"A Creative Challenge"

What is "creativity"? According to the dictionary, it is defined as:

The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.;
...originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

Ok, so if that's the case, how's your ability to "transcend traditional ideas"? What about your imagination? Are you eager to try your hand at something creative and new? If so, then I have a challenge for you....

Show me your creativity, and I'll show you mine.

As a professional artist, I'm all about creativity. I look at the world around me, and focus on the details. I see the opportunity. I see the ideas. And I try to find ways to make those things enjoyable and attractive to others.

To that end, I welcome you to the Paint My Pixels Project -- a collaborative online art experiment that challenges each participant to explore their creativity, using their negotiation, imagination, and small blocks of colored pixels.

The idea is simple:

First:

Challenge anyone to think outside of the box, and use their negotiation skills to compete for participation in the project. Encourage them to think of creative items to trade in order to gain the right to add to the painting. The more creative, thoughtful, or valuable that trade may be, the more that person is allowed to paint. Anything can be traded -- anything whatsoever -- but it must reflect something of value to the individual, myself, or the project.

Some ideas might include:

• A hand-written postcard mailed from wherever you live
  
• A coupon to your online store or business
  
• A personalized thank-you note
  
• A piece of art created by you
  
• A t-shirt you designed

You show me your creativity, and I'll let you be part of mine!

The most creative items will be featured right here on the project weblog, and the person who made the trade, will be also added to a list of the Top Ten Most Creative Artists. At the end of each digital painting, one of those top ten artist will be selected to recieve a free full-scale custom work of art created by me.

Second:

After you've made your trade offer and it's been recieved, you'll be able to start adding to the painting. There are 140 colors to choose from on the available color palette, and each color is added to the canvas in small squares. Your squares -- wherever you place them on the canvas -- combine with those already there to create the collaborative painting.

As many as 5200 people from around the world can participate in each painting.

And, to make the experiment all the more personal, each participant is invited to sign their additions to the canvas (like any artist signs their work), and provide a link to their own website if they so choose. In the end, not only will a new painting be created, but also a time capsule of everyone who participated.

And, Finally:

When the entire experiment is complete, I will paint an acrylic composition based entirely upon the final design, and auction it off to one lucky art collector. The auction will be open to everyone, and when one round of paintings is complete, another one can begin all over again. The process will continue for as long as there is interest.

I challenge you. Show me your creativity, and I'll show you mine!

"Quote of the Day"

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."
- Pablo Picasso

"TRADE: 'Jon, the Actor: A Story'"

PMP Artist: -- Jon's Jenny -- (April 3, 2007).
Traded: -- The following story.
Recieved: -- Ten (10) color squares.

For those who may be curious, Jenny took the titles of each of my acting credits on my Filmography on JonBaas.com (underlined below) and made a story out of them. This is that story:

"Jon, The Actor: A Story"

Once upon a time, in a far away land, lived three Little Women who, along with Emma’s Child (their neighbor), decided that they were bored with their lives and needed to add some Sugar and Spice. Most of their garments resembled Patchwork quilts, but they were determined to one day go from Rags to Riches.

It just so happened that Arthur, the Boy Who Would Be King, was flying by in the USS Enterprise 1701 (not to be mistaken for the USS Terra Nova) and saw who he thought was A Little Princess. He ordered his pilot to stop in the 1860’s Victorian village they had been flying over. As he stepped off the aircraft he put his hand firmly on the pilot’s shoulder and said, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown".

Meanwhile, the four women were hiding under The Bridge to Terabithia, knowing that their ticket out of their drab world resided All in the Timing. So, they waited patiently, keeping careful watch on Arthur, whom they decided to refer to as Mr. 3000. As they waited and watched, they told numerous stories to each other about the American Civil War and how they just loved the 1800’s Civilian stories.

The women marveled at the two visitors. "See How They Run," one would whisper, while another was in awe at The Crucible they had and wondered what they were melting in it. The youngest piped up and suggested that perhaps the crucible was To Kill a Mockingbird that they witnessed the men catching In the Net earlier.

"Quit spreading Rumors!" exclaimed Emma’s child. "These men are not like Medea who committed Crimes of the Heart. But now that A Murder is Announced we must go ask the men their intent for that poor mockingbird."

The women cautiously approached Arthur and Charlie and asked if they were planning to kill the mockingbird. The men were shocked at the question. "Absolutely not!" Arthur cried out. "Who said such a thing?! The Liar!" The girls solemnly lowered their heads, ashamed at their rumors, and feeling as if they should never have attempted to spice up their lives in the first place.

Arthur smiled softly, realizing the girls meant no harm, and was somewhat flattered to be part of their drama. "You ladies remind me of something one might find in Twain by the Tale. You girls are so imaginative; I think I will forevermore refer to you as the Little Big League of this land. You do not need to leave your land to have entertainment! Why, I’m sure if you did leave, eventually you would
Wish You Were Here."

The girls smiled and nodded in agreement.

Arthur patted Charlie on the back, nodded to the girls, and said, "Ok! Now come, for it is
A Grand Night For Singing!"

They all skipped off into the night, singing the songs of the land, and enjoying the new found spice in their lives. THE END.

Now *THAT* was creative! See how it's done? Offer me something creative and original of your own, and I'll give you a spot on my painting -- just like Jenny. Have fun!

Your friendly Master Artist,
-Jon

"Paint My Pixels 2.0"

Back in March of last year (2006) the "Paint My Pixels" (PMP) collaborative art experiment was launched -- and to surprising success too no less. But after only six months of fun, it became necessary for me to place PMP on haitus for a while, as larger more pressing projects required my attention. But, I've good news, it's April 2007, those other projects are done, and we're back. Bigger, better, and even more creative!

So if you're just joining us, great! Grab your colors, find your pixels, and let's get painting!

Your friendly Master Artist,
-Jon