Thursday, February 29, 2024

Post 437: Organize Your Art, Art Group, Art Business Emails and Tips

Tips to Organize Your Art, Art Group, Art Business Emails

The only way to avoid an Inbox nightmare is to organize your email inbox. Everyone needs to do this including artists. If you are in an art group, another reason for organization as they mix with your personal and other art emails too. Here are some tips and tricks to help organizing that email.

Inbox Organizing

And here we thought being an artist was just painting all day...

Sure, artists use every email service out there including Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc., but many of them use some of the same features (with different names) to help organize, label, flag, tag, archive, create a Rule, and to filter your inbox. You need to find what will work best to manage your emails in a way that makes sense for you.

There are much easier ways to keep all of your email accounts - personal, business, and art group emails separated, yet within the same inbox - which is not all that difficult to do. Google Search or YouTube the topic and follow the directions or ask your computer savvy 14 year old (kidding but you know its true).

Here are samples: Add an Email Account to Outlook or for Gmail: Merge Multiple Gmail Accounts Into One Inbox: A Step-by-Step Guide

Decide how you need to separate your emails by: Personal, Work, Clients, Bills, Art Suppliers, Art Group(s), etc. These could be the folders, labels or categories and way the emails will be coming in and landing.

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Tip: Look for more recently dated articles on "How To" information. An article posted 3-4 years ago could be outdated for the email service you currently have and as you know, things on the internet are always being updated and settings steps can move around.
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Outlook

A few notes about using Outlook:

Microsoft Outlook integrates with Office - so Word, Excel, Powerpoint, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams may be on the radar if you have Outlook.

Outlook uses Folders and Subfolders. There are many options like sorting alphabetically, priority, etc.

Automating where emails land is set up with creating a Rule, then running that rule. So instead of all emails coming in and landing in a generic Inbox, you can direct emails from specific entities or people to the properly labeled Folder.

Hence, mostly all of my PWAS member or group emails land in my PWAS Folder.

7 Microsoft Outlook Tips and Tricks for Better Email Management

Gmail

Gmail is free for personal use although premium plans for business are available. The productivity tools include Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Meet.

Gmail uses Labels

Tabs: Primary +

How to Organize Your Gmail Inbox in 15 Minutes (17 Tips + Examples)

Art Email Tips

  • Combine email accounts (learn how) when possible. 
    • Although I will say that one thing I do, because I need to use my personal and art business in Outlook AND I have this PWAS account in Gmail, I keep those separated on my computer. My computer monitor is large enough to accommodate a Google browser for Outlook (always on the left) and a Mozilla browser for Gmail (on the right). For me, this helps to keep the two worlds separated when they need to be as well as separate social email accounts, with different logins so that my worlds do not collide.
  • Always check your Spam or Junk Emails to ensure important emails are not lost. Move the email from that folder to the correct one to help prevent losing them. Create a rule if needed.
  • When replying to your art group especially, stick to the SUBJECT of the original email. If you are introducing a NEW topic, create a different email thread with that subject line. When someone is searching for an email or topic, a search for that subject line helps to filter to better results. For example: if a person sends out an email for your art group on Grants, all the responses to that email should be about Grants. The same for Calls for Art or any other topic. In other words, create a NEW email or find the original topic email and just don't reply because you need to ask or create a different request to the sender. I hope that makes sense!
  • Reply and Reply All - this is the bane of many an art group member, too many emails. In email etiquette, ONLY use the Reply All IF, I mean IF the response is extremely important to every single person ON that email. The pet peeve for everyone is an email congratulating an artist for an award, acknowledgement etc. and someone does a Reply All with "Congratulations!" Sure, nice comment but congratulate the artist directly. In other words, use Reply All sparingly!
  • CC Email (Carbon Copy): whomever you input into this TO field receives a copy of the email and can see that they are included. Its best use is to expand the conversation if the CC'd person can add valuable input to the thread. They don't necessarily need to respond if they can't add value, but its important that they are aware of the subject.
  • BCC Email (Blind Carbon Copy): whomever is input in BCC receives a copy of the email but cannot see who else received the email (protecting privacy), nor receive replies to the email thread.
  • Go to the Source! Direct your emails to the right groups or person. The PWAS Website has ALL of the important emails to direct your question, expression or suggestion. See About > Board and Contacts in the menu navigation of the PWAS website. https://princewilliamartsociety.com
  • Clean out the Inbox. If you have emails from the beginning of time, I mean YEARS ago and they aren't important any more, delete them.
  • Unsubscribe to anything if they are so piled up you will never read them. https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/board
  • Periodically check if your email structure is working for you as you intended. Do you need to filter more? Adjust your categories as needed.
  • DO set up an email signature. Create a professional Email Sig with your full name, website link(s), I believe its just good procedure. Occasionally, I will get an email from someone with initials or a first name only - usually its straightforward who it came from (the email address may be the clue), but if you have several Sams in your group, Sam who?  
  • Too many emails? Can or does your art group have a Facebook group that could be set at private so only the art group members can join and chat? Many emails end up being discussions with an email thread that goes on forever. Much easier in a FB group. PWAS has just such a group. Current PWAS Members only. You'll need to be on Facebook though!
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Donna Tip: Yes, I have access to the PWAS member emails so I can send out PWAS group emails. If you want me to email the entire membership - when its important to do so - send me exactly what you want posted, in full. Even if you sent the info out a week or two ago. I should NOT have to look for your info or assume what you are referring to.
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For the techie artists, do you have any other suggestions about email? How about a link to a video you have found that helped? Drop a comment below!

