Is This Another Scam Come My Way? Maybe Not. Or… .

Wow!

Received an e-mail with an amazing offer!

“Dear Jo. M. Orise,

I’m the webmaster of wikigallery.org, the largest “Open Community” Fine Art Wiki Project in the world. We receive millions of visitors monthly. Our database of Fine Art images and articles is in the millions and we continue to grow daily. We are a nonprofit organization. This is your opportunity to take part in our project.

I visited your website earlier today and wanted to congratulate you on a creating a well presented and informative site. I would like to add a link to your website from wikigallery.org and wanted to know if you would be kind enough to link back to us.

Adding a link from wikigallery.org to your website will greatly increase your Search Engine Ranking in Google, Yahoo, Bing and other websites. A link from our site to your site will mean that your site will ranked HIGHER on these search engine results pages which will translate to more visitors and better exposure.

If you are interested let us know, and I will get back to you with the exact link information that we would like you to use. Please also let me know what description you would like us to use when we link back to you.

Looking forward to hear from you,

Victoria
wikigallery.org
Webmaster

Disclaimer:
Your e-mail ID is taken in person directly via visiting your website online. Please reply to this e-mail if you are not the right person to receive this e-mail message or if you have received this e-mail by default.”

Well, let me come down a notch—it sounded pretty good. Maybe it is a legitimate offer.

But why did it look strange? The e-mail—all text based. No graphics. From Wikipedia? In today’s world of social interaction, there are usually graphics, pictures—something to look at. As I read, I found a typo. Not very professional. There is a spell check and grammar check in all publishing software, and even in e-mail/web-mail software. Why hadn’t they been used? Is this another scam come my way?

The signature? Victoria, wikigallery.org, Webmaster.

Only a first name, Victoria. Victoria who? The Webmaster? Why would a webmaster write this note? Why not the Art Coordinator, or other such title? Webmasters create websites. Perhaps Wikipedia’s Wikigallery is on a very LOW budget. Somehow, I don’t seem to believe that.

“… Our database of Fine Art images and articles is in the millions and we continue to grow daily…”

Why would I want to be ‘buried’ in a million+ swarm of artist? For me—I have no patience browsing. One million+ options to choose from sounds oppressive. I’d lose my bearings and throw up. Sorry. :-(

What prospective client has that much time to shop for artwork? Easier to take a holiday and make the gallery circuit in a quaint art community somewhere on the globe, or better yet, go to an interesting artist’s web-page and talk to them. That has a personal touch. :-)

After an initial reading, I set the e-mail aside. A few days later I entered Victoria’s signature and company name at http://www.snopes.com . Well, well. What do you know? It was been reported as a possible SCAM in 2011. I never heard of it until now. So is it really a scam?

Check out this link from linkedin.com written by Laurie, April 5, 2011:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/GOOGLE-LINK-SCAM-3722095.S.49448023

Here is another link:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1029012

But, that is only two opinions. I didn’t find any other signals of scam, which is a relief in a way. It’s Wikipedia we are talking about here!

To calm my nerves, I went to the mountain http://www.wikigallery.org – at the very bottom right of the page there is a link Art resources and it does bring you to a large selection of artists. Some are WOW! others are heh? Looks legit. But like I said, I have no patience for such a plethora of links to so many people/galleries. It’s a nice place to visit but… .

Will I ever join. Hmmm. Don’t know. Dramamine anyone? :-(

Always check out the ‘stuff’ friends send. The Internet is NOT the book of rules or the bible. It is fallible—very, very fallible. Think about the writer: who, why, when. If it sounds too good to be true—IT IS! But this one? I think it is okay. What do you think?

Jo M. Orise August 2013 Art Update

I’m preparing for the upcoming one-man-show at The Highland Coffee House, Thomaston, ME. Works (originals and prints) will be on display for the month of August. Hope you can make it. If not, then visit my virtual gallery http://www.jomorise.com to see what I’ve been doing most of my life.
Thanks.
Leave a comment. Love to get feedback. Critiques are a big part of improving one’s craft.

Jo M. Orise July 2013 Art Update

Last summer and winter found me painting up a storm. Still am. This is one of my paintings for the Black Falcon gallery in Thomaston, Maine.

Summer Art Event Theme – 2013 – Hunger for Art to benefit the St. Bernard Soup Kitchen, located in Rockland, ME.

