August 2005 Newsletter #2

Photosheep & Inspiring Second Chances

"Make up your own mind about your work. Don't put too much stock in what other people say about your work, good or bad." — Stephen Blackburn, The Number One Thing You Must Have to Complete a Successful Painting

In This Issue

• August 2005 Journal
• What's New @ the CP
• Inspiring Creativity Book Giveaway #2

August 2005 Journal

by Chris Dunmire

"Inspiring Creativity" Giveaway #1 Results

Congratulations to Allison from Texas for winning the first of three "Inspiring Creativity" anthologies in our book giveaway promotion.

And thank you to all others who participated in the fun. You'll be amazed at how many creative sentences can be formed around the words "watermelon" and "bicycle." One of my favorites came from Alesia in Oregon:

"I was so unfulfilled with being a watermelon farmer, I carved one into the shape of a bicycle and rode off into the sunset."

What a visual!

Now, here's a second opportunity for one of you to snag this book. We'll be giving away another copy of "Inspiring Creativity" this week to a subscriber who plays along with the next promotion, which is detailed further down in this newsletter.

This time one winner will be chosen by random from the first 25 qualifying e-mails we receive by August 21, 2005. Best of all, everyone who tried before (except Allison from Texas (-: ) can play again.

Creativity Portal Sighting
Thanks to artist Bruce Price, the Creativity Portal will enjoy some extra off-line exposure in PORTFOLIO WEEKLY in a promotional spot advertising Bruce's upcoming gallery showing. Bruce has contributed three thought-provoking articles related to digital art and creativity to our Web site, the newest one titled "DEATH TO PHOTOSHOP!!!!!"

Bruce was kind to send us a copy of his ad, which you can see on his page on the CP.

P.S. If you haven't seen my Nit Wits #21 yet, you'll surely crack a smile!

Chris Dunmire
Publisher, Creativity Portal

What's New @ the CP

Death To Photoshop!!!!!
By Bruce Price
Retouched and manipulated photos are not synonymous with digital art. Here's why the belief that Photoshop IS digital art is a destructive myth.

Learn Printmaking and Rubber Stamping Techniques
By Chris Dunmire
Here's a primer into the world of printmaking and rubber stamping art. You can practice with potatoes and paint or become more sophisticated by carving into linoleum blocks and making inktistic impressions.

12 Tips for Showcasing and Selling Your Art Online
By Josse Ford and Daniel Tardent
Here's the scoop on what you must know when designing a website to showcase your art, impress galleries, and win over collectors. Learn how to avoid the mistakes most emerging artists make when creating their online portfolio.

Plus: 6 Steps to Make Your Artist's Website Sell

Sharing Our Creative Work with Others
By Linda Dessau
What's your first thought if someone hesitates before giving you their opinion about your creative project? Here are four steps to consider BEFORE reaching out and sharing your creative work and dreams with others.

Think Like a Genius and Its Qualities
By Runel Soria
According to Thomas Alva Edison "Genius is ninety nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration" this mean that you must be more on hard work than wishing to be someone. Even if you're not a genius, you can use the same strategies as da Vinci, Aristotle and Einstein to harness the power of your creative mind and better manage your future.

Deadlines Can Be a Writer's Best Friend
By Bonnie Boots
I hear other writers grousing about deadlines, even disregarding them until an unhappy editor prods them. That's a shame, because respecting deadlines can help you mature personally and professionally.

Inspiring Creativity Book Giveaway #2

Ready. Set. Go!

Here's your second chance at snagging a complimentary copy of the "Inspiring Creativity" anthology (a $14.95 value). What is this book about, you ask?

22 leading creativity coaches reveal their best kept secrets of how to manifest the creative potential you've always had inside you but never knew how to fulfill — until now.

It's an all-in-one jam-packed book filled with hundreds of powerful insights, practical ideas and thoughtful approaches to helping you achieve the creative life you want.

Sounds interesting, doesn't it? Learn how you can qualify for a copy of this creativity-inspiring book here. (Link removed, promotion no longer available.)

PLUS: Enjoy another excerpt from the book by Dave Storer:
Creativity is Your Birthright: How to Get Over Feeling You Don't Have 'Permission' to Create