Challenge #21: Make The World A Better Place -- For Free!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Humble Brag Challenge Badge.

As artists ourselves, we know how precious time spent working is-- and how that in turn informs how much we charge for our work. We did a whole week of posts talking about that, actually.

But today, we're going to talk about something different. Radically different.

Chances are, you have interests besides strictly making art and making money. Maybe you've thought about volunteering or donating to your local food bank; maybe there's a club at your school that advocates for a cause you believe in; maybe you know someone who loves the arts but can't get out there to experience them.

Whatever the situation, there's more than one way to make the world a better, more art-filled place -- and what better opportunity for you to be generous with your talents? Are you a musician? Set up a random performance downtown during lunch hour for all the business folks, or head to a nursing home (ask the staff first to make sure it's cool) and stage a mini-concert. Visual artist or photographer? Maybe one of your local non-profits could use your skills for a poster or accept a piece of work for a future fundraising auction. Writers: is there an issue going overlooked in your community? Why not draft a compelling letter to the editor, your representative, groups in your community that would be interested in solving that problem. Blog about it, then use your personal network to spread the word.

Whatever you do, your challenge this week is to use your talents without concern for compensation, without asking 'what's in it for you?' Doing good just feels good -- and you have the power to make it happen. Now let's get to work!

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have a Winner!

To learn more about the upcoming book club, stay tuned for this Friday's post, or check out last Friday's big reveal.

#SomethingAwesome . . . IT'S HERE!!

How many of you just freaked out because you forgot to enter to win our #something awesome? Don't worry, you still have 24 hours to post #somethingawesome on our Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter to be entered for your chance to win. (Don't worry if you skip reading the rest of this post, we love free stuff too.)

Image from www.joebower.org

That said, I just can't keep a lid on our big surprise any longer -- we're starting a book club!!

No, no, hang on -- it's going to be an awesome book club. Remember Keri Smith? Starting this July, we're going to be vlogging our way through her Wreck This Journal, in a little series we're calling Wreck This Journey. And we want you to be part of it! Kadie and I will take turns posting our own video responses, but what we really want to hear is what you all think of the experience -- and we'll be featuring our favorite Art Abyss community response videos every week here on the blog :).

But first, here's just a taste of what you're getting into:



Yeah, so much love for Keri Smith. In fact, we adore Wreck This Journal so much, that we're giving away a copy of the book to one lucky reader! Wondering how to win it? Go read the start of this post again, and then get to telling us what rocks your world!

We'll be waiting . . . and stay tuned to hear if you won a copy of Wreck This Journal!! We'll announce at midnight tonight :).

Yeah, We're Marathoning Arrested Development Too

Happy AD Day from The Art Abyss!! In honor of this very special occasion, we'd like to present something from our own #somethingawesome stash -- the Bluth family in eighteenth century garb. (Those wigs!!!) We'll see you on the other side of the binge -- in the meantime, don't forget to share your own #something awesome on our Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest to enter to win free stuff!

Something Awesome This Way Comes . . .

We're going to be doing something amazing here at The Art Abyss, but I can't tell you about it quite yet. What I can tell you is that I am SO EXCITED about it -- and it's going to make this summer rock, hard.

I know, you're thinking, "Kate, cut it out -- just tell us what you'll be doing already!" But I can't -- I promised Kadie I wouldn't, and anyway, if I told you now there wouldn't be a reason for us to run a week-long contest next week where you win free stuff!!! Yes, free stuff -- and not just any kind of free stuff, tangible free stuff. Like, free stuff that comes wrapped up all pretty and delivered to your very own mailbox, with love, from Kadie and Kate. And next Friday, we're going to announce just exactly what it is we're giving away, and how it's going to help you have the best summer ever.

(DISCLAIMER: Our legal department requires that we mention that we can't actually guarantee that you'll have the best summer ever -- but we can strongly suspect it!)

But there's a catch -- the only people eligible to win this super-cool free something have to come check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest first. Once you're there, post a picture or a link to something that rocks your world, with the hashtag #somethingawesome (yeah, even if it's on Facebook -- just leave it on our wall). If you're on Pinterest or Twitter, be sure to mention @theartabyss somewhere in your post. Then, sit back and enjoy. You can enter as many times as you like -- the only requirement is that each entry has to be something different. Easy enough, right?? We'll pick a winner at random from all the entries -- and announce it Friday at midnight.

So what are you waiting for? Get to work sending awesome stuff our way, and in return, get ready to receive one big ol' beautiful package courtesy of yours truly. See you on the awesome side!