Summer Vancouver Open Art Calls

Although it may not seem like it now, in a couple of months summer will arrive at full blast, bursting with fresh air, clear skies, and festivals galore. Which means...open calls for art shows, festivals and fairs are going on right now. Here's a few with deadlines coming up that we don't want you to miss:

 Saanich Public Art for Canada's 150

From the District of Saanich, Vancouver Island. Deadline: May 7th, 2018.

Saanich is seeking submissions from artists for a work of outdoor public art to commemorate Canada's 150th Anniversary. Location for the work of art will be at Cedar Hill Park near the Cedar Hill Arts Centre.

Information and applications are available at saanich.ca/publicart. Please send applications to Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8X 2W7 or planning@saanich.ca. Questions please call 250-475-5471.

Hycroft Manor Open Call to Artists

From the UniversityWomen's Club of Vancouver. Deadline: May 17th, 2018.

The University Women’s Club of Vancouver’s VisArts Committee is having an Open Call for BC Artists to showcase their work at our Victorian Heritage Club House in Shaughnessy, Vancouver. Interested artists are encouraged to fill out our Open Call Application – the deadline is Thursday May 17, 2018 at 12 pm.

https://www.uwcvancouver.ca/programs-events/visual-arts-at-hycroft/

Painting on the Edge - International Exhibition

From the Federation of Canadian Artists. Deadline: May 30th, 2018.

Painting on the Edge is an annual international competition and juried exhibition, open to inventive artists worldwide.

Each year this exhibition encourages artists to challenge themselves in their current practice and get out of their artistic comfort zones. Successful artwork will articulate bold experimentation and innovation in your arts practice.  

Push your limits and push your audience. Exhibit in the sixteenth year of Painting on the Edge. If juried into the exhibition your work will display in Vancouver, Canada, and be published in our catalogue.  

Submit here: https://artists.ca/submissions/view/id/804

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Need prints or art supplies for your exhibition or show? We can help you with that.

VancouverOnCanvas is an online fine art printing and framing company, specializing in canvas, archival and photographic prints and reproductions. We service artists for nearly any project, from giclee canvas prints, framing, or resining, call us today for all your art decor and framing needs!

KeenArt Media Ltd. Toll Free: 1-888-533-6278 (KeenART)
www.VancouverOnCanvas.com 
Working Hours: Pacific Standard Time
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Friday

Artists - How to Sign Your Artwork

Happy Friday again everyone!

As part of our new year's resolution to broaden our topics, today we will be sharing our tips for signing your art. Although it may seem very simple, signing your name can actually be an art in of itself (no pun intended). Just like any brushstroke, your signature is an integral and important part of your piece, and requires careful consideration and thought. Before you sign-off with your initials, keep these tips in consideration:

• Sign your artwork, legibly and clearly
• You can sign it anywhere (back, front, sides, corners, etc), but…
• Keep it consistent from piece to piece
• Sign with the same medium as your artwork
• Date it (on the back)

Having a unique, recognizable, and consistent signature helps market and preserve your brand, while preventing thefts or third-party replications in the future. Providing as much information about your piece on the back also allows historians and collectors to better track and place your artwork in context of history and value.

For example, 17th century Dutch artist Judith Leyster always signed with her initials (JL) with a star attached. It was a play on words (Leister meant 'lead star' in Dutch), and also acted as a watermark in certain paintings - for in some of her works, a star-shaped mark can often be found in the north part of the painting.

In addition to signing consistently, consider creating a certificate of authenticity to go with your work. Unique methods of identifications provide extra touch to the artwork buying experience and legitimacy. You can also use an embossing stamp on the certificate or print itself.

Finally, make sure you use proper materials to sign your originals or prints. For original artworks, try to sign with the same material as the artwork, as this would help deter counterfeits. For prints, stick to pencil or ink, either on the back or the bottom corners in the margins. This will help keep the focus on the art itself, while looking clean and professional.

And that's it! We hope this has been a helpful article for all our artists out there.

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KeenArt Media is a family-owned printing company specializing in fine art prints and reproduction services. Whether it's for the home or for the gallery, we have you covered.  Inquire today!

KeenArt Media Ltd. Toll Free: 1-88-533-6278
www.VancouverOnCanvas.com
Working Hours:
8:30 AM to 5:00PM Monday to Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00PM Friday

Artist Spotlight: Leah Pipe

Art as true therapy...

Here at VancouverOnCanvas, we're huge fans of any art depicting the West Coast. The works of Leah Pipe are among our top favorites especially. With her delicate  strokes and fine lines, she
renders amazing wildlife portraits that are stunningly soft and clear.

Heart of the Headwaters, by Leah Pipe

Warrior Wolf, by Leah Pipe

The Echo Across the Lake, by Leah Pipe. 

A BC artist, Leah Pipe resides in the coastal mountain ranges of Northern BC, right in the heart of Gitxsan territory around the Skeena River. She is a professional artist, graphic designer, and Communications Designer for Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition. Her love for the wilderness and wildlife of British Columbia is clearly evident in her micro-amazing details, which she encourages us to examine along with her. 

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Fine Art Printing Inspired? At VancouverOnCanvas we offer fine art printing and framing in a wide selection of paper styles and frames. We also scan originals so that you can enjoy the beauty of their colors on each individual paper texture for years to come. Printed with archival inks, their brilliance is built to remain. To evoke that beautiful subtle watercolor texture, we recommend the Hahnemuhle German Etching. Simply sensuous!

Would you like to be featured on our blog, or know an artist you'd like us to share? We'd love to get to know you and your thoughts! Leave your suggestions in the comments below!

KeenArt Media Ltd. 604-421-8000 (KeenART)
www.VancouverOnCanvas.com
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Friday