Introducing Artist Kelvin Ming Young
Kelvin Ming Young is a Chinese-American visual artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the U.S. when he was twelve. He received his BA from University of California Berkeley, graduate certificate from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and MFA from San Francisco Art Institute. Kelvin’s work is primarily abstract, with media ranging from watercolor, acrylic, printmaking to mixed media.
Launched in: Exhibiting as an artist since 1998. 
Website launched in 2004.
Inspiration: “My work responds intuitively to personal experiences, records points of interest that concern me at a particular time. Social, cultural and identity issues have always been at the core of my visual exploration. I draw inspiration from daily life, nature, science, food, childhood memories, Chinese culture and Buddhist art. Organic shapes, symbols and motifs form a web of free association and conceptual connection, serving as means of convenience in the vain pursuit of self-identity.”
Direction I’m heading: “The continuing focus of my work is to explore the boundary between the material and the immaterial, allowing the visible world momentary access to the invisible.”
Best Advice for artists: “The most important part of art making is the practice of looking.”
Favorite social media sites that help with promotion: Facebook
News: “Most recently, I was invited to exhibit at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall of San Francisco, celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Chinese Revolution.”
View more artwork by Artist Kelvin Ming Young at her Website. Contact Kelvin about his artwork.
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Introducing Artist Iia Owens-Williamson
Iiadonnasanova Owens-Williamson is an Atlanta artist and art educator. Her history with dollmaking began with cloth dolls and has evolved into a multi-media doll extravaganza which includes many of the art media explored over the years. Her artwork also includes acrylic paintings.
About Me: “I’m an artist who believes that art is embedded into every aspect of life and sits at the roots of our very existence. Our world would be nothing without the arts and creative, visual thinking. It’s so powerful it transcends all boundaries, real or imagined. Art speaks…. I love creating! My creative experiences include sewing, drawing, painting, sculpting, doll making, knitting, crocheting, architectural model making, mural painting, portrait painting and jewelry making.”
Website Launched in: “I’ve been creating art since I was old enough to hold a pencil.”
Inspiration: “My inspiration is every piece of paper, fabric, yarn, wire, canvas, bead, paint, wall, life circumstance and/or any form of creative self-expression that speaks to me.”
Direction I’m heading: “It is my desire to 
affordable art that the masses can relate to. My latest direction has been one in which my art tells the story of and celebrates life; the good. bad and the ugly. I believe that in the mist of those bad and ugly trials, we grow spiritually and become stronger in our purpose and desire to thrive.”
Best Advice for artists: “Never give up on your dream! If you take a detour, all of life’s paths will lead you right back to it along with mounds of regret.”
Favorite social media sites that help with promotion: Facebook and Etsy
News: My line of “Chrysalis” dolls are currently on sale at Densua’s Art Gallery located in the Greenbriar Mall’s Macy’s and can also be purchased at www.etsy.com/shop/iiaowens.
You’re invited to:
More than My Circumstance: An Artist’s Celebration of Life”
Currently looking for models willing to be featured in one of a series of collage paintings that celebrate the before, during and after of life altering circumstances. The focus is on the spirit of survival that continues to inspire even if that circumstance eventually results in or has resulted in death. This series will include men, women, children and any circumstance which includes but is not limited to: cancer, Alzheimer’s, single parenthood, abuse, war, death, etc. This will be an ongoing project but the first 10 collage paintings will be unveiled in a local gallery exhibit in 2012/13.
These paintings will be rotated through numerous venues.
The hope for these paintings is to encourage, inspire, educate and act as therapy to others through visual storytelling. Celebrating life means to not only celebrate the ‘good days’ but also the challenging situations that help us appreciate those ‘good days’ even more; and to value the lessons learned through those challenges.
View more artwork by Artist Iia at her Website.
