#BehindTheCanvas

[threeeyesstudio]

From Frames to Connections: Behind the Scenes of My First Art Pop-Up

Preparing for my first in-person art sale was an intense but rewarding experience. I want to share some highlights from this journey—from finding creative ways to present my work to the unexpected moments that made it all worthwhile.

I started by collecting second-hand frames for my signed prints. There’s something special about giving these frames a second life, and I know how much people appreciate art that’s ready to hang. Refurbishing these frames felt like honouring their potential. Watching a piece come together in a frame, blending something old with something new, was incredibly satisfying.

The pop-up was held at a local shop in my neighbourhood called Loohoo. The name caught my attention because it reminded me of my cat, Lulu, and the shop itself offered such a creative way to connect with the community. The owner provided space for local businesses to host pop-ups, and I was thrilled to have this opportunity to share my art.

As the event approached, my days were packed with prepping prints, designing small details, and juggling my day job. I even created holographic stickers with a QR code linking to a new digital card I’d set up. It’s a modern take on business cards, making it easy for people to find all my links in one place.

To promote the event, I collaborated with the shop owner to design a poster that was displayed in her window and around the neighbourhood.

While recovering from an illness, I tried to balance work and pop-up prep from home. I don’t know how to code, but I had to learn a bit to make my backup Linux gaming console work for me as a backup work pc. It was exhausting, and the illness eventually got the upper hand. Preparing for the pop-up took a backseat while I focused on recovering from a month-long battle with back-to-back flus. My doctor jokingly called me "lucky."

The week before the pop-up was a frenzy of activity. I curated stickers, cleaned up frames, and set up displays for my silk scarves in some cheap boxes I found at the dollar store. They worked surprisingly well and kept the setup neat and approachable. My packaging leaned toward simplicity and sustainability: tissue-wrapped art in mismatched secondhand paper bags. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like the right approach—practical and aligned with my values.

The pop-up itself was an incredible experience. Meeting people, hearing their stories, and seeing how they connected with my art was one of the most rewarding parts.

One piece that stood out to visitors was Wildflower Hair. Two people were especially drawn to it for very different reasons: one said it gave her a sense of strength and independence, while another shared her love for dandelions, despite their reputation as weeds. This piece was my way of saying that even when you feel like a "weed," you’re a beautiful flower, deserving of celebration.

Heart of Gold was another favourite. One woman added it to her growing collection of anatomical hearts, while another loved the contrast of strength and openness in the design. The gold in the piece was meant to represent that delicate balance: strong boundaries that still let love shine through.

After the pop-up, I took some time to rest and recharge. Reflecting on the experience, I realized how important it is to have a solid plan, especially when balancing a full-time job with creative projects. The event also gave me valuable insights into what works for markets, from display setups to the kinds of art that resonate most with people.

Connecting with people in person was a game-changer. Unlike the online world, which can feel like shouting into the void, the pop-up allowed me to see real reactions and have meaningful conversations. It confirmed that the emotions I aim to convey through my art resonate with others, even as they interpret those emotions in their own ways.

This experience has inspired me to think about how I might create a stronger sense of community around my art, even though I’m still figuring out how to do that. While online will remain my main focus, I’m excited to explore more in-person markets in the future.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

[steve-explores]

Behind the Canvas Series 1 Jean-Michel Basquiat Immersive Experience

It's the weekends again and it's another opportunity to expose my little toddler to the wonderful world of art with a visit to the Jean-Michel Basquiat Immersive Experience at Marina Bay Sands.

Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat is a fun interactive exhibition that allows visitors to dive into the wonderful complex mind of the artist through a variety of mixed media experiences.

I would highly recommend the experience for all art lovers both young and old. For more ticketing information, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/events/jean-michel-basquiat.html

[anabellema]

[carlosgamezdefrancisco]

Capturing the Creative Flow! I am sharing a glimpse of my process through a time-lapse video. Join me on this journey! 🌟🎨 #ArtInMotion #BehindTheCanvas

[thebookishisland]

Happy #socksunday! 🤗 Here are two really pretty purple middle grade books. Behind the Canvas and A Week Without Tuesday. 💖 . . I'm supposed to figure out what classic book I want to be my final project but I don't have access to those books my professor is asking. So I don't know what to do. I really want to do Pride and Prejudice or Much Ado About Nothing though. 😔 . . . ○ . . . #book #books #bookstagram #libros #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookworm #booknerd #bibliophile #igreads #igbooks #bookphotography #bookblogger #read #reading #booklove  #bookaholic #bookporn #instareads #instabook #bookstack #socksunday #behindthecanvas #alexandervance #aweekwithouttuesday #jessicabanks #middlegradebooks

[jvnla]

"A fascinating story of a girl who discovers the magic of friendship and the joys of the artistic world, this story is full of beauty, friendship, and perseverance in the worst of times. Any reader will enjoy this book, and any art lover will love the different views of the best artworks in the world." --VOYA . Alexander Vance's BEHIND THE CANVAS is now available in paperback! . . . #AlexanderVance #behindthecanvas #feiwelandfriends #squarefish #kidsbooks #childrenslit #middlegrade #bookstagram #instabook #art #arthistory #kidlit #jvnla #voya (at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency)

