Wednesday : Tip Jar

Posted on June 29, 2011 by The Pick

Be social. We’re not talking about ice-cream.

Are you typically dragged out of the studio kicking and screaming
to attend a networking event by a well-intentioned friend supposedly looking out for your professional interests? Relax. There is a less painful way to save the friendship and your pro rep.

You cannot miss the all-pervasive social media buzz that surrounds you by people, places and brands. From your children to your grandmother, the demographics may surprise you. The more appropriate question may be “who’s not on social media?”

If you haven’t embraced it, dive in. There is no other way to get in the deep end. Forget dipping a toe in the shallow end and easing your way in shivering. Do the cannonball. Now.

If you’re an Altpick member, simply add your Facebook and Twitter usernames to your page under “Member Information”. Say yes to “Publish tweets?” and your Twitter updates will appear under your main Altpick image.

There. Pain-free. No screaming involved. At least in public.

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A Football Field In Times Square

Posted on June 24, 2011 by The Pick

http://vimeo.com/24287629

“Because when everything falls into place and you get the shot, it’s like catching lightning in a bottle.” So says the man addicted to photography. Tim Mantoani does not consider a day complete if he hasn’t viewed some of it through a lens.

Art, science, work and play all blended together when Mantoani and crew built a football field in the middle of Times Square for his third consecutive EA Sports Madden 12 video game cover.

[Excerpt from Tim Mantoani’s Blog: http://mantoaniblog.com]

“EA Sports trusted us again to create the cover image for Madden 12. This is the third year running we have shot the cover art. There was a big twist to the shoot this year than in the past. In prior years, the subject matter of the cover was top secret and not revealed until months after the shoot, just prior to the game hitting stores. However, this year EA held a voting contest on ESPN allowing, for the first time, the fans to choose the cover athlete. After 12.7 million votes, it came down to Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis as the final two. Since the winner would not be announced until the night prior to the shoot, we had to prep for both athletes, having their complete uniforms in hand. In the end, the Cleveland fans prevailed giving Hillis honors.

To further the fan involvement, unlike our prior shoots that were closed sets, EA chose to shoot the cover in a public venue the day prior to the NFL Draft in New York. Working closely with the NFL, Diversified Production Service and HG Producers, we had a small football field built on Military Island in Times Square where the shoot took place. Beginning at 11:30 PM, the night prior to the shoot, construction began for our 9:00 a.m. shoot, the following day.

Here is a time-lapse of the production , it’s not everyday your photo shoot is projected live on the Jumbo Tron in Times Square!”

No better way for him to share this world that’s so exciting to him than with a few million fans. Pass the popcorn.

Check out Tim’s work on altpick.com.

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Wednesday : Tip Jar

Posted on June 22, 2011 by The Pick

You travel with an entourage. Fans, agent, espresso maker, yes man. That’s how you roll. We get it.

Add publicist to your A-List. Did you know Altpick will advertise for you? Post your news and calendar events on altpick.com or simply email them to altpick@altpick.com and we’ll make it news-worthy for you.

So. What’s new with you?

. gallery show [opening and ending … yes, both are newsworthy]

. new exhibition [solo, group, virtual]

. new client/project/gig/digs/site

. interview

. cover feature/any feature

. representation

. testimonials, lectures, speaking engagements

. workshops, conferences, tradeshows

. finalist on Dancing With The Stars

You get the picture. Now. What can your publicist do for you?

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A Bear Who Loves Art

Posted on June 21, 2011 by The Pick

Image courtesy of Eduardo Bertone

We get excited when two of our loves connect and make beautiful. Art and wine. What’s not to love?

When Altpick member, Eduardo Bertone met Bear Flag Wine merrymaker, Beth Cutler, more than one hallelujahs were sung. Including an enthusiastic and rather off-key rendition from us. Besides the inevitable dazzling results, we want to know the creative intersections between making art and making wine. With Beth, it’s bottling art which Eduardo so intuitively wraps around the bottle.

Time for a taste test.

On the Why

“I wanted to make wines that my friends and I would want to drink every night.” – Beth

“This interaction with spectators is the AIM of my art; it’s a way I found to connect with the rest of the world.” – Eduardo

Why? Because this is something essential. Deeply personal and share-worthy.