Top Social Media Mistakes According to Starr Hall
Starr Hall, author of The Social Wave: Why Your Business is Wiping Out with Social Media and How to Fix It, recently wrote an article for Entrepreneur (issue October 2011) that discusses the most common traps that business owners often fall into. Starr Hall has trained and worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses around the planet including corporations, non-profits, authors, CEOs, and associations worldwide.
Yes, you may be using Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and other social media sites, but are you using it well? We recently read Starr Hall’s article and here are her top five common social media mistakes.
1. Talking One-Way 
Many brand owners post status updates to provide information about their organization to their customers; however, a two-way conversation is much more interactive and engaging for fans. Remember to not only talk to your customers online, but also tag people in a post, link photos and websites, ask questions, and recognize interesting comments. “By actively engaging,… you keep your business top of mind,” says Hall.
2. Not Knowing When to Ask for Business
Be sure to conduct conversations on your social media sites and eventually translate dialogue into potential sales. Most companies fail to ask for online business or they ask too soon. “You need to build rapport first; people will buy from you only as much as they trust you,” Hall advises.
3. Shiny Object Syndrome
While it is important to attract customers by cool websites with social networking capabilities and fresh features, make sure you do not devote the majority of your time trying to dazzle your guests with shiny objects and design. Don’t let your entire week go by without trying to focus on customer service and client development.
4. Poor Messaging
People these days are faced with countless information on the internet and overwhelming daily news and updates. Hall states, “Too many entrepreneurs do what I call panic posting-just posting for the sake of sharing ideas that do not highlight their overall brand.” Instead of focusing on post statistics and updates, be creative and concise with all your posts. These should be engaging, creative, and especially relevant to your organization’s products, services, and brand.
5. Sales Faux Pas
Posts should not be 100% sales driven. After all would you really walk up to a crowd and tell them you are selling your products for a limited time? Hall suggests, “Try sharing the pros and cons about your industry… and ask people to provide feedback and participate. This is a great way to bridge the distance between you and your prospects and get them involved with your company’s brand.” Eventually these newfound fans will help promote your services and products without being asked because they feel included in your organization. Listening to customers often is the best customer service a company can offer.
Interested in more tips from Starr Hall, below is a video on How to Use Online PR to Boost Your Brand.
Starr Hall is an international publicist and expert of social media marketing. Read more from her advice and stories on Entrepreneur.com. Visit Starr Hall’s website.
Images courtesy of StarrHall.com
Read MoreIn Social Spotlight: Catherine Kelleghan Gallery
Featuring a broad range of innovative and contemporary art, Catherine Kelleghan Gallery focuses on exhibiting an eclectic group of works ranging from impressionism to abstract expressionism, as well as bronze sculpture, offering clients both the nationally recognized and new on the Atlanta art scene.
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About the Gallery: Located in the heart of Buckhead on East Paces Ferry, Catherine Kelleghan Gallery offers clients both the nationally recognized and new on the Atlanta art scene. This gallery represents 24 local, national, and international artists.
Launched in: 2007
Inspiration: “Artists are so amazing and talented. They are very inspiring…”
Catherine Kelleghan Gallery is inspired by artists daily! Check out some of the artists represented:
Best Kept Secret and Advice for aspiring buyers:
Using unique materials or surprise elements such as fabric and thread in my paintings.
Favorite social media sites that help with promotion: Facebook
Our News: “We have a show for local artist Charly 
Palmer on October 7-28, 2011. His new series is a Stained Glass Window Series. As a child of the south, Charly’s memories are filled with everything from chickens in the road to the modest homes to the communal spirit of people. The goal of his works are to create a sense of nostalgia and focus on the honesty of the south, and the impenetrable pride of its people with imagery of daily life, and memories of the past.
You’re invited to:
7 – 9 pm Preview Party for “My Soul to Keep” Artist will be in the gallery from 7-9. Please r.s.v.p. by email to Catherine@catherinekelleghan.com or call 404 841 2345 with your name and number of guests. We will provide free parking in the deck adjacent to the building.
Visit Catherine Kelleghan Gallery Website for more information.
