Letters to the Editor

The Artist Resource site is maintained by volunteers who are interested in facilitating communication in the arts community. At present, we are seeking an inspired volunteer Staff Editor to manage this page. If you are interested, know basic HTML, and can work independently from your remote location, please click here. Thank you.

== 2005 ==

2/22/05
I love the service you offer and I think Artist Resource Rocks!! The resources on this web site influenced my move to this city... - Stephanie

2/22/05
Hi there, you guys are awesome. Thanks for keeping it going. - Steve

2/17/05
Your site has always been so generous in listing my workshops in it's art class section. Thank you so much for doing that. . . - Cheryl

1/15/05
Thank you. What a wonderful lot of useful information. It will really help
me in relocating back to the Bay Area. - Judy

== 2004 ==

12/21/04
Today I received the e-mail below requesting that I "confirm" my listings. Is this legitimate? Or some kind of spyware? I value your service, so please let me know. I won't "confirm" unless I hear from you. - Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: <request@mardox.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 7:14 PM
Subject: Regarding: www.artistresource.org/classes.htm
This e-mail has been sent to inform you that your web site URL has been submitted to our search engine database
In order to complete this request we require that you click on the web site link below. This will confirm that you wish to be included in our search engine database at no fee to you. http://www.mardox.com/confirm.cgi?T844095R132072
We can get your web site banner seen over 5 million times. Visit our web site for more details. http://www.bannerscape.com
If you would like to have your web site ad sent out to over 300,000 people then visit our web site at http://www.safemaildeluxe.com by clicking on the link below. We will investigate this matter and make sure that you no longer receive any futher messages from us. http://www.mardox.com/clipout.cgi?T844095R132072

Dear Glenn --
Thank you for your inquiry. This is spam, possibly 'adware' or an attempt to get you to download a virus. Unfortunately, every email address listed online, including Artist Resource listings, is vulnerable to email 'collection' activites by unscrupulous adware, spyware and just plain evil virus spreaders.
I've received some version of this email myself ever since I listed myself online in '97. Daily, I receive spam purporting to be from the 'administrator' of many Web sites, including Artist Resource (imagine my surprise). Most of these emails have attachments. Don't ever download them. If you do so by accident, don't open them. Fortunately, I have a Mac, and am less vulnerable to hackers.
Unfortunately, as long as our email and web addresses are published online, we will attract this sort of garbage. I'm not sure how to protect the members of Artist Resource without limiting public access to the site. That may be possible someday, but not at this time.
Sincerely, Li Gardiner, Editor

== 2003 ==

July
Hi -- I am currently a student in the Denver Colorado area. Your site provided me with alot of very useful information. I added [Artist Resource] to my favorite places to visit on the Web. I will definitely be back. Thanks, Shrybety

July
Many thanks again for your Web site and the advocacy it provides. I believe by having this site you are providing a great public service. With much gratitude, Jim

June
Really cool site. It's late right now so will check it out more tomorrow. I'm 13 but I'm an artist, and have my paintings in galleries. Just checking around tonight because I want to design a site for my work and sell online. I have a site but most of the paintings on it are when I was like 9 and 10. Gotta go. Thanks a lot. I enjoyed it. -- Your friend, Jacob Cory Watts

>> Dear Jacob --
Thank you so much for writing to us about how much you like the site.Congratulations on getting your work into galleries. That's very exciting, and unusual for someone your age. They usually show . . . only work they think will sell, so they must like your work. About creating your own site -- you should check with your ISP. Many of them offer free software that let's you design simple pages and post them online. It's a great way to get started. . .Please let us know when you do put your work online. . . We will post a link to your online portfolio. --Li

== 2002 ==

July
. . . asking for the removal of my job posting. I am still getting inquiries overloading my email inbox. I am thankful Artist Resource is a good place to find artists, but I have too many to respond to the way I would like. Artists who are
using your site would be better helped if you [remove] old job offers. Your site is doing a great job, keep up the good work. . . Sincerely, Sherrie McKinley, Inkcyclopedia

>> Dear Sherrie --
Help Wanted ads are posted for at least one month, but may stay up longer if there is no definite start date or application deadline. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, though we are gratified at the implication that many artists are using this service. --Li

== 2001 ==

Sep 19  A big cheer for Artist Resource News
The views you express on your news page are by far the best response to the WTC disaster/aftermath I've seen in any Bay Area media--by a mile. . . I wish I dropped by earlier--I could have simply forwarded your news page to everyone forwarding commentary to me. . . Thank you so much for your well-thought words. You reaffirm my faith in artists. ---- Joseph Hornof, Earcom / Technical Talent

