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Metal art

2012-04-13T08:05:00.006+07:00

Metal art has been a very important part of many cultures; it dates back 3000 B.C. when Indians discovered it. Bronze sculptures have been found in Delhi and a variety of metals were used including bronze, bell metal, copper, iron and silver.

Metal sculpture is usually done differently in each region and as an individual travels the world they will find a variety of unique art. From sculptures of deities to intricate etchings, metal has been used to create fancy pieces.

In Africa the Yoruba tribe is famous for its hand hammered, pounded and welded metal sculptures of everyday tools that were needed for farming. Today, metal is used to enhance many home decorations, tables and chairs. They can even be used to take a step back in time to the 1950s look of decore

Metal is also used as enhancements both inside and outside houses. You will see them as garden sculptures, on the sides of buildings and as decorative wall hangings. Metal can be welded to take a variety of different shapes and can enhance the look of just about anything.

A nice effect for metal work is when more than one type of metal is welded or woven together in able to create a two tone affect. Often stainless steel and copper are brought together to create an effect like basket weaving. Metal can also be bent and shaped in a variety of ways to give an effect as though it had several colors instead of two. This type of effect is created by power coating to prevent the metal from losing its color so it makes it a more vibrant color.

Another way that metal is being used for metal art is through plasma cutting. By using a plasma cutter artists are able to make more intricate patterns that is similar to the old fashioned block metal stamping that was done in many people's homes. These give the effect of silhouettes.

A popular item for metal art is farming art. Items like animals and intricate weathervanes are created through the use of metal art. Intricate wind chimes make a different kind of sound when it is metal instead of glass or other types of materials.

There are a variety of websites that offer many different kinds of metal art. Some of them produce art through the use of foundry processes and others make more intricate details with a acetylene torch or other process. Some sites offer everything from Christmas ornaments to fine sculptured clocks, etchings and full scenes in nature.

The machinations of metal art show the versatility of metals, welding processes and the creative spirit of the artists. Some people even create very interesting and sometimes strange sculptures using scrap metal. They use welding torches to weld together pieces and parts of this and that in whatever the creative spirit asks them to do.

Jewelry makers also use metal art to create broaches, beautiful earrings and a variety of smaller metal objects that are appealing to those who are looking for something new and unique. Metal art has enough variety to meet anyone's taste.

Poster, Art Prints Publisher Cum Artist Marta Gotterfriend's Lifetime not to mention Achievements

2012-03-28T12:57:00.003+07:00

Poster, Art Print Publisher cum Musician Marta Gottfried Wiley had been born inside of Mexico. She had been born that would an prize winning artist's family whom had well-known artist exploring their dwellings since that time her childhood. This particular gave her an unique opportunity to progress as a particular artist within the fairly early many years of her everyday living. Her tryst along with various national Mecca gave her some sort of more understanding inside her thoughts and also made her mature enough at a pretty younger age. She originates from the actual exact same tiny destination where Diego Rivera and additionally Frieda Kahlo painted and in addition created master art really works.

Marta ended up being guided then trained art by her grandma which ended up being moreover a award winning musician known by the entire Government of Mexico. She right now there upon went to learn art throughout Mexico then Miami and in addition later Florida in which she attended Art school and also centers on art, philosophy and also music. She later on pursued her degree with regard to arts from Otis Parson School of Design. It was actually since early as her college days that she began that would market her art paintings, designs, posters and additionally art prints within trade concerts, art museums, and certified them by means of art prints and also posters magazines that happened to be delivered for the entire wall art market through out the actual world. Marta these days owns her personal poster and even art prints publishing organization which allows her that would distribute, market as well as market her art paintings, posters, art prints, singing, murals, wall art, dressings and apparels.

Critically acclaimed and additionally awarded writer, musician Matra Gotterfried has written hundreds of famous songs, painted thousands of art really works, printing countless posters plus fine art prints grossing her countless rupees throughout sales by licensing as well as income sharing. Marta has now established a publishing company that sells every one of the her work, the profits of that are donated to a great charity basis. Her talent does not hold her that would 1 average as she typically is acclaimed for her perform well as a painter, musician, writer, musician, fashion designer then a model since she not only participated and obtained Neglect Mexico title for her looks and also credibility she carried together with her. Right now there is not a highly doubt inside the fact that just a very few artists can easily ever achieve such a diverse feat not to mention Marta is actually already regarding the top of her achievements.

