Several of my paintings on eBay were created during Plein Air Workshops I conducted here in Orange County, California. If you are an artist I welcome you to join me. You can always try to muddle through Plein Air painting on your own, but it's much more enjoyable when someone is there to tell you everything you need to know and answer all your questions. It eliminates the frustration and allows you to get right to the fun of creating professional looking paintings!

To get you started right, I will show you how to clarify the "artistic possibilities" of the scene before even laying brush to canvas. Then I show you how to do the lay-in, what to do next (and why), and give you step-by-step instructions throughout the entire painting. Your work will take a quantum leap in one session.

In one segment of a recent workshop, for example, we focused on how to see and paint trees. We began with observations about unique characteristics that communicate the specific type of a tree, then we analyzed how to look for the shapes and colors that bring out the beauty of the tree. We studied the way in which the light strikes the foliage and how to depict it, how to create a variety of greens while retaining a sense of coherence and how to pull it all together within a landscape. Along the way we noted basic recipes for mixing a variety of greens, which are very useful in any landscape painting. (For one example see my painting named "GRACEFUL EUCALYPTUS" in a current auction.)

My workshops are for artists of all levels of skill. First-time beginners are just as comfortable as experienced professionals seeking to improve their skills. I spend plenty of time with each artist and answer all questions. I do lots of work one-on-one and would welcome the opportunity to help you with your painting.

Many of my students who were first time painters are now selling their work on eBay! If you live in the area and are interested in attending my workshops, please feel free to contact me for information. HAPPY PAINTING! - Tom Brown

Look for the beauty around you today. And help others to see it, too. That’s what I try to do with my paintings, and eBay is a great tool to make it happen. As an added bonus, you have the opportunity to collect some new friends along the way.

We see only what we are focused on. Someone said that if you’re searching for an old baseball in a field of diamonds, you will find it a nuisance to walk over all those hard glittering rocks as you search for the ball.

In my art I try to open people’s eyes to the beauty that’s all around us every day. Unexpected problems may pop up in your daily schedule, but you can still salvage the day if you don’t dwell on the negative. Everyone has problems. But problems don’t have to rule your day. Deal with your troubles then look for the good, the beauty and the joy that are there for everyone. Make joy a part of every day. And pass it on.

That’s what I try to communicate with my art. And in doing so, I hope to brighten the day of someone else when they see my paintings. Over the past 5 years I have sold hundreds of paintings on eBay, and it makes me happy that I have been able to spread a bit of beauty into the lives of all those people. Better yet, I’ve gotten to know many of those people personally.

For many years I sold my paintings through galleries across the country. Galleries in 9 states represented me and I sold countless paintings, but aside from opening night events I never got to meet any of the collectors. Ebay has opened a whole new world, and it’s wonderful. Because through eBay we communicate directly and often get to know each other as a result.

Many of the buyers of my art have now become friends. We get to know each other through email, calls, letters, or in person. It turns out that many of my eBay collectors live near me and we’ve met and come to know each other. Some have become students in my Oil Painting workshops and we paint together now on a regular basis. Sometimes we meet for social occasions. Recently I had dinner at the home of one such friend and I attended a gallery opening for another, an artist who became a friend after finding my art on eBay. This brings me great joy!

So my parting thought for the day is to make the most of your day. Find the beauty and the good in this day, and help someone else to see it too. You just might make another friend! Oh, and leave a comment if you feel inclined - it's always nice to hear from fellow eBayers.

Before I dash out the door this morning to paint on location I wanted to leave a few quick thoughts - mainly aimed at my artist friends, but also to collectors as well.

Last evening I was asked by some of my art students what makes one artist's work stand out from another's - what makes it so special? Several things come immediately to mind (beyond talent and technical skills of course).

Most importantly is the artist’s unique "vision" when he views a scene. He imagines all the possibilities, from an artistic perspective. This is what makes an oil painter different from a camera. Nature presents us with far more information than we need - the artist can edit and manipulate what he sees until it becomes worthy of ART.

Some elements may be deleted, some minimized, some emphasized. A busy city scene bustling with people can become a calm street devoid of all but a single couple walking hand in hand, apart from the bustling crowds. A beach scene devoid of people can become more interesting by adding a few children playing in the surf. Or the reverse: an overcrowded beach scene can be painted with only gulls to populate a serene stretch of sand.

Values and contrasts can be manipulated to communicate the artist’s emotional reaction to the scene. A foggy day can emphasize the serene atmosphere, or the artist can take an overcast day and bring out the sun.

Colors can be manipulated - either muted to convey a calming mood or intensified to add visual excitement as needed.

Certain elements of the scene can even be moved slightly to create a better composition. If a land formation is in the wrong position the artist can adjust the scene to create a more compelling composition, while still maintaining the truth of the scene (artists can move mountains).

All of these aspects are governed by the artist's unique "vision" of what he sees; his unique way of seeing the world. And that is the most important factor that differentiates one artist's work from others. It is something that cannot be learned. Students can be encouraged to explore their own potential, and taught how to begin to see. But the truth of the painting must come from within each artist.

And of course talent and technical skills also enter into it - but that will be another entry on another day. I'm out the door now to find something crying out to me, asking to be immortalized in paint. Wish me luck!

How to buy art on eBay - and love it.

Buying art on the internet can be scary, but with the right guidance you can easily avoid the dangers and start a beautiful art collection. Sometimes you can get original paintings by the same artists represented in high priced galleries at a fraction of the gallery cost. The following tips can help you avoid the pitfalls and have a wonderful experience.

Tip number one:
When you find a painting you like, check the seller’s reputation before bidding. Here’s how: Next to each seller’s username is a number in parenthesis; click on that number. You will be taken to their FEEDBACK, which is a built in safety net that eBay has created for you. Feedbacks are especially important when you are buying artwork because computer monitors vary considerably in how they display colors. So how can you tell if the artwork will look as good when you receive it as it does on your monitor?

The seller’s feedbacks give you the answer. Feedbacks are the responses posted by buyers AFTER receiving their artwork. If you read my feedbacks you will see comments like these:

“An amazing painting”

“Painting is even more beautiful in person”

“You can’t go wrong with this artist”!

Many other artists on eBay have similar responses and you will be safe buying their work. Some artists have warnings among their feedbacks, or notes that the buyers were disappointed with the actual painting when they received it. Check the artist’s feedbacks before bidding.

In the coming days I’ll cover more tips on safely (and happily) buying artwork on eBay. Check back daily and tell your friends about my blog.