Some Quick Re-arranging

Hiya.  I've re-arranged the chronological order of my portfolio so now you'll see the newest pieces first, rather than my oldest ones.  Something that I should've done sooner.

For all dog owners

Here's a recent piece, based on recent news reports about dog owners leaving their dogs inside their vehicles while on trips.  There's been two cases in the news, where one dog had died due to dehydration from inside its owners' car while outside under the sun.  Despite a narrowly-opened window, the air inside was heating up quickly.  Even after paramedics had broke into the car to get the dog out to revive, the poor dog died shortly afterwards.  The owners were charged for negligence who were inside an air-conditioned mall when this happened.

As an animal lover, this had affected me and I felt inspired to make this piece.  Hopefully the message here can teach others to be more careful about where to leave their animals.  It's in display on my editorial page right now.

My "New" Other Galleries Page

I got around to putting up my links to my other galleries, ones that are older than both this blog and my old website.  If you're interested in seeing how I've progressed over the years, click on over to the new page tab to access them.  I still update them from time to time, so it isn't all ancient stuff.  Here's one piece that will be posted up there soon, once approved.

Details about this piece will be explained on Elfwood.  Later.

What's a "Call for Artists"? An Definition of sorts

No one on the Internet bothers to help describe what a "Call for Artists" was about.  I was looking this term up just out of curiosity and only found lots of art competitions and upcoming gallery shows.  Other words for the same term are: Call for Submissions, Submissions, Call for Entries, Art Competition, Art Show, Juried Art Show, Art Contest, Exhibition, Festival, Showing, etc.

Based on what I explored, a "Call for Artists" posting is similar to a "Help Wanted" sign; it's like a job opening for artistic workers.  Some job banks/boards that I've explored thru had posts from art-related companies like Starz Animation and Ubisoft for openings like: lead artist, FX artist, background artist, concept, modeller, etc.  There aren't any posts usually for illustrators to draw/paint a picture for a magazine article or renovate a new website design or make CGI (computer-generated imagery) for a digital media, except sometimes on art-specific job boards.  Being an artist for a living means finding your own job, with little to non-advertised openings, lots of cold-calling and running your own business as PR, Accountant, Lawyer, Administer, Courier and Retailer.  It's not all about drawing and painting.

Back to the point of discussion, I was looking up "Call for Artists" to see what kind of things were involved.  It seems similar toward an job interview for retail, office, or any workshop: you're getting your works of art analyzed if it's appropriate for a project/assignment or qualified for a show's theme; sometimes you need pay to enter into the event.  It does include also a cover letter explaining your reasons for the work you're submitting, your Curriculum Vitae (record of your achievements and past jobs; resume) and then prepping your works for a polished, professional presentation. After being given the "thumbs-up", you can go on to displaying your work for the show's venue.

Now for different reasons, artists enter into these events for either exposure, sales and awards.

• Getting exposure would be like advertisement or promotion for your services but on a local or regional in-person level.  You may get to meet individuals in the same field as you to build up your network/connections too.  
• As with all jobs, making some income to supply your services and other necessities is important.  Most shows would allow you to sell your original or print works and other products with your work for profit and cover your expenses.
• Lastly with contests, this can give artists both resume reference and prizes.    Having your works receiving an award can boost your reputation for more work and the monetary worth is helpful too to help you keep working on your art.
• One final reason would be that it's having the passion for making art.  

So with seeing a "Call for Artists" either in newsprint or online, it states an opportunity for a creative person by hobby or trade to break out their materials, produce an idea and engage in an event for fun and benefits.

August 16/12:
I found an online PDF by Americans for the Arts that explains "Calls for Artists" more in-depth, with other resources and advice.

Their Resource Guide:
http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2013/by_program/networks_and_councils/public_art_network/CallForArtistsResourceGuide.pdf
Their website:
www.artsusa.org

Scarborough Arts' Big Art Book

Hi again so soon.  I came across this today from a Surface & Symbol paper that I got while out cycling.  A major art community here in Scarborough called The Scarborough Arts, had recently published a digitally anthology.  It contains many different submissions from both the arts and literature, which can be found at:

http://issuu.com/scarborougharts/docs/bigartbook_scarborougharts_2012
(I didn't send anything toward it unfortunately but it's a cool thing to see).

To see their official website:
http://scarborougharts.com/

Ado to the Old...

As of now, my old illustrator and Crystalium sites are gone.  Having to clarify with Hostpapa that I can't renew my subscription with them, they've cleared off my webpages, all content and my old domain name.  That means if an illustrator with the same last name as me wants to take it for their own website, they can :)

It'll be different to not have complete creative freedom of what my sites will look like, but it leaves more to focus on the art pieces.  Since my last (and first) post, I've updated my editorial page with two new pieces: In Hindsight and Materialism Miasma #3, Oil Obsession. I want to focus more on works for articles, magazines and other editorial media for the time being.  My portfolio is already strong in soft and cartoony works so I need to get use to doing more subjects for adults which I don't mean that erotically.

Time to look for some articles...

New Beginnings

Welcome to my new illustrator site! With Blogger, I hope to continue to promote my services for illustration and other-related projects for the years ahead.

My past work and new pieces will be posted up here soon. My web address for this site is simpler than my last one: http://jennymcmillen.blogspot.com.

For now until March 28, please view my work at http://www.illustratormcmillen.com/.

April 2, 2012:  As of now, my old website's address and content at (www.illustratormcmillen.com) are erased.  Kindly delete any old bookmarks regarding them to help avoid confusion.