Throughout her formative years since a particular art student Marta once had her Heart Brocken which gave her an opportunity to paint on a bare canvas using every one of the her all-natural feelings not to mention outburst. To her disbelief she had painted a masterpiece that has been known as God's Soul. Later utilizing mixed news art she painted Girls and in addition Figurative art that presented females running inside of chaos touching the particular eyes of god then curl about throughout ecstasy. One of her most distinguished art perform well is an accomplished Black horse painting Lepa Zena that is regarded as a symbol of prosperity, electrical power and even income. The art prints of horse plus posters are a definite right seller inside china and even India since you can know them since a favourite for individuals to decorate their walls not to mention also meet upwards with vaastu Shasta art and also feign shui tradition.

Throughout short Marta Gotterfriend is an accomplished uncommon artist which has not just scaled heights by being multi talented and has been mature sufficient that would market her art paintings, music, posters, animal ar prints through out the particular world and additionally make millions out of their sales.

Metal Wall Art - Contemporary Elegance From Art History

2012-03-28T12:35:00.001+07:00

Wonderfully designed objects could certainly help transform our interior surroundings back into a site for residing and even interesting which expresses our private taste and even types our distinctive haven to be able to display with family and even neighbors. Indoor decor as well as wall art assist create a setting that would engage conversation along with a certain spirits alongside ambience, that brings in order to existence this particular wonderful space that is our dwelling that would show along with those nearest to be able to us and in addition like-minded pals. Wall accessories can easily complement the fashion of the home plus providing a interesting part of art which could be abstract, contemporary or simply traditional. Metal wall art has become accustomed convey artistic styles from various art periods not to mention art movements within a technique that is appealing to be able to appeal that would the actual spirits of popular culture in contemporary modern conditions.

You have long adorned art upon the walls that would bring indoor spaces in order to life. Traditionally inside art history we all had been curious throughout art that gave a true representative picture of a matter or object. This type of art corresponded accurately in order to real items for example animals, landscapes, architecture, dwellings and even folks. Continuously throughout the particular impressionist not to mention modernist art eras alongside affects like art nouveau, arts as well as crafts and even more abstract art movements. We come with clearly seen the introduction of more conceptual and also non figurative art since brought to be able to you within the 20th Century. Abstract art allows free utilization of colour and also shapes that would entice our imaginations plus feelings.

Art movements have influenced designs throughout various periods in history. Among different interior shape accessories metal wall art can certainly deliver different styles inside designs to be able to appeal to be able to modern tastes. Contemporary designs depicts art of the present day along with Modernist and also Post Contemporary influences that overlap along with these along with other imaginative movements. The entire boundaries currently are challenged a lot more easily plus unapologetically. Abstract art can be seen as virtually contradictory that would more traditional designs, still its value is now demonstrated and even provided popularity. Because these designs and additionally sculptures portrait just what can not be spotted throughout a particular object, quite interpreted including a particular emotions. The actual interior shape and decor of an setting may adopt different styles for example traditional, Victorian, art deco or alternatively something that's a great deal more modern not to mention contemporary with regard to its styling. If abstract or perhaps conventional with regard to design, interior decor is familiar with bring a piece of art history to the entire decor of an home or simply perform well region with a measure of contemporary elegance.

Framed Art

2012-03-27T13:56:00.002+07:00

By displaying framed art in your home or office, you are complimenting any room you place them in. The best aspect of framed art is that it is quick, easy and relatively inexpensive. Framed art is typically purchased to match décor in a person's home. With such a huge selection available these days you are bound to find some that both interests you and will go perfect in your home.

You very popular thing is actually for the entire artists to enable their perform well that would be transmitted into framed prints. Although this is simply not a brand new thing, a great deal of contemporary artists go unannounced that would the particular globe and also this offers them the actual opportunity to be recognized. Pablo Picasso, Vincent Caravan Gogh, Claude Monet, as well as countless other classic artists will certainly reside on via their artwork forever. Paintings are a lot more expensive compared to framed prints.

Building a appreciation for art assists an individual to develop. Finding art pieces that anyone like comes more natural when you currently have beginning looking at art. By appreciating the particular functions which artists create a person will commence seeing the national aspect of existence. Showing your individual admiration from obtaining of framed art will likely be both wonderful not to mention fulfilling.