On the Meet

“Bear Flag’s winemaker loves art … the respect and freedom that Bear Flag has given me made me realize this was a perfect project for me.” – Eduardo

“When I saw Eduardo’s work, it spoke to me and felt like a perfect visual match to Bear Flag’s quirky, non-traditional blends.” – Beth

Chemistry. Something that happens when two just-rights meet. It’s palpable. Can’t hide it. Visible for all to see.

Image courtsey of Eduardo Bertone

On the Creative

“I view the winemaking process as a creative one, using grapes like an artist uses paints. When creating either, you are trying to bring different elements together to form something that is cohesive and better than its individual parts.” – Beth

“It’s always transmitting sensations, ideas, concepts… make people think, awaken their concerns and transmit your personal point of view.” – Eduardo

The tools may be different but the core of the creative birth is similar. From the seed of an idea comes the artist’s interpretation of it infused with layers upon layers of their rich experiences and personal stories. As Beth said so wonderfully, “in the end, you want both the wine and the label to tell your story.”

On the Concept

“The great thing about this project was that the idea for the label was closely related to my style of art. Bear Flag is an untraditional concept. This helped my art translate and connect with the wine. The label encompasses these elements: spontaneous, chaotic and dynamic, and gives it an authentic and special touch.” – Eduardo

“He was able to bring to life the ideas and stories that I had for the labels in a way greater than I ever could have imagined. The labels are beautiful and irreverent and convey the fact that we are here to have a good time and wine doesn’t have to be taken too seriously.” – Beth

What happens when something is beautifully reflected … inside and out, Beth? “I hope to make Bear Flag’s art on the bottle reflect the art in the bottle!” Exactly.

Image courtsey by Eduardo Bertone

Of Wine and Art

“…the blending is all about the artistry, how different grapes come together. For me, art is all about evoking an emotion: a summer backyard party with your friends, great food and drink, music in the background; that feeling of home and happiness and realizing this is the greatest time of your life.” – Beth

“The art of creating wine is directly related with painting. Painting and winemaking are both about flavor, colors, style, sense, places, atmospheres, experiences and textures.” – Eduardo

The Test (Altpick did our own taste test)

A taste: “Bear Flag Bright White is beautifully crisp and zesty; summertime refreshing that plays nicely with citrusy fruits while teasing peaches and melons. The delicious taste along with the delightful illustrations gave the taste test a full body experience!” – Maria
 Chelsea Wine Country in NYC (http://chelseawinecountry.com) carries a nice selection of Bear Flag Wine whites and reds.

Bear Flag Wine Label by Eduardo Bertone

A view: Bertone’s illustrations for the wine labels are pure eye candy; a magical world that keeps revealing one surreal surprise after another as colors burst in enigmatic abandon. Look once. Twice. And keep looking. You’re not done.

Art and wine. To fully appreciate, engage all senses. In the bottle or out, the creativity pours forth. It is art you can taste. How delicious.

The Artist Eduardo Bertone click here website.

The Artist Rep: Anna Goodson click here website and altpick page.

The Winemaker: Bear Flag Wine click here.

Posted in Art | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday : Tip Jar

Posted on June 15, 2011 by The Pick

Choices. Good.

Editing. Help.

There are times you look at your collective body of work and think wow. I’ve been busy. Then comes the unfathomable part of narrowing down the great to the best. It’s a good place to be. That means someone has talent. That’s you.

Whether it’s your Altpick page or your personal website, choosing which pieces should be front and center is sometimes challenging. What will my choices say about me as an artist? Should they be random greatness or will a series tell a better story?

Do you need help editing your work on Altpick? Can you use some professional and honest feedback? We can help. Over 20 years in the industry and it turns out we do know a thing or two about what art buyers are looking for. Imagine that.

Email us at altpick@altpick.com and we’ll set up an appointment for a review. Bonus: We’re friendly. And one of us speaks Italian.

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Ponzi + Amnesty International: Voices for Freedom

Posted on June 13, 2011 by The Pick

From one candle, thousands of candles could be lit. A visually stunning and moving light that shines into one of the world’s darkest corners. Altpick member, Emiliano Ponzi (represented by Magnet Reps) partnered with Leo Burnett Iberia and the incredibly talented team at the animation company We Are Captive to create Voices for Freedom. The animated short is part of Amnesty International’s recently launched campaign that confronts the silencing of civil activists from around the world. It was just screened before an international audience at the Festival de Cannes in southern France.

