Polite Harm Following on from another article, this post examines how tone can be used to deflect accountability, why “just asking questions” is not always neutral, and how apologies followed by justification allow harmful patterns to continue unchallenged.

Where is the Line Between Smart Marketing and Spam? This article explores the difference between respectful, value-driven promotion and intrusive, spammy behaviour.

Mood Board – After Light, The Quiet Hour This mood board invites artists into the quiet hour, where colour deepens, light softens, and creativity slows into something more intentional. It is not about darkness, but about atmosphere, confidence, and thoughtful restraint.

The Ethics of Beauty Beauty is often dismissed as decorative or unserious in contemporary art, yet it has shaped human culture for millennia. This article explores whether beauty is superficial, political, or powerful... and why the pursuit of beauty can be an ethically serious artistic choice.

The Best Camera Phones for Photography in 2025 This guide looks back at the stand-out phones of 2025, explains what truly matters in a camera phone, and shares real experiences from artists who rely on their phones for landscapes, close-ups and documenting their work.

Who Gets the Benefit of the Doubt in the Art World? This article examines how familiarity, geography, and unspoken assumptions shape who receives the benefit of the doubt in creative spaces, and why true professionalism depends on consistency, not comfort.

The Confident Art Buyer: A Thoughtful Guide for People Who Love to Collect Why Buy Art at All? Collectors and casual buyers often apologise for “not knowing enough.” There is no need. Art is not a test in cultural literacy. It is a relationship. People buy art because a piece tugs at something…

The Dark Side of Vanity Exhibitions: Being invited to exhibit in a “prestigious” gallery can feel like a breakthrough. But when the gallery’s income comes from artists’ fees rather than art sales, the risk shifts entirely onto the artist. This article examines the rise of pay-to-exhibit galleries,…

Using Hashtags Effectively on Facebook: A Quick Artist’s Guide This quick guide explains which hashtags to avoid on Facebook, how to choose the right ones, and when no hashtags at all can work best.

Nude, Not Lewd: The Cultural Divide in Art The artistic nude, once honoured in studios and galleries, now faces warnings, bans, and misplaced accusations the moment it reaches digital platforms. The conflict is no longer about the human form but about who controls its visibility. This feature…

Member of the Week: Ludwig Keck Congratulations to Ludwig Keck – our Member of the Week for outstanding contributions across posts and uploads this week. Explore Ludwig Keck's work: Blog posts · Forum profile

The Internet Was Supposed to Expand Our World: Algorithms Have Shrunk It The internet promised to open the world to us, yet algorithms have quietly fenced us into narrow digital villages. Instead of broad horizons, we receive curated comfort ....personalised news, filtered opinions, profit-driven…

Women Artists Still Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Visibility Hasn’t Yet Become Equality Women artists and photographers are more visible than ever, yet they remain less celebrated and less institutionally supported than their male counterparts.

Breaking Through the Noise – Smart, Modern Promotion for Independent Musicians When your Apple Music presence is clear, consistent and accurately labelled, the platform can recognise your sound more easily and place your tracks in front of listeners who are genuinely likely to enjoy them.

Google Photos Brings Back a Favourite Editing Tool – What Creatives Should Know After disappearing during Google’s interface overhaul, the perspective tool is now returning in stages, bringing back an easy way to straighten horizons, fix angles, and correct distortion without using external apps.

Mental Health and the Artist Can we admire a painting, a poem, or a symphony when its creator’s life was marked by cruelty, instability, or violence? This article explores the delicate balance between appreciating artistic brilliance and acknowledging the troubling realities behind it

Why Art Deserves Time In a world shaped by constant scrolling and fleeting attention, artists increasingly find themselves pressured to create at the pace of the feed rather than the pace of their craft. Social platforms reward speed, visibility, and trend-following, while slow, contemplative work…

The Kindness of Critique A reflective follow-up on critique: how truthful, empathetic feedback strengthens trust, confidence, and craft within creative groups.

The Art of Saying No Gracefully Saying no is not rude. It is resource management, creative integrity, and self-respect. Here is a practical guide for artists, writers, photographers, and community managers who want to decline requests without burning bridges.

When Should We Start Advertising for Christmas? (Yes, Already!) Christmas adverts seem to appear earlier every year, but is there really a “too soon” for festive marketing? Let’s unwrap the timing debate with a sprinkle of humour, a dash of strategy, and a generous dollop of mince pie spirit.

Good afternoon :) Hope you are all having a good day. Mine will be spent putting up some new artwork I am working on and planning works social media calendar. What are you up to?

Playlists that help you get in the flow Discover how the right playlist can draw you into creative flow. From lo-fi to metal, Abbie Shores explores how sound shapes concentration—and shares two of her own unexpected favourites.

Homepage Tweaks That Lift Conversions Discover practical homepage design tweaks that increase conversions — from clear messaging and visual flow to stronger call-to-action buttons and trust signals.

Image Licences 101: What Creatives Should Know A clear, beginner-friendly guide to image licences for creatives. Learn the difference between copyright, royalty-free, rights-managed, Creative Commons, and public domain, and discover how to protect your own work while using others’ images legally.

