Try Twitter - for Artists

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I think I love Twitter.

Sometimes it makes me angry (like when it suspended my account for suspicious activity yesterday - all fixed now); sometimes sucks away all my time; and sometimes I wonder why I am still on it. But most of the time I find it to be a effective tool to promoting my art, blog, workshops and other art related activities. You can too!

Check out this article Try Twitter by Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield. While you are there you can subscribe to her weekly Art Biz Coach newsletters which come every Monday.

I know you are saying to yourself "but I already have a Facebook account, why do I need Twitter?" Facebook is wonderful, but it can be overwhelming with pictures, applications, "friends" from high school and many more things. Twitter strips it down to the bare bones. Read a "tweet" (post) or make a tweet yourself.

Sure, you can get fancy and post pictures on Twitter. But in general, it is a simple way to make connections with people who have similar interests and may be interested in your art. I have found some of the best artists and connections through Twitter - and then found them on Facebook!

Try Twitter. It is a tool for your art. Use it.

When you get on Twitter, come follow me! @jaimelyerly I will help you make sense of it all!

Happy Art Making! Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Women's Art Caucus Member Show at 8Teen Art Center - July 5 - July 18

Our biggest fan - my son, Xen, relaxing with a soda and a book with
my "Forbidden Fruit Series" behind him at 8Teen

Our last minute blog post to San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Members worked! We have a show and we want you to come see it!

Thanks to all the San Diego WCA members who came today to drop off and hang your work. You made my job easy and the show looks great. See, I told you we could do it!

Here is a sneak preview of the Women's Caucus for Art Member Show held at 8Teen Art and Culture Center from July 5 - July 18, 2009. The photographs do not do these works justice, so you must stop by to see them in person.

Opening reception is from 3 - 6 pm on July 5, 2009. The show will be up until July 18, 2009 and there will be a closing reception on that date (times unknown).

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti and (bottom) Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings/Collage left to right by Jaime Lyerly, Midge Hyde, and Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti

Paintings left to right by Jen Bottoms and Midge Hyde

Encaustic collage/Paintings "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly
(click link to learn more about the "Forbidden Fruit Series")

Encaustic collage/Painting - detail "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly

I hope this has whet your appetite and you will come have a look!

Your Turn:
Like what you see and you are a women artist in San Diego? Why don't you join us! The San Diego Women's Caucus for Art accepts membership applications all year round. With my help, the WCA is getting connected on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Please check us out on any of these sites to see what we are up to. WCA members are active in their communities and want to share with you. You can even sign up at an event. There are member shows, opportunities to network and an annual retreat to Julian in November where you can learn art techniques and get away from it all.

This year's WCA retreat is going to be super fun! I am teaching a workshop on Encaustic Painting; and there are two other workshops by local artists. I believe that Cynthia Gott's Inner Archetype Workshop has been replaced by Ellen Benfatti who will be giving a Reiki workshop. Judith Burnett will be giving a workshop on Portrait Painting in Oil. Space is limited and the deadline is rapidly approaching (August 15, 2009 for full payment) - so if you want to get in on the fun, email to Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms today!

Hope you can make it to one of our events.

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art Member Show this Weekend!

For the Women's Caucus for Art MEMBERS:

The Women's Caucus for Art is having a Member Show at 8Teen Art and Cultural Center this weekend. What? You didn't know? Well you are not alone.

Here is a message from Jen Bottoms, WCA Exhibition Coordinator:
Hi ladies,
I have to apologize for a lack of communication about the art show opening on July 5-18 at the 8teen Center. There is no theme for this show as not to limit any artist as to what can be entered. We have extended the drop off for entries. The drop off will be Friday the 3rd of July from 10-11 or contact me to make special arrangements. Cost is $25.00 for up to three entries.

We would like to have participants vote on the best work and the winner will receive $100.00 certificate to attend the Retreat in November. This is not a cash award and can only be used to attend the Retreat.

So come bring your work down to 8Teen on Friday, July 3rd at 10 am. Jen and I will be there with smiling faces to help hang the work and showcase your talent.

