Blog Action Day 2010 features Water.  This website www.blogactionday.change.org every year spearheads bloggers all over the year to write about one crucial issue.  This year WATER – and the lack of safe water for everyone who needs to drink – is the chosen topic. Over 5000 bloggers worldwide are writing today about access to water!!

Here is a short blurb that this great website provides about water: “After all, clean water is essential for our survival, but dangerously scarce. Nearly one billion people in the world today don’t have access to clean water and 42,000 people die each week from water-borne diseases. And the issue doesn’t stop there — water availability impacts a wide variety of issues from the environment to women’s rights and from technology to fashion.”

Ocean Dreams is my of my colorful, vibrant paintings that honors the need for water. Perhaps one day we will be able to get fresh drinking water from the ocean too.  I encourage us all to be grateful for the water we do have and do what we can to help others who need water.

Ocean Dreams, Digital © Diane Clancy

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Blog Action Day 2010 – Water, Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting

Sorry for the short notice, but you can write until March 24  – and I hope YOU will!! At last the government WANTS to hear from actual artists instead of only big businesses.  This is again about copyright issues. Some businesses want to use our work without our permission (or payment) – this has been called the Orphan Works Bill.

Most of us artists want to protect our copyrights to make sure that we can protect our work.  I know I want to protect my colorful, vibrant paintings!!  Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner for the Board of the Illustrators’ Partnership has put together this information.  Mark Simon is an Artist Adovcate and he passed along this information also.  Thank you to them!  Please read below for details.  Thank you! ~ Diane

Summary of issue: Over 85 organizations opposed the last Orphan Works bills, representing over half a million creators. Illustrators, photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians, and countless licensing firms all believe this bill will harm their small businesses.

WRITE TODAY – details below!

Hello fellow artists,
Below is great info on a White House initiative to find out more about copyright protection for artists and small businesses.

The deadline to hear from artists is <WED MARCH 24>, SO DON’T DELAY. Email them now. Info is below.

Artist Advocate,
Mark Simon

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS’ PARTNERSHIP

White House Seeks Artists’ Comments to Improve Copyright Protection

3.18.10

New Copyright Czar begins Joint Strategic Plan to Protect Intellectual Property
Victoria Espinel is the first U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC), also known as the Copyright Czar. Congress created IPEC by an Act of Congress. Ms. Espinel serves within theExecutive Office of the President to coordinate with all the federal agencies that fight the infringement of intellectual property.

Ms. Espinel and her team are specifically tasked with formulating and implementing a Joint Strategic Plan to help protect the ingenuity and creativity of Americans by improving the U.S. Government’s protection of the rights of intellectual property owners.

Your input is requested.
The White House is inviting your public input and participation to shape an effective intellectual property enforcement strategy. Please respond with your written submissions regarding the costs to you, your business and the U.S. economy resulting from infringement of your intellectual property rights, both direct and indirect.

This will be a 2-part process.
The first is to gather public recommendations by March 24. IPEC will then gather your input on the formulated plan.

Please be precise.
Include your name, city, state, and what type of artist you are. Explain why copyright is critical to you as a commercial artist, how infringement affects you, and what the U.S. government can do to better protect the rights of American artists. If your submission is about your economic loss due to infringement of your copyrights you must clearly identify the methodology used to calculate your losses or otherwise validate your infringement and enforcement costs.

Your submission will be publicly posted.
For this reason, please do not include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information.

Confidential disclosures.
If you have confidential business information that would support your recommendation or that you believe would help the Government formulate an effective enforcement strategy, please let them know by contacting:

Thomas L. Stoll
Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator
(202) 395-1808

Deadline: Submissions must be received by Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 5 p.m. EST.
Address: All submissions should be sent electronically via intellectualproperty@omb.eop.gov

Additional Background Reading:
White House Blog
Federal Register Notice Request

- Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner for the Board of the Illustrators’ Partnership

______________________________________________________________

For news and information, and an archive of these messages:
Illustrators’ Partnership Orphan Works Blog: http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/

Over 85 organizations opposed the last Orphan Works bills, representing over half a million creators. Illustrators, photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians, and countless licensing firms all believe this bill will harm their small businesses.

Technorati Tags: Orphan Works, colorful vibrant painting, Diane Clancy, Illustrators’ Partnership, Mark Simon, copyright

Pam of Magdalene Jewels has give my a Sweet Blog Award!! So I feel quite honored to be given an award which gives Thanks to “Sweet Friends: with kind words, sweet thoughts and good times” from someone I think is just as deserving of such an award. (borrowing from Pam) In accepting this award, I first must list 10 things that make me happy, then pass the “Sweet Blog Award” onto 10 bloggers whose blogs always make me smile! Here is the post with the details. Thank you so very much, Pam!!