Hosted by the Black Falcon Gallery 47 Main St. in Thomaston, ME.

July 4th (9am – 5pm)
July 5th (7pm – 9pm) – First Friday
July 6th thru July 13th (8am – 5pm) – Open
See details at: http://ourthomastongallery.com/
________

In addition, I have one-man-show in the dining room of The Brown Bag Restaurant / Cafe, 606 Main Street, Rockland, ME for the month of July.
This is one of my favorite places to eat when I am in Rockland, Maine. http://www.thebrownbagrockland.com/

People with a taste for great food flock the restaurant every day.

Come to the shows to support the other local artists and me. If you purchase a painting, part of the proceeds are donated to the Soup Kitchen. What a great excuse to buy a new painting—from me of course.

If you see my art on display at either location, drop a line, tell me what you think.

Oh, I know the banana painting is ‘different’. I let my imagination loose. Hunger for art and food—how do I tie the two together? Ah! Food on the beach of course! Therefore “Monhegan Bananas” emerged from the canvas. It is a 7×7″ gallery wrap painting. That means the painting continues around the edges of the canvas.

The other painting, is Curtis Light. It is on display at the Small Wonder Gallery, Camden, Maine. It is a cute 5×5″ gallery wrap painting as well. I just love ocean waves. They are so dynamic and difficult to paint. But I’m working at it. My work can be seen there for the season.

I also have art work hanging at the Store Upstairs Gallery in Port Clyde, Maine.

See more of my artwork at: www.jomorise.com

Enjoy!

What the Blog For?

“Just one of those days”.
Caricature postcard series by J.M.Orise
(aka: J.S.Cabana)

I have too many blogs!

A platform is important for an artist in any medium. But how many? Two FaceBook pages, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn. Somehow, YouTube and Google+ slipped in!

Enough already!

Okay, calm down.

I taught computer science for over twenty years. FaceBook can’t be difficult to use—can it? In a public school, FaceBook, YouTube and similar sites were blocked to protect students from unsuitable posts. Result: I also avoided these sites.

Now, here I am creeping through a jungle of strangers, links, ads, add a friend links, etc… . My students did this at home! Alone! In their rooms at night! The promise for a secure account added to their enthusiasm to commit themselves. Why not? No one sees their posts unless they are a friend… .

Possible artifice in social networking emphasizes caution. The same caution I preached to my students. As their eyes rolled upward, I asked how many experienced a best friend’s betrayal? So why trust everybody who claimed to be a friend with the click of a link?

Perhaps a “can assist” or a “can sponsor” link is needed instead? “Friend” sounds too intimate, too demanding. Will you ignore three hundred friends for the sake of maybe, ten—I mean really good friends? How do you make it up to those “friends” you have ignored. What will they think? How about a “Deal With It” or “Sorry” link. Depends on your temperament.

Once I’ve authored a post, I hesitate. Am I ready to post? Days later, I press the post button. Perhaps someone will read this one.

Comments? Barely anyone bothers. I’ve bumped into people who report, “Hey, I read your blog! My husband laughed. He though it was pretty funny.” But there are no comments. Not even a g+1. “Like.” What is that? Oh, yeah. It’s a way to receive RSS feedback whenever clicked at someone’s post.

I am an artist. Do you know how difficult it is for an artist to write about what is going on? Artists are private people—well, a lot of them are. I spend hours at the easel or at the computer composing a story, or editing pictures, and back at the easel touching up a painting because I had a better idea. No one is there to tell me what to do. No one drops in. Friends? Where are they when I get happy or frustrated. How about a slap on the “Like” or “You Done Good ;-)” link. Not the same as a slap on the back is it? Psychology 101 emphasizes touch is important in any relationship. Hugs. Perhaps I should hug my PC when I see a “Like” designation for one of my posts.

Research indicates I need a platform. Without it, no one will find me interesting and I may never get to publish a novel, or sell it either. Who made these rules? If I create art or stories and am serious about my craft, why does the public have to know what I am doing Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 2:30 PM?

I think about goings on in this world: the wars, the ecology, the economy, the tragedy, the politicians who do nothing… . The President and his many challenges.

Really? You want to be my friend? Comment me already.

Tonight I thought I was on Blogger. I later realized I was on Google+! Looks a lot like Blogger. But less elegant.

