Our About page has been updated and slightly rewritten. I’ve added a couple of testimonials about Carmine Magazine to the about page as well. If you would like to supply a testimonial, please leave it in the comments. (The following is the text from the updated about page.)

carmine car·mine n.1. A strong to vivid red.2. A crimson pigment derived from cochineal.adj. Strong to vivid red.

Carmine Magazine is run by me, Jami Lee Rosa. I began doing artist interviews in January 2008 for the Livejournal community named AddMyArtJournal. My moleskine notebook full of ideas and I quickly outgrew the community. In May of 2008 I bought CarmineMag.com and began the arduous task of moving all of the interviews I had already done and creating new content.

I started CarmineMag.com because I was tired of reading interviews with artists in the art magazines where all they do is talk about that one time they got drunk in New York City with their friends or how much they hate the artists that use digital mediums. I was tired of picking up art magazines in the local bookstore and seeing art that I felt was subpar to the work that friends of mine were producing. Friends that aren’t able to sell their original work for $1000 USD a piece because they just don’t have the means to promote themselves that much or don’t even know where to begin to promote themselves. I was tired of seeing artists become frustrated when they attend art school, thinking that it will be a place that will encourage them to be creative and think outside of the box, only to be told to think outside of the box as long as it’s in the same direction that their misguided and bitter teacher would go.

Carmine Magazine’s purpose is to be a place for artists and fans of art to find information. Everything from interviews with artists, tips on making better art, business advice for your art business, art news, featured artists, featured web stores, and product reviews.

I want Carmine Magazine to be sort of an artist’s handbook or a trade magazine for the lowbrow art generation. I have no intention of replacing other magazines (believe me I still adore Juxtapoz, Hi-Fructose and others like it). I just feel that the drawing tutorials you see online or in bookstores should be updated. Who says you need to draw life models in a completely realistic fashion? I want to help encourage the people that were once very artistic and very creative to pick up the brush again. I know there have been a lot of artists that have been discouraged by family, friends, teachers, significant others and worst of all, themselves. If I can help even one artist get back into being creative. If I can give one artist the inspiration and information they need to start booking solo shows at their favorite galleries. Or if I can give one “untalented” artist the self esteem tools she needs to continue creating art in her own style without trying to “fix” it. Then this whole project will be worth it.

What other people are saying about Carmine Magazine:

I love that Carmine (Magazine) is such a good resource and friend to budding artists out there. This is what an artists’ magazine should be! — Red Nails; Wrong City

I see a bright future ahead of Carmine Magazine. … (it has) a unique perspective on the art world. — Jody Pham

It (Carmine Magazine) has a pretty simple format — a set of questions that is asked of each artist, and it really works. They have managed to get some really interesting people who give well considered answers that give you a real insight into the creative process of people producing beautiful art. You get to see wonderful examples of the artwork as well and if it doesn’t enrich your world then there is something wrong with you. — Skull Cull’s Culture Vulture

I really do enjoy Carmine (Magazine), and have since it was just little ol’ AddMyArtJournal. You’re doing phenominal, and I look forward to every new interview. — Shannon Elizabeth

If you’re interested in being interviewed here on CarmineMag.com, please send me an email at jami@carminemag.com. If you see your artwork here and would like it removed, please let me know that as well.