand

L: My dad as a young Army Officer

R: My husband as a young sailor

I wrote this last Memorial Day and an resharing it for Veteran's Day Nov 11, 2009

(Written May 23rd 2009)

I was thinking early this morning about this and actually got a little emotional.
First of all, I'm married to a veteran. My husband Bob was in the US Navy for 7 years during Viet Nam and shortly after. And I'm also the daughter of one. My father was a career Army Officer in the US Army and a veteran of 3 wars, WW II, Korea, and Viet Nam.
Even if I don't agree with all the circumstances of each of these wars, there's something wonderful about someone who will hold a post and put himself or herself in harm's way to protect their group. Someone who will stand there and hold the line and say "I'm going to follow orders and get the job done for my god and my country- my group and my beliefs!" There's something above the crowd about doing that.

When I was a child in Hawaii, we were stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu. One of my most poignant memories of that era was looking at the drill field covered in coffins and knowing those boxes were filled with men who had died for their country and that their bodies were on their way back to families who are grief stricken and in pain. That was the 60's and there were a lot of conflicting viewpoints about that mess over in southeast Asia. Yes, there was a lot of waste in that endeavor, but that was never any reason to dishonor those who did their job, held their posts correctly and held the line for the rest of us.

I know just a very little about what my husband and my father went through. My father spent time behind enemy lines in China and Korea and he was in Hanoi during negotiations. My husband Bob was there at the evacuation of Saigon. I can't pretend to know what emotions they felt in such environments nor what nonsense they had to weed through and put up with from both the enemy as well as lousy commanders, unethical comrades and being asked to do things that I'm sure pushed them violently up against the wall of their own integrity. I'm sure there are things that have plagued them both from time to time and still......, there's something about a guy who is willing to take up arms, stand a post, and hold a line for their group because right or wrong at times its still their group....... I just know that while I was playing on the beaches at Waikiki, Waianae, and the North Shore, there were others who were elsewhere in the jungles of Viet Nam trying to get that job done against incredible odds from all sides. And as Memorial Day and my childhood memories testify, many, many were lost in those efforts. Many, many warriors lost. Yes, I've walked through Arlington National Cemetery- and I dare you to without sheading at least one tear.

War is not the answer and I've always known that- however, what would I do to defend my group, my home and my country? What would you do? We can't handle lack of accord and understanding when the communications have become bullets and missiles, however in the right context I don't think I'd personally hesitate to use such means. Yes, I'd take up arms and hold a post if necessary..

We still need our warriors, and in today's times, we must all step up to the line. Today's greatest and most urgent battles are for our own personal freedoms, our minds, our self-determinism, our bodies, our religions and the state of our immortal being. The battlefields are sometimes intentionally confused and hidden behind big media's disinformation, big Pharma, unethical legislation and leaders, and destructive technologies who run a constant campaign to make us think they are there to help and that their particular brand of bullets aren't really bullets at all. They are lying through their teeth! The corpses from those campaigns are hidden behind advertising, legislation and propaganda campaigns- but like those coffins on the fields at Schofield Barracks, they are there and they are just as real.

So, today I honor ALL the fallen warriors, those who have fought and died, and those who have served and lost a part of themselves in the effort whether it be in body, mind or spirit.
I also honor all the warriors still in there slugging on in today's battlefields both physical, mental, spiritual and ethical. Those who ARE holding a post, taking a stand, holding the line and forging ahead for their group, their beliefs, and their integrity against incredible opposition and suppression.

For Memorial Day I also ask myself and you too- What kind of warrior am I? What post am I holding?- what post are you? What do I stand for- what do you? What arms am I taking up for my group, my beliefs, my spirit, my religion, my honor and my integrity?As the old saying goes- "The man who won't take a stand, stands for nothing". I love true warriors!
Our own neck is only as precious as our fellow group member's is.

Find your Cause

Take a Stand

Hold a Post

Be constantly vigilant

Hold the Line

Push ahead for a better world no matter the odds.

Be a warrior on your chosen battlefield and don't let the line be broken under any circumstances.
And today honor all those who have served in battle, their chosen ones or not, and who held their post, did their job and have fallen before us.

Thank you Veterans of all Wars! Personally, I thank you very much!-

Michele Ross aka Mikala Ross

BOATS AT SUNSET -Watercolor Painting

This is a Watercolor Painting done by me, artist Michele Mikala Ross on 12x16 inch (31x41cm) Arces CP 140lb WC paper. The painting is unmatted and unframed for ease of shipping and so you can choose your own.

Original available for $195.00 US plus shipping
Prints available for $22.00 US plus shipping

"ADMIRATION" giclee print

Giclee Print - image size is 11x14 on high quality archival watercolor stock.
$165.00 US plus shipping

ENJOYING THE SHADE-Watercolor

ENJOYING THE SHADE-Watercolor
Originally uploaded by Mikalaartist

Today's Watercolor
You probably already guessed that I really love plumerias- they are often warm up paintings for me- but this one, I'm pretty darned happy with. Hope you like it too.

Watercolor on 7x10 inch lanaquarelle cold pressed rough
Original $69.00 US plus shipping- prints available for $22.00 US plus shipping.