It's been a while... but here is your long overdue update on Witty Art!

So, about time I started posting again on my Witty Art Blog! It's been too long - and an update is long overdue. Sorry about that, dear friends and followers.

It kind of looks like nothing has been going on with all things Witty, but I can assure you, such is absolutely not the case - on the contrary. Those of you who have been following me and my art on Instagram, know that I have been steadily busy growing my volume of art and my art business as well as a whole bunch of Witty Projectwork (blog mainly in Dutch, sorry).

However, as often is the case with artists who run other businesses, those Witty Projects take up a significant amount of my time and last one-and-a-half year has been filled to the brink with them. That is why over the last year or so, my main focus was on my Instagram page - and to be honest, that could've been a whole lot better, as well.

But, hey, sometimes sh*t happens and instead of piling a lot of blame on myself for 'not having done this' or wining about ''shoud've done that', I choose to focus on the positive and look at the many wonderful creative things that DID happen over the last 1,5 year!

So, let's list a couple!

Became a member of Rotterdam Artists Collective Karmijn 
Early 2018, I joined this Rotterdam based artists collective and participated in several group exhibitions and other art events. Karmijn also provides lots of opportunity for connecting and engaging with other local artists as well as offering a bigger podium their artwork.

First time participant of Kunstroute Kralingen-Crooswijk | Artroute Kralingen-Crooswijk
The first time ever I got to exhibit my work during this well known Rotterdam art manifestation. I showcased two pieces of Witty Art as part of a group exhibition with Artists Collective Karmijn.

And ofcourse I hope to participate again in this year's 2019 edition of the Kunstroute Kralingen-Crooswijk.

Steady sales of Witty Art
Throughout 2018 and 2019, quite a number of Witty Art made its way to new owners, something I am very happy with. I've sold work during exhibitions and via my Instagram and also via my Facebook-page. For instance, I sold three works from my series ''Perhaps Happiness Is Truly The Worst State Of Mind'' straight out of my portfolio during an the End Of Year Expo with Karmijn.

First ever international sales - via Instagram!
Even more promising: 2018 marked the year of my first international sales, as Witty Art traveled all the way to Canada. The last couple of months saw Witty Art move to Italy and Australia as well! And all through I made via my Instagram, which only reinforces my belief in the power of social media as a tool to connect with people and build an online community of Witty Art Lovers.

Commissioned work
Last year, I also got a couple of special commissions, ranging from portraying people's pets but also customized versions of existing drawings.

Joined Domo Eclectica
Far from being the umpteenth conceptstore, Domo Eclectica is a warehouse for unique art, vintage and design based in The Hague. Last year, I was inivited by Domo's owner/curator Mariella van der Net to showcase my work there and a small collection of original Witty Art Work can be purchased there. Amongst them my series ''Minor Kitchen Sink Dramas'.

... and equally, or even more importantly, because without it, all things Witty Art related would be at a total stand still:

Artistic growth
Ever since I started creating art again (back in 2008) and started running my art practice in 2011, I feel I have grown so much as an artist, continously working on my 'signature style', developing my talents, honing my skills and building on a consistent body of work.

But I can truly say that the last couple of years, say from 2015 up till now, have really defined and refined both me and my work. I truly believe that I am now ready to truly claim my spot amongst the international art community and reach out to a bigger audience, as I feel that my work deserves it to be seen by as many people as possible.

I have started experimenting with other techniques and materials (again), resulting in a series of mixed media art collages and, very recently, I started working with acrylic ink and paint on canvas. Below are some of the Witty Art Collages I made.

However, I do feel I have not utilized the full potential of chances given to me over the last couple of years. Partially because of that thing I call crippling inner doubt mixed with some sadly persistant reminisence of a low self esteem caused by older and more recent life experiences (such as losing my house in 2015). And partially because of other work obligations, such as projects I do for others because, you gotta make living and I can't live off my art alone... yet!

Well. Not yet.