Buying framed art for your dwelling or simply office is an accomplished novel option to decorate. Framed prints usually are accessible of almost every single well-known painting or photograph. But precisely what part do you purchase? You may start alongside a neutral wall paint immediately after which add color by placing framed art found on the wall as well as then add a number of matching throw cushions to be able to your sofa. Framed art typically is reasonably inexpensive, offering you the actual chance to be able to change the particular look whenever you select that would. So give consideration to obtaining framed artwork for virtually any season or simply unique event.

Framed art is an accomplished quick as well as easy answer to be able to redecorating a space, for two reasons. 1 - due to the fact the choice of artists then prints is massive. 2 - framed art is a copy of every kind of art, such as paintings, pictures, anything. Framed art is actually reasonably priced as well as looks decent when they tend to be framed. Art Prints, could certainly come either framed or unframed that can be some sort of advantage whenever you never such as a frame that you part of art typically is in. Buyers can select to be able to make the framed art any kind of approach us wish.

Magic Tips - Black Art

2012-03-27T13:43:00.003+07:00

Black art is actually an age-old shape of magic which typically is seldom selected currently inside its authentic form. The particular impact black art produces is actually fantastic, it is actually as close that would trick photography as possible receive without a camera!

A magician practising black art can find a stage and even dim the particular lights. While he and his assistants happen to be wearing white, the audience will likely see them. The actual performers then command items in order to occur as well as move around. Versions of 'sawing a female in half' usually are performed and you may see the particular couple halves mobile round the actual stage, only that would be melted back with him or her, and / or simply just disappear. The possibilities happen to be endless, and additionally all the leave the entire potential clients feeling mystified.

The particular theory behind black art typically is that everything in black colored will not be watched against a black colored background. This particular means during the commence associated with the performance, there is lots of goods regarding the stage covered within a black colored fabric as well as won't be spotted. The magician simply removes the cloth and even voila, some sort of item has showed up. Disembodied bodies will move around by wearing black colored trousers, or perhaps a black colored jumper. Assistants dressed completely throughout black colored could make items, such as individuals, fly around the entire stage.

This particular form of magic truly allows the entire imagination in order to go wild. A lot of things usually are quite possible by way of a bit of creativeness along with a pot of black colored paint! Black art typically is truly the particular cleverest and also easiest magic to be able to perform.

Black art is typically performed inside silence since it is a mystical show to view, nonetheless never be afraid in order to speak - a voice is extremely effective coming from the entire darkness, heightening the illusion.

Though in order to a person, the entire performer, absolutely nothing will feel like wonder, to the particular potential clients, the entire whole performance will certainly blow their heads away. It happens to be very suggested to manufacture a video of the performance so you can see the actual show from the alternative side of the stage. From the side of the stage, everything is actually noticeable - anyone can see the actual props and assistants.

To enhance the illusion, a couple artists come with lights above, under plus to be able to the actual side associated with the stage gently shining during the potential clients to be able to further lower the particular amount they can see. Throughout complete darkness, still, a particularly eerie performance can be accomplished. An additional alternative is actually to be able to incorporate 'black-light' (i.e. UV light), which makes white not to mention many different colours come to lifetime, exiting black colored inside of darkness.

In order to end the actual performance, the actual magician has a wide range of possibilities ranging from floating off the stage, in order to slowly being engulfed by darkness (to be able to do this, incorporate a big part of black cloth which begins found on the floor and even is actually slowly lifted upwards by two assistants to block us from view).

Inside a nutshell, your imagination not to mention imagination is actually really the only maximum for this fine art.

Art Sets: Options and Practicality

2012-03-27T13:23:00.005+07:00

One of the best gifts given to my daughter this holiday season was a drawing and sketching art set. Of course, she really loves all those different types of sketching tools included: graphite not to mention charcoal pencils; watercolor plus pastel pencils; paper, erasers then sharpeners; blending tools (known as "tortillons," I learned); and also metallic coloured pencils. This poised comes inside of a wooden case, along with two compartments along with a built-in easel. Whenever a great art project is complete ( or perhaps at the least whenever life demands attention again), it may be shut up and even carried along with its leather handle.