Sweet Blog Award

The rules associated with this award are that I am to write 10 things that make me happy and then pass this award to 10 of my fellow bloggers:

Ok, first 10 things that make me HAPPY!!:

1. My daughter Jennifer who is mostly grown up (I don’t feel all grown up so I wouldn’t want to impose that on her).  We have a fantastic relationship and I love her dearly!

2. Susan, my best friend.  Our lives are filled with much work, art, networking, movies and more.  I am happy as we flow through life together!

3. Art!  I love making art (except when I don’t <grin>) and truly enjoy feeling traditional materials all squishy on my paper and hands.  Digital art is so wonderful the way it is so mutable and responsive.  All this art make my heart and soul sing!

4. Mediating and communing with the Spirits.  This is one of my deepest joys and I feel so happy and alive when I am so deeply connected to the Universe in a conscious way.

5. Working with a student or client who really, truly wants to learn. I love seeing the growing awareness of how things work – just so much satisfaction!

6. The sun on my face, a gentle breeze in the trees … feeling at peace and one with nature.

7. Color!! Anyone who knows my art knows I love color – I thrive on it and just feel so nourished by certain kinds of vibrant, colorful paintings and sites. Whether in the sky or in my or someone’s paintings, color makes me happy!

8. Watching movies with Susan and talking about them as we go – the colors, the dialogue, character development, what works, what doesn’t, what we think should be expanded on or changed.  Very happy!

9. Dancing to music, feeling in the flow, letting the music carry me along.

10. Traveling to different places, cultures and people.  Most of this has been in my own home, through books, movies, computer, imagination and listening to others. Hearing about different perspectives and viewpoints and learning how others see the world.  Allowing that to wash over me … sometimes shifting my ideas and other times feeling more certain in my own ways. Very uplifting.

Here are my nominees … all very fine and hard to choose with so many great blogs!! Know that I considered YOU!! Thank you! Here are my 10 I have chosen for the moment.

1. Jean Hood of Jean Levert Hood – Texas Hill Country Painter and my co-moderator of VAST and a delightful person

2. Sue O’Kieffe of Sacred Circle Mandalas – a very gifted mandala artist & good friend

3. Irene of The Green Stone Woman – courageous, strong, insightful and enjoyable woman and my most faithful commenter

4. Karen Faulkner of Karen Faulkner Art – creates colorful, delicate watercolors and you might remember I won her lovely painting

5. Lynda of Peripheral Vision – Inner Sights by Lynda Lehmann

6. Lisa of Lucky Dip – art and photography by Lisa Sarsfield

7. Kara of 1000 Faces 0f Mother Henna – creates vibrant, fun art and speaks deeply from her heart and soul

8. Lynne of An Artists’ Ramblings by Lynne Reichart – creates lovely art and has great giveaways regularly

9. Linda of Paintings in Watercolor – fantastic fine art by Linda Hammelman

10. Robin of Pocketful of Colors – Robin Maria Pedrero is a visual artist who must create!

This was fun to honor all these lovely artistic, creative people! Thanks for coming by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Sweet Blog Award,   Diane Clancy, vibrant color painting, Jean Hood, The Green Stone Woman, Sacred Circle Mandalas, Sue O’Kieffe, Texas Hill Country Painter, Kara, 1000 Faces 0f Mother Henna, Karen Faulkner, Karen Faulkner Art, Robin Maria Pedrero, Pocketful of Colors, Linda Hammelman, Magdalene Jewels, An Artists’ Ramblings by Lynne Reichart, Lynne Reichart, Peripheral Vision – Inner Sights by Lynda Lehmann, Lynda Lehmann, Lisa Sarsfield

I got a notice that I was chosen to be one of the “100 Great Blogs for Art Students and Enthusiasts” – I am very excited to have this honor!!  It is a fantastic post (besides that fact that they chose me <grin>)!

Here is what they say “You don’t have to be majoring in art to appreciate the beauty or impact of great artwork. These blogs will give you insights to the art world that can help you refine your craft, inspire you to create new work, or just give you a little something pretty to look at. Check out these 100 selections to start your aesthetic education.”

