Today marks the 10th anniversary of my first post on Lines and Colors, on August 22, 2005.
My initial intention for the blog — which you can read more about here — is still basically the same: to introduce my readers to wonderful art and artists that they may not be familiar with, or to point out something of interest about more well-known artists.
The artwork I feature is in a broad variety of genres, but tied together by two common factors — I personally like it, and it’s more or less within the traditions of representational realism. Other than that, as I’ve always said in the blog’s capsule description, if it has lines and/or colors, it’s fair game.
You can see some of the range of genres in the “Categories” listing in the left hand column, and below that, in the “Archives”, you can still read all of the posts I’ve added over the past ten years. (Well, almost all — I still need to restore about 10 posts from July of 2013 that were “misplaced” when I moved the blog from one server to another — it’s constantly a work in progress.)
My most popular single post to date, at least in terms of response and comments, has been “How Not to Display Your Artwork on the Web“.
The images I’ve selected above are meant as a small sampling of what you may find in the archives.
It has always been my hope that those interested in a particular genre of art — like traditional painting, plein air, art history, comics, concept art, fantasy art or illustration — would be drawn to Lines and Colors to pursue their area of interest, and through it discover wonderful art in other genres that they may not have sought out or encountered otherwise. I see that aspect of what I’m doing as an attempt to gently counter the ever-increasing fragmentation of art interests on the web.
In the 10 years since writing my first article for Lines and Colors, the resources for art images on the internet have expanded dramatically, most notably in the form of major museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian and the Rijksmuseum, posting high-resolution images from their collections online; the appearance of remarkable resources like the Google Art Project; and new online destinations for illustration, comics and concept art.
Originally, my posts were short, and the images single and small, and I actually worried that I would run out of “favorite artists” to write about. Today, after more than 3,400 posts (not quite a post a day for ten years, but pretty close), I have an ever-growing list of potential topics to get to — that may actually be longer than the list of already written ones.
There’s more to come!
-Charley
Happy Birthday Charlie!!! I’ve enjoyed your blog since the first day I found it years ago. Thanks for finding all these wonderful artists, as well as the more well known ones, and posting about them. Melissa
Thank you very much for this precious blog.
Thank you so much for ten fantastic, inspirational years. Long live Lines and Colors!
I love this blog and visit almost every day. It is the classiest art blog I know of. Even better, you don’t throw in cheesy time-wasting videos. Congratulations and I wish you many more blogging arty years!
Happy 10th Anniversary – Thanks for all your hard work, Charley!! Lines and Colors is a valuable resource for inspiration and education. Well done!!
I’ve been following your blog for 4 years now and it’s been an ever wonderful discovery of new artists to admire and learn from. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into it!
I’m a coulpe of days late with my Well Wishes, but Happy Anniversary to you! I discovered your site about six years ago, and make an effort to get to it every morning before work. I like your insights and Love the art you find – it wakes the senses and inspires. Thank You!
Thank you very much, Charley!
I’ve discovered your blog only a few weeks ago, and I think it’s amazing!
Happy Blog Anniversary! I first went to your blog seeking advice on art websites. I had seen your site listed on several of my friend’s blog. Here’s to another 10 years and more!
Thank you, Charley!! I visit daily and am sometimes greeted by old favorite artists, but more often discover something new. You are providing a wonderful service.
I know you sell ad space, but is there any place I could donate directly to the site?
Happy Anniversary! Cheers for a wonderful blog.
I have never commented on your blog before, but since there is such an occasion like this anniversary – I wanted to tell you, that I visit every single post you put here, and I come back here very often while searching for any inspirations. So I just wanted to say, that it’s a great job your doing and I’m very grateful for all your effort. Keep up with the great work. Cheers :)
Just to say: Thank you!
Normally I do not post comments in websites but I think that I must be grateful for the great job you have done and for the many art things that I have learned during these several years that I have been visiting. I came after reading of you from Mr. Gurney.
Also I have bought a book sometimes because your recommendations (notice that advertisers!!).
So, as we say here in Puerto Rico: “¡Feliz cumpleaños!”
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog – I really appreciate all the hard work and effort you put into it! May you thrive for many decades to come!
Slightly late to the party but a very Happy Anniversary! Always an inspiration and an education. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this labor of love. Here’s to another 10,20,30 years of this wonderful site.
All the best!
Thanks, everyone, for the enthusiastic comments. I can’t answer every one individually, but I very much appreciate the words of encouragement. Thanks in particular to those who are not usually inclined to comment for making a point of it on this occasion. I hope to keep pointing you to lots of inspiring art and artists in the years to come.
Charlie,
Congrats on reaching this milestone! Your site is well-conceived and articulate. I can’t imagine a week going by w/out a visit. Thank you!
Gary
Your blog has been such an inspiration. Crisp posts with carefully selected images. Thanks a ton!
Although I am not a trained artist, I am a big fan of this site and of the man himself. Lines and Colors is singular (in my experience) in bringing engaging art and illustration to both the professional and the layperson. That it also comes with concise and approachable descriptions of what we are looking at, cross-references to earlier posts and links, makes this a research tool like no other. Well done, CP.
Belated but heartfelt thanks CP for the many hours of work that this wonderful site must take. You have expanded my artistic knowledge and -more importantly – artistic enjoyment, immeasurably. Congratulations on your first 10 years, please may there be many more !
Happy belated birthday, Charley! Best wishes, Donald
Thanks, Donald.
Happy Anniversary. Cheers for this awesome blog.
Sorry, I am too late.