Art sets are really certainly not simply just whole of drawing and in addition sketching tools. They component each and every sort of art supply you are able to imagine. And additionally a person don't need to be a pro artist, since art sets are built to meet the actual demands of youngsters, amateurs and also professionals as well.

Children's art sets not just make beautiful presents, but yet they supply the particular necessary art materials for hours of creative enjoyment. Art sets geared toward youngsters typically consist of finger or perhaps watercolor paints, markers, colored pencils, stamps and additionally stamp pads, and pastels. They conveniently come in handy carrying situations, creating them both transportable and additionally practical.

For the recreational plus pro artists, the entire possibilities are really unlimited. Pastime as well as create retailers provide a type of art set choices, since do art supply stores. From watercolor, acrylic then oil paints, to be able to pastel sticks, in order to charcoal plus graphite mediums, indeed there is a set for a person. Often, brushes are really included, because are tiny palettes then cleaning mediums. Various actually come through a little, poseable figurine, known as a manikin.

Whenever looking for some sort of art ready, 1 significant point to keep in mind is the fact that number generally refuses to indicate top quality. Easily put, while sets providing every medium within a box for a low price sound promising, the entire art materials within these types of are really typically low quality. Alongside that mentioned, these types of inexpensive sets are suitable presents for more aged girls and boys, whom appreciate art simply for the actual sake of creating anything with their very own hands. A different point about cost would be that purchasing a set of watercolor pipes, for example, typically costs less than buying open stock supplies.

When purchasing a particular art set, a wise rule of thumb is actually to purchase the number one top quality ready within a price tag range. Actually if your needs don't give consideration to your self a real artist, buying top quality art materials will certainly allow you to be successful inside of translating the entire visions throughout the mind's eye into precious, real art.

Warrior Classics - The Art of War

2012-03-26T20:43:00.000+07:00

Traditional Chinese warrior philosopher Master Tsun's--or Tsun Tzu's--wisdom is accumulated into a work generally known as "The entire Art of War". Although a great deal of this particular piece is mostly about military strategy not to mention concentrates on the actual attributes of the commander as well as the best methods of manipulating fights, Master Tsun has a couple of great philosophical nuggets which is used by individuals wanting to follow the particular warrior's path.

For specific thing, Master Tsun argues that actual battle represents a form of defeat. Inside of truth, a remarkable military leader ought to be able in order to align the circumstances and in addition manipulate the enemy into believing that battle is unnecessary: "that would winnings a hundred victories with regard to a 100 battles typically is not the greatest excellence; the greatest quality is actually in order to subdue the actual enemy's military without the need of fighting at every one of the." This may need to do along with managing important advantage.

"Just about all determinate circumstances is turned to benefit. The actual able commander can create differentials and therefore solutions by manipulating his position plus the position associated with the enemy. By growing a full learning associated with the aspects which define your relationship alongside the enemy, as well as by actively controlling then shaping the particular circumstances to ensure that the entire weaknesses of the enemy are exposed to be able to your acquireds strength, one is actually able to ride the entire force of circumstances to victory" (Roger Ames, introduction to Tsun Tzu).

Among the ideas central that would Master Tsun's strategy is the fact that of yin as well as yang, or simply light plus dark (incidentally, this particular concept is actually central ot much Chinese philosophy). The entire idea here would be that all things wax and in addition wane, and they are governed by a particular type of harmony--the balance in between light not to mention dark. This flowing--of darkness into week, of victory back into defeat--can be picked up upon. So, as a happen, "strategic advantage" is found in every circumstances, but yet the particular way of attaining such a benefit will differ. Thereby, "a great military could not currently have fixed strategic benefit or perhaps invariable position... none occupies a continual position; the particular days are really both short and also long; the particular moon waxes and in addition wanes."

Among the ideas central that would Master Tsun's strategy is the fact that of yin as well as yang, or simply light plus dark (incidentally, this particular concept is actually central ot much Chinese philosophy). The entire idea here would be that all things wax and in addition wane, and they are governed by a particular type of harmony--the balance in between light not to mention dark. This flowing--of darkness into week, of victory back into defeat--can be picked up upon. So, as a happen, "strategic advantage" is found in every circumstances, but yet the particular way of attaining such a benefit will differ. Thereby, "a great military could not currently have fixed strategic benefit or perhaps invariable position... none occupies a continual position; the particular days are really both short and also long; the particular moon waxes and in addition wanes."