For Further Reading:

How to Organize Your Emails: 11 Management Tools

How to Organize Emails and Manage Your Inbox

Organize Your Inbox in Outlook for Windows 

How to Organize Yahoo Mail Inbox Quickly in 2024

Outlook vs Gmail in 2023: Which is Better for You?

And I have NEVER used a Mac, but several of our artist members do. Most everything is only a YouTube video away. 

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash 

Art Need to Know Etiquette Posts

Email Etiquette and Organizing - There are definitely do's and don'ts when it comes to email! Everyone needs to learn the proper use of emails.

Artist Etiquette - Art show do's and don'ts, pickup and drop off and more.

Not Necessarily Art Notes, but... - Art Etiquette for emails, art shows, volunteering and more.

Lessons Learned at an Outdoor Art Show Exhibit - Some great advice and what was learned while at an art show. A good read for BEFORE you go to a show.


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Post 436: PWAS Feb Meeting and "Job Fair"?

PWAS Feb Meeting and "Job Fair"?

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is the largest and oldest art group in Prince William County. Begun in 1971, the membership numbers have fluctuated greatly over the years and a ton of talent has flowed through our group. And the types of art created is VERY diverse as well. The group meets on the 4th Monday of the month - January through November and is open to the public to attend.

Monday, February 26, 2024 Meeting

For this meeting of the PWAS members, it began with the business side of what we're up to, with all of the wonderful updates from the Board, new art shows, events, interactions and plans. Following that, various other committee or group leads gave their updates. The difference in this meeting was obvious though, from the start. Various tables were scattered around the room with a Table Topic card.

A typical PWAS Meeting, from Jan 2024

Program Relationships, Table Topics and Members

The program directions for the meeting was for the members to move around the room enjoying snacks and beverages provided by our Hospitality Committee. (Thank you!!) The members would stop at a table and speak with the "Committee Conversation" Facilitators sitting around the room at the 6 tables. The tables were labelled as follows:

At the Planning Table was Elizabeth Stathis

At the Pop Up Events and Hospitality Table was Sandra McClelland Lewin and Penny Shaw

At the Publicity and Marketing Table was Donna Liguria, Larry Burch, and Nicole Fisher

At the Education/Workshops/Classes Table was Tom Payne

At the Programs/Scholarship Table was Emily Hawes

At the Grants Table was Mark Murphy and Connie Huebner
 
The members would go around the room speaking with each person, much like a Job Fair. Not only do we get to know members better while they share what they do, but we meet the new members. Discussion included what the table topic is, what the members skill sets are, and would they be interested in volunteering in that area of interest and join that committee. 
 
In order to GROW we need each member to pitch in and help in any small or great way they can. Absolutely, our members come from all walks of life and are made up of artists aged 18 and up. Some have families with children and some have high stress jobs and some are retired (yippee!!). We understand that and hope to find where various members are comfortable finding a place to plug in.
 
