If you’ve ever uploaded an artwork or photo to Instagram, you’ve probably faced the frustration of awkward cropping or blurry quality. Whether you’re a content creator, artist, or just a casual user, getting your images to look great on Instagram can be a hassle. That’s why I want to introduce a tool I personally use and recommend — Simple Image Resizer for Instagram.

A Clean, User-Friendly InterfaceWhen you visit the site, you’ll be greeted with a clean layout. Simply click the “Select Images” button or drag and drop your files into the upload area. What’s great is that your images are uploaded securely, never shared, and automatically deleted after 24 hours, giving you peace of mind.

Three Resize Options to Choose From

1. Fit – Maintains the original aspect ratio and adds a background to match Instagram’s size. Ideal for preserving your full image without cropping.
2. Fill – Crops your image to fill the frame completely, which may cut off edges.
3. Stretch – Stretches the image to fill the frame, which can cause distortion.
   
   

Choose Your Background Style

• Color – Adds a solid-colored background around your image for a clean look.
• Blur – Uses a blurred version of your image as the background for a smooth, modern effect.
  
  

Why I Recommend This Tool

• Free and minimal ads
• No software download required — fully web-based
• Beginner-friendly
• Privacy-conscious — images auto-delete after 24 hours

Final Thoughts:

​If you need a fast, reliable way to resize your images for Instagram, Simple Image Resizer is a great solution. I use it regularly to prepare my artwork for posts, and it consistently delivers clean, professional results. Try it out and see the difference for yourself!

If you're a blogger, artist, or educator sharing your creative work online, adding a simple support button like Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon can make it easier for your readers to support what you do. Even small tips from visitors can grow into meaningful monthly income over time.
Here’s how you can easily connect both platforms to your blog.

In my case, I wrote this like below: 

1. Add a "Buy Me a Coffee" ButtonBuy Me a Coffee lets your audience send one-time tips—like buying you a real or virtual cup of coffee—as a token of appreciation. It’s quick to set up and ideal for casual blog readers or visitors who want to say thanks.
​
Step-by-step:

1. Go to buymeacoffee.com and sign up as a creator.
2. Customize your profile with a photo and short introduction.
3. Connect a payment method (PayPal or direct deposit).
4. Go to the “Buttons” section and copy the provided HTML embed code.
5. Paste the code into your blog’s sidebar, footer, or beneath blog posts.

How to Add a "Buy Me a Coffee" Button to Weebly
​

1. Log into your Weebly account and open the website editor.
2. Navigate to the page or blog section where you want to add the button (for example, your sidebar, footer, or beneath a blog post).
3. Drag and drop an “Embed Code” element to the spot where you want the button to appear.
4. Click inside the Embed Code box, then click “Edit Custom HTML.”
5. Paste the following code into the box:

​<div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 20px;">
  <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/yourusername" target="_blank">
    <img 
      src="https://cdn.buymeacoffee.com/buttons/v2/default-yellow.png" 
      alt="Buy Me A Coffee" 
      style="height: 60px; width: 217px;">
  </a>
  <p style="font-size: 14px; color: #333;">If you enjoy my work, consider buying me a coffee ☕</p>
</div>

Tips:
​
– Add the button to the bottom of your blog posts with a short message like: “If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a coffee!”
– Works great on Weebly, WordPress, Blogger, or any website that allows HTML.

. Launch a Patreon PagePatreon is better for long-term supporters who want to subscribe monthly. It works like a membership program where you can offer exclusive rewards (like behind-the-scenes content, downloads, or lessons) at different pledge levels.
To get started:

1. Visit patreon.com and sign up as a creator.
2. Set up tiered memberships (e.g., $3/month for early access, $10/month for premium content).
3. Publish your creator page.
4. Share the Patreon link on your blog or embed a button using an image and link.
   ​
   

✅ Bonus tip:
– Mention your Patreon in your About page or newsletter. Let your most loyal readers know how they can support your journey.

 Final Thoughts

Adding support buttons is more than a monetization tool—it’s a way to build connection and community around your creative work. Even a small act of support from one reader can be a big encouragement.
Whether you're just starting or already growing your audience, these platforms make it easy for others to say, “Thank you—I value your work.”

​Did you know that approximately 3 billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970?

There is a special contest designed to raise awareness of this shocking reality and to encourage the next generation to speak out for nature. It is called the Songbird Art Contest.

This is not just an art contest. It is an opportunity to convey the message of nature conservation through art and to look at the precious life around us again. Students will research a **specific songbird** of their choice and explore its habitat and the need for conservation. They will then submit a hand-drawn original piece based on their research.

Students in grades 4 and above will also be asked to submit a creative piece of writing to go along with their artwork. This is an opportunity for students to freely express why they chose their bird, why it is important to protect it, or a short story from their imagination.

 Summary of Participation:

Target: Students from kindergarten to 12th grade

Assignment: Choose one of the designated songbirds → Research the bird's habitat and conservation needs → Create a hand-drawn artwork

Grade 4 and above: Include a short creative writing piece

Deadline: November 30, 2024

Join this meaningful opportunity for students to artistically interpret nature while simultaneously fostering environmental awareness. It will be even more meaningful if families and teachers prepare together.

Do you want to participate in this contest with your child? Or do you want to use it as a school class or club activity? Please leave a comment or email us, and we can share participation tips or reference materials!

"Doing Art Together" by Muriel Silberstein-Storfer is a timeless and insightful book that presents a dynamic approach to art education rooted in collaboration, process, and discovery.

Based on the parent-child art workshops held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this book emphasizes the value of shared creativity between adults and children. Rather than focusing on technical skill or the final product, the book highlights the importance of the creative journey—how we observe, express, and reflect through art.

The activities are practical and accessible, using simple materials that can be found at home or in the classroom, making it especially valuable for educators, parents, and community art facilitators. What makes this book so compelling is its core belief that art is not a solitary act but a shared experience that nurtures connection, confidence, and communication.

Though originally published in 1982, its philosophy resonates deeply with contemporary approaches to art education that prioritize individual expression, emotional development, and collaborative meaning-making. As an artist and teacher, I found this book to be both grounding and inspiring.

It reaffirms that meaningful art education can happen anywhere—when we slow down, observe closely, and create with those we care about.

​"Doing Art Together" is more than a teaching guide; it is a quiet call to reclaim art as a communal and joyful practice.

How to Apply for the Prestigious YoungArts Program (2025–2026)

​If you are a young artist—or the parent of one—seeking serious recognition, mentorship, and growth opportunities, the YoungArts National Competition is one of the most important programs to consider. Applications are now open at youngarts.org/apply, and this could be a transformative step in any creative student’s journey.

What is YoungArts?YoungArts is a nationally renowned competition and development program for creative students in the United States. It recognizes artists between the ages of 15 and 18 (or in grades 10–12), across 10 artistic disciplines, including:

• Visual Arts
• Photography
• Film
• Dance
• Theater
• Music (Classical, Jazz, Voice)
• Writing
• Design Arts
  
  ​Being selected as a YoungArts winner provides far more than a title—it offers financial awards (up to $10,000), mentorship by top artists, and even the potential for nomination to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.​

Who Can Apply?To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S.
  
• Be 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12 during the application year
  
• Demonstrate originality, technical skill, and a strong personal voice in their artistic discipline
  

No GPA or test score is required—only artistic excellence.

Why It Matters

​Applying to YoungArts is about more than winning—it’s about connecting with a national network of ambitious creatives, gaining access to scholarship opportunities, and being part of a lifelong community of artists.
As many alumni will tell you, “YoungArts didn’t just open doors—it built the hallway.”