Welcome to "Spotlight On Art"… And Your Chance to Be in the Spotlight!

What a thrill it is to be able to share so much fabulous artwork with you year after year. Together we’ve looked at stamping techniques in Weeks of Wonder, color combinations in Color Me Monday, Cricut shapes, and more. At the start of each new year I like to think about how I can change things up in my weekly artwork posts. Lately, I’ve been wanting to share the spotlight more and more, and that’s why for 2012 I’ve come up with what I think will be a fun new direction.

Each week I’ll showcase new artwork that has been created by a different artist, starting with those in the Close To My Heart studio. These talented people put in many hours a day creating beautiful artwork to fill the pages of our Idea Book, Training Academy, for showcasing at Convention and other events, and many other venues – sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it? May be, but it still takes a lot of hard work to create inspiring artwork under consistently tight deadlines, yet these impressive and talented artists continue to elevate our look, making smart decision, bold moves, and staying on top of trends.

That's why, this year, I'll be choosing some of my favorite pieces that they've created—highlighting the fresh, unique, and ultimately FUN artwork you can create with a little inspiration and Close To My Heart's great products.

But it gets even better. I’d like to further open up my blog to more talented artists: you, my favorite blog readers! If you are a Close To My Heart Consultant or customer or just like to stop by to look around and you'd like to have the spotlight on YOUR artwork, here's what to do:

1. Create two to four pieces of artwork using only Close To My Heart products that are tied together by a particular technique, product, color, or theme.
2. Photograph your artwork to show off its best features. Try these tips for taking the best quality pictures:
• To take the best photo of your artwork, find a place to take your picture that has a lot of natural light, but not direct sunlight, such as inside a covered porch or next to a window.
• Photograph the artwork so that it is surrounded by two or three inches of neutral background on each side.
• Even if your camera isn’t fancy, many cameras these days have a macro mode, often represented by a flower. This mode will help your camera adjust its focus for close-ups.
• Try to take the picture at a straight-on angle.
• Hold the camera steady or use a tripod to prevent blurring from camera shake.
• Take multiple shots of the same piece just in case some turn out blurry or are angled wrong.
• You can also take an additional picture of just one element in your layout that you’d like to focus on.
• Once you’ve taken your shots, use a photo-editing program to crop and straighten.


3. Next email me the photos of your artwork at me@jeanettelynton.com. Be sure to include:
• Your name
• Where you are from
• A recipe for your artwork
• A description of the technique or product that you’ve used to tie your projects together – include a few sentences about what makes each piece special.

Once I start receiving your submissions, I’ll decide who to spotlight and put your artwork here to share.
And… I just might have special prizes and exclusive gifts for those featured in the spotlight! (hint: yes, this does mean free products, as well as a blog badge you can post that tells everyone your artwork rocks!)
I’m so excited to see what you will share with us this year! Tune in tomorrow for the first entry.