Utrecht is very pleased to announce the results of this year's student art contest. Our 4th annual self-portrait contest was huge success.  Again this year we had hundreds of entries from students all over the country.

The first place winner received a full scholarship to The Academy of Art University's Summer Art Experience and a $500 gift card.

Take a look at the winners here.

This year we received hundreds of incredible student entries. The winner from Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas will receive a full scholarship to The Academy of Art University's Summer Art Experience, a comprehensive seven week summer art program in San Francisco. Each of the top three winners will also receive an Artsmart gift card good for the purchase of art materials from Utrecht.

Click Here to see this year's winning entries.

Our third installment in artist tips & instructions provided by Sessions Online School of Fine Art discusses showing your artwork and how a good relationship with a gallery can be invaluable.

There are a number of ways of showing your artwork.  On the Internet, on display at public locations such as coffee houses, and in a great many published books and articles.

Where most of us would like to have our work shown though is in a gallery. Here is generally the most public and most financial lucrative place to have your artwork shown.

How to make this happen can be tricky. What it ultimately comes down to is you getting known by someone who runs a gallery and building up a relationship with them. It’s been told that the most important relationship you can have as an artist is with your gallery.  At the same time you should never trust your gallerist blindly.  The reasoning being is that a gallery is a business, and as a business their goal is to make money.  Most do have the intention of promoting artists and the Art Scene, but at the end of the day if they can’t make a sale then they’re no longer in business.  This doesn’t mean that they’re not there to help you.  A good gallerist will promote your work, strengthen your career, and make you money from sales – much more than you ever could on your own. At the same time, if you fail to meet the obligations of your gallery don’t expect them to keep you around for long – it just isn’t good business.

To keep this relationship strong you will need to keep in regular communication with your gallery, continue to make strong and consistent work that appeals to the gallery’s clientele, and make yourself known.  You may not be all that social but don’t hide from openings. This is probably one of the best ways to keep your self fresh in their minds.

Please visit Sessions Online School of Fine Art if you would like to learn more about their program.

The second article in our series provided by Sessions Online School of Fine Art discusses the importance of framing your prints for showing and for sale.

The question of how to frame your prints has many answers. By using standard frame boards, you can re-cycle the same frames to suit a variety of exhibit and image needs.  Selecting pre-cut mat boards for your prints can also save time and money.

It is also advisable to print with a white border that will fall inside the mat, so that there’s room for an edition number, title, and your signature between the image and the mat. This technique gives reassurance to anyone who’s seeing the photos on exhibit that they are limited edition prints that are more valuable.

Using colored mats can be tricky, as it will affect the way the image is viewed, increasing the possibility that the image may appear less compatible in certain viewing environments. It is also advisable to choose a matte surface and a neutral color. Try using white, 50-percent gray, or black mat boards. Allow the mat to give the image some space to be seen and to make the frame larger and, therefore to do the same for the selling price of the image.

Please visit Sessions Online School of Fine Art if you would like to learn more about their program.

This post is the first in a series provided by Sessions School of Fine Art. 

When picking a frame, make sure that you pick one that is appropriate for the piece.  Don’t immediately go to your favorite frame Remember: The frame must go with the painting.  You can choose from ready-made frames, metal sectional frame kits or open-back frames.

It is extremely helpful to have one or several people help you in the frame-choosing process. They help you to keep perspective, make suggestions, and quickly dismiss near-disastrous choices. A painting may take on a life of its own during its creation, diverting from the feel of the artist's original vision. Is the painting muted or vibrant? Is it decorative or moody? A fresh eye will help you sort this out quickly.

The frame also changes according to the target audience of the painting, and if the painting is intended to sell. Here you might have to make compromises on your personal tastes. The art market is a luxury goods market, meaning those with expendable income predominantly buy paintings. Rich people, to group them bluntly, may have a different set of sensibilities than an up-and-coming artist. A traditional audience may want a frillier gold frame, while a more cosmopolitan audience may prefer a simpler, starker frame. Identify and know the potential buyer.

Please visit Sessions Online School of Fine Art if you would like to learn more about their program.