Exactly how does specific do this particular? By cultivating awareness.

There are always a informative type of approaches of carrying this out. Specific will be meditation. Another may be simply paying attention that would the ebb then flow of details, rather than lurching back into action or alternatively response head-long.

By being familiar associated with the "offer and take" of every situation, every one of the circumstances is "parlayed into some sort of opportunity." A keen strategist is actually able to adapt to virtually any circumstances, turning its particularity back into a benefit.

Art on Canvas - Understanding and Buying Canvas Art

2012-03-26T20:36:00.002+07:00

Art is actually integral aspect of people's lives. Art is found in numerous various forms with regard to dwellings as well as offices. The two include a touch of elegance and additionally sophistry that can not be brought by anything else. Art is mostly about creativeness as well as it is very a great expansion of the artist's character and also existence. Art is actually expression of individuality and fashion by the individual that usually remain long shortly after their passage. Canvas art is greatly admired by individuals no matter whether since a part of design or simply an actual collectible. Indeed there are a great deal of artists inside the market as well as it is probable in order to choose from a huge range of styles as well as designs. For those who fully understand almost all pertaining to art appreciation then its lots of procedures, picking from designs not to mention artists perform well might be simpler. Yet for all those which just really love a part of work plus buy inside of intuition because well canvas art is a quality preference. Art function can easily be performed on a wide range of various base components and canvas is regarded as the particular countless choices that you can buy.

Canvas art has evolved a good deal finished the entire ages, earlier linen canvas was actually used, then came cotton ones. Cotton though continues to certainly not highly preferred as it tends to be able to stretch as well as various artists choose to nevertheless make use of linen.

Ready created ones are furthermore on the market of cardboard but yet many artists like to prepare their very own that persists longer and even is going to not spoil easily. Various kinds of canvas art are there, there are really water color paintings, oil paintings, charcoal sketches, and even perform well completed with a number of materials. The entire consistency associated with the painting is actually truly significant not to mention chooses exactly how it can look whenever the work is actually complete. That would have the ability that would make a painting with no canvas peering out and in addition not an brush strokes clear is the entire ultimate achievement for a particular musician aimed at their work.

Some other common form of canvas art is actually the actual Bayeux tapestry and that is a particular embroidered fabric depicting numerous milestones with regard to England's conquest by the Normans. It has a linen canvas along with wool embroidery upon it. Right now there tend to be different yarn clothing found in hues like olive green, dull gold, russet brown and even a lot more. The embroidery typically is filled throughout once the actual outline is carried out.

This tapestry has several mysteries associated with the function which makes all of it the particular more alluring throughout the art planet. Reproductions come with quite often definitely not included a a good deal of the actual details which could very well appear vulgar in order to some individuals. There are generally many images not to mention symbols included at this site whose meaning is actually not but well-defined and raises lots of questions. Right now there have been a great deal of replicas manufactured this particular part of canvas art on show throughout museums all over the world. Indeed there is additionally hand painted replicas of this function found throughout some places.

Ordering art as well as appreciating art is not anything all the people can be as expected talented art. In the event you desire to discover more prior to acquiring a superior part of canvas art, buyers could attend art appreciation classes plus gain a more thorough learning of it. Art upon Canvas - Getting and in addition Learning Canvas Art

Art is an fundamental piece of people's life. Art typically is found throughout a lot of various forms inside of dwellings plus offices. The two add a touch of elegance not to mention sophistry that cannot be brought by whatever else. Art typically is about creativity and it's an expansion of the artist's personality plus existence. Art is actually expression of individuality then fashion by the individual that definitely will stay lengthy soon after their passage. Canvas art is actually greatly admired by people regardless of whether because a part of decoration or simply some sort of actual collectible. There are a great deal of artists throughout the market and additionally it is actually possible to select from a large array of designs not to mention designs. For all those whom recognize almost all with regards to art appreciation as well as its plenty of rules, picking from styles and artists work could well be simpler. However for all those which simply love a part of work then purchase inside of intuition also canvas art typically is a advantageous preference. Art perform well may very well be done upon a wide range of various base components and also canvas is regarded as the many choices for sale.

