For those who recently have joined the Creative Connections Tribe, welcome aboard!

This year is my year of Consistent Growth. I started Bohemian Art Cafe in 2004. I've had years where I was thriving and expanding--2012 was one of those where I had a huge public studio space, I was teaching at two universities and holding classes and retreats for individuals, and my studio and art was featured in multiple magazines. And then there have have been other years like 2022 where everything lay fallow. After COVID and the stress of working in a job where I was considered essential, my psyche and well-being were definitely not in a place where I felt like I had a single iota of creativity to spare.

Although my current studio is much smaller than many I have had in the past, I am so grateful that I have a dedicated place where I can go to make messes, play with paint, lay out assemblages and just focus on creating for the joy of the process. It's been helpful in my healing. Although my creativity and studio are not where I hope for them to be, I had artwork in 8 different public art shows both in Florida, California, Kansas and Texas. I joined two professional art groups and I took many art classes from Udemy and Skillshare which are helping expand my digital art through Procreate! and giving me plenty of practice in the studio. So 2023 was my year of repair--repair to my home, repair to my self and psyche, repair to my art studio and practices. Maybe you've been there too at times?

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New Works

2024 has started like gang busters. Things are off to a good start.

• I have already had artworks in four shows including the Daytona Art League member show and the Florida Women's Art Association show Point of View. I was also accepted to a juried show with the Gallerie Elan "Imagination Unveiled" where my abstract artwork "We're All in this Together" will be included in April.
• I found out in February that my assemblage, "Out of the Box" was accepted and is featured in the No Name Collective Magazine from London England. This piece is currently on exhibit at Artworks Deland in Florida.
• I was juried into the Artworks Deland Co-op with my assemblages and glass works.
• I have three art shows that I am submitting artwork in April and three other original pieces I'm submitting to shows in May.
• I was accepted to have four different types of art available for the Art-o-Mat Artists in Cellophane where my miniature artworks are available for purchase through re-vamped vintage cigarette machines (yes, the works of art all fit the size of a cigarette box).

Maybe your artwork is at a place where you think you might like to start getting it out there to be seen and shown. I know it brings up a lot of fear and other worries especially if you don't know how, but I want to let you know that it is possible for you to develop your art and creativity to a point where you also are getting work seen and shown in art galleries, art shows and magazines.

YAY YOU! JUST FOR BEING PART OF THE CREATIVE CONNECTIONS TRIBE, YOU GET EARLY BIRD INFORMATION AND SIGN UP PRIVELEDGES: Mark your calendars for a free video class "How to Prepare Yourself for Your Art to be Seen"

You can get EARLY SIGN UP HERE: https://bohemian-art-cafe.ck.page/22a16ddd40​

The class will be released one video per day on April 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The classes will be viewable only until April 8 at 11:30 PM Eastern time.

Did I mention how much FUN showing your art can be? There’s generally at least one reception for the opening of an art show and that networking opportunity gives you the chance to interact with the people who will become your fans and cheerleaders, those who will fall in love with your artwork.

It’s so much fun to get to share your art by taking family and friends to see the art show where they get to oooo and ahhhhh over your delectable art offerings.

And as an artist, I know how incredibly important it is to network with other artists and build a sense of community. So much of our art is done alone and in private which is why it is so delightful to get to meet other artists, talk art and life, and connect with potential buyers, collaborators and even mentors.

No matter what is holding you back from allowing your art to be seen—whether you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, or if you have a very loud inner critic or even a chorus of critics that make you fearful of putting yourself and your art out into the world, my FREE VIDEO CLASS HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR ART TO BE SEEN has oodles of tools to help you move beyond the icky feelings, the doubts, and the worry about it.

Jump on in now and register. You can watch the videos at your leisure starting April 1 through April 8. You’ll learn more than a dozen different methods, processes, and ways of moving beyond fear and worry so you can show your art.

I know it will be life changing to be able to give yourself this gift where you can:

Get exposure for your art.

Develop credibility as an artist.

Network with artists, buyers, gallery owners and mentors.

Receive feedback on your art.

Gain prestige as an artist by having your art selected for a show.

Increase your sales potential.

You can do it now.

Feel free to share this link with others who might benefit from moving beyond their fears, doubts, imposter syndrome, etc. and build up the confidence and courage to show their art: https://bohemian-art-cafe.ck.page/22a16ddd40​

Bohemian Art Cafe on the Interwebs

One of the most time consuming actions I took at the end of 2023 and still am working on was moving my website to a more user-friendly web host where making changes to pages is not one where I feel I have to pull my hair out. It's taken a lot of time nonetheless as I am working to protect my artwork from Artificial Intelligence data scrapers and to keep my art from being utilized without my permission. It is a lot but as I see the increases in the number of AI tech companies out there trying to learn data their competitors don't have, its more important than ever for me as an artist to protect my artwork. And this process has opened my eyes to how many artists just don't know how to keep their own artwork safe or what steps to take to avoid data scraping. Its a huge rabbit hole of information to learn about AI but I want to be informed. As I learn more I will be sharing it with the Creative Connections tribe for sure. I personally have a love/hate relationship with AI. I find uses for it in my day to day work but I also want to use it ethically and work only with ethical AI tech companies. That's a tall order. I'm super curious to know what you think about AI--your experiences with it either as a tool you use or what your thoughts are about anyone using AI art generators. You'll be getting early access information to my Masterclass: How to Protect Your Art from Artificial Intelligence soon. This class will be dropping on May 18th.

When you're feeling congested physically, emotionally or mentally, take a few minutes to clear your mind and get clarity.

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Give Your 2 Cents Worth

I really wanna know...I'm in the midst of exploring the idea of one medium/one style for an artist versus multiple mediums and styles and no limitations in creating. What medium or mediums do you use? I'll share the information I find later.

Until next time, please make sure you set aside some creative time to do whatever it is that makes your heart and soul sing! In joy, enjoy!

Stephanie Zing

Bohemian Art Cafe