Introducing Artist Jacqueline Allison
Jacqueline Doyle Allison’s richly layered mixed media artworks are a celebration of her life, memories and dreams and embody the tapestry these elements create when woven together. The artist is strongly influenced by her travels and upbringing in Southwest. The colors and light of the region continue to influence Jacqueline’s paintings and the use of symbols can also be traced to the Native American influence in the art and architecture of her childhood.
“The world around me is full of inspiration and traveling provides insights that immediately translate to my canvas. As I create, bits and pieces of a memory or a dream are entwined together artistically to fabricate a new image that is a compilation of what has come before.”
About Me: “I’m at heart a next generation abstract expressionist painter.”
Jacqueline holds a degree in graphic design with a minor 
in fine art from Middle Tennessee State University near Nashville. Jacqueline’s studio is located in metro Atlanta where she is also active in regional and national arts organizations. Jacqueline’s work has received nationwide recognition and is continually sought out by collectors.
Website Launched in: 2006. “I’ve been an artist all my life.”
Inspiration: “Travel is my biggest inspiration and I also pull from memories and dreams to create multi-dimensional mixed media paintings.”
Direction I’m heading: “My continued focus is to create truly personal and unique pieces of art that will resonate with the viewer.”
Best Kept Secret and Advice for aspiring buyers: “Using unique materials or surprise elements such as fabric and thread in my paintings.”
Favorite social media sites that help with promotion: LinkedIn and Facebook
News: My art is currently on display at The Art House Gallery in Buckhead (3193 Paces Ferry Place). This gallery represents more than 100 southern artists in all styles and mediums.
Special discounts for Social Brand Aid fans: 10% discount for purchases of two or more paintings!
View more artwork by Artist Jacqueline Allison at her Website.
Lean and Mean Startup Strategies from Eric Ries
Eric Ries is the author of the book, The Lean Startup. Previously, he co-founded and served as Chief Technology Officer of IMVU. He is the co-author of several books including The Black Art of Java Game Programming. While an undergraduate at Yale University, he co-founded Catalyst Recruiting. BusinessWeek named Ries one of the Best Young Entrepreneurs of Tech.
In his featured article in Entrepreneur Magazine (October 2011), he gives advice on creating a lean, mean startup strategy.
The Old Way of Starting a Company
Ries says the traditional model of starting a company is “to look at great entrepreneurs and try to emulate them.” But, that’s wrong he explains. Facebook wasn’t the first college social network, but when you look at how it was built, “Mark Zuckerberg really did a lot of things right with the process.” The focus of an entrepreneur is to focus on the process and long-term strategies that will keep a business surviving through a variety of economic declines and new competition.
What is the Lean Startup Process?
“Thing big, start small.” It’s a simple concept. A simple and effective startup looks for anything to help build the minimum product or service and immediately begins learning and building customers. There are so many resources online, in books, at conferences, through case studies, etc to help serve as an open-source network of low-cost tools for entrepreneurs to grow.
If you fail, then what?
All companies fail in some areas, but it is how fast and effective they find solutions.
“You have to discover which elements work and which are crazy so you can find the flaws sooner, pivot and correct them.”
Eric Ries relates to the principles of the scientific method. All marketing strategies, every featured idea, every plan is an experiment and it should be constantly tested, adjusted and implemented if proven true. The main point is to do it as quickly as possible. If you are creative person and a big thinker, keep thinking big and starting small! Continue to research your competition, but also devote the majority of your time testing your own products, services, and operations. Interact with your customers and alter your brand based on the feedback you receive. The world needs more talented people working on organizations that matter! Be creative and jumpstart your new lean, mean startup strategy!
Visit The Learn Startup Website to get in the movement! Follow Eric Ries on Twitter to hear his latest strategies for a lean, mean startup!
Read MoreTop Magazines for Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Business Owners
As cofounders of Social Brand Aid, we read lots and lots of magazines dedicated the arts and business. Here are a few of our favorite magazines. Enjoy and pass ‘em along to your friends and employees!