Canvas art has progressed a great deal finished the particular ages, earlier linen canvas ended up being selected, consequently came cotton ones. Cotton nevertheless remains certainly not highly preferred as it tends to be able to stretch as well as plenty of artists choose to nevertheless utilize linen.

Prepared prepared ones tend to be furthermore for sale of cardboard however, numerous artists love to get ready their own which persists longer and also will likely not spoil quite easily. Various kinds of canvas art exist, right now there usually are H2O color paintings, oil paintings, charcoal sketches, then perform well done along with multiple materials. The actual consistency associated with the painting is actually very important and in addition decides just how it is going to search once the perform well typically is complete. In order to be able to be able to make a painting without canvas peering out not to mention no brush strokes obvious is actually the best achievement for a great musician aimed at their perform well.

Yet another prevalent shape of canvas art typically is the actual Bayeux tapestry and is some sort of embroidered cloth depicting a number of milestones throughout England's conquest by the Normans. It has a linen canvas along with wool embroidery upon it. Right now there are various yarn clothes used in colors like olive green, dull gold, russet brown as well as more. The actual embroidery typically is filled in once the entire outline typically is done.

This tapestry has several mysteries associated with the perform well which makes it all the particular more alluring within the art world. Reproductions currently have inside of many cases not contained a great deal of the information which may appear vulgar to be able to some individuals. There are really many images as well as symbols included at this site whose meaning typically is definitely not however well-defined and additionally raises countless concerns. Right now there have been a countless replicas prepared of this part of canvas art upon show within museums about the world. There is as well hand painted replicas of this work found inside certain areas.

Obtaining art and in addition appreciating art typically is certainly not something just about every person can be naturally talented art. In case you desire to learn a lot more prior to acquiring a wise part of canvas art, you could attend art appreciation classes and additionally gain a more detailed learning of it.

Top 5 Social Networks Particularly for Artists

2010-11-14T16:55:00.001+07:00

Even if you have already got your personal portfolio web site, social networks can amplify your on-line presence.

Although your work will be similiar in each portfolio you create, you may be reaching a new audience on each site. You may be meeting new people, exposing them to your work, and making new connections by placing your portfolio within totally different communities.

There are plenty of social networks - try joining sites tailored to your talents. Undergroundfilm and Videoart are social networks specifically designed for filmmakers and video artists. Under is a list of five social networks which have creative individuals in mind.

Deviantart

http://www.deviantart.com/

Founded in August 2000, deviantART is the largest online social network for artists and art enthusiasts with over 13 million registered members.
Featured Profile: Arenyth - Digital Painter Based in Belmot, CA

Behance

http://www.behance.net/

The Behance Network is a platform for creative professionals across all industries.
Featured Profile: ISE Ratinan Thaijareorn, Illustrator based on Bangkok, Thailand

Spraygraphic

http://www.spraygraphic.com/

Spraygraphic is a virtual comunity for creative minds. Founded in Feb 2005 by Chuck Banaszewski and Matt Krise.
Featured Profile: Simonas Sileika, Photographer based in Vilnius, Lithuania

Videoart.net

http://www.videoart.net/

Videoart.net was founded by video artists and filmmakers based in New York City, and is dedicated to video art and short films but interested in any artist utilizing the video medium.
Featured Profile: Lar Peterson Hernandez

IndieGoGo

http://www.indiegogo.com/

IndieGoGo is a collaborative way to fund ideas. Founded in 2008 with the objective of providing any idea (creative, cause or entrepreneurial) the tools and process to raise money, offer perks and keep 100% ownership.
Featured Profile: John Trigonis, indie filmmaker & poet based in Jersey City, NJ

How To Draw Cartoons For Kids Who Love Drawing

2010-01-15T12:20:00.000+07:00

If your child likes to draw cartoons, your child may be showing off a talent that may by his career. How to draw cartoons for kids, gives them time to practice to become better as they grow up. As a parent, you can do some things to help your child practice drawing. Purchase some drawing material such as paper, pens and pencils for your child so they can prosper in their new hobby. These hobbies should not be ignored, if a kid really enjoys drawing, be sure to encourage their talent.

Being able to draw is a talent; it has nothing to do with education. You want your child to keep at his talent by practicing and they will improve. You want to do some research about drawing. There is information all over the internet providing tips on drawing and becoming a cartoonist. Visit your local library and check out books about the related topic.

