by Sharon Valchuis
One of the interesting ways to explore fine visual art is right at home in front of your computer screen, no need to get dressed up, no driving around for hours, just fire up your modem and you're on your way.
You will be able to look at many different artists in a short
amount of time and you have the luxury of being able to store
the web site's address for a quick return visit. www.artistsdog.com
is one such interesting site, featuring the works of artists David
Alpha, Dwight David, John Geldersma, and John F. Marok and the
story behind the web site is as intriguing as the art displayed.
Michael Cooper is the creative director of artistsdog (which stands
for artists
digital on-line gallery) and of InVision Creative Communications,
Inc.
"I grew up in New Orleans and went to grade school and high school close to the French Quarter. I went to USL in 1972 and later received a degree in Fine Arts. I believe that USL had some of the finest and most dedicated art teachers of our time. This was mainly due to William Moreland who was then head of and who created one of the best Fine Arts' departments that the State of Louisiana will ever have the honor of being a part of, or produce in my lifetime.
"William Moreland is not only an amazing, gifted artist
but also a incredibly talented, educated, dedicated, gifted person
who gave more to his students and the University of Southwestern
Louisiana than most people realize, and one day he will be recognized
for this contribution, and
I feel honored to call him a friend. I believe that my experience
at USL as well as many others, will produce some of the finest
artists anywhere and it is the goal of the Artists DOG to help
market some of these incredibly talented individuals.
"After USL, I traveled through Europe
as so many people have done, and when I returned I went to work
for what was then one of the largest advertising agencies in New
Orleans. My experience in Europe did something to me and opened
my eyes and needs to something larger than what New Orleans could
offer, so I tried various large U.S. cities and eventually ended
up in Montréal, mainly once again because of my having
lived in Acadiana and my experience with CODOFIL and the Québec
consulate in Lafayette.
"Since leaving Acadiana, I have worked in some of the best
advertising agencies and design studios in North America, and
now own and run my own which is called InVision Creative Communications
Inc. We produce award winning work for some of Canada's largest
corporations, museums and federal programs and create work for
local, national and international sales and distribution. It is
this experience that will help to create the Artists DOG as one
of the major Digital Art Galleries on the Internet."
When asked why he thought that the Internet was an important
way for artists to show their work, Cooper responded: .."there
is no better way for an artist to receive global exposure than
the Internet. ...the mission of The Artists DOG is to efficiently
market art on the Internet and to help top-level artists achieve
this type of exposure...I view the Internet simply as a part of
a well-developed marketing strategy. We are a global economy and
if you want to be a part of this marketplace, it can only be done
through digital technology."
And who views the Artists DOG site?
"The Artists DOG actively contacts art buyers, corporate
buyers and private
collectors but because our market is so large we encourage anyone
to view the work at our site and provide feedback to the art on
display. The Artists DOG URL has been submitted to all of the
major search engines on the Internet, is listed with many art
resources throughout the Internet, and has registration to over
200 search engines worldwide.
"Art is for people to enjoy and the more that see it the better, but because our goal is to help the artist sell their work we naturally tend to market more to people who we feel will buy the works on display at our digital gallery. The Artists DOG does not sell artwork directly, and does not take commissions on sales. All potential sales are handled directly by the artist. There are exceptions to this because not all artist have the technological skills to handle this type of exposure, so we assist them when ever it is requested...It is simply Art for Art's Sake!"
Sharon Valchuis is a writer for the Times a major magazine
distributed across the
southern United States.
Comments to the artists
D.O.G.
There are many advantages for small and
large businesses to purchase Original Art.