FOR ARTISTS AND ART ORGANIZATIONS
A magazine focusing on contemporary craft, craft collectors and the artists who creative studio craft art. Launched in 1994 by The Rosen Group, AmericanStyle provides art lovers with valuable collecting, interior design, and display ideas. With every issue, readers explore eclectic lifestyles of artists and elegent t homes of craft collectors. The magazine promotes awareness of the economic and aesthetic contributions that art and craft bring to our homes and communities. Our favorite feature includes their annual Top 25 Art Destinations edition. Check out the 2011 Top 25 Art Destinations to travel to in the United States.
A magazine that serves as an archive for arts in America. Some of its contributors have included artists, art historians, and curators from around the nation such as David Reed, Michael Cary, David Anfam, and Jessica Jackson Hutchins. Even though many of its pages are advertisements, this is a great way to keep up with art gallery events in the United States.
A magazine that serves as the oldest and most widely circulated art magazine in the world. Its readership of 200,000 in 123 countries includes collectors, dealers, historians, artists, museum directors, curators, connoisseurs, and enthusiasts. It reports on the art, personalities, issues, trends and events that shape the international art world. What we like most about this magazine is that it has balanced reporting on contemporary art along with coverage of modern and old masters.
A magazine that captivates amazing stories and touches on significant social issues from around the world. Created by photographer Oliviero Toscani and art director Tibor Kalman in 1991, the founders wanted to show the world to the world. Their magazine remains to promote the power and beauty of diversity. The magazine looks at social issues by following them around the world and treating everything with the same naivety to give a glimpse of what’s going on through first-person interview and photography. Its success is showcased in its more than 15 translations into languages such as Korean, Russian, and Greek.
The magazine offers competitions for advertising, design, illustration, interactive design, photography, and typography year round. It exhibits profiles on fresh new designers and features articles on the latest exhibitions. Our favorite articles include those with innovative package design and rebranding.
A magazine for artists by artists from around the world. Best yet, this magazine is constantly hosting art competitions and contests. Check out their Wildlife Painting contest (deadline November 14, 2011).
With a focus on contemporary fashion, music, art, culture, and film, this magazine offers a great eye for fresh content. Interviews from the worlds of fashion, film, music, and art, along with new videos and late-breaking cultural news posted on their website. If you are interested, you can sign up for the free Interview newsletters.
A magazine that offers the creative graphic designer and photographer the down-and-dirty tricks to using Photoshop and Lightroom. With a behind the scenes look at the hottest digital design and photo retouching techniques, readers are able t see step by step written tutorials that will save them tive. These shortcuts and tips are great for anyone interested in improving the efficiency of editing photos and designing new, innovative print and web materials. Sign up for a complimentary issue here.
The magazine has covered the creative design world, profiles of emerging collaborative projects, and provocative inspiration for more than fifteen years. Headquartered in New York with an international team, the magazine is constantly expanding its ability to identify, celebrate and support artists and their ideas.
A practical magazine for artists by artists since 1931. This magazine is great for painters especially. Their latest October issue features top tips and advice of painting en plen air. In addition it features using acrylics as a medium to explore special effects. Not only does this magazine feature upcoming workshops and exhibitions, but it also showcases artists with unconventional approaches such as Nicholas Phillips.
FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
A magazine which offers information specific to those interested in becoming entrepreneurs and continuing to grow their startup organizations. This magazine focuses on startup planning tips, marketing tips, success stories, office technology, and an access to numerous franchise opportunities.
The magazine focuses on the core belief that bringing transparency to capital markets through access to information will increase capital flows, produce economic growth and jobs, and reduce the cost of operating businesses. BusinessWeek connects business decision makers to the network of finance and government information to provide people with ideas that enable faster, more effective decision-making advice. Interested in personal finance? Check out this page.
A magazine that is published for multiple continents included America, Europe and Asia. Its content ranges from business to investing to technology to entrepreneurs, and best of all leadership! Check out this article, Do you Lead like Rupert Murdoch?