Conclusion: I’ll have to delete a few accounts. What will I keep? FaceBook, WordPress and Twitter. Will Blogger have to go? I wish Blogger could automatically send posts to FaceBook as well as Twitter.

My eyelids droop—a reminder of other needs. I am about to fall asleep at the blog wheel. Strap your seat-belt. I’ll be back soon. Decisions can not be made in a somnolent state.

Comments? Click the link below.

Britain’s Got Talent: Shadow Theatre Group Attraction

Britain’s Got Talent: Shadow Theatre Group Attraction
There is talent is this world. These people worked at their art and look what they’ve created!
Love it.

I Have Things To Do

English: Belted Galloway Cattle, Bishopstone. The Belties of Faulston Manor waiting to be taken to there new field. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Can’t do that just now, dear. Not possible, ask me later…” My mantra this past year as I painted similar scenes over and over again. My goal was to create a series of belted galloway (aka: belties) paintings and ocean scenes of the Maine coast.

Hubby and friends repeatedly ask, “Why are you painting cows?” Why not? They are part of the same ecosphere I belong to. The more I look at them, the more I see what they are. I feel a sadness in their limited existence. We know the specter of slaughter looms ahead for the breed. Their eyes divulge innocence and desperation. Is the desperation in my mind? Are they able to decipher the reduction in population in their meadow could mean their time is coming up—never to be seen again? We get around that chilling idea as we focus on the beauty of their pastoral existence whereby observers with a sense of aesthetics stop to take notice or snap a photo.

Belties Red Glow
Artist: Jo M. Orise

One of my college professors chided a few students who claimed they could not finding proper subject matter worthy of their attention to paint from their ‘limited’ surroundings. Worthy subject matter? Open your eyes. Worthy subject matter is all around you.

Curtis Island Light
Artist: Jo M. Orise

Don’t just look, see what you are looking at. You’ll find something interesting for a painting or poem or story. Compose a few thumbnails, write a rough draft—do something then think it over. At least you’ve begun a process.

Not all creations are masterpieces. Learn your craft and learn to throw away work that doesn’t meet your goal as a pretty good piece. Who decides a creation is a masterpiece anyway? Not the artist.

Paint, write, create whatever you wish, but do it with passion, don’t be afraid to chuck it and start fresh. Keep learning as you go. Spend hours studying your artwork’s progress, reading what you’ve written. Share with people of similar interests what you’ve done, listen to their comments. Don’t take their critiques as personal indictments of your incompetence. Listen and learn from these comments and thank the person who critiques for having the courage to tell you what she/he thinks.

Decided what you are happy with and then leave it alone. Let time pass then return to your work and decide if it is still good enough. Go on to your next creation and you will see growth and greater understanding of your craft and your ecosphere.

Picture found at:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
fbid=553259461381583&set=a.3672496
13315903.85664.354522044588660&type=1&theater

Here is a pictures of egosphere and ecosphere, which I thought interesting and to the point.

What do you think.

Post a comment below. Love to hear from you.

My Dad’s Fight with Alzheimer’s Disease

Healthy brain (bottom) versus brain of a donor with Alzheimer’s disease. Notable is the “shrink” that has occurred in Alzheimer’s disease; the brain was decreased in size. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has been a long while since my last post.

A lot has happened. I was first appointed POA and then Guardian for my father who was an Alzheimer victim. As he progressed in his illness, the dementia made it difficult for us to understand each other. Therefore, I read whatever material and books recommended by his physicians and the state.

Family and not so friendly ‘friends’ appeared and made things more difficult for no good reason other than not understanding and choosing not to be informed about the disease. They reported, “He’s okay. I spoke to him yesterday and he doesn’t have Alzheimer’s.”

I suggested reading material. I explained the progression of the disease. My decisions were interpreted as excuses for me to do whatever I wanted, not what my father wanted.

Over seven years, my father was tested and re-tested for Alzheimer’s and each time proved him worse than before. He didn’t know what year it was, how old he was, how long he was in one place, how much his rent was. He insisted he needed money daily and called me several times a weeks demanding money be sent to him. He had always been an angry, accusing man. He became more so as the disease progressed. Over the last two years, his confusion and inadequacies brought on by his dementia infuriated him. So, he blamed me. I understood. However, outsiders believed his accusations and encouraged him to fight for his rights. None had the courage to communicate with me at any time. None of them knew I was ensuring his rights. They seemed to thrive in the drama they helped create.

