Friday, December 5, 2008

Two Blogs or Not Two Blogs - That is the Question


I am asking for your help... should I separate my paintings from my photography and create two blogs - a blog for each? That is my question.

For a while now, I have been wondering if I should actually have one blog or two. When you visit my blog, are you looking for paintings, and are disappointed when there is photography instead? Or, do you enjoy both, and it doesn't matter to you which is posted? Or, are you looking for pictures and not painting? 

It is a difficult decision to make because keeping up with two blogs might be twice as much effort and time. Yet, I have these two major areas of passion - and is it wise to combine them on one blog? Several sites I regularly visit have recently divided up the mediums they work in to separate blogs - watercolor blog, pastel blog, acrylic blog... yikes! For me, I look at all of those as painting. It seems that photography might fall into a different category...

I sometimes think that an art blog should be about whatever moves the artist. One artist I know, Veronica Funk, comments on books she is reading, on things like personality tests, home renovations, quotes which are meaningful to her, and so on. I find myself checking her blog often because I like to be challenged to think, and I find much of what she writes interesting, informative or food for thought. Other blogs, which are strictly paintings with very little else, bring me back time and again because of the uniqueness of the paintings, or the beauty of the work.

Perhaps with 2 separate areas of artistic endeavor, it could be argued that posting twice as often in both areas would be wiser than having two blogs... hmmm... I swing back and forth. Do paintings and photography compete with one another, or compliment each other?

So I am wondering what would be best. I am asking for your thoughts, advice and input. Two blogs or not two blogs - that is the question.

Oh yes - the painting above... a while ago, I posted a white pail with crabapples. This is the same pail and apples, but under very different lighting, which made it seem more dramatic somehow. Crabby Pail II,  transparent watercolor, 300 lb Arches lb. Arches paper, 10" x 14".

If you are interested in purchasing the above painting, contact me:  jogiesbrecht@gmail.com

16 comments:

Michelle Wiebe said...

One Blog. The only person defining the content of this blog is you - also, I think you confuse your audience if they have to go looking for stuff suddenly.

Personally, I like being surprised with a post on stuff that relates to the artist as a whole. It isn't like you are writing a art/sports blog with two totally unrelated audiences.

As long as its well written, it will get read.

Dave Peters said...

Just talked to your daughter (who won't be online till Monday night) and she says you should stick with one blog. Too much pressure to keep up two. I would agree, since I haven't been able to even keep up one.

Cheryl McCarley said...

One blog. I enjoy seeing your wonderful photos as well as your wonderful paintings.

Unknown said...

Michelle,
Good thoughts... from what you have said, I am thinking that the people who visit an artist's site are interested in the whole person for the most part - not just the works of art posted. I noticed that with one artist whose site I had been visiting quite a bit - he rarely posted anything other than the paintings. Suddenly, about a month ago, he began to add a paragraph or two, and I find that much more of a draw... of course, that may not apply for everyone. The other factor is seeing the diversity of an artist - I find it quite fascinating.

Unknown said...

Hi Dave,
I know you and Arlene and the kids are having a great time at the beach - wish we were there in the warm sun as well! Thanks for the feedback and vote for one blog - it would be much easier to just keep up with one, that's for sure! And as you said - some of us have trouble with just one... hahaha

Unknown said...

Thanks Cheryl - you are a great encouragement! I am happy to hear you enjoy my pictures and paintings!

Lori said...

Hi Joanne
I enjoy your blog just the way it is!!
I am a friend of Veronica.
I am new to blogging. I actually thought the same thing....having two blogs but made the decision to just have one. I am an artist with far too many interests or directions.I also enjoy photography!! Hope you don't mind I have added you under my Creative Spirits List. I think most people enjoy reading about the artist and what makes them tick. Keep up the great work!!

Unknown said...

Hi Lori,

Thanks for stopping by and commenting... it is always interesting to hear that others have also thought about these things, and what their decisions were. I checked out your site - beautiful photos! And wow! Do you ever have a lot of artistic interests!!! I look forward to "talking" with you again...

Jean Victory said...

Hi Joanne,
I think your blog is great the way it is but the question to ask yourself is: Can I handle the work of keeping up with two blogs? Have you been painting? I haven't...been sick with a bug and trying to study for a final exam on Friday. Take care!

Anonymous said...

Hey Joanne...my blog is a little disjointed in conversation, kind of like me, I guess. I have read that if you want to use the blog as a marketing tool (ie. for a gallery) then you should separate the different media, but I agree with Michelle, I think it's very personable this way. Plus, more than one blog would certainly add another item on the 'things to do' list which might not be such fun.

Unknown said...

Hi Jean,
I am sorry to hear you are feeling sick - I bet it is kind of hard to study when you are under the weather! I have been doing a tiny bit of painting lately, but hope to get more in over the holidays. Are you and your son having any family visit with you? Christmas sure is coming fast! I hope you do superbly on your final exam on Friday!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Veronica,
Yes - more than one blog might make it seem more like a chore than a pleasure. There have already been times when posting felt like a pressure or obligation - and i don't really want to feel that way! By the way - you asked a question on your blog a while ago about "what is the purpose of Brush Space" - I also am disappointed in what I thought was going to be a "network" of connecting artists. Instead it seems to be a popularity contest where you vote for an artist by "following" them. I have yet to receive notification of new work from any of the artists I have signed up to follow...*sigh* It seems to be yet another thing to be disappointed in...
Anyways, thanks for your visit - and keep up your wonderful blog!

theresamillerwatercolors said...

I love your blog the way it is and I wouldn't change it a bit! Beautiful painting of the pail of crabapples, so luminous!

I was so surprised to read you are an introvert because I imagined you totally the opposite - maybe because you write such interesting entries in your blog.... I am like you in lots of ways: I am an introvert, too, and I love my own company - It was hard to accept it when I was younger, but now I have tottally embraced it and I like this side of my personality.

I like my inlaws too, I like to refer to my mother-in-law as my best friend.

I also dislike shopping, I really, really dislike shopping, a great source of stress for me when I have to...

Thank you so much for the wonderful comment in my blog entries, as always. Hugs to you!

Emm said...

I love coming here just to see what you are doing next. I also love what you write, if you had a second blog, I might miss something.

Unknown said...

Hi Theresa,

Thanks for your encouragement... I appreciate your comments and your thoughts! Isn't it fun to have things in common with other artists? No wonder we feel "connected" even though we have never met! Glad to hear you are all prepared for Christmas! I begin my shopping and decorating today. I have been crazy busy lately at work - so am what I consider "late" in getting started... I really don't like feeling so behind. It's hard to catch up! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Hi Emm,

Thank you for sharing your advice. I am humbled to think that you visit and enjoy what I post - it truly encourages me to continue. There are times when I seem to need feedback just to be assured I should continue - to paint, to post, to take photos... you get the picture. Perhaps it is the creative in me that sometimes languishes without the concrete "knowing" that what I do is giving someone else a bit of fun, a lift to their day, or in some way connects with their soul. Anyway, I thank you for taking the time to encourage me to carry on. I value your comments.