For artists who enjoy creating work that invites reflection rather than providing immediate answers, Imagination 2026: The Unseen offers an inspiring opportunity. Hosted by Mills Pond Gallery in Saint James, New York, this juried exhibition explores the theme of what lies beyond the visible.

Unlike exhibitions that focus on narrative or technical realism, The Unseen encourages artists to create work that leaves room for interpretation. The exhibition statement emphasizes that some images reveal everything at once, while others unfold gradually, inviting viewers to discover new meanings over time.
The jurors are seeking artwork that suggests rather than explains. Pieces featuring hidden narratives, symbolic imagery, emotional depth, psychological presence, and quiet atmospheric moments are especially encouraged. Rather than telling a complete story, successful works should leave space for the viewer to participate in the experience and complete the narrative themselves.

Juror David Reuss explains that he is drawn to artwork with strength, presence, and lasting impact, regardless of style, medium, or subject matter. According to the exhibition description, works that continue to resonate after the initial viewing—revealing greater depth over time—are most likely to stand out.
The exhibition welcomes:

• 2D paintings
• Drawings
• Illustrations
  
  

Accepted traditional media include watercolor, acrylic, oil, gouache, pastel, pencil, charcoal, ink, and mixed media. Photography, digital art, AI-generated artwork, and sculpture are not eligible.

One of the most compelling aspects of this exhibition is its focus on ambiguity and subtlety. Rather than rewarding artwork that explains every detail, Imagination 2026: The Unseen celebrates images that encourage curiosity and personal interpretation. It reminds us that some of the most memorable works of art are those that continue to reveal themselves long after the viewer has left the gallery.

For artists interested in symbolic storytelling, poetic landscapes, dreamlike imagery, or emotionally layered compositions, this exhibition presents an exciting opportunity to explore the unseen dimensions of imagination.

Exhibition Dates: August 15 – September 12, 2026
Entry Deadline: July 15, 2026
Location: Mills Pond Gallery, Saint James, New York
​
This exhibition serves as a reminder that art does not always need to provide answers. Sometimes its greatest strength lies in what it chooses not to reveal.

As someone who creates picture books on a regular basis, I'm always looking for simple and practical tools that make the creative process easier.

Recently, I found a fantastic website that offers free storyboard templates that can be downloaded instantly--no registration or sign-up required. I truly appreciate websites like this that generously share high-quality resources with artists, educators, and storytellers.

Boords provides a variety of storyboard templates for different projects, including animations, videos, and, of course, picture books. The templates are clean, easy to print, and very convenient to use.
​

Recently, I wanted to give my paintings a new feeling. Instead of bold, saturated colors, I was looking for something brighter, more transparent, and softer. That inspired me to try a different watercolor brand, and I have been incredibly happy with my decision.
​
I started using ShinHan Professional Watercolors, and they have quickly become one of my favorite materials.

The first thing I noticed was the beautiful transparency. The colors flow smoothly, layer well, and stay luminous even after multiple washes. They create a fresh, clean look that is perfect for botanical paintings, landscapes, and children's book illustrations.

One recommendation I would like to share is to purchase both the standard color set and the Tint color set.

The standard colors provide a strong foundation and vibrant pigments, while the Tint colors offer soft, pastel-like hues that blend beautifully with traditional watercolor colors. Together, they create a much wider range of delicate and expressive color combinations.

Since adding the Tint set to my palette, I've been able to achieve a warmer and more peaceful atmosphere in my paintings. The soft colors help create illustrations that feel gentle, inviting, and full of emotion. Rather than appearing overly bright or heavy, the artwork has a calm, airy quality that I truly enjoy.

For artists who love children's book illustrations, floral paintings, or nature-inspired artwork, this combination is especially rewarding. It allows you to create soft pastel-style paintings while still maintaining the transparency and freshness that make watercolor so beautiful.

After experimenting with many different watercolor brands over the years, I can honestly say that switching to ShinHan has been one of the most satisfying changes in my painting process. If you're looking for a watercolor that offers brilliant transparency, smooth blending, and beautiful pastel possibilities, I highly recommend giving ShinHan Professional Watercolors a try.

Stars may look simple, but they are surprisingly difficult for many children to draw. Unlike circles or squares, a five-pointed star requires careful control of angles, line direction, and symmetry. It's common to see stars that are uneven, lopsided, or missing the correct shape altogether.

If your students or children struggle with drawing stars, there is a wonderful free resource available online: a printable star-drawing practice worksheet created by artist and educator Tatyana Deniz.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Drawing StarsThis free PDF worksheet helps children learn how to draw stars through a gradual, confidence-building process.

1. Learn the Classic Star MethodThe worksheet begins with a simple dot-to-dot activity. Children connect numbered points in the correct order to create a five-pointed star. This helps them understand the structure of the shape before attempting it independently.

2. Build Muscle MemoryNext, students practice drawing stars repeatedly using guided dots. Repetition helps develop muscle memory, allowing their hands to become familiar with the movements needed to create balanced stars.

3. Draw Stars FreehandIn the final section, children use a smaller star as a guide and draw larger stars around it. This encourages independence and helps them transition from tracing to freehand drawing.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

• Completely free to download and print
• Easy for young children to follow
• Great warm-up activity for art classes
• Helps improve fine motor skills and hand control
• Perfect for holiday, space, patriotic, and seasonal art projects

Classroom IdeasThis worksheet can be used:

• As a 5-minute drawing warm-up
• During shape and geometry lessons
• For holiday-themed art projects
• In sketchbooks for daily drawing practice
• As part of a space, night sky, or patriotic art unit

Free DownloadYou can download the free printable worksheet here:

How to Draw Stars Printable Practice Sheet by Tatyana Deniz
https://tatyanadeniz.com/how-to-draw-star/
​
Learning to draw a beautiful star takes practice, and this printable worksheet provides a simple and effective way for children to build confidence while improving their drawing skills. Whether you're a parent, homeschooler, or art teacher, this free resource is a valuable addition to your collection of drawing activities.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4, the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) has launched a nationwide art and writing contest titled "My Country, My Story."

Open to students from kindergarten through college, as well as members of the public, this contest encourages participants to reflect on what America means to them through both words and art. Each submission includes a 150-word message and a piece of traditional, non-digital artwork such as a drawing, painting, or mixed-media piece.

What I find especially inspiring about this contest is its focus on personal storytelling. Rather than simply looking back at history, students are invited to explore themes of freedom, opportunity, service, leadership, and community through their own experiences and perspectives.

Art has always been a powerful way for young people to express ideas that are difficult to put into words. Whether inspired by family traditions, cultural heritage, everyday life, or dreams for the future, each artwork can become a unique reflection of the artist's connection to this country.
​
Over the coming weeks, I look forward to helping students brainstorm ideas and develop meaningful artwork around the theme "My Country, My Story." As America reaches this historic milestone, it is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to share their voices and tell their own stories through art.

Accepted forms of artwork include drawings (pencil, charcoal or ink), paintings (watercolor, oil or acrylic) and mixed media (collages or prints).

Students from kindergarten through college are invited to participate, and submissions will be evaluated in six age groups to ensure fairness. A seventh category opens the contest to the public.

Submissions must include the entrant’s full name, grade level or category and phone number or email address.

They can be sent by email to [email protected].

Winning entries will be recognized with a gift card and certificate of recognition. They also will be recognized during AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., in October.
​
For more information, click here.

This contest will open on February 23, 2026, and the submission period will close on August 8, 2026. Judging will follow, and winners will be officially announced by October 1, 2026.
 ​