A Big 'No Go' to the Van Gogh Immersion Experience

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the least appreciated artists of the 19th century, yet has become one of the most famous artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, especially these days considering his artworks are no longer protected by copyright.

That's right, his artworks can literally be used, reproduced, and profited off of by anyone in the world now... but should they?

Today I want to share with you some of the ethical concerns I see arising from this wave of Van Gogh immersive experiences popping up in cities all across the US. I'm sure it will be a fun experience for those that choose to attend, but being an art history teacher and knowing so much about Van Gogh's last years and the suffering he endured, I have a few ethical concerns to share regarding this traveling exhibit that you may be interested in learning for yourself.

Here are the images I shared in the video. The first ones are Vincent Van Gogh and the last four are by his friend and notable artist Paul Gauguin who moved to Tahiti where he became known for painting the local women.

After watching the video, I would love to hear what you think of random companies being able to profit so heavily off of art they find in the public domain. While I think the ability to access old artworks, songs, and other creative accomplishments as copyright free and able to be built off of long after the artist has passed on is a wonderful part of our society, turning that work into an exclusionary event just feels wrong. Leave me your thoughts here or on the video comments!

7.4.2021

Featured on Trendy Art Ideas!

Woo hoo! I always appreciate it soooo much when a blog or publication features my artwork - it really does wonders for introducing me to new creatives and collectors. Pretty please go show Trendy Art some love by checking out my feature, and maybe even meet a few new extraordinary artists while you’re there!

6.30.2021

Using Everyday People as Art Models

Welcome to my world of 3Dimensional Figurative Oil Paintings featuring real dried ferns, found objects, and tiny mummified specimens ensconced in layers of clear acrylic resin. I use these intricate shadow-box scenes to highlight the natural beauty of culturally diverse models from all over the world.

Using everyday people as my art models has become an important part of my artistic practice for a number of reasons. Most importantly because I think in this world of unrealistic traditional beauty standards, racism, colorism, body shaming and the like, we as artists should be highlighting the natural beauty all around us, rather than reinforcing outdated, noninclusive, idealistic faces and figures.

I truly find the features and expressions of regular people to be more interesting, have more depth, and tell more stories than generic, manufactured, “aesthetically beautiful” faces of made-up characters. I find that there is so much more personality coming out of my artwork when my subjects are, in fact, real persons.

Another wonderful aspect of discovering and appreciating everyday beauty is that I now have no shortage of models. Friends are elated to pose for me, and I almost always get the most wonderful thank you notes after completing a painting of a friend, usually saying something like, ‘I’ve never felt so beautiful! I’m so honored/humbled/thrilled to be featured in a work of art!’ which honestly brings me more joy than words can say. I genuinely love showing people how truly special and magical they are just as themselves.

I believe that the message of inclusion and body positivity for all the unique men and women of this modern world is an important stepping stone for self-acceptance and love, which is the message I hope viewers of my paintings will choose to take home. From many interactions I’ve experienced over the years, I’ve noticed that once a self-love is achieved it spirals outward forming into social acceptance and a universal love which radiates from such empowered folks into an ever expanding cycle of each of us bringing up the other. Simply put, loved people are loving.

My works celebrate the natural and perfect imperfectness of all of us in hopes to be a catalyst for a world which exchanges love exponentially.

6.20.2021

Palm-Shaded Figure Progress

Whoa I have bit off quite a lot with this painting… but am enjoying taking it slow so far. This is actually a collaborative piece with one of my Instagram followers who offered me a few fab reference photos like this during quarantine when I didn’t have any models. As striking as the original photo is I was a little intimidated, but after a few hours I’m feeling right at home among the palms:)

6.12.21

Drying Duo Tone Flower Petals?!?

Whoa did I just walk right up on the middle of the Deck of Cards painting the white roses red or is this the neatest lil abomination ever?!?

There’s an entire full rose bush full of these light pink flowers and hidden amongst them are these fascinating fuscia petals, either showing up as a handful of individuals…..

or, oddly enough, split directly down the center of a petal.

And you know once I find anything delightful or unusual in everyday plants I compulsively must see what will happen if I try to dry them for art.

These turned out pretty well so far! They’ve only been drying for about three weeks in the dark so the color is still so vivid. I’ll probably take one out and experiment with it in resin to see how well the color lasts because I sure would love to use these unusual specimens in a painting!

6.9.2021

10 Lessons Learned from a Lifelong Artist

Sometimes we wish we could go back in time and give advice to ourselves as a younger artist, such as words of encouragement or tips to start growing an audience right out of art school.