I'm sure the members, as they went from table to table and listened to the projects we have planned for the future, got a sense of where PWAS wants to go, to become known in Prince William County and be the art presence we know we are - which in turn benefits the entire Prince William Art Society membership.

PWAS Interim Treasurer Mark Murphy and Co-Secretary Connie Huebner led the Grants Table Topic which is a very important part of any nonprofit art group. Recognizing the various grants available, the tracking of deadlines, the writing and proof-reading are all a part of this Table Topic.

PWAS Member at Large Tom Payne is with PWAS President Elizabeth Stathis, Anna Gatling and Scott Elliot. The Table Topic was art education, work shops and classes - which could be for the public OR for the PWAS membership. A part of this group is not only taking part in attending art educational experiences, but giving and teaching these classes. Tom recently sent out a poll with a couple of questions to get feedback on areas of interest for the members to help target the wishes of the group on workshops. 
 
The Member at Large is also the go between person of the PWAS membership to the Board - so if there are questions, concerns, ideas and suggestions, the membership is encouraged to contact Tom to (anonymously) relay the data.

PWAS Vice President Sandra McClelland Lewin and Hospitality Committee member Penny Shaw discussing PWAS Events and Hospitality with Richard Tyler and Mark Clifton.
 
PWAS Events covers a lot of art territory but probably the PWAS member group art shows, popup shows, juried and nonjuried Calls for Art and Artists and developing these shows are of the highest interest to our members. It is definitely at these art shows that PWAS members can submit and offer their art for sale.
 
PWAS Hospitality includes everything from the monthly member meeting snack and beverage provisions to managing art receptions.

PWAS Members enjoying the Hospitality Committee's snacks and beverages. Yum!

PWAS meeting at Tall Oaks Community Center on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill Drive in Lake Ridge.

PWAS Program and Scholarship Committee Chair, Emily Hawes talking shop with Mr. Gates, Evelyn Chatters, and Rosemary Schatz. The annual Jewell Pratt Scholarship is one of the projects PWAS manages, and is named after our original PWAS member Jewell Pratt Burns. She is very dear to PWAS.

PWAS Social Media team Nicole Fisher (Facebook) and Donna Liguria (PWAS Artistry Spin Blog) speaking with Robert Dew. Larry Burch, the PWAS Webmaster, is not pictured. 
 
Publicity, marketing, promotion, the PWAS website, the PWAS Blog, and Social Media is a very large umbrella Committee and necessary part of any nonprofit art group. 
 
From writing a Press Release to posting messages on Instagram and everything inbetween - managing getting the word out online and offline, in print and on target - Publicity has a lot of avenues both paid and free to push PWAS news, announcements, partnerships, showcases, art classes, art shows and any other art events.

PWAS President Elizabeth and Vice President Sandra

PWAS Members Mingling

PWAS member Nicole Goble and Co-Secretary Bettie Sperty

PWAS members relationship building with a purpose. It is our belief that by working together as a team toward a common goal, we build these friendships and participation within the group to get things done! 
 
If you missed this meeting, you can always find out more and/or sign up for a PWAS Committee here.

Mark, Robert, Penny and Donna

A big thank you to our official PWAS photographer, Otis Stanley, who took all of these great photos - recording for the PWAS history - and the internet - what a great, fun, and marvelous team this art group is. I know I have made some great friendships and learned so much from all of these talented folks.

And of course, the last picture from Otis... 

Who was wearing these kicks?

 We had a fun and different meeting this go around. Many of our meetings feature guest artists showing what they do, which are always so good. We've covered how several different artists do their watercolor painting, mixed media, oil painting, digital art, abstract painting, traveling art, so many GREAT topics! Many of these guests are well known in the NOVA area. Future programs will also offer topics of interest spoken from the membership directly including the art business and more. Miss one meeting, you may miss the one you were most interested in!


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Otis Stanley

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Post 435: What PWAS Members Are Working On

What PWAS Members Are Working On

The Prince William Art Society is a 50+ year old nonprofit art group in Prince William County, Virginia with some awesomely talented artist members that are sharing some of their latest art in this post. Here are 13 of our artists displaying a variety of styles and topics for you to enjoy.

Latest Artworks by PWAS Members

Wow, PWAS got talent! Here is a sampling of what some of our members have been working on so far this year. Be amazed....