Online Colleges Blog

In these 100 selections they have 9 blogs that they suggest for “Art History and Museums.”  Next they suggest 12 blogs for “Art News” – keeping up to date with what is going on in the art world.  They continue with blogs for “Collecting and Selling,” “Art Education,” “For Artists” and several other categories.  They also have “BY ARTISTS “- that is the category I am in!  They chose 17 art blogs to highlight and included me – I am so surprised and appreciative!! Here is what they said about Diane Clancy’s Art Blog – “Here, Diane Clancy showcases her often spiritual art.”  I love that they emphasized that my vibrant colorful paintings often have a spiritual aspect!!  Thank you so much, Online Colleges!!  You can be a fan of my art on Facebook at http://facebook.com/DianeClancyArt – my fan page – thank you!!

Online Colleges Blog

I encourage you to go check out some of these other blogs – a few I already knew about, but there are so many new exciting opportunities on this list!!  I am eager to go strolling through the blogosphere with this guidance!! Thank you, Online Colleges, and thank YOU for stopping by and reading my blog.

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Online Colleges, Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Art Blogs

Last day for over 1100 blog giveways WORLDWIDE in over 40 countries!!  Free prizes and free shipping worldwide!!  Check them out!  The link to find the rest of the blogs is below.  You may want to enter my One World One Heart Giveaway – here is the post – it is a free prize with free shipping anywhere in the world.  This is a worldwide event – details are in this post.

The winner will be announced on February 15 – so be sure to leave a comment by today – February 14. There are over 1100 blogs participating in this giveaway – so jump on the magic carpet and go exploring … and win some prizes too!!

The prize is a Conundrum I card. It is a 4.25 x 6″ blank fine art card that is professionally printed. It comes with an envelope and is enclosed in a clear protective sleeve.  This is my vibrant colorful painting that many of you say is your favorite – that is why this is the prize.  I hope you will enter!

Conundrum I, Collage © Diane Clancy

All the details regarding the 2010 event can be found here: http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html. Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian says “The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.”

There are many bloggers involved (911 in 2009) from many countries from all over the world. Lisa continues “it’s a coming together like the giant community we are on this planet. If only it took a simple giveaway to create PEACE everywhere, in the mean time here we give from our hearts. … KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT…..therefore you must be willing to ship globally should your winner be from out of the country.”

I am very excited that this is international.  One of my cards with the vibrant, colorful painting Conundrum I is the prize. So some of you from other countries may well join in.  The  end is today February 14 – this One World One Heart Giveaway – is the post where your comments will be chosen from.

Thank YOU for stopping by and reading my blog.

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, One World One Heart, giveaway

Last day for these 2 FANTASTIC giveaways …  over 1000 blogs have giveways and 10 shops have giveaways!! Check them out!

You may want to enter my One World One Heart Giveaway – here is the post – it is a free prize with free shipping anywhere in the world.  This is a worldwide event – details are in this post.

The winner will be announced on February 15 – so be sure to leave a comment by February 14. There are well over 1000 blogs participating in this giveaway – so jump on the magic carpet and go exploring … and win some prizes too!!

Design Style Guide is having a Valentine Giveaway with 10 – yes 10 – different winners!! 10 shop owners have all offered to supply FREE gift certificates (and FREE shipping) for each of our shops!!

These certificates are worth between $20 and $30 or  for a specific item or for YOUR choice in a shop – so well worth your time! It is very simple to enter – read the blog post for details. For each of 10 days, there will be a winner!

Thank YOU for stopping by and reading my blog.

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, One World One Heart, giveaway, Design Style Guide

The fourth annual ONE WORLD ONE HEART giveaway starts today!!  From January 25 to February 15 bloggers around the world will be giving away items.  This giveaway is WORLDWIDE – one of the requirements is that you MUST be willing to ship (for free) worldwide.  Last year someone in Australia won my giveaway.

Let’s hear the drumroll … this prize of mine will be whisking off to some place around the globe … are you wondering what it is yet?  I am pretty sure YOU will be pleased … hopefully YOU will be the one who rides the magic carpet around the world … right into my prize.

The winner will be announced on February 15 – so be sure to leave a comment by February 14 – think of this as a Valentine’s Day gift for yourself (for those of you who celebrate this holiday).  In order to be eligible, you need to leave me a way to get in touch with you. Your email address is not public – I am the only one who can see it – so it is safe to fill it in.  Obviously, when YOU win this prize … I will need to be able to let you know.  I am willing to ship to wherever you are in the world – probably even to outer space if that is where you live … perhaps the magic carpet goes that far!

