Today (January 31) is "Fill Your Heart With Art" Day.
I'll be the first to admit that I find a lot of these alternate holidays a bit silly. (National Blueberry Popsicle Day, anyone?) But when I read the editorial "The Tough Make Art" by Monica Moses in the February/March 2017 issue of American Craft, I decided that maybe I needed to take a break and fill myself (and you!) with some inspiration.
7 Inspiring Art Websites
Here are 7 of my favorite artsy websites to browse and enjoy:
- Artist a Day
Just like the name suggests, this site features one artist every day. I like that in addition to the daily listing, you can also look at artists grouped by various categories, such as by location or themes like stormy weather. I love the altered books by Brian Dettmer. - Bored Panda
You've probably seen some of the crazy images from this site if you're on Facebook or other social media sites, as these images often go viral. Look at desserts that match men's shoes or the white cat that was made to look like an egg. - Contemporary Art Daily
This features international art with an opening photo and brief details, as well as slideshows. I like that it includes installations which are often hard to capture online. I found the furry sculptures by Stefan Tcherepnin fascinating. - Doodlers Anonymous
This welcoming community site features sketches and doodles of all types. I learned that some artists like Ania Paulik use unusual materials like coffee and ink. (I'm not sure I could sacrifice my coffee for drawing, but it does look cool.) - The Jealous Curator
Okay, I admit that I'm jealous of The Jealous Curator. Danielle Krysa started the site in 2009 to showcase art that made her jealous "in a bad, toxic, soul-crushing way." She's the author of Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk and has done a TEDx talk about it. Take a look at these amazing works of thread by Meredith Woolnough or these beaded works by Jeffrey Gibson. - Polymer Clay Daily
Cythnia Tinapple has been sharing polymer clay beauties since 2005. On her About page, she says that the site re-energizes the creative spirits of readers and I'd have to agree. She does an amazing job of ferreting out new artists and techniques that push the boundaries of the material. Take a look at these Charming Ladies or these funny Fishy Polymer faces. - Street Art News
Started in 2009, this site features murals and urban art, along with articles about the art and artists. When I'm out in the real world, I'm always taking photos of street art, so it's fun to see some in parts of the world I may never see in person. You can search the site by location. I found this cool piece "The Tortoise & Harriet" in Denver, Colorado.
Happy "Fill Your Heart With Art" Day!