But that is, ultimately, my aim. To build a thriving Witty Art Business, if not imperium, business, which includes both my art as well as my art coaching practice, the latter aimed at creative and social entrepreneurs furthering their business). And finding a good balance between those two and staying healthy. Or rather, well, not going anymore insane than I already am ;-)

That ultimately means, I am going to have make some clear choices the coming time. On what to do - and what not. And that all comes down on focus. A clear focus on a clear strategy on how to get there, on how to achieve my goals without losing the drive and passion for creating Witty Art. On how to realise my ambitions without compromising my artistic vision.

That, I am going to work on this year - in fact, I have been working on it for quite some time. Like, allocating a certain and fixed amount of time dedicated to Witty Art, for instance. I allocated more time to visit exhibitions, art galleries, museums, art talks and seminars. To engage more with other artists and curators, in real life but also online, via Instagram and other means. And more.

So, time to start both updating and maintaining my Witty Art Blog on a regular basis, showcasing finished work as well as previews, news on upcoming exhibitions and other events, thoughts behind certain works. And, setting up a whole new set up for my international Witty Art Newsletter, or rather, a Witty e-Zine, as I prefer to call it.

And more, so much, much more! So, expect a whole lot more action on this blog again, starting NOW!

Witty Art is appreciated even by the most feline of creatures!

My Witty Art Book ''My Life In Limbo'' attracts quite a divers but genuinely interested following. It has even achieved its own fandom in the animal world.

Here's one of the most advert fans and followers of Witty Art:: my dear furry feline friend Lord Westenwind. Regal, if not royal and refined, this artistoc(r)at is a great connaisseur of the arts and even owns a few pieces of Witty Art himself.

If you are interested (and especially if you are a lover of cats, black cats in particular) you might want to follow the Lord's daily grooming and other exciting routines on Instagram. 

Major creative explosion of Witty Art shared via my Instagram account!

The last couple of weeks have been nothing less than one big creative explosion. Image after image came popping up in my mind, ideas and visions for new series, of new works, for whole new visual concepts of Witty Art. Well, I suppose that's what you get when you refer to your own art as ''dancing on a seemingly dead volcano'' .. it's about to pop it's load sometime, and that time is now! 

I have been sharing most of my newly created Witty Art on Instagram, which I have found to be a great medium for quick sharing and showcasing previews and snapshots of my art work, also establishing contact with likeminded fellow creatives and artists. And yes, new collaborations are being worked on - internationally! 

Work-In-Progress: series 'Where Angels Do Not Fear To Tread'

Recently, I decided to post more updates featuring sneak previews or snap shots, mostly taken with smartphone or tablet, from works-in-progress. Lately, I have been doing so especially on my Instagram profile and the respons over there has been so supportive, that I thought it'd be a good idea to feature more of those on this blog as well. I guess it also keeps friends and followers of Witty Art engaged in the whole ''making of'', just like the so-called live sessions do. Plan to organise more of those as well!

Anyway, this is a short post dedicated to another series 'in progress': 'Where Angels Do Not Fear To Tread'

The title is based on the famous line written by Alexander Pope in his poem An Essay on Criticism (1709). The line since then has been immortalised by, amongst others, Abraham Lincoln in his Peoria speech (1854), Johnny Mercer's classic song recorded by, to name a few, Frank Sinatra, Ricky Nelson and many others and provided tons of inspiration for numerous other works of art and creativity. (source: Wikipedia).

The phrase ofcourse refers to the fact that fools, e.g. the unknowing, or the inexperienced will attempt things that wiser people are more cautious of. Whether that is always the case, and whether that is a good thing or not, is food for not only thought but for some heated debates, as I have found out during numerous occasions.

As always is the case with Witty Art, things are not what they appear to be. The question is, though, who are the fools, and who are the angels anyway, that is, IF they are there at all?

Witty Art Shout Out! Special Art & Awareness Project by Dagmara Cielecka

So, as some of you followers of Witty Art might know, I joined Instagram last year. Usually, when I join a new social network or platform, I like to stay put and just browse around, learning by looking around, so to speak. Which is also an excuse to shamelessly post pictures of that other internet sensation: cats. And coffee.