Today I've got a video for you sharing advice that my younger artist self would have loved to get a little earlier than I actually did, which may be right on time for your art journey now!

No two art careers ever look exactly the same, but if you'd like some guidance navigating your own personal artistic journey, pop over to my website and check out all the different (and surprisingly affordable!) mentorship opportunities I have available for you.

In a nutshell…

1. Gallery representation is far from the only way to make it as an artist

2. Begin building up your own name recognition as soon as possible

3. Create your own collaborative events or happenings

4. Learn skills like marketing and bookkeeping

5. Be your own best advocate - get excited about your artwork!

6. Only take advice from other successful creatives on the path you wish to take

7. Say 'yes!' to as many artistic opportunities as possible

8. Be active in your local artistic community

9. Build up other digital skills to showcase your work in the best ways possible

10. Never stop learning and honing your skills - seek outside help when you need it!

And when you are ready for a little outside help of your own, check out the variety of mentorship packages I offer to assist in any stage along your artistic journey.

6.6.2021

Framed Ferns at the Festival

Oh boy, oh boy, do I feel full after such an amazing weekend outside in the sun, soaking up all the bluegrass music and positive vibes and making new friends after such a loooong time away from socializing. Literally two weeks after getting my second vaccine the first day of Forward Fest kicked off like a magical ‘Welcome Back’ gift from the universe.

I wound up selling three of my framed ferns over the weekend too - they were really a big hit! I felt so honored and humbled at just how many people took the time to look at and talk about my artwork, added to the fact that three of my creations are in new homes this week! Yay!

The fest itself really was an amazing time. Our booth was right in between both stages so we were at a prime location to hear basically everything going on the whole time. Blair Crimmons, Oliver Wood, The Grass is Dead, Reverend Hylton, and so many more truly epic acts filled the air with super sweet, boot stomping melodies for three entire days - such bliss!

6.2.2021

The Return of the Framed Fern Friends

From collecting, pressing, and drying ferns to use them in my 3D paintings, to getting them tattooed on my body (I’m up to five now!), to ensconcing them in mini resin pieces, you could say my fern obsession is pretty intense.

I actually created a few pressed framed fern compositions before leaving Hawai’i and again with my dear sweet mama for Mother’s Day last year. Since they have been such a big hit as gifts, I figured I’d make a few available for a fun music festival I’m attending as a vendor this weekend!

A number of years ago, my friend Stella and I would often buddy up when vending at local art fairs or even travel out of state together for multi-day music festivals. It was definitely a super fun lifestyle I decided to give up when I went to grad school and then moved to Hawai’i, however it was something I always hoped I could get back into lightly here and there. Luckily enough for me, Stella wound up having an extra pass for a festie she’s working this weekend in LaFayette, GA and invited me to come along!

Even luckier for me, she invited me to bring a little art along to place in the booth so I figured I’d pull out my fab fern stash, grab a few nice frames from the thrift store, and whip up a few Pressed Fern Compositions!

These are a mix of ferns found in Hawai’i, Florida, and Tennessee. I love that you can really find ferns in almost every climate, and that even though many look similar, there are literally thousands of varieties worldwide.

Wanna know what makes a fern a fern? It’s not actually the shape we all associate with it, which is what I thought for years. It just means that the seeds are located on the underside of the leaves, rather than it producing flowers. That’s it. So many different shaped leaves could all actually be ferns. Neato, huh?!?

So wish my ferns and I luck! This will be the first time I’m bringing this type of creation out into the public world, I hope people like them! The great news is that no matter what happens sales-wise, three days of outdoor music is gonna be exactly what this no-longer-quarantined Bird needs!

5.26.2021

BiG Announcement on YouTube Live Today!

Don’t worry, change is a good thing!

5.24.2021

Much To-Do in the Nest this Week

Real quick just wanted to pop on with some updates…

💥 Make sure you’re tuning in to my Instagram Stories @caleighbirdart starting Monday because I’m running another multi-day poll to learn all about how you interact with social biz with your art/art biz.

💥I’ve got a big announcement coming out on my YouTube channel tomorrow, and I’m most likely going to do it live so be there at 1pm EST/4pmPST for the chance to ask questions and interact with me in real time!!

💥I’ve got my Birds of a Feather monthly letter coming out this weekend and if you’re not subscribed you should be because that’s where I share the most personal side of being a working artist in this modern day. Look to right of this bog post for the sign-up to get the inside scoop on all the exciting happenings in the Nest (both figuratively and literally!).

Have a fabulous Saturday Chickadees!