Sep 11  Dear friends,
No words can express what all of us are feeling right now, but we wanted to take a moment to reach out to you.
I don't know exactly how to say this, but the people on this list, and the organizations and ideals they represent, are stronger than what happened here today. Wherever you are, we hope that you and your family are well.
Ami Dar, Action Without Borders (New York, NY)
http://www.idealist.org/

Sep 2  Thank you for the efforts. This is still one of the better art sites on my surfing route. -- Passionately, Larry

Aug 1 Thanks for the excellent postings you made to the [Digital Fine Art Forum]. They are probably the best resource I've seen for straight info and additional resources on the topic. Just wanted you to know your efforts are appreciated. . . --Stephen

Aug 1  inspiration point
I just wanted to thank you for displaying your work for all to see. I find it very inspiring. I hold a Graphics position at a small paper in Boulder, Colorado called the Colorado Daily. I have found that when ever I am in a creative stand still, I can get on your Web site and find my design outlet.
--Racett Troutman, Graphic Artist

7/9    New York Connection
I happened upon your website and I think that it is wonderful. However, I am not from the West Coast and I am hoping that you can direct me on live/work spaces in the on the NY/NJ metropolitan area. I think that this site has comprehensive information. -Thank you, Michelle

>>Dear Michelle -- I have had numerous inquiries over the years from East Coasters, but do not know of an equivalent site. There are some art commmunity sites in New York -- try the art schools or Art Students League.  For live/work, or rentals in general, try Craig's List in New York: http://newyork.craigslist.org/
   Meanwhile. . .  we are planning to expand Artist Resource to New York  by 2002. Bookmark our site and check back from time to time. The  announcement will be on the front page. --Li

6/23 Letter to the Editor

I have sent you many requests to correct your error re my portfolio, but I am getting no response. Please answer my requests or else remove my name from your site. On June 14, you aknowledged that you had posted someone elses image under my name, you sent me an attachment of my thumbnail image, asking if that was the correct one. I replied, stating that was indeed the correct one. . . --Jay Tucker, member artist.

>>I placed your request with . . .other updates for that page. . . I am sorry if the delay has caused you  inconvenience. I would rather that you had a satisfactory experience from exchanging links with Artist Resource.  .  . I want to support you and all our artist and writer members in your creative endeavors. --Regards, Li Gardiner

6/01 art-related job banks
I am a Career Counselor at Rhode Island School of Design. We are in the process of adding a 'Resource Page' to our school site which will include industry articles, top sites of the week, and art-related job banks. We would like to include a link to Artist Resource Job Listings at the risd.edu 'Resource Page' to help assist our students and alumni with their search for job opportunities.  --Margot Livingston

4/01
I want to thank you again for all the things you do for the Bay area artist community. . .Your story "An Artist's Life" has been inspirational for me as an emerging artist. My medium is mixed media/assemblage and sculpture. --Risa

2/21  Teamwork
My spouse who is a fine artist was able to find a great accounting team via your site. Richard O. Cross and Associates. What a valuable service you have provided us with. He also found a great "shipper" for sending paintings. -- Lisa

== 2000 ==

12/8    Bon Venue
I just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent site. I am a Bay Area artist and through your site I was able to find a venue for a show that I am organizing. With all the wasted space on the web, it's great to see a site that actually contributes to helping a community that often finds itself frustrated and at loose ends. --saskia wilson-brown

11/23 Canada Calling
Recently I took a course at the California College of Arts and Crafts. While I was visiting [San Francisco] last time I happened to stumble across  your site and in a word I was very "impressed" with what you're doing. To your knowledge is there any organization similar to yours in the Toronto area, or in Canada. . ?   I sense that the community here could use something similar to what you are offering and this may very well be something I and others I know could lend our support to here.....keep up the great work.... .HY

>>Unfortunately, I don't know of an equivalent site or organization in Canada. There may be one, but I get that question from all over, even New York, where you would think they'd have an art community site ! Evidently, there is a need for an Artist Resource site everywhere. We would love to establish 'satellite' sites in other cities, (like Craig) but are short of resources. We hope to do that late next year -- it depends on whether we can get funding for such a project. We would also need to find local content developers and artists who would commit to maintain the pages and local info. I welcome suggestions from you [and our readers] on these subjects. - Li Gardiner

