So you may have heard about the Free Art Friday Movement and now you are wondering - what is the point? Aside from just being nice, why do artists do this?  Here is what I have gathered from those I know who have participated.

It is an opportunity to share art with others removing the financial and time constraints from the transaction. It allows people who would not otherwise be able to spend money, or who are perhaps unable to make it to local art shops or shows, the chance to still own a piece of art. The connections of the local artist with their local art lovers and the ability to bring them together in an unimposing public space are a reward in itself. 

The accessibility is unconditional. When the internet is incorporated there is the magic of bringing the artist together with their locals initially from and then away from the internet which is another great connection. It is not unheard of for a public hand-to-hand Free Art Friday transaction to occur either. An artist can strike up a conversation and talk about their art and if they see the other person have a true interest, offer their free art piece. 

My World Reaches by asboluv

For the most part, it is simply FUN. And at the end of the day both parties are happier for it. The artist knows that something they created has a home with a philanthropic association. It makes for a great story, so the art and artist are going to be talked about. It is much like a free sample. It serves as a fun activity, like a game, which gets you out and about searching for art-treasures hidden in public places. 


To find out more about this art movement in your area, I suggest doing a search for “free art Friday (name of your city).” This movement has rippled all over the world, and sometimes involves a group decorating a public area together all at once or sometimes it is held on different days. "Free Art Night" is about as popular as Free Art Friday. It is NOT an exclusive group or movement - Anyone is welcome to join in. 


To learn more about the Free Art Friday Movement Click Here.

Today I am so excited to introduce you to Helene Ruiz, an acrylic painter based in the United States. At the age of 57, she is not certain the exact moment she began to use her medium of choice - acrylic paints. She does recall this story tracing back to her childhood:

"My father always taught me to think creatively and he himself was an artist. When I was a kid and wanted colors I extracted colors from comic strips, nature, coffee, teas, etc. My first painting kit was not actually purchased until I was about 11 years old when my father took me to Pearl Paint in Chinatown, Manhattan and bought me watercolors and brushes, of which I still have some of the brushes for memory's sake. I played with them until I discovered oil paint, which I found each time I used it - I would get sick.  Apparently I am allergic to them. So then, when I used acrylic for the first time, I fell in love with them. They were perfect for me! The fact that I paint a lot and live in a small space makes acrylic a perfect match for someone like myself, since they dry so fast." 

Send in the Clowns, © Helene Ruiz

Expired Fool, © Helene Ruiz

Helene is working on a collaborative project with artists all over the world, that I find so very fascinating. This interview will delve into that in detail since it is an event taking place Now.  If you are an artist who wants to participate, find out how by reading on. First, let's get to know Helene Ruiz, the artist, a little better - she assures me there is an entire book's worth of uncharted stories within her...

Would you tell us about your most memorable artworks? 

I have used so many materials... it is actually difficult to say which would be my most memorable pieces. I suppose those are the ones I do to try and show what is unseen. I try to express my take on life and how I perceive life's take on others as well. Anything can trigger me... environment, politics, love, pain, illness, etc

What has been the most unexpected thing that has happened in relation to your creating art? 

Funny, I find this question here, especially now at the end of April 2015. Because just about a month ago, on March 28th, I almost lost my life and was rushed into emergency surgery. I am still recovering and doctors say it could be six months before I actually do recover fully. I have another surgery to go through in June to put me back together again so I can feel human. So, this experience, right now, is the most challenging of all life's events thus far!  Only today have I attempted to begin to sketch out a painting... it will not be easy. I will be forced to do it in small steps, but it will be the first since March 28th. For me, I usually do at least two or more pieces per month, so this has been a long spell of not creating art for me. 

Free Art Friday is a movement where artists gift pieces of original art to the public.  You may associate it with Random Acts of Kindness. The idea is to bring some joy to someone by brightening up their day with a piece of art that upon finding, they can keep it or leave it.  It is not a secret event and you can, as an artist, decide to do it on your own in your own way. However, in order to be part of a group of artists that have an organized approach to the event, you do need to make connections within the local art community. 

Give Me Wings by asboluv

Typically it is organized by an artist collective or sometimes an art supply store or someone who is otherwise connected to the local art scene.  This will vary from town to town, city to city. In order to be a finder, you may be “in the know” about the local organized event, or just happen to find the art by chance.  

Artists have been leaving art out for many years, however, the modern version of the Free Art Movement and the coining the phrase of "Free Art Friday" is attributed to online artist My Dog Sighs, a.k.a. MDS. Back in 2006 he started his group on Flickr which has carried on the tradition ever since. Here is the Free Art Friday Facebook page.   

Here is how it works for artists:

• Chose a piece of art to give away.
• Write on an attached note "free art for the finder to own and enjoy." By choice you can include name, website, email, etc. If participating on social media, you may want to give @names and #hashtags to enable the finder to thank you or give a shout out on social media should they desire to do so. 
• Place the art somewhere in public either outside or indoors, the how and where is entirely up to you. You can hide it or leave it in an obvious location.
• Some make a scavenger-hunt game of it leaving clues on Twitter, Facebook, and more recently Instagram (which can also be shared to the aforementioned social media).

Not So Empty Shop Window by asboluv

For those who wish to scavenge up some local art, just follow the artists! Something important to keep in mind, is what Free Art Friday is NOT.  When the word "free" is used some folks can get carried away, so please keep in mind that it is not meant to exploit the generosity of local artists. Please don't be a greedy art-hoarder. Also, know that a copyright is not transferred in the free transaction, so do not pick up an art drop with the intent to reproduce the art image. The intellectual property belongs to the artist themselves only.

To find out why artists participate in Free Art movements Click Here.


Share your thoughts and experiences with Free Art Friday.  Have you participated? Are you going to?

Action rewards action, so if you want others to notice you then you need to notice them first. It is show-and-tell which works best if you approach another artist’s work and then respond with your own art story. So how to engage with the art community… the first step is to find a way that best suits you. Where you want your art to go, who should it reach out to, how you want to be received by society, what is the message or story you are telling with your art, and why should others engage with your work – these are all questions that factor into understanding what communal outlets would work best for you.  After all, if you look to be seen by the art community, then the best way to do so is to actually become part of it.  This generally means putting yourself out there and taking what you created out of the shadows and letting others experience it.  You will not be discovered in hiding, unless you are leaving that to future archaeologists.

The Tank, a New York-based independent artists’ creative and collaborative venue.

Getting your art noticed and connecting with others is what the art community is chiefly about – artists coming together to work towards the common goal of learning and growing. In this era, with the power of the internet, barriers between artists and the global audience are easily overcome. Online there are multiple art communities such as Deviantart, Behance, See.Me, A Singular Creation, and others, where you can create a free account and: 

• upload images
• share information on projects you are working on
• write your artist statement
• post news and achievements
• network with other artists

Various artists contributing to oil on canvas 
work for a gallery display

Offline is much different in that the search engine optimization is not going to help your target audience find your particular style and medium.  Also you are going to have a smaller localized group to take interest in your works. Sometimes a group show works out well if a level of synergy is achieved within which the show attendees are both surrounded by art and artists and entertained by all. It takes drawing a crowd with the right people in the right place at the right time.  Such is task best left to experienced event coordinators. If you find a community that is working together in this way, you want to contact whoever is in charge of events and submit your work to see if it meets the criteria for their shows.