Mandy Powell

Here’s what I’m working on:
I’m working on a commission of St. Thomas Cathedral in Connecticut where someone’s parents were married.  Also, I’m finishing up a 3D abstract landscape using acrylic and spackling with a pallet knife.

Donna Liguria

I've been working on a commission for a lady in Illinois, so this is Vicki's Pond. It's a 16x20 acrylic painting on Stretched canvas. I'm varnishing it now so it is very close to being ready to ship. She also asked for a "hidden critter" picture for her young grandson but I'm doing that in colored pencils and acrylic pens on mixed media paper.

Here is the story about Vicki's Pond and all the little creatures found around it on my Blog Donna's Cave Paintings https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2024/01/post-340-commissioned-painting-of.html

Patti Durbin

This is a new piece from me. It is a canvas collage measuring 10"x20" called "Elegance."

Sandra McClelland Lewin

My newest painting:
 
Iris Moon
Acrylic and Metallic Acrylic 
15"w x 30"h
$675.00
SLMLart.com

Elena Jochum

Here are a couple of my finished and unfinished watercolor pieces of 2024. I entered the “Subject or Matter” painting of my husband into a couple competitions. Wish me luck! The blackberry lily was displayed at the Native Plants of Virginia symposium at George Mason University. Not Pictured: The unfinished cardinal is a continuation of my Virginia’s nature series and a horse watercolor is a painting commission.

Staci Blanchard

I’ve been taking a class with Michelle Frantz at the Art Factory, and this is one of the paintings I did. 

Zee Berrios

Below are a couple of shots from recent work. They are part of a series called "Original Natives". The series will have at least 12 paintings. They are acrylic on canvas. The sizes will be from 24" X 20" to 48" X 60".

Sonya Cromwell

Not sure how the two pictures will look as I took a picture of them with my iPhone.   I plan to take a course to learn how to take pictures of my art.


DL: My answer to that is a whole bunch of us need to take that course! Especially for Calls for Art submissions. It is definitely a trial and error for us non-camera know-how newbies! Maybe one of our Photographer members should give a program on it! Any takers? Nonetheless, I think the pictures Sonya took look fine, definitely for blog purposes at least.

Nicole Goble

I’m sending you two pieces I’m proudly working on- almost done.


Kacy Egan

Here are the things I do. A WIP :  oil painting of 2 bobcats. And I am currently learning the Art of Pastel drawings  - domestic cat. 


Cindy Kreiman

Here is what Cindy is working on:


Simona Bergman

Coyote-“Luna”and Bobcat-“Harmony” from Simona, Cindy's sister


Katie Dugan

Here are a couple from Katie:


DL: Congratulations to Katie, she sold a couple of works from the PWAS at GoWell Stonebridge and from Warrenton locations! Also, Elizabeth Stathis and Nicole Fisher have sold some art at the Stonebridge GoWell!

We should do a blog post on "show us your art studio" - no matter how small or large it is, whether its needs spring cleaning or a complete overhaul! Is your art studio, photography studio, your create space perfectly in order and everything is organized?

Let 'em know what you think in the comments below! I'm in awe!!


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.


Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Post 434: PWAS Website and Member Notes

PWAS Websites and Membership Notes

A few questions come up about the Prince William Art Society periodically from our members and from the general public, media, and businesses in the area. The PWAS website has all the pertinent information about WHO PWAS is, WHAT PWAS does, WHERE PWAS will be, AND PWAS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). And there is so much more to learn about PWAS!

The Prince William Art Society Home Page

This blog post will point out some common queries, starting out with how to (re)join PWAS.

Two Ways to Renew and Join PWAS Membership

In the Beginning - (of the year) - PWAS membership rejoining is open for a period of time - for now, up to the end of February. Obviously, anyone can join at any time and we have prorated the membership depending on full year to partial year.

I've had several people ask questions about how to join or rejoin the Prince William Art Society - and there are 2 ways to join the longest running art group in PWCounty here in good ole' Virginia. 

It all starts by going to the PWAS website.

Go to the PWAS website and to the Membership Page at 

https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Method 1. Click the Join PWAS green button to pay by credit card. It is safe, easy and QUICK! An email verifying your membership and welcome will be sent to you. This is the PWAS preferred method and the member is easily added to our member/mailing list and payment is received directly.
 