A magazine that serves as the place where entrepreneurs and business owners can find useful information, advice, insights, resources and inspiration for running and growing their businesses. For more than 30 years, Inc. Magazine has been the premier print publication for entrepreneurs and business owners. It celebrates the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Best of all, the company has expanded to host several Inc. Events such as the Inc.500/5000 Conferences & Awards Ceremony, which offers educational sessions, emerging entrepreneurs for keynotes, networking opportunities, and unforgettable presentations.
Read MoreIntroducing Artist Corey Whitehead
Visual Artist, Corey Whitehead has rightfully earned homage and established himself as a staple amongst his colleagues and community. We first met Corey at the well known Apache Cafe in downtown Atlanta. We sat down with Corey in his swanky westside studio to discuss his inspirations for journeying into the art world…
Inspiration:
“My father Walter Whitehead–the ‘Baddest Artist’ I know, has been my biggest inspiration. I grew up watching something that I thought was common in every house- my father did everything from paint, fix cars, architecture, landscapes, basically anything under the sun he could do it. He was a great man, and I knew that I too was destined for greatness. My mother JoAnne was very loving and nurturing–coupled with my father, they said there was nothing that we couldn’t do.”
Date Launched:
“I launched Whitehead Fine Art Gallery 7 years ago. My mission is to paint for the people, create heirlooms and to transfer the energy of joy into all of my pieces. I don’t paint sadness, heartache, gangs violence, rape, etc. I don’t wanna embed those types of images in the brain, I’d rather surround you in the essence of your joy and excitement.
Direction I’m heading:
“In 5 years, The Whitehead Fine Art gallery will be on the corner of Edgewood and Boulevard (in Atlanta, GA). It will be the first one. I also hope to open up a gallery in my hometown (Joliet, IL) honoring my father- Walter Whitehead. Anyone in the city that wants to be a part of it can be. I’m gonna find an old house and turn it into museum. ”
Advice for aspiring artists:
“Don’t copy! Anyone can copy. Take different attributes, ideas, and create something to make it yours. If you’re gonna steal it, make it yours.”
Favorite social media sites that help with promotion:
“I like to use a combination of them all, Facebook, Twitter, 4 Square, Linked In etc. TweetDeck and Hootie allows me to cover all bases at once.”
“The key is getting people to know who you are in as many places.”
My News:
You can meet me at the Apache Cafe on Wednesday nights and the first Sunday of every month while I host poetry night or at Barley’s every Thursday.
Stay tuned for the Ocular Orgasm event taking place on October 15, 2011! Click here to read a review from last year’s Ocular Orgasm: A Treat for All Senses.
Visit http://cwhiteheadfineart.com or http://facebook.com/artistcoreywhitehead to learn more about his artwork, purchase a one of a kind piece, or sign up for an art class.
Book Lovers Get Ready for the Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival
Calling all book lovers! The Fifth Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival is back this Labor Day Weekend! Mingle with your favorite authors, attend a book signing, listen to open mic poetry, hear live music, enjoy cooking demos and fine wine! This event is also family friendly with a Kid’s Parade and more!
Below is just a sampling of all of the exciting events we have planned for this year.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The keynote address, on Friday evening at Agnes Scott College’s Presser Hall, will be delivered this year by Colin Meloy (lead singer of The Decembrists), and acclaimed illustrator Carson Ellis (Mysterious Benedict Society) regarding WILDWOOD, their first book in an epic, family-friendly, middle-grade fantasy novel full of magic, wonder, and danger.
KIDS PARADE
Our children’s parades are so popular, we’re having two of them again this year! Saturday morning’s parade will be led by none other than Skippyjon Jones and his wildly popular creator, Judy Schachner, with a reading from Judy’s newest book (Skippyjon Jones Class Action) to follow.
BOOK MARKET & STREET FAIR
One of the most enjoyable activities for festival goers is our “Book Market and Street Fair,” a gathering of hundreds of publishers large and small, local artisans, merchants, and food vendors who set up in tents on the festival grounds.