[thisstorygoeson]

DNF at 28% 💔📚 Find my mini-review at magicofthepages.tumblr.com #2017books #behindthecanvas #alexandervance #didnotfinish #dnf #minireview #behindthepages #middlegrade #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #tumblr

[janin3b]

#BehindtheCanvas by @janae_raquel | Support those whom support you! | Congrats on your first successful SOLO exhibit Janae!! | cc. @janae_raquel @chrismiss_ @xsaymah (at HLS Juice Bar & Grill)

[vangoapp]

#BEHINDtheCANVAS with Megan Watters

Did you see our latest #ARTinPUBLIC campaign?  With four beautiful paintings virtually hanging in San Francisco's famous Transamerica Building, votes poured in and ultimately left us with one winner: Megan Watters. Her piece Jeepster pulled in over half of the 650-plus votes, and we want to give you a #BEHINDtheCANVAS look at our crowned victor. 

We first met Megan only a little more than a week ago when she joined the revolution as one of our Artist Ambassadors.  We hope you like her story as much as we do... 

Like many at ARTtwo50, Megan was into art from the start.

"I have been painting since I was a little kid - I just always loved the way it made me feel. I used to draw and paint the women in magazines. I made collages. I drew all the time."

Later, Megan took her talents to Emory University where she worked as a scenic artist at Theatre Emory. There, she acquired the skills she would later use in creating theatrical sceneries, backdrops, and stage props. During her time moving around within the performing arts industry Megan became addicted to travel, and the Atlanta native soon sought new adventures in the West.  

  When she came to California, Megan wiled away her free time hiking the beaches along the central coast and exploring the natural beauty that would later manifest in many of her paintings. With her new-found inspiration and under the influence of a healthy dose of British Rock jams, she created Jeepster.

"Jeepster is the name of the piece I submitted to the contest, after the song "Jeepster" by T-Rex. I remember the time when I painted Jeepster - I was living in central California, working as a design assistant at a conservatory. That was an important time for me because I was very focused on learning about myself and my aesthetic. Though I enjoyed the beauty of my surroundings and the introspection, that time was also wrought with uncertainty for me."

Rather than let the unknown get the best of her, Megan did what we should all do - she danced.

"I remember listening to "Electric Warrior" on repeat the entire time I was working on that piece. I had no idea of what I was going to paint before I started. Instead, I just sorta danced to the music and let my paint dance on the canvas. I think that is what makes that piece so special to me. The true emotion lies not in the actual trees or recognizable images in the painting, but in the paint - in the drips and strokes."

Whether it's music or nature, one thing is certain - for Megan, art is about feeling. 

"It’s hard to explain a piece of art or my process in general because I do not know how to put it all into words. I can try to explain what draws me to a painting or an album or the grain on a piece of wood. But really, there is something ephemeral there that can only be felt. That is what I love about what I do. I convey to people my emotion and my understanding of the world through color, texture and lines."

We're excited to launch with Megan as one of our artists, and soon you'll be able to hang her art on your wall! Until then, visit her site at www.wattersart.com to learn more about ARTtwo50's #ARTinPUBLIC winner and one of the hippest new artists to join the cause.

[petrichor-art-blog]

There is this hugely popular artist called Destiny Blue. She is amazing and a lot of her art is about conveying emotions in a clever way. If you somehow don't know her, I recommend that you check her out. --> Swipe right to see the painting snapshots #destinyblue #portraitpainting #photoshoppainting #blackandwhite #face #behindthecanvas #portraitart #portrait #people #artist #deviantartist #deviantart

[vangoapp]

#BEHINDtheCANVAS w/ Dyanna Dimick

We're glad that everyone sees the world differently. Take ARTtwo50 artist Dyanna Dimick, for one. It seems that even the simplest steps in her life bear the promise of creativity. An act as simple as waiting at the bus stop, for Dyanna, is as valuable as a trip to the art supply store.  Now we've all hop-stepped over a rejected flyer or stray pebble, the difference between you and me and this San Fancisco based artist / mixed media guru is that Dyanna picks them up - 

"Ever since I can remember, I collected things, old buttons, shells, rocks, things others felt were trash. I remember standing at the bus stop around age seven noticing a colorful piece of wire…telephone wire, brightly striped and with so much potential.  I picked it up and saved it, later to be used to make friendship rings for my friends. I had discovered 'found objects' - which are still so important to my creative process today."

Dyanna graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Fine Art and moved to Los Angeles where she found passion for painting on her rooftop -

"I liked letting the sun dry my creations.  I experimented with new techniques and let my environment influence my style.  I had a blast in LA for five years showcasing my work and meeting established artists but I decided I needed to switch it up to stay inspired.  Soooo I headed back north to San Francisco!

