In one of the funnest Creativity Workshop challenges to date, artist Deborah Secor encouraged readers to make the most of the conditions we're handed in life by creating an Emergency Inspiration Kit and using it to paint in a new format. Now it's time to celebrate the artists who rose to the challenge. The editors' choice and the winner of our prize is Andrew Palmer of Portland, Oregon. That's his Emergency Inspiration Kit above. Visit our site to see the painting that netted him the prize and to find out who our runners up were in this round. Congratulations to all those who entered!

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1. Know your models: Painting friends and family members can save you money and time. Plus, your intimacy and familiarity with your subjects will shine through in your work.

2. Limit your social networking and marketing to set periods of time. Waiting for someone to comment on the latest painting you posted online is like watching water boil. It won’t help your artwork.

3. It’s all about momentum. There’s no silver bullet for launching a successful career, but no matter what, you have to keep working. It may happen for you 10 years from now or it may happen tomorrow.

4. Don’t try to do everything yourself. If you can shop certain aspects of your career out, such as the framing of your work, do it to save yourself more time for painting.

5. Set yourself apart. It’s a very competitive field and a retail-based market. Lock into your mission and passion and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.

The subject of Ella (shown above; watercolor on paper, 14x20) is an artist who paints florals. "As a child, I was fascinated by her colorful paintings," says Robinson. "She's in her 90s and is still active in the local arts community."

For more great advice and examples of Mario Robinson's portrait work, check out the April 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist magazine, on newsstands this week.

Did you catch our latest newsletter? If not, click here to take a look. We think you'll like what you see! And by the way, happy Valentine's Day!

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MORE RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS

* Online Seminars for Fine Artists
* Instantly download fine art magazines, books & video workshops
* Sign up for your Artist's Network e-mail newsletter & receive free fine art tips & demos

Looking for an easy way to spice up your acrylics? Try treating the medium more like oil. Terry Harrison shows you how to paint trees using two variations on this technique in this free video sample.