During these uncertain times, art may be more relevant than ever. To many of us — most of us — it is a time of unprecedented fear and uncertainty. Never in our lifetime have we experienced an event so dramatic and sweeping in its impact that it could unseat the very core of our daily lives. And, naturally, we wish to do everything within our power to flatten the curve, to do right by our fellow humans and acquiesce to the calls for distance, isolation, avoidance, caution, care and vigilance. But this course leaves us with a question: Where does beauty belong? Is there still a place for the abstract, the entrancingly grotesque, the figurative, the spirited? Can we still […]

In order for an artist to sustain creative output and maximize artistic flow, there must be a continual letting go of the work. Otherwise, the work becomes the very thing that stops new work. Let’s explore the idea together! Truly great artists aren’t captives of their own ideas. What does this mean? Well, simply put, it means an artist cannot afford to be caught managing the aftermath of the creative process. As artists, the job is to observe, contemplate, distill and the execute. But now, more than ever, there is an alluring trap which calls the artist to watch as their work enters the world — to see the joy or pain in the beholders’ eyes. It follows that they […]

There is no difference between prayer and art. How do I incorporate my faith into my work? I think that being an artist is one of the highest forms of spirituality you can do, because you are being of service to people, you are being creative, expressing creativity, you are providing entertainment, you’re trying to get people to think and feel deeply on a soul level. – Rian Wilson   Have you wondered what motivates the greats, masters, contemporaries, expressionists, cubists, sculptors, mixed-media artists — what pushes them to push themselves? What do they see that the rest of us don’t? What do they wish to see that we haven’t thought of? Great thinkers, philosophers and social scientists have searched the […]

There’s a movement afoot in our modern society — a movement toward civility. Toward friendliness. Toward the sharing of ideas and support. No? You may disagree… One might think, and justifiably so, based upon a sampling of pop headlines and poorly curated news feeds, that this bold claim is wildly off-base. Nevertheless, there is a growing body of evidence which supports the notion of good neighboring rebirthing itself in our national—and even global—social consciousness. All around us, in the midst of the mist and haze which sometimes comes to overthrow us — the fog of crumbling decency and basic human respect — all around us, there are new centers of thought, places of innovation, springs of fresh perspective and hopeful […]

If you’ve been following our social media channels, you’ve seen us talking about accidental art. This above, is a snow-covered fence in Terschelling, The Netherlands. We’ve had a few inquiries and so, we thought this might be a great time to explain and introduce the concept. Life often presents us with moments — a wrinkle in the continuum of musts and have-tos and hurry-up-and-waits. The universe, for a moment, stops expanding —everything pauses — and suddenly you see it: the beautiful coincidence. Wild art, or accidental art, as it’s become known, is best explained by this series of images  and this series published on the boredpanda blog. Here you’ll find beautiful renderings, crafted as if on purpose, by nature and […]

Above: art by first graders in 2018 inspired by the rose windows of Notre Dame Cathedral. Monuments are curious things. We build them to remember, to commemorate, to honor, celebrate and mourn. It’s easy to see these odes to history as scenery; the backdrop to our busy lives. The obelisk, the building, the sculpture — they live alongside us as silent companions and reminders of the generations upon whose shoulders we stand. But as they play their part— unspeaking, unmoving, unchanging — we become indifferent to them. It’s not a malicious or intentional progression, but the day-to-day creeps in and overtakes our attentions, our affections. Yesterday, our attentions were suddenly and dramatically turned back to one of the most important […]

We’ve been getting acquainted with Jeffrey Dering this March on the Emillions Art blog. Jeffrey is an accomplished artist and businessperson — having worked around the world to create experiential environments for his clients and their customers. We are endeavoring to take a closer look at the inner workings of his art — and the enigma that is the formation of an artist’s process. Read Part 1 here. — Process can be a dry and somewhat pedestrian word. It’s the kind of term managers pepper into their motivational spiel to let subordinates know “success doesn’t come without engaging the mundane.” But we shouldn’t be so swift to overlook the importance, and the promise, of process. Jeffrey Dering sees process as a […]

With the new year suddenly upon us and stretching out before us with a million possibilities, Emillions Art asks an important question — and humbly submits that perhaps our readers should ask a similar one. As I reflected on the year, I began to realize there were far more instances, situations and circumstances contributing to my personal growth than I first realized. But a big one and I must admit, a surprising one, was this little project I started: keeping a book. What is that? I’m glad you asked. My book is, simply put, hardbound memories. Call it a journal, call it a scrapbook, call it a photo album — but my book is a way to look at what […]

There are so many fantastic organizations whom have given us all so much! At Emillions Art, we’ve decided — it’s time to give back! Until December 31, 2018, 10% of all purchases will benefit The Naples Players in Naples, Florida. The Naples Players is a nationally recognized community theatre company located in Naples, Florida. Founded in 1953, the theater company performs in the Sugden Community Theatre in downtown Naples. Readers of The Naples Daily News have named the Naples Players “Best Live Theatre” in Southwest Florida 15 times—even ranking it above professional theater companies.  Now in their 65th season, The Naples Players are pleased to present their production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas through Dec 23rd. Based on the beloved and […]

A conversation with Larry Aarons immediately reveals the visage of humility and grace, peppered to the soles with a feistiness that only an youth spent in the Bronx could produce. While Larry is adept at describing his adventures and achievements, one doesn’t feel a sense of self-aggrandizement. In fact, there seems to be few, if any, egocentric currents beneath the waves of the sea that is Larry’s artist heart. Generous in conversation, inclusive even in his story telling, he is quick to take a person on a joyride of his life’s history — as well as his new endeavors. Speaking of joyriding, it doesn’t take long for Larry to weave into the narrative that he’s a lover and appreciator of […]