Method 2. BELOW the green Join button are the directions to MAIL in your payment. Click the "Click Here" to get the Form to mail in with your payment and drop that in the mail. Once your mail is received and processed, you will be sent an email verification/welcome.

After February, former members that have not rejoined will be removed from our mailing list and opportunities to join in our group's activities, art shows, etc. Also, if the past member is in our PWAS Showcase Gallery, they'll be removed as well. 
 
And we have a LOT planned for 2024-2025 that you might miss!
 
Remember, PWAS meets once a month on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center, 2298 Cotton Mill Dr. Woodbridge, Va, which is open to the public - so come on by!

PWAS Artistry Spin Blog

The PWAS blog is a source for "articles" written in a more conversational tone about anything ART and about the Prince William Art Society, its members and its activities - art shows, art news, images, ideas and so much more. 

Go to https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/

With currently 433 Blog Posts (prior to this one) there is a lot of meat on this steak!

PWAS Artistry Spin Blog

 
In a way, Artistry Spin could even be considered an ongoing history about PWAS. If you ever wonder if there is any information about a certain PWAS topic on the blog, a good idea is to use the Search this Blog feature at the top of the right-hand navigation on a keyword about that topic.
 
Remember to Follow the Blog, Comments are very welcome and see the Comments page if you need help.

PWAS Shop

Many of the PWAS Members that have art displayed at the GoWell Locations are featured in our online Shop located at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/all-products The locations that show our art do not sell the art directly, the visitors and potential buyers can click on a QR Code prominently featured per location and they are directed to shop on the web link.

PWAS Shop Page

If you need help with the GoWell information, please see the GoWell page.

PWAS Contacts

Not only does the Board and Contacts page give you the who's who on Board Member Names and positions, but it gives you options on various emails to direct your inquiries, questions, suggestions and who to send news to. 

PWAS Board and Contacts Page

PWAS Frequently Asked Questions

Divided up into various sections, find common FAQs: General, Advice, Shop/Store, Resources, and Scholarship information of interest to you.
 
Note also that on the Blog, there is a FAQ page as well for in depth Q&A at 

PWAS Calls for Art

PWAS future Calls for Art (C4A) were discussed to be handled by going to the website. Previously sent out and submitted via email for various locations, in future there may be alternative methods for submitting art. A Call may go out by email to PWAS members to announce it, but the possibility to submit to the C4A through a link on the PWAS website may be available for consistency as well.
See https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/call-for-art

PWAS Gallery

PWAS Members have the option when they join the art group to pay an annual and minimal fee to showcase their own art on their own PWAS page. This link goes to the Gallery Home, but in the drop down navigation when you hover over the "Gallery", you will see the individual pages to each artist.
 
Once payment for your personal Showcase page is paid for, the Webmaster will contact you for your information. Have a look at the other PWAS Member pages to have an idea on what you will need so that formatting is consistent.

PWAS Donations

There is a difference in the Donations page and being a Patron or Sponsor of PWAS.

Donations - are for those that desire to give to the Scholarship Fund that PWAS gives out annually. https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/donations

If you want to give to the Prince William Art Society as a Patron or Sponsor, go to the Membership page at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership There you can click on the green Join PWAS button and note the check box for Patron or Sponsor when you give via credit card. Either way, PWAS thanks you very much.

PWAS Chat on Facebook (FB)

PWAS has its own private Group on Facebook - open to Current PWAS Members ONLY. We just went to 19 PWAS Members in the FB group as of this writing. It can be used any way the PWAS members would like, including posting other interesting Calls for Art in the area, art questions, PWAS questions, pictures, community notes, create a poll, add a chat, create events and MORE! - I'm not posting the link here but be aware that if you use FB and are a member of PWAS, you can request membership to join or send me your FB name.
 

We have PWAS Members that are so very talented in so many ways - not only in the art they create, but the skill sets they have, and the desire of "giving back" and success for the Prince William Art Society when they donate their time and talents.

If you haven't visited the PWAS website in awhile, check out the information available to you - as a member or as a business, group, media - we'd love to hear from you. Drop a comment below.

Quick side note: To prevent spam comments, the Blog Admin needs to approve each comment left, so allow time for me to put the paint brush down to click it. The same with PWAS Chat member requests approvals. Believe me, we get the spammers!


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits:
Donna Liguria

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!