OPEN MIC
This popular annual at AJC DBF will return on Sunday evening. Spoken word poets will perform their work, and a notable AJC DBF poet will feature at the event. The event is presented by Poetry Atlanta.
WRITERS CONFERENCE
The Decatur Book Festival’s Writers Conference offers those wanting to explore the magical and confounding act of writing a unique opportunity to learn from experienced published authors and those who make their living through their creativity. The Writers Conference @AJC DBF, presented by Agnes Scott College, is offering ten workshops on everything from poetry to creating comic books.
In addition to the workshops held at Agnes Scott College, SCAD and the AJC Decatur Book Festival are proud to present a new day-long writing workshop called “Beyond Print — Writing in the Digital Age,” taking place Friday, Sept. 2 at SCAD’s Ivy Hall. To register for this workshop, contact Georgia Lee at Glee@scad.edu or 404-253-3206.
CLOTHESLINE SHOW AND FINE ARTS INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION
Stop by Sammiches N Stuff (515 N. McDonough Street) to check out a Clothesline Art Show and Fine Arts Invitational Exhibiton, sponsored by the Decatur Arts Alliance. The Clothesline Show will take place Saturday, Sept 3 from 5-8 p.m. The Fine Arts Invitational Exhibition is ongoing throughout the Festival weekend.
KUDZU READING LOUNGE
When you’re ready to take a break and put your feet up during the Festival, stop by the Kudzu Reading Lounge, located on the southeast lawn of the Old Courthouse (near the First Aid tent). Consistently voted ‘Atlanta’s Best’ antique store since 1979, Kudzu will be bringing a selection of vintage garden furniture to set up a relaxing outdoor reading lounge.
Article information courtesy of AJC Decatur Book Festival. Learn more at the website.
Read MoreGetting Journalists To Tell Your Story
Just found an interesting article about staying on target when it comes to getting your story told. This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
Any press may be good press, but good press is even better. Yet, how do you stand out among your competitors and catch the attention of journalists? The traditional route is to pitch your story directly to reporters and hope it’s compelling enough that they’ll bite, or to offer your expertise around breaking news topics with your fingers crossed that the reporter is even working on a story about whatever that might be. Another option, however, is to respond to requests on sites that connect reporters with sources.
The most well-known of those is probably Help a Reporter Out (HARO). Started by Peter Shankman in 2008, it now connects over 100,000 sources with nearly 30,000 journalists (and brings in more than a million dollars per year in revenue). There are others, too — Media Kitty (which is older than HARO), FlackList, ProfNet (perhaps the oldest of the bunch), NewsBasis and Reporter Connection, are among the most active. These communities have grown so popular, that it’s now difficult for sources to stand out on these platforms, as well.
We spoke with Heather Kirk, the founder of Media Kitty, and Jennifer Nichols, CEO of FlackList, to get some tips on how sources can improve their chances of being noticed when responding to queries from journalists.
1. Be Fast
Speed matters when it comes to catching the eye of a busy journalist for two reasons. First, he is probably operating on deadline, so getting connected to a solid source quickly is important. Second, there are a huge number of other qualified sources trying to catch his eye at the same time. The last time I used one of these sites to find interviewees for a story, I received more than 100 email responses in the first six hours. That’s a lot to sort through, and the further out from my query, the more likely it was that I had already found the sources I needed to complete my piece.
“Respond as soon as you see the query and well before the deadline,” advises Nichols. “Once a reporter has what he/she needs, he doesn’t usually continue sifting through query responses.”
Being quick is also the number one piece of advice from HARO founder, Peter Shankman.
2. Be On Target
One thing all journalists universally hate is having their time wasted. Make sure when responding to a query on any of the aforementioned sites that your pitch is on target. Journalists are looking for sources that match their needs, not people who maybe, sort of, might have some expertise in a kind of, semi-related area.
Read More
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