9/16  Hired help
I placed a job listing with you and I found a wonderful person to help. I had at least 15 applicants from as far away as India. Thank you. --Patricia

9/6  Good references
Your site has referred many people already to us. . . thanks so much . . .  --Julie Willmon, Co-Chairman, 21st National Juried Exhibition

8/30  Sitting pretty
Thank you for listing me. . . I have your pretty logo on my splash page. My compliments to a good design, not like some sites that make you put awful BIG stuff on your page. --Nicola

I like the new front page design - still easy to navigate, too. Keep up the great work. -- Stephen Tompkins

8/26   Love at first site
I love your site! I think you're doing a great service for artists!
Sincerely, Julie

8/14  I am so enjoying your site with all the information... and comments. --Eve Croft

5/00  I have . . . gotten a lot of positive contacts through this site. Thank you so much for the opportunity. --Nina

4/00  Great web site and resource for all artist's! keep up the great work! -- Chad Greene

1/5/00     Your site is great. I have 2 new students starting next month that found me on ArtistResource.org -- Bonnie B

== 1999 ==

11/20/99   Worn out by job search
I'm an illustrator and have been looking at your site for a while now. I wanted to let you know that I fine it very disappointing that you folks rarely list artists' jobs under the job listing headings. I can look at Craigs list and get listings for web designers. Those are not artists in my humble opinion. They are HTML experts. I think I may unsubscribe soon. It wears me out. -- Shannon Abbey

>>We list artists' jobs as they come to us. Many include teaching, managing or working in art-related business like galleries, schools and stores. You might also find art 'jobs' listed as calls for work or commissions, on the Calls for Art page. But if you are seeking a job as an art-maker, like a portrait commission, we receive very few submissions of that type. Offers of commissions are usually developed between the artists and patrons who are familiar with their work, through agents, or through galleries where the artist's work is exhibited. If you discover a site which lists more 'artistic' jobs, please let us know. We would love to post a link to it. Good luck in your search.  [By the way, animators and designers might take exception to the idea that all they do is write code, in my humble opinion.]   -- Regards, Li

11/11  increased exposure
I recently listed a url with some of my art. . . Love your service, keep up the good work. --Alexander Nowik

10/6   10 points of light
I read your "Ten Points" article. I am very impressed with the ten points and I will try them in my work and life. I am a married guy with two kids that just graduated with a degree in fine art last year. There are parts of what you wrote that are identical to what I am experiencing and thinking. Thank you very much for the article. I hope to write you some day and tell you how much your writing helped me during a difficult time in my career. Thanks again!!!  --M

9/10    nothing but thanks
I just found your site by surfing and just wanted to say a warm thanks from a writer who does not feel quite as alone as before! I'm glad you are providing this service, forum and solid educational contact site. --Patricia Frank

7/8  Putting it Together
Artist Resource has an abundance of information an opportunities for on-line portfolios. Does it have any information on how to put together a good commercial art interview portfolio? I'm a student nearing graduation and am having trouble finding resources through my school. -Paula Tabor

>>Dear Paula -- Check out the Job Hunting Advice page-- it includes advice about portfolios, resumes and interviews. --Li

7/7   Faster, faster, pussycat
Thank You for the info. It would help to get these messages out sooner so we can make plans ahead of time. Keep them coming!! --Tim Hart

>>Hi Tim --I'm glad you like the digests. . .some postings came in last night! C'est la vie. Check the site whenever you can for the most current info, rather than just the digests. Our menu changes daily. --Li

6/27   Heavy info
 I am very impressed by the Artistresource site and have found tons of valuable info to help promote my site. -- Brian Simons

6/2   Taking a Leap
My name is Cay Lang. I wanted to introduce myself to you because I greatly respect your site. It is useful and generous. I run a business practices program for artists in the Bay Area called Taking the Leap (also there is a book of the same name recently published by Chronicle Books). We are in the process of putting together our web page and one component of it will be a section called "Art Tips of the Month". Each month we will feature tips for artists and writers from curators, dealers, publishers, agents, and other art and literary professionals. We will also have a "Hot Link of the Month" which is basically a site we feel is a must-know-about for artists. We want your site to be the Hot Link. . .Great work!  --  Cay Lang   caylang@taking-the-leap.com

5/17   More thanks and rewards
Thanks for an incredibly valuable website, which I just found tonight.
--Malcolm Ruthven   http://www.mruthvenart.com

>>Since then, Malcolm submitted his site for our Bay Area Artist Portfolio Award, 1999. He was awarded an Honorable Mention. Congrats!