Emiliano’s beautiful, graphic illustrations tell the story of Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan filmmaker who was imprisoned in 2008 after the making of his film, Leaving Fear Behind. The film documented how modern-day Tibetans feel about human rights in Tibet, as well as the then impending Beijing Olympic Games. After being tortured and held without charge for more than a year by Chinese authorities, the filmmaker Dhondup was sentenced to six years imprisonment for inciting separatism.

The short was strongly influenced by Buddhist and Tibetan proverbs, using animals central to the religion and lifestyle in Tibet and the crane which is a national symbol in China.

The short was included in four entry categories at Cannes. Please click here if you would like to sign a petition or contribute a voicemail in support of Dhondup.

The power of art to illuminate human suffering and to mobilize the right action: defined. Beautifully.

[excerpted in part from www.magnetreps.com/wp]

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Wednesday : Tip Jar

Posted on June 8, 2011 by The Pick

The artist bio. You have to write one. Reaction? Does the thought fill you with an inevitable sinking feeling?

Who are you?

A bio is part story-telling and part self-promotion. It’s a fine balance of the personal and professional. Your work should speak for itself. Adding words to it supports the story. Your thinking, rationale and motivation behind the art. Yes, we want to know the why. Because it’s your interpretation of the piece, it’s wholly you. There’s no right or wrong. It’s yours.

Add a client list you are proud of, a career background filled with experience and the ever-important potential. If you’re light on the experience, use your interests. The potential spotted, right? Buyers always want to know that you are a consummate professional. Just the mention of a brand, agency or another buyer’s name is a shortcut to knowing that they’re dealing with a pro.

The personal bit is more challenging. Many artists speak eloquently with their art. It’s their chosen form of expression. Created beautifully and giving us a view into you. Do include personal tidbits in your story. Something uniquely you that buyers can recall after reading all about the experiences that may fit certain criteria but the fact that you are a rodeo barrel racer will stick.

Saying all that, here’s the real tip: You’re an artist. A guaranteed license for creativity. Don’t worry so much about bio protocol. Feel better?

If you don’t have one already, add a bio to your Altpick page. If your bio is up, here’s a gold star. Now go update it. Keep it current, you pro.

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Wednesday : Tip Jar

Posted on June 1, 2011 by The Pick

You: A card-carrying member of Altpick.

Altpick: We have some tips to make your altpick.com experience a more jar half-full one. Because we’re nice like that.

Your Wednesdays are about to be your favorite. We’d like to introduce our Tip Jar. An occasional look at some of the steps we recommend you take to increase your chance of being noticed on altpick.com. We like juicy news.

Here’s one: Take your page seriously. Don’t just throw some random pieces up there and leave the work to the buyers. Making them sweat is not good strategy. They’re busy.

You have to sell yourself and the best way is by telling your story. Yes, you’ve got one. You, the hero. Remember? Show your work in a comprehensive way that is a true reflection of who you are and what you have to offer. What sets you apart from your competitors? How will I remember you?

This is not the time to be a lemming. Ooh, look! Shiny.

Photo by Art Brewer

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Art + Japan = Compassion

Posted on May 3, 2011 by The Pick

Designed by Ayako Otoshi
It is no coincidence there is passion in compassion.
In a continuing effort to show Japan they are an island in geography only, Altpick is providing a platform in an effort to activate, inspire and facilitate the marrying of passion with compassion through art.

Art + Japan = Compassion is a tribute to the art of human nature. Yours.

This inaugural benefit fundraiser marks a most anticipated launch of an ongoing effort by Altpick to inspire global compassion in art. Your donation of one art piece will find its way to a happy place and become a collection of proceeds that will help with the ongoing relief efforts for those truly affected by the calamitous events in Japan.

In the coming weeks, we will be in conversation with you regarding this benefit fundraiser including dates, logistics and news. Altpick members will have a direct feed. For those new to the conversation, please say hello at 212.675.4176 or altpick@altpick.com.

Open call to artists [members or non]: Donate one piece by emailing a jpg to altpick@altpick.com with subject line “art + japan donation”. You will be added to our compassion list. Stay tuned for next steps.

japan benefit logo design : Ayako Otoshi | ny

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