Drumroll … The prize is a Conundrum I card. It is a 4.25 x 6″ blank fine art card that is professionally printed. It comes with an envelope and is enclosed in a clear protective sleeve.  This is my vibrant colorful painting that many of you say is your favorite – that is why this is the prize.  I hope you will enter!

Conundrum I, Collage © Diane Clancy

All the details regarding the 2010 event can be found here: http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html. Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian says “The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.”

There are many bloggers involved (911 in 2009) from many countries from all over the world. Lisa continues “it’s a coming together like the giant community we are on this planet. If only it took a simple giveaway to create PEACE everywhere, in the mean time here we give from our hearts. … KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT…..therefore you must be willing to ship globally should your winner be from out of the country.”

I am very excited that this is international.  One of my cards with the vibrant, colorful painting Conundrum I is the prize. So some of you from other countries may well join in.  The  start is today January 25 – this post is the post where your comments will be chosen from.

Thanks so much for coming by!
~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, One World One Heart, A Whimsical Bohemian, giveaway, Conundrum I

The fourth annual ONE WORLD ONE HEART giveaway will be starting SOON!!  From January 25 to February 15 bloggers around the world will be giving away items.  This giveaway is WORLDWIDE – one of the requirements is that you MUST be willing to ship (for free) worldwide.  Last year someone in Australia won my giveaway.

All the details regarding the 2010 event can be found here: http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html. Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian says “The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.”

There are many bloggers involved (911 in 2009) from many countries from all over the world. Lisa continues “it’s a coming together like the giant community we are on this planet. If only it took a simple giveaway to create PEACE everywhere, in the mean time here we give from our hearts. … KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT…..therefore you must be willing to ship globally should your winner be from out of the country.”

I am very excited and plan to participate … and it is international.  One of my cards with a vibrant, colorful painting will be the prize. So some of you from other countries may well join in.  It will officially start January 25 – that will be the post that your comments will be chosen from.

Thanks so much for coming by!
~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, One World One Heart, A Whimsical Bohemian, giveaway

Yes!! I have won another giveaway – I feel so blessed!  Katey~D, or as fellow artists and friends call her, Ducky had a great giveaway on her blog.  And I won!! Yippee!!  Ducky’s blog and shop are BlueyeduckStudios ~ art created to bring you simple joy.

She makes pendants out of dominos … wild and lovely!!  Here is one example from Ducky’s shop.  This is the blog post that shows you what I won – people are so generous on the web!  And this is one of Katey’s Etsy Shops.  She has a couple of other shops you can also cruise.  You can see below the pendant that is making its way to me through the mail. Wow!  There is sure a lot of kindness and generosity online – with no strings attached!! Thank you again! Thank you, Katey!!

The ACEO Bounty Etsy group has contests where people can win Art Cards, ACEOs (2.5 x 2.5″ art).  I am totall thrilled to be the big winner for this 2 month period – I have won 9 ACEOs and 1 ACEO mat!!  Quite a variety of different artists and styles.  The ACEO Bounty group at Etsy has a lovely blog with lots of information about Art Cards, ACEOs – The ACEO Bounty Blog.   I am thrilled to be included in this post announcing the winners!! You can see one of the 9 – yes 9 Art cards I won for FREE!! Wow!  Thank you!

Today is Blog Action Day 2009.  October 15th is the annual day for bloggers all over the world to unite together to spread the word about this important issue – of CLIMATE CHANGE!  Almost 10,000 bloggers from 150 countries have participated so far! Dealing with Climate Change is crucial to the survival of humankind.

Earth Day, Digital © Diane Clancy

This vibrant, colorful painting of Earth Day shows humankind taking the extraordinary leap that we need to take to make the changes we need.  All the personal things so many of us are doing – driving more slowly, turning down the heat, eating locally – are all important and we need to each continue our efforts!

BUT war wrecks total havoc on the environment.  Peace is much healthier for the earth – besides for “children and all other living things.”  The environmental impact of war is terrible!! The fighter jets, bombs, wreckage of buildings, transporting many troops and supplies … all take a large toll on the earth.  I KNOW it is terrible with the human cost – and I am so sorry for all of us who have been impacted with human loss by war (which includes most of us) … AND the toll of war on the earth is terrible also.

This is yet another reason we need to strive to create peace – for all of us and also  the home we call earth!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: Blog Action Day 2009, Climate Change, war, peace, vibrant, colorful painting, Diane Clancy

Sue O’Kieffe of Sacred Circle Mandalas (http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com) has a wonderful giveaway!!  Here is the post with the details.  It is very simple to enter and she creates FANTASTIC mandalas!!  Don’t know what they are?  Go check out her blog!

