A modern office reception area with a smiling man in a suit in the foreground. The reception desk is made of wood and has a minimalist design with decorative vases and a laptop on top. Behind the desk, a large mural features a vibrant landscape with red trees, blue hills, and a city skyline in the background. The space is well-lit with natural light streaming in through floor-to-ceiling windows on the right, showing a view of the outside. The interior has wooden flooring, potted plants, and a mix of wood and glass elements, creating a sleek and welcoming atmosphere.

The Power of Art in Your Business

Adding art to your business or workspace isn’t just about aesthetics—it can boost creativity, improve morale, and create a more engaging environment for employees and customers alike. Plus, supporting local artists adds authenticity and strengthens community connections. Whether it’s paintings, murals, or sculptures, integrating art into your space can make a lasting impact in more ways than one!

A close-up image of a black man holding a paintbrush against his lips. The brush is coated in black paint, behind which is a piece of black tape covering his mouth, giving the impression that he is being silenced. The background depicts an art gallery with empty picture frames on the walls and classical bust sculptures on pedestals. A large, ornate frame is prominently displayed in the center, also empty. The image combines realism with artistic symbolism, conveying themes of censorship, self-expression, or the absence of voice.

Racism in the Art World

The art world celebrates creativity, but racism remains a persistent barrier for BIPOC artists. From exclusion in galleries to funding disparities, systemic inequities shape who gets recognized and supported. Challenging this status quo often leads to pushback, yet real change requires action—supporting BIPOC artists, calling out discrimination, and demanding institutional reform. Art should be for everyone.

Two young women are sitting at a table, smiling while looking at a laptop screen. One woman is wearing a denim jacket over a white shirt, while the other is dressed in a mustard yellow blazer over a black top. The background features a vibrant, colorful wall with an abstract tropical design, including large leaves, circles, and dotted patterns in shades of orange, blue, and yellow. A glass with pencils and a small potted plant are on the table.

Guest Posts and Fresh Perspectives

Big changes are coming to the Art & Design By Teresa Cowley blog in 2025! With a new flexible posting schedule, you can now enjoy bonus guest posts on Tuesdays alongside the regular Thursday content. Plus, we’re expanding beyond art and design to include insights on branding, business, and more. Interested in contributing? Let’s connect!

A digital collage-style artwork features two women wearing black and white vertically striped blazers. One woman is in the foreground, shown in profile with slicked-back hair, while the other is in the background with loose, windswept hair and a long flowing coat. The composition includes bold red flowers with yellow centers layered over the figures. The background consists of a geometric grid pattern with blue and teal squares, creating a textured and dynamic visual effect. The image is primarily in black and white, except for the flowers and background elements, emphasizing contrast and depth.

Print & Pattern Trends: Spring/Summer 2025

Get inspired by Spring/Summer 2025’s print and pattern trends, blending nostalgic elegance with modern flair. From pastel florals and intricate tapestries to bold stripes and vibrant colors like peacock blue and cherry red, these ideas are perfect for art, design, and decor projects. Whether you’re into digital art, textiles, or interiors, these trends are a fresh spark for your next masterpiece!

A spiral-bound notebook is open on a light-colored surface, with two pages filled with handwritten text and doodles. The left page reads, "Messy doodles and imperfections are allowed in here. That’s the purpose of this book." Surrounding the text are swirly patterns and abstract designs, including curved lines and shapes. The right page is filled with various intricate doodles, including wavy patterns, spirals, and abstract shapes, along with small handwritten notes. The notebook and its creative contents appear to be illuminated by soft natural light.

Messy Sketchbooks: Creative Freedom

Discover the joy of creativity without rules by embracing a “mess-making” sketchbook! It’s not about perfect art but doodling, scribbling, and exploring freely. Let go of perfectionism and reconnect with raw creativity—whether you’re an artist or not. This unstructured space can spark unexpected ideas and bring a little magic to your day.

A festive graphic with the phrase "Season's Greetings" written in elegant white, cursive lettering in the center. The background features a marbled texture in shades of deep red with dark green veining. White, intricately detailed snowflakes of various sizes are scattered across the image, creating a wintry and celebratory atmosphere.

Holiday Pause: See You in 2025!

As 2024 wraps up, I want to thank you for being part of my creative journey this year! I’m taking a short holiday break to spend time with family, but I’ll be back on Jan 2, 2025, with fresh ideas. Until then, check my Instagram for updates. Wishing you a joyful and creative holiday season!

A humanoid robot with a sleek white and blue design is positioned in an art gallery-like setting. The robot faces away from the viewer, with a glowing green display of a stylized tree diagram on a black background behind it. Surrounding the display are framed illustrations of various types of trees, evenly spaced on the walls. The scene illustrates how generative AI uses a vast number of images to learn what a tree is supposed to look like.

How AI Really Creates Images

Curious about how generative AI creates images? It doesn’t copy existing ones but synthesizes new designs based on patterns and concepts learned from training data. Think of it like an abstract painter, blending ideas rather than cutting and pasting. Learn how this works, why watermarks appear, and tips for using AI ethically in art creation!

The image is a collage with three main sections overlaid on a faded outdoor background of a couple under a tree. The central focus features the words "Scam Alert" in bold red text, arched over the couple's photo. Below the text is a red triangle with a white exclamation mark inside, signifying a warning. Left section: A close-up image of two hands, one wearing an engagement ring, being held gently. The background is blurry greenery. Center section: A photo of a couple standing close under a large tree, embracing affectionately. The woman is wearing a pale pink dress, and the man is in a gray shirt and dark pants. Right section: An image of a formal invitation with ornate borders. The text reads: "You are cordially invited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Shunned and Elizabeth Michael. Jan 15th, 2025, 11:00 AM, 417 Seymour St., Kamloops, BC V2C 2G7, Canada." The layout and warning text suggest the image is drawing attention to a possible scam involving this invitation or event.

Wedding Anniversary Art Scam: Beware!

Beware of the wedding anniversary art commission scam! A seemingly innocent inquiry about an illustration for a party invitation could be a phishing scheme targeting artists. From mismatched details to unprofessional files, the red flags are subtle but clear. Learn how to spot and avoid these scams to keep your personal information safe.

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