I have three of my newest encaustic works (including my "Forbidden Fruit Series") to ready to be hung, and I am very excited to see what you all have to show off.

Look forward to seeing you and your artwork soon!

For EVERYONE ELSE: We would love you to come check out this show. 8Teen Art Center is a lively venue for music, coffee and art viewing. The Women's Caucus for Art Members will put on a show that you won't forget (even if we have to scramble at the last minute to do it!).

I will post pictures from 8Teen by this weekend at the latest.

Until then, Happy Art-making! Jaime Lyerly
~ Jaime Lyerly

Mural painting photos

Be part of this history-making event!
Help paint the mural on North Park's oldest wooden building, built in 1931.
Come to 3925 Ohio Street in North Park (just north of University) this Saturday May 23rd starting at 10 am and going until finished.

Artists! Last day for the Mural painting at 8Teen Art Center

Here is a message from Cynthia Goff, M.F.A., the Vice President of the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego:

Artists:
We are desperately asking for your help!

We are having our last painting party this Saturday morning at 10 am to complete our mural at the 8teen Art & Cultural Center (a charitable organization that gives to homeless youth in need).

This will be our last painting party as I've been called out of state and so we must get it finished this Saturday. If each of us came out to paint for just a few hours, we'd easily get it done.

Make it a date with a mate; bring a friend.

Thank you so much!

See you this Saturday at:
8teen Art & Cultural Center,
3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, California 92104.

Map to 8Teen Art & Cultural Center

Bliss out on Art!

Cynthia Gott, M.F.A.
Vice President,
Women's Caucus for Art; San Diego
Art Instructor:
Miramar College
Southwestern College


Click on this link to learn more about the collaborative mural painting project at 8Teen Art and Cultural Center.

Hope to see you there! We cannot do it without you!

Creatively yours, Jaime Lyerly

Yard Sale - May 16 and 17 8 am to 3 pm

Where: 7267 Amherst St. La Mesa 91941

One woman's junk is another woman's treasure!

Household and garden treasures, clothing, art objects, custom jewelry and baked goods. Proceeds will be used to defray the costs of WCA San Diego's 12th Annual Retreat. (50% to the owner of the goods and 50% to the Retreat Scholarship Fund.

Woman's Caucus for Art/San Diego is a 501(c)(3) organization, receipts will be given for all donations.

Contact Jen Bottoms for more information and how you can help! (619) 892-3429 or e-mail her at http://us.mc638.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bottomsjennie@yahoo.com

Update on Mural Painting at 8teen

Update: May 10th painting session has been canceled due to illness.

The mural painting will continue on Friday, May 15 from 9 am to 3 pm.
Email on Friday to see if work will need to be continued on Saturday.
Clear coat will be put on Sunday at 11 am.

Please see message below for all the details. Thanks to those who have already come out to help! Cythnia says that they are "having a blast!" Please join us!

Original message:

Want a way to help your community while doing something fun? Come help the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego (WCA/SD) paint a mural this weekend!

At the 8Teen Art and Cultural Center, the Women's Caucus for Art group and volunteers will be painting a large mural on the wall outside of the building. The group will be lead by WCA/SD V.P. Cynthia Gott, M.F.A., who is also painting instructor at Southwestern College.

We need your help!

Here are the details:

Who:
You, the Women's Caucus for Art, Art students and community members

When:
Friday, May 8, 2009 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, (Mother's Day - Bring your Mom Day!) May 10, 2009 from 1 pm - 5 pm - CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS

Added dates:
Friday, May 15, 2009 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2009 - if needed, email for times
Sunday, May 17, 2009 - clear coat will be put on - 11 am

Come to any of the days for as long as you can. You don't need to be there the whole time.

Where:
8Teen Art and Cultural Center
North Park area
3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Map and Directions

What to bring:
Medium and Large brushes
Please wear a hat, sunscreen and lots of water.

Questions? Please contact Cynthia Gott. Hope to see you there! ~ Jaime Lyerly