But, after a while I got the hang of it. It's an ideal medium for quickly sharing snapshots of your work, building a more international community in a less elaborate way than, for instance, Facebook. I find it especially ideal for visual artists, as it's all about the power of the image (and okay, ''hashtagging'' your way through the InstaWorld as well, but that's something you pick up quickly enough). So, if you feel like, please do connect with me on Instagram!

But that's not solely what this post is about.

Besides getting to share Witty Art with the world, I also discovered the often amazing art works, but also writing and other massive inspirations by other creative minds. To me, Instagram has proven to be a place of not only sharing but great mutual inspiration, engaging in contacts with other artists and really art-minded people of all ages and all walks of life. 

One in particular I'd like to showcase right now. And one of her many projects in particular. 

(c) Dagmara Cielecka Art

Dagmara Cielecka's Awareness Book
So, who's Dagmara Cielecka? Let me tell you: she is one amazingly talented creative person. I can't remember exactly how I came across her profile, probably by scrolling through the selection of many (many!) pictures Instagram offers you on a daily basis. But, once I had a looked at her Instagallery, I was taken in by her work as well by a line in her profile that read: ''I draw for a purpose'', followed by the words ''RAISING AWARENESS'' and then a link to a Kickstarter fundraiser. Here was a young artist trying to raise funds for a book. Okay, I thought, been there, done that, so many do that. But, always keen on discovering new stuff, I had a look. Those of you who know me well, I did so with that typically Miss Witty mixture of enthusiastic curiosity and mild scepsis.

But, I tell you. This was something else. This was special.

Now, there is a lot I could write, about that book. But let me quote some of Dagmara's own words on her project:

''I will be creating a book of awareness full of drawings of people who are battling many illnesses. The book will also include drawings and stories of people who have passed away from a disease that needs more awareness. The aim of the book is to simply raise as much awareness as possible to these horrible illnesses that may not get enough funding, like childhood cancer. All the people who will be featured in my book, will receive a free copy of it. Shipping of these will be covered with my own money.''

(c) Dagmara Cielecka Art

To these words I'd like to add: 

Here is a young creative mind, an artist, still studying at university (Hertfordshire, UK), who is dedicating a significant amount of time and her own resources, also financially, towards this goal: to give (terminally) ill people a very personal and intimate portrait. A portrait made during what must be one of the most vulnerable time of their lives, but not presenting them as such, but in a way that shows pride, love, beauty, even joy - and yes, every emotion thinkable, imaginable, you deal with when you and/or your loved ones face a severe illness. I too, have been facing such a battle, not personally, but I lost too many close relatives for me not to know what a disease like cancer does to families.

I think it takes a special person to make people feel special. Now, I have not been following Dagmara for that long, but from what I've seen from her on Instagram and other social media, like Facebook, she is sincere, hard working and if there is one bundle of sheer positivity, it's her. For instance, she also started the project 365 Good Deeds: to challenge herself and other people to do something good, small or great, doesn't matter, but something good each day of the year. So, if you are at it, do connect with 365 Good Deeds.

And, as someone who has great experience with professional fundraising on a high level I think it's safe to say that this is a 100% genuine project. Oh yes, for those of you who do not know... in another life, one far, far, far away, I used to be a corporate communications/marketing and sponsormanager. I worked for several international NGO's so I kinda think .. what makes a trustworthy project or not. And I still help raise funds for smaller causes, every now and then, but only the ones I believe in.

And this is one project I do believe in. All I am asking you is just to take a look at the Kickstarter page. Or connect with Dagmara on Facebook or Instagram, if you have any questions, just ask her. 

So, a quick recap with all information needed: 

Dagmara Cielecka's Awareness Book
Kickstarter Fundraiser page.
Dagmara Cielecka Art on Instagram 
Dagmara Cielecka Art on Facebook
Dagmara Cielecka's 365 Good Deeds