Field Notes from a Country Walk A quiet countryside walk can become a moving sketchbook. Here, field notes reveal textures, sounds, and fleeting moments that spark creativity for artists and writers alike

Burnout in Creative Work: Early Signs and Remedies Discover the early signs of creative burnout and practical remedies to restore balance, energy, and inspiration in your artistic practice.

Joan Stratton: Ether, Emotion, and the Art of Layered Life Explore the vibrant digital art of Joan Stratton — a mixed media artist from Queensland, blending nature, colour, and emotion in every piece.

Christina Rollo – Hummingbirds, Harmony, and the Heart of Nature A feature on Christina Rollo, fine art photographer from New York. Discover her journey, inspirations, and her passion for hummingbirds, nature, and peaceful photography.

Using photography from the Dolomites in Italy is a great way to decorate your space..#Buyintoart #homedecor #interiordecor #wallart #photography #art #aYearforArt #artprints #artforsale #italy #Dolomites #travel #artwork #photograpy #photo #vacation buff.ly/3Xg6GNi

Rituals That Protect Your Studio Time Rituals are more than routines—they are small, intentional acts that protect your studio time, carry you into creative focus, and hold distractions at bay. From opening gestures to closing care, these practices remind you that your art deserves its own rhythm…

Best Art Books for Autumn Evenings Discover the best art books to enjoy on autumn evenings. From Vermeer and Gombrich classics to intimate biographies, modern narratives, and hands-on creative guides, these titles will inspire reflection and creativity as the nights draw in.

Five Overlooked Women of the Pre-Raphaelites The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is remembered for its rebellious male founders, yet women were at the heart of the movement as artists, muses, and innovators. This article shines a light on five overlooked figures, Elizabeth Siddal, Evelyn De Morgan,…

The Picnic Revival Rediscover the art of the picnic. From history and essentials to seasonal inspiration, explore how this timeless tradition becomes a way of life.

Keep Contracts in Writing: Protecting Creative Work and Relationships Why every creative needs written contracts for commissions, collaborations, and licensing .... even with family and friends. Learn what to include, how to avoid disputes, and why contracts safeguard both your income and your…

The Changing Face of the Music Festival Woodstock to Glastonbury to Virtual Streaming Events, we look at the changing face of the music festival

Braids Across Cultures: Woven Into Humanity A braid is never just hair—it is history, heritage, and humanity entwined.

Know the Difference Between Licensing and Selling: Legal and Practical Implications for Creatives Discover the key differences between licensing and selling creative work. Learn why rights-managed licensing is stronger than royalty-free, and how platforms like Licensing Pixels help artists protect…

Mood Board – Embers of Autumn A warm and nostalgic collection of russet leaves, golden light, and cosy textures. Perfect inspiration for art, styling, and storytelling that captures the season’s fading glow.

Wartime Cooking and Rationing & Recipe Explore how British families coped with food rationing during the Second World War. From Woolton Pie to make-do-and-mend, discover the recipes, resilience, and household wisdom of the wartime kitchen.

Creative Rituals for Mental Clarity Discover simple creative rituals such as morning freewriting, colour palettes, and music-inspired doodles that support mental clarity, balance, and emotional wellbeing.

Short piece... Among the faded velvet and cracked gilt, an audience sat frozen as a man collapsed beneath the footlights. I spoke to a woman who was there, seated in the stalls, and her account of the evening is unlike anything I expected. abbie-shores.com/index.php/20...

Gaslamp / Steampunk Dark Fantasy with Gothic Elements.. Written together by L A Feldstein (Echoquill), Shelli Fitzpatrick (S Fitz), and Abbie Shores (Frankie), this tale lives in the liminal spaces where maps fold, cats keep secrets, and theatres breathe. abbie-shores.com/index.php/20...

Mess is Part of the Method Exploring the role of chaos in the creative process — from cluttered desks to flour in the toaster — and why mess can actually fuel imagination.

Mood Board – Petals & Poetry Ideas Board: Petals & Poetry. A soft celebration of blossoms and beauty — from wildflower meadows to hand-tied bouquets. Inspiration for art, styling, and storytelling where every petal feels like a verse.

The Art of the Reading Nook Discover how to design the perfect reading nook with inspiration from famous authors. Blend art, textiles, and light to create a warm, inviting space for your books.

Vincent van Gogh in Britain: A Formative Chapter How Vincent van Gogh’s years in London shaped his eye, his empathy, and his later art—exploring his neighbourhoods, influences, and lasting legacy.

BizyBee: Helping Artists Sell Smarter, Not Harder Discover BizyBee, the sales tracking tool designed for artists, photographers, and makers. Learn how BizyBee simplifies profits, tax prep, and multi-platform sales management.

When Art Meets AI: The Unexpected Connection Beyond the Canvas A compassionate exploration of how solitude and creativity can lead some artists to form emotional connections with AI, blending technology with the timeless human search for understanding.

🖤🐺 Work in progress update! 🐺🖤 The God Who Walks is slowly taking shape .. my spin-off from the Whispers of the Wolf trilogy. Ghost and Jacob’s journey is darker, colder, and far more dangerous… and Jacob, well… he has his moments.

Mastering Composition: From Rule of Thirds to Dynamic Symmetry Learn how to elevate your art and photography with proven composition techniques, from the Rule of Thirds to the Golden Ratio, leading lines, and negative space.