3/29     Congratulations!!
Your site definitely qualifies for the "Critical Mass Award". A very nice site, excellent  design, clever original graphics, great artwork, and your content is informative, entertaining, presented well and  easy to access. A worthy enterprise and a positive contribution to the Web. Thanks for helping make the Web a more interesting,  fun and attractive place to visit. I really enjoyed my  visit to your site and will return again when time permits :) Cheers...Bill Darling, Critical Mass

3/27    Drawing a crowd
Thanks for putting [the drawing group] on your site, several people have started attending who saw the notice.  -destry

3/18    Artists' stories strike a chord
I read b.t.dittberner's story at your web site and loved it. Thank you for getting all that information out there to all of us. --Denise Y

3/17   The right stuff
. . .by the way your web site is wonderful, I've been looking for a resource for exhibits, and your site has the best referencing I've ever seen, and I've been surfing for a long time looking for exactly what you have. --Tracy McD

3/11   Under-exposed
Your page . . . is very much appreciated. . .informative and quite helpful. . . I am new to computer creations. I have webpages, and like all artists trying this out on the computer, I need some good links so whomever might be interested can find me. Right now, only friends and family know about it. . .what would you suggest I do so that I may have better exposure?     --Barbara M

Dear Barbara --  I have a couple of suggestions--
1.) Go to our Art Links pages and submit your portfolio site URL to the search engines and art sites who post links for free.
2.) Fill out Artist Resource submission form and we will post your link for free under Member Artists.
3.) Buy "Getting Hits" from Peachpit Press. Pay close attention to the info on Search  Engines, and "Meta Heads."

3/8     Life Affirming Art, Art Affirming Life
    I want to thank you for the informative, deeply meaningful story you wrote. It read like my own life. Your experiences are so similar to my own that it was very eerie reading it. I too began drawing and painting at four. All of our family encyclopediae, my textbooks, anything containing paper had drawings on it. Whatever it is with which God endows us to create had to find its outlet because at that age, if there was not paper around, the walls and other inappropriate surfaces really got it. I was never blessed to attend art school. I did not major in art at college because my self-esteem was never stroked  in such a way as to affirm my self-confidence in this area. . . it took me until I was in my forties to say with confidence "I am an artist!"
     Your article has so many helpful suggestions that I am going to print it out and keep it. I am currently trying to move more into focusing on my art. I sell everything which I create, but since I work, I haven't had time to create as much as I should. I am recovering from surgery on my right arm due to carpal tunnel disease, so I have four remaining weeks in which to fill some orders and create more items, as well as get an on-line portfolio set up.  
     Again, thank you so much for the inspiration and encouragement through your wonderful article.    -- Barbara Jim-G

[Dear Barbara --
Thank you so much for your response to my story. I was asked to talk about "making a living as a fine artist" in a panel discussion at San Francisco Women Artists. I thought it would be easy, but it was difficult to write my notes,  because I realized that I don't always practise what I preach, and find it hard to live up to my own  goals. It's still a struggle, and I still don't make my entire living as an artist, but I know people who do, and took some good advice from them which is incorporated in my '10-Point Plan'. I also find  that being an artist has changed the way I handle my 'other careers' in graphic design and teaching.
      I am fortunate to have a supportive husband, who doesn't complain about the smell of turpentine, or paper everywhere, or having a cramped studio instead of a living room. He gets concerned when I don't make art because he knows how much it means to me. I've also made friends with creative people, like Joy-Lily and Johnny Davis, who understand the importance of making art, and encourage me. The people you surround yourself  with do make a difference in your sense of priorities, your feeling of self-worth and the worth of your work. That's why I suggest making art part of your social life.
     The fact that you sell your work should be very encouraging. Whether you sell through a gallery, or to friends, for ten or a thousand dollars, the message is the same. They feel a strong  enough connection to your work that they want to live with it, and are willing to part with  hard-earned cash to get it, and support you in your creative endeavors.
      I just posted a new story, from Juana Almaguer, which offers a lot of advice about patience and discipline. I 'm sure we can all use a little more of both.
     Let me know when your portfolio goes up. I wish you luck, courage and joy in your artistic life.     --Regards, Li Gardiner]

3/6    seeking art conservators
Is there a listing of art conservators in SF? I'm looking for someone who can work with oils/acrylics on paper. And I could use a list of other conservators who can work in other media...I'm sure more injured art will be coming at me in the future. any responses can be sent to me at this address. ...this is the first time I've visited your site and I'm sure I'll be back!   -- j.   Jmoonkey@aol.com

You should ask somebody at the de Young or the Legion of Honor. They have trained restorers and may know who to contact.  --ed.