Sue’s Mandalas Giveaway

Sue has started selling her lovely mandalas!!  Check it out!! Sue has a great newsletter she just started too.  It is easy to sign up for it when you enter (if you like – no pressure).  Thank you for checking Sue’s giveway and mandala’s out!! How are you doing? Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Sue O’Kieffe,   Sacred Circle Mandalas, mandala, giveaway

Today is a Day of Remembrance in the US.  Remembering all those who have served to protect people and to bring peace to the world – who have served in the military – and who have often paid the price with their lives.  Thank you for your service that you have given over the years – that service which has protected many people. This vibrant, colorful painting seemed particularly appropriate to honor these brave men and women.  There are others I would also like to Remember today.

Remember all those peace and justice activists who dedicated their lives, and sometimes also died, in the service of creating peace and social justice, here and the rest of the world.

Underground, Tempera © Diane Clancy

Remember those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the earth and the environment – they are blessed for striving to live in harmony with the planet that allows us to live.

Remember those who protect, educate, and inspire children – those who work so tirelessly to make sure our wonderful resource of the next generations have a good foundation.

Remember those in the military who have stepped outside their official roles to touch others’ lives at the deepest level and build human, emotional bridges across differences and pain.

Remember those who dedicate their lives to providing health care to others, who assist those who are suffering from illness and pain.  Remember those who strive to make sure all receive good health care.

Remember those who grow our food – the farmers who plant and care for the food, the workers who harvest the food so that we may all eat.  Thank you for allowing us to live.

Remember those around the earth who are working to create their vision of peace and social justice wherever they are.  Remember those who struggle against tyranny and oppression and work to create freedom.

Remember those who create art, music, theater and more – to inspire us and remind us that there is more to life than living.

Remember those who heal and bring spiritual nourishment into the earth and humankind – they give us vision and help create this dream.

Remember each of those that touch our lives, each day, in so many ways.  Thank you to those who touch my life by reflecting to me that I make a difference to you with my art, writing and vision.  Thank you!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, tempera, love, peace, justice

The Artists of Franklin County, a local group that I coordinate, have been having Artists Window Exhibits (AWE Project) since 2006.  We have a current one going on for the month of May.  Local artists are putting our artwork in local windows and on indoor walls to beautify Greenfield and to help build the Creative Economy.  Last time we included work by the students from the local high school.  This time we included people who are receiving services in the community.

Bryant Stewart at Opus, Photography © Susan Elkin

We sent out lots and lots of press releases and here is a great writeup in the weekly paper.  They took most of it word for word from the press release which is great (that they used it, not that I wrote it great)!  Here is the link I could find to show you the whole article.  In the print paper they also included 4 of the images that I sent them.  Now that I have seen it, of course I need to write them a thank you note. Some of it is below:

<Quoting from the Town Crier (and our press release)>

The Artists of Franklin County are presenting Greenfield with their extraordinary art for the entire month of May. Storefront windows up and down Main, Federal and Miles Streets will offer amazing artwork as local artists share their work with the community. The exhibit will begin on May 1 and run until June 1. This display of art is presented free of charge to the community by the Artists of Franklin County in conjunction with the Greenfield Business Association and Fostering the Arts in Franklin County. Anyone interested in purchasing art on display is asked to contact the artists directly.

The Artist Window Exhibit (AWE) has been showcasing artwork in Greenfield since 2006. AWE brings together area artists and local businesses to enhance the experience of Greenfield by seeing artists’ work in downtown windows. These exhibits have been very successful in the past, with positive feedback from artists, residents, visitors and shop owners.

Margaret Soussloff is displaying her work with AWE for the first time. Margaret says, “I work in Greenfield and walk down Main Street almost daily. While I walk I gaze in the windows, looking with my artist’s eye. I’ve enjoyed immensely the artwork displayed in store windows. It occurred to me, I could show my own art. That prompted me to take the plunge and have my art on display as part of AWE.”

<End of Quote>

It is pretty exciting to see our AWE Project in the paper!! Really fun! Particularly such a large spread!  This Wednesday Susan Elkin and I are going to be doing another TV piece at the local access TV station (GCTV).  Luckily it will be short since each of the people who received grants from the Local Cultural Council will be doing a brief piece.  All this is fun, exciting, frustrating, tiring and rewarding.  Thanks for stopping by!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, Susan Elkin, AWE, AWE Project, Artists Window Exhibit, Greenfield Town Crier, Press Release, Local Cultural Council, grant, GCTV