We first met Dyanna shortly after she moved out to San Francisco on the set of our ARTaREVOLUTION video and she has continued to be involved as both a contributing artist and a sounding board for our team.  She even came to the Stanford Bases competition with us in May where she pitched our product to scores of silicon valley investors and entrepreneurs.

While we would love to have her working with us all the time, you can't keep an artist away from what they love for too long - 

"Here, in SF, I find myself needing to feed my creative desires by making sculptures, jewelry, housewares, clothing, and paintings.  My favorite includes mixing my knowledge of sculpture and painting to create mixed media pieces.  Colors, shapes, and textures are very important to my work.  I want people to use their imagination and get lost, even if it’s for a minute."

You will be able to find Dyanna's art on the ARTtwo50 iPad app soon - including the piece below entitled 'school'.  In the meantime, check out more about Dyanna and her works at www.dydart.com...

School - Oil, acrylic, pastel, paper, crayon, on canvas.  

 "The inspiration for this piece came while working on other pieces involving photos of young girls juxtaposed with magazine text about losing weight.  Ideas I visited in my first solo show, vanity, the body, women. Kids are taught and learn from such a young age, what are we teaching them?  The idea of someone misbehaving in class and having to write a sentence over and over.  Drilling a thought into a child’s mind.  But this piece is also quiet and beautiful at the same time.  The class seats are empty and the girl looks happy in the image.  Like a lot of my work, I want the viewer to come up their own interpretation of the piece."

[vangoapp]

#BEHINDtheCANVAS w/ Willy Owens

We met Willy Owens while shooting our ARTaREVOLUTION video and we immediately dug his vibe.  After the shoot, he regaled us over beers with stories of his recent (criss)cross-country trip in his Westphalia van that he had tricked out to be a photo booth on wheels.  

  After 20,000 miles, months on the road, and a lot of persuading random strangers from different walks of life to have their picture taken in his van/photo booth, he created "Portrait of America" - an exhibit currently showing at Madrone Art Bar in San Francisco (accompanying book can be purchased here.)

But, those 20,000 miles are just a short stroll in Willy's lifelong art journey.    

  "I've always loved to draw and make things.  When I was a kid I would spend days and days creating drawings of houses that had tubes as hallways connecting the rooms.  Each piece of computer paper taped to the wall would make up another room.  There were often 20 to 30 rooms in one of my 'dreamhouses'."

Willy is nothing if not a study in contrasts, because even after a lifetime of creating, he still doesn't think of himself as an artist -  

    "To me I'm not an artist.  I just enjoy making stuff.  In 2002 I started to see Banksy pieces on the internet and became fascinated with making stencils.  I made my sister and her husband a stencil portrait for their wedding and since then I've been doing commissions that all started from word of mouth.  I also enjoy trying new things - I'm into doodles and backward surfing dinosaurs right now. Watercolors and Collages seem to be creeping into my work more and more.  Unfortunately with work and life making art often gets pushed under the pile of things to do.  I've been enjoying revisiting these older pieces buried in my closet and am more excited than ever to create more work thanks to ARTtwo50."

    Here are a few of Willy's older pieces that he created while walking around SF on his first visit to The City over five years ago.  He altered the image and made them into multi-layer stencils.  Each of these took over 14 hours of cutting stencils and perfecting the colors to create.  

  SFrooftop by Willy Owens

SFstreetview by Willy Owens

Willy is stoked to be making more art...and to have the chance to show it to the world and sell a piece or two.  At ARTtwo50 we want to support artists like Willy achieve their dreams, whether its to sell one special painting or to sell enough to build a totally tubular dreamhouse!  We work everyday to empower not only Willy, but every artist like him, and that's what we are excited about.

To see more of Willy's work - check him out on instagram @lacidar

[vangoapp]

#BEHINDtheCANVAS w/ Kathleen Fallucca

At ARTtwo50 we have all kinds of artists and all kinds of art.  After being classically trained as a painter in college, Kathleen Fallucca found her true creative outlet in building complex collages. Kathleen will spend months building up a cache of images cut from magazines, newspapers, catalogs, and any other print media that catch her fancy. She builds collages around inspiration in her daily life and from her work as a professional landscape photographer.

We are lucky that Kathleen chose to share some of these collages with us at ARTtwo50. One of our favorites is Time Pieces:

Time Pieces by Kathleen Fallucca

We are also grateful to have Kathleen as a member of the Artist Ambassador team at ARTtwo50. Our Artist Ambassadors are motivated artists and art enthusiasts around the US that help ARTtwo50 calibrate and spread its message of ARTaREVOLUTION. If you would like to learn more about the Artist Ambassador program, please send a note to Hangit@ARTtwo50.com and we'll get you on board.

In the meantime, here are a couple more pieces from Kathleen. Be sure to check out her blog at http://ktdesignsart.wordpress.com/.

Black and White by Kathleen Fallucca

Travel by Kathleen Fallucca

ARTnROLL.