3/1    Sea shells are a message of hope There are artists around the world who use stamps [as an art form] and I am one of them.      I wanted to do some stamps that were very colorful and appealing to the senses. After thinking about it for a few days I decided to use a shell image, which to me is universal and archtypical and reoccurs in my work. So I chose some pastel drawings that I had done and went through the photoprocesses of translating them into an artistamp form.      They are quite beautiful. Recently I have thought a lot of why so much of my work is beautiful. I go back a few years to a time when I was extremely ill and frightened because my body had no energy. I was in a state of dispair. I went to my studio and drew the most beautiul and colorful  images that I could. Later I realized that I was drawing hope. And that to me hope is beautiful. This world needs lots of hope. So I offer you my "Sea Shells."  Patricia T   pmtav@sirius.com

2/4    HELP -- flying with wet canvas
I work in oils and paint in plein aire so I'm used to carting wet canvases in the back of my station wagon. I will be taking my first painting trip by plane this May and have no idea how to transport the wet canvases on the return flight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help, Ramona K

Dear Ramona -- My suggestion (I welcome more from our readers) would be to put all the canvases into a sturdy, rigid crate, and separate the canvases with sheets of something flat and rigid, like corrugated cardboard, foamcore, thin plywood, etc., and push a slender push-pin or small, slender nail into each corner on the front of the stretchers, to keep the front away from the dividers. Or nail a small piece of wood to each side, sticking out in front.      We don't have a forum yet for shipping art, but it's always a problem for artists. Check the Marketplace page for future listings of art shippers. . . --ed

1/27   Large painting on the move
I need to ship a large painting (4'x6') from California to NY or Mass. Do you know the least expensive but safe way to do this?  Rajputs

Dear Rajputs -- Shipping is expensive, especially for a painting that size. UPS won't insure it and FedEx is very expensive. But FedEx will hand-carry the box, instead of putting it on a conveyor belt like UPS, so I suppose they are worth it. UPS tells me that the box must be sturdy enough to fall 5 feet to a concrete floor! The size often costs more than the weight. If you need a crate made, and you're near San Francisco, try the Packaging Store, near 9th, south of Market. They pack and ship all kinds of fragile objects.  -ed

1/28  Yayyyy
. . .the reason I'm writing is to say thanks. You folks do a great job. It is so valuable to have all the art and writing listings, up to date, and available in one place. The e-mail digest is great. You are really helping to encourage people to be creative. Hurray!-- Bay M

Dear Bay -- admittedly, not ALL the listings are here, just the ones that people post with us, many of which would not otherwise receive any publicity. We are slowly expanding our audience and submissions, and will include even more interesting events as we grow.  --ed.

1/22   Artist Resource, the only way to fly
I love your site, great info and invaluable in planning trip to SF in April. . . Keep up the great work. JWalker

1/17    Link to link to link
I want to thank you for linking to my site. I have had 20 referrals from your site. That is the most that any one site has sent me. I have this tracker on my page called extreme tracking and it tracks everything about a visitor to my site, where they came from, what their domain is etc.. Thanx again, Tony Natsoulas

Dear Tony --I'll have to check out your page again - this Extreme Tracking thing is intriguing (and your work is great!)--Li

1/7     ... I hope you can help me. . .I just moved to the area and I am very impressed with your web page. It has been helpful in many ways. What I am looking for, though, I could not find even after hours of looking through your page; that is, a community darkroom of any sort. Do you know of any such thing? I need a place to go to print b/w photographs, and possibly color photos, if any such place exists. Could you direct me to one, or to someone who might know of one?  Thank You, Michelle

Dear Michelle-- I forwarded your request to a local photographer. For a fee, you can use the darkroom at the Harvey Milk Recreation Art Building, 50 Scott St (in Duboce Park) 554-9523, in the Haight. They also have low-cost classes. You can also try the UCBerkeley Extension at Haight and Laguna. They have photography classes, darkrooms, maybe on continuing ed. basis. I guess this info needs to be posted on the classes page, hmmm? --Li