It is a good idea to keep a portfolio for your child. By doing so, you can easily store each drawing and he or she can look back at past drawings from their younger years to see how much they progressed. This will also give them inspiration to continue and it is rewarding to the kid.

Learning how to draw cartoons for kids who really are interested may eventually consider this as a career. This can be very beneficial if they continue to practice and meet the right people. This is why a lot of research will help.

If you have a computer in your home, using the internet can be a useful tool for your child to learn some tips and suggestions. Learning how to draw cartoons for kids is quite simple this way. Be sure to utilize all resources for your child to be able to prosper in their drawings.

As years go by, you can suggest to your child to practice their writing skills. Although this isn't required to be successful, it is useful to have. Typically a cartoonist has excellent writing skills. As your child practices more, they increase their chances of becoming the next Jack Kirby.

Author:Trevor Johnson

how to spot a (potentially) bad customer

2010-01-05T12:12:00.003+07:00

Freelance artists often need to go the extra mile to create customer confidence, and encourage potential clients to commission artwork.

Many artists advertise their services using the Internet, and populate their web pages with example works to demonstrate their style and competency. From the artist’s perspective, the Internet is a great marketing tool.

A web site is arguably not such a good shop front from the customer’s perspective. The difficulty the client faces is that they cannot be sure how their artwork commission will turn out, nor how it will appear full size and in the flesh. In short, commissioning artwork on the strength of Internet images can be a bit of a risk.

Many Internet artists seek to mitigate the prospect of disappointment and dissatisfaction by working on the basis of either a small deposit, or no down payment at all. The artist bares the whole risk: if the customer is not happy, they pay nothing. Generally, this approach works very well, but occasionally results in a great deal of work by the artist for no reward. Most practitioners accept this possibility, but it can be quite a downer when you (the artist) know you have done a good job, but the customer seems to have completely different expectations, and rejects the work.

Sadly, artists using the Internet will inevitably encounter customers who act without any apparent sincerity, and commission works that they have little intention of ever buying.

A problem with email correspondence (normally the vehicle of Internet transactions) is that it is harder to read between the lines of any dialog. To put it another way – there is no body language, and it can be tough to differentiate between the genuine enquiries and those where the client is playing a game.

The point of this article is to attempt to highlight some of the traits that may signal a bad customer. The following hints are by no means fool proof, but merely good indicators of potentially disingenuous clients.

If someone genuinely wants an artwork to be produced, they can be expected to put a bit of effort into communicating their requirements, and evaluating their chosen artist. The first warning signs are therefore:

1. Enquiries that are extremely brief, and sloppy (poor grammar and spelling), and;

2. Enquiries that pose questions that are clearly answered on the artist’s web site.

Be wary of enquires that ask, “can you do this picture”, rather than specify wishes (like the size required, etc). This indicates a lackadaisical attitude to the purchase.

Similarly, be suspicious of enquires raised because the customer cannot be bothered to use your web pages to find an answer (like asking for an address that’s on your contact page).

Idleness is a good indication that the customer expects you to jump through hoops to please them. If a client has unreasonable customer service expectations, they may have other awkward perspectives too?

When customers ask questions that are answered on your web site, simply refer them to the appropriate page on your site rather than invest time in drafting a comprehensive reply. To put it another way, make your response effort equal to that of the enquiry.

Most of us proceed with some caution before embarking upon any purchase. Whilst we might like to have portraits of all our loved ones, we tend to dip our toes in the water before commissioning a gallery of paintings.

3. Be suspicious of anyone that commissions multiple artworks (unless they have purchased work from you before): this is not normal behaviour.

You should be especially on your guard against anyone who attempts to commission several pictures of the same subject. It’s possible that the customer may be planning to get you to complete three paintings with the intention of only buying the one they like most?

If your customer wants more than one picture, suggest a staged approach; do the first painting, get paid for it, and then tackle the next.

Lean to recognise, and respond to your gut feelings. If you feel that a particular enquiry is potentially insincere, answer it, but leave the customer with a question to answer (e.g. when do you need the artwork by, etc). By placing the ball back in the client’s court you give them the opportunity to authenticate their interest in a purchase. Genuine customers will willingly feed you with information.

Try asking for a deposit. Genuine customers will happily provide a small good-will down