One day he said, “I’m sorry.” I replied, “I forgive you, Dad. I’m sorry, too.” Dad died two weeks later as I held his hand. No one else was there to challenge the facts. He was finally at peace—so was I.

His picture sits on my desk smiling at me as I work. The family and friends still believe what they want. There is nothing I can do to change the choice to be ignorant of important facts about the disease by these people. However, if ever they are interested, I suggest they read the public documents and affidavits written to the Court. Most importantly, pick up a book on Alzheimer’s‘ and read it to be informed.

Rest in peace, Dad.
Love,

your daughter

(Photo credit: @Doug88888)

August Art Update

A few August show TAG members. I’m in the middle.

Didn’t have time to post for the last month. As a TAG (The Artists Group) member, I updated my art display at the Meredith Village Savings Bank in Wolfeboro, NH in July and again in August. We have new members showing so it is a great display. The showing is at the front entrance of the bank. Check it out and let us know what you think. If you like what you see, you can purchase a painting by speaking to someone in the bank. You can also contact the individual artists. A portion of the purchase price is donated to the GWAC (Governor Wentworth Arts Council) to help support the arts in the community.

Original artwork hanging at the Brown Bag Cafe

August found me at the Brown Bag Cafe in a group showing. The cafe is in Rockland, Maine. A great place to have a wonderful breakfast and lunch. The chef is fantastic. Check out my artwork there. All originals: oils, watercolor and acrylics. The display will be there until the end of August.

I also participated in the bi-annual art show at Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine. The Goose Rocks Beach Association hosted the show and part of the proceeds are donated to the organization so they may continue to offer programs to the community.

My matted originals and prints in archival mats and packaging.

The selection of four watercolor artworks juried for the GRBA show.

A portion of the art hanging at the Highlands Coffee House.

One-man show. Two days before the GRBA show, I hung twenty artworks in the Highlands Coffee House, on Main Street, Thomaston, Maine. They have since sold one painting and hope to sell more. That is exciting. The coffee house is a wonderful place to chill out for fresh ground coffee, pastries and sandwiches. They also offer entertainment on Friday nights and have author signing and other activities that interests the educated soul. Check them out and look or purchase one of my artworks…or more. (smile.)

Don’t be shy to leave a comment below. Thanks for visiting.

Have You Heard of Akiane – Such a Beautiful Name

akiane (Photo credit: 漂泊的鱼)

What a wonderful person. So young, so passionate with such a supportive family and the future for this young girl is mind boggling.

Visit her website: http://www.akiane.com

Check out her interview at fifteen years. She also has time-lapse painting on her site. Enjoy!

______________

Akiane’s story speaks to me. I also yearned to draw and paint people since childhood. The urge is still there and haunts me as I go on in my daily activities. Therefore, I can relate with Akiane‘s description of her inspiration. I haven’t had the visions she describes, but I do have sudden ideas and dreams that I write about in poems, and stories and also sketch them until I feel I have to produce a painting.

Many of my paintings are of typical scenes I see around me, but they speak to me. I see the beauty, the color and the mood. The dreams are different. They are emotional expressions, which I capture in pencil or paint. Critics look at them and either like them or are unable to relate.

As I paint or write, time disappears and I am at one with my creation. I continue to learn from my work, my mistakes, my critics and admirers. That is part of growing and learning. Not every work is a masterpiece. Not every masterpiece is accepted by the public. Sometimes a painting I think is ‘trash’ excites a person to purchase it.

Visit Akiane’s website and enjoy the wonder of her and her great talents—she has many. I would love to meet her some day.

Post a comment below and let me know what you think.

Thanks,

And Further Update July, 2012

Steve, DJ and Jo part of TAG
at the Granite State Newsroom reception area.

Now Seen at The Granite State News, Wolfeboro Falls, NH.

TAG has updated its artwork for the month of July at the news office.

Come check out the handsome artwork that is representative of the group. There are oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography.

Support your local artists.

I have two pieces hanging. One is an oil painting titled “Berry Mill, Wolfeboro Falls, NH”, which is located on the trail, formerly a railroad track. The other is a print of a watercolor titled “Fisherman’s Gear”.