== 1998 ==

12/11 /98   I am a painter new to the Internet. . . Your site is terrific! Fun, informative, noncommercialized (although we all want a little more attention). --DeWitt

12/10   Road map to Inspiration Point
First, i would really like to thank you for this site. Words are not enough to express how much pleasure i have gotten from looking in on Artist Resource from time to time as I search for inspiration and some sort of road map in becoming a full-time designer-maker. I'm not an Artist, but the problems, concerns, and delights are very similar...just a different end result. . . . If you don't need our . . . help with the website, we would also be interested in becoming financial supporters once the non-profit status is achieved. Whatever, let us know how we can help! good luck and thanks again,  Kathleen  and Andy

12/2     Losing Sleep
I've been browsing around your site (and job/intern links) all night, and just got to the "staffing" section. I'd be interested in helping out, not just for the free pages, although that's a nice perk, but mainly because I think what you're trying to do is important. . . --Dave R

11/26/98  Suitable for Linking
I've just checked out the artistresource page after a long break. Congratulations to all concerned, a clear, uncluttered and brisk-loading web site - a rarity indeed! The listings and exhibitions are really interesting and well presented. . . I was looking around for suitable candidates for a links page. Yours is the only one worth putting there I've seen so far. Keep up the good work, yours, Don A donfront@frontiernet.net

. . .Congratulations to you for all you have done ... I have been gone, few months away ... fantastic what has happened to your site. I just wanted to congratulate you and thank you for all your work and efforts ... it will come back to you. -- Cindy

11/23/98    About her work
     Although my first passion is Art and Drawing. Photography has allowed me to view a whole new medium in art. Even as a young girl, I always felt an appreciation for the outdoors and nature. My parents would drive my sister and me around the beach at sunset, and I can remember - always wanting to take a photograph of the beautiful sky.
     In retrospect, my high school art teacher always challenged me to draw, sculpt, paint or photograph something "out of the ordinary"... and so it goes! --J Drewien  Patch Prints

10/15/98 . . .thanks for your site. I check it all the time, and it is a very cool resource. -- Vick V

9/16    Link up!
Thanks for putting my link on your Bay Area Studios page - I'm getting lots of visitors to my site through you.  -- Karen S

8/26/98   Foggy on art forms
. . . i am interested in what you are trying to do. It is a bit confusing though, your site is primarily aimed at the visual arts--which is what everybody thinks "art" is anyway, but gives the nod to other forms...its a little foggy to me. And that is not a pan, look at what wonderful things you have done!  Its always that damn bug of either refining or excluding.  thank you, it's a great site,   ronald h

I am a visual artist who majored in English once upon a time . . . Basically, the site is a resource for visual artists, but because I love poetry, and was involved in National Poetry month [1997], I started making room for stuff related to writing. We'll see how it grows!   -ed.

The San Francisco area has the reputation far and wide for NOT supporting the visual arts and local artists on many levels. What little support there is here is mostly lip service and token crumbs. Your heroic effort in producing your site is at least a sincere attempt to communicate with isolated artists out of the loops that other industries provide.  -- Laura L.

8/7    Awesome!
. . .I think your site is wonderful!!!! I'm always in search of new thoughts and insight from people with experience. My father lives in San Francisco. Thanks to your information on art shows, I'm sure he and I will have many hours of enjoyment attending some of them. Thank you so much for supporting the arts and all aspiring artists! --Sincerely, Daphne S

7/31     . . .appreciation
for your wonderful website . . . I regret not discovering it sooner, but look forward to checking in for months to come. . . the Bay Area arts community is stronger because of it! --Sara Schneckloth

[Thanks for your support and interest. Please tell your friends about Artist Resource -- not just artists and writers, but anyone interested in art and writing. --ed]

7/29   Thanks for listing workshops.....it has produced results!!! --Elizabeth Raybee

7/28      Confusing Pages
The contents of this web site, and the titles of areas seem to confuse me easily. Twice I have found info about art schools that helped in my project locating internship programs, but since then I can't find them again. Similar names and pages make it seem like the information is now gone. . . the information should be reorganized into an education section. [with] a school section and a private section. The school section could include a scholarship area and the intern area  . . . My problem was that schools are listed in different pages and I get no sense as to if I ever found all of them.   --  Larry Bryson

7/29    Dear Larry -- We do have an internship area under Jobs . . . [but] I'm afraid that we don't have a scholarship area, since none have been listed with us. However. . . it's a great idea, and welcome you to create a page or a section for scholarships. . . --ed.

