How Twitter Actually Changed my Artistic Goals

It began with an invitation from one of the artists on the PFAN LinkedIn network. “Let’s follow each other on Twitter.” I was very new to the concept of social media, but thought, why not. I established an account with Twitter and soon had a few followers from the LinkedIn group. @CamilleEngelArt @magzoxbrown @portraitgirl @danielsroka @NancyStandlee and @Kickthefaucet.

To understand the immediate impact of these connections I need to explain a tiny bit about my lifestyle. I live on thirteen acres about thirty miles inland off the coast of Florida. People live out here for a reason; they do not really want much social interaction! For eight to ten months out of the year, my husband is on the road. Therefore, it is just me, two dogs, two horses, and an occasional shark in the tank in the barn.

After joining Twitter, I am now connected to more than a bunch of animals and my husband on the phone. I did not know these people at all, but I felt like they were my friends! This is a little presumptuous, but many of my Twitter followers have become my friends in their own Twitter kind of way.

The impact of Twitter for me is immeasurable. Next I created this blog, and established a presence on Facebook, something I had avoided for a long time. Not only did I feel more connected to the outside world, I actually began getting some commissions! I had the courage then to enter work in local shows. The last show I was in, one of my paintings received an honorable mention. I finally called the author of a story on the Florida Boxer Rescue website and asked if she was interested in developing a children’s book. We are working on it and actually have a publisher lined up. I have two shows lined up for this winter. People are actually buying my work!

Twitter has not, and is not, going to sell my work. What Twitter has done for me is establish supportive relationships with fellow artists. This support gave me the confidence to finally promote my art. I have learned so much from many people but I wanted to take the time to highlight some of them here. My gratitude is enormous for these fellow artists!

I really didn't know who to pick first. So I put each person's name on a piece of paper and am actually drawing them out of a jar! So today's featured artist is......(pulling a name out of the jar...)
Aaron Caycedo-Kimura!
I began following Aaron not to long ago at the suggestion of D.E. West @dewestartist (another artist I'll be featuring in the coming days!). I liked his bio on Twitter immediately, "I'm an artist. I squeeze pigmented oil binder out of tubes and paint still lifes, portraits, figures, and landscapes. What a mess!!" Sounded promising to me! Visiting his website Aaron Cayced-Kimura I was thrilled, such incredibly beautiful work! And his artist statement was wonderful:


"Paint is my metaphor for life: both are really messy. At the same time, both can be beautiful. Making little excuse for what comes out of the tube, I build my images with exposed brush strokes, thick drags of paint, and occasional drips and spatters. I allow the medium to speak through the different kinds of marks it lends itself to. The "messes" I create (and bring to order) are meditations of light, atmosphere and harmony."


Aaron's incredible skill as an artist is evident in all of his art, but his figure work really stands out for me. I love to draw the figure and it was just recently that I began to do so successfully. The way Aaron takes the figure and then applies his own vision to it is just beautiful. After looking at this piece it inspired me to attend an open studio each Saturday morning to draw the figure.I hope to eventually develop a series of work intertwining my abstract water work with the figure. Please visit Aaron's website http://www.aaroncaycedokimura.com/
and explore the rest of his work, you will be glad you did!
Following Aaron on Twitter @AaronCK has been a terrific experience. He is encouraging and supportive to the fellow artists he follows, and I look forward to seeing what he's working on by way of his blog, http://aaroncaycedokimura.wordpress.com/ Aaron's work continues to inspire me through his style, subtle use of color, composition and subject matter. Thank you Aaron for following me and I wish you continued success in all your endeavours.
Visit here "Snapping Turtle" to see what artist may be featured next!