8/7 We now have an area specifically for Educational Internships on the Intern/Volunteer section of the Jobs pages. These schools and others are also listed on the Art Classes page. Thanks, Larry for the suggestion!

7/13  Faster than light
Your web site is my absolute favorite, surpassing all others by light  years...thanks for the constant inspiration. Your 10-step plan was the first thing to draw me in months ago. Having graduated 2 years ago with  my MFA and still trying to figure out how to make art and support myself  (and pay these moldy student loans), your site is helping me feel supported and giving me new ideas!  --Jessica

6/98      Which Bay Area?
Way back when your site was first starting up, I received a letter of recomdation towards it as a excellent site for both Tampa and San Francisco Bay areas. . . .Unfortunatly you don't seem to carry as much info on the Tampa bay area. . . By the way I do love your Site, and I never regretted putting it on my favorites list. -- TTFN, Mike

[Dear Mike -- Thanks for visiting the site, and for your support. I regret . . . that Artist Resource focuses only on the . . . San Francisco Bay Area. I'm sorry if you thought Bay Area was a reference to Tampa Bay. Whenever we receive a subscription from someone outside the Bay Area I ask them if they're sure they want this information . . . but if the subscription request doesn't include a 'real-world' address, I assume it's local. . .  -ed.]

6/19    Donations for Artist Resource
Really great. Glad I was able to help if only a little, with a donation. I would have thought more people would have donated a few dollars since you and the rest of the staff do such a great service. . .I look forward to getting the e-mails [digests] from Mark. --Merrill

[Dear Merrill -- Thank you and all the donors and volunteers who support this site. You know who you are. . . you help make this possible. - Li]

5/17   Eagerly awaited
Subscribing to your list has enabled me to be aware of many opportunities in, with and for the local art scene. I attend City College Art Classes at the Fort Mason Campus and print out your events, classes, [and] workshop lists for my class. The class eagerly awaits the next printout. I have enclosed a check to help. . . keep up the needed work.  --Merrill Mack

5/2   The best site for artists
I have to comment on your arts resource web site - I think you have done a great job! The graphics are very effective. The layout is well designed and easy to use. The information provided is very thorough! I think it's the best site for artist's I've seen on the web.--Monica Praba Pilar

[See? That's what I've been saying all along! - Li]

Letter from the Editor, April 1998

Dear Members and Art Friends -
Thank you all for your support, advice, encouragement and donations.  
To find our more, check out the new Wish List page. You can send donations to Artist Resource, 228 Duncan Street #102, San Francisco, CA 94131     --Li Gardiner, webmistress

4/13   I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate the [ArtistList]. As an emerging artist, it is so helpful to be able to keep track of what is going on in the Bay Area.  --Janey

3/22   Calendar Listing Experience
Last weekend I happened to be in GG Park and wandered into something listed in Artist Resource that was held in a small exhibit hall next to the botanical library. The experience was . . . difficult to describe. Mainly, I was not sure why it was listed in an art site, in that it had nothing to do with art and, compared to the 60's, marginal in theme as an anarchist book faire.   -Laura Lengyel

[Dear Laura -- There was supposed to be a one-day art exhibit at the beginning of the fair. It was definitely submitted and described as art - but I don't know what actually happened. Perhaps the planned exhibit did not materialize. . .It's unfortunate, but I'm glad you told me.  -Li]

2/18   Thanks to your information, I have found a studio
. . .You have been of great help and I thank you! You are welcomed to stop by any time!   --Farsad.

1/29     Your service is of great value and is read weekly. . .
ArtSpan is very pleased to receive your updates on upcoming arts events in the Bay Area. . .I am writing to inquire if you know of other lists or web sites that feature local and national art events or opportunities. . .Thank you. Keep up the good work!-- Nila Rogosin, Program Manager, ArtSpan

[Dear Nila -- Thanks for your kind comments about the Artist Resource site. We're always doing research into opportunities for our artists and will come up with more leads in the future -- meanwhile, I direct you to the Calls for Art page on the site, which has hotlinks to the following sites/organizations: Art Festivals, The Art Deadlines List, Art Online, PhotoStop, and Speakeasy -- Li]

== 1997 ==

12/11    Make your web page easier to find, it is a treat.
I can't get over your fab website. I was looking at many artists sites today and yours get an A+.  One negative comment, your site is hard to find. I am surprised that with the cyber knowledge you have, why are you using the AOL webspace? You can't be found through any of the search engines. . .  Lucky for me I have you in my Bookmarks . . .

[Dear Reader --
     I set up the site on AOL because the site and web-editing software were free, and I have NO funding. However, Artist Resource has been a little hard to find, though I've submitted the site to about 15 search engines. (Any web page, whether hosted by AOL or another provider, can be registered with search engines, IF they are willing to include it in their databases.)
        The other artists listed on the site, and numerous art organizations, have happily cross-linked with Artist Resource -- Thank You! We are finally listed with Yahoo (thanks to Larnie and Carrie) in the Arts and Humanities section, under Organizations. Webcrawler and Hotbots have also registered us.
        My next step will be to seek a new provider, and get a domain name. Meanwhile, please forward our URL to all your art friends! You can make Artist Resource more accessible to so many artists and patrons! -ed.]

11/97     Thanks for a wonderful website. Put in my bookmarks immediately. Great job. Will share the news of this wondeful site with my artist friends immediately.    -M

9/97    . . .your web site. . . looks great. Did you create it with the AOL business web site offers?    -Peace, P.

['97,   This site was created with 'AOLPress,' AOL's web editor. It's free to AOL members, and anyone who wants to know more can contact me.

'98,   I've also been using it to update the site at its new home (1998) on Best.com.  --Li]

9/97     Thanks for adding me to your group [mailing] list. I'm learning so much already. This will be great for me since I don't personally know too many artists.            -Z

[Established artists, emerging artists, beginning artists, and appreciators and patrons of all sorts are all welcome to participate in building the ArtistResource site, and receive the ArtistList events digest. By attending events, you can network with other artists.]

9/97    What's not to love?
Your site . . . is so informative how could you not love it? I went to every part of it. I will keep checking it out. I put it in my bookmarks. . .   -B.

8/97     Marking a turning point
The info you're sending . . . doesn't always pertain to my particular interests (photography mostly) but that's what's good about it -- we all need more diverse input to keep things interesting. . .I wouldn't worry about "competing" with other sites -- that's what make the internet so great. The more the better! . . . your web site will be a valuable resource for local artists. Reminds me of some of the arts organizing I was involved in back in the '70s. . . It was a time when many of the current "alternative" arts venues were just starting, and (I think) it marked a turning point in the Bay Area arts support system.    -P.

[Our current support system seems barely alive. We need MORE!]

8/97    I rarely see this kind of immediately-appropriate information; it is especially interesting to me because I am a new computer owner. I was able to enter and be accepted in the Bay Arts show recently due to the information from ArtistEye. -K.

7/97    I'm not so interested in art online, but rather to use the web as a resource. . . I actually look forward to getting your [ArtistList] mailings. . . mostly what i am interested in is trying to find a space to show my work, and to find out where other artists in the bay area are meeting to talk about their work. -S

[Where do y'all go to meet other artists?  -Li]

The information has been extremely useful to me and especially for my graduating students who are looking for galleries, studios, and all-around support. . . As a fine artist it's a difficult world to exist in and we need all the support we can get. . .  -Mr. E.

7/97   It [is] terrific to have a resource to check on once a week and see what new stuff is happening. . . . you could feature a different Bay Area artist every few months and give people a chance to show off their work. -K.

[What do you people think of this idea? Anyone want to be a featured artist?]

7/97    BIG THANK YOU for listing me in your Aug show list. I greatly appreciate it. Every big & little bit helps! Hope that someone from [the ArtistList] will be able to catch the show. Thanks again. -S.

7/97    I'm so pleased to be receiving your e-newsletter . . .Thanks again for compiling this info and getting it out to us. (I would actually like to know more about your organization as well). . . It's always a pleasure to learn of an organization that helps artists.      Sincerely - J

[This site and the ArtistList events digest are a labor of love, so far created and sent out by one person, with helpful advice from many of you. Anyone who wants to participate is welcome.  The water is very warm. - Li]

7/97    Thank you very, very much for your kind inquiries and references for me. I can't tell you how much this all means to me. . .        -J.

I saved many of your letters because they give me advice and encouragement, and, as you can see from a few of those published above, I really had no choice but to create the Artist Resource website!   -Li Gardiner, webmistress

Sending a letter to the editor

Put "Letter to the Editor" in the 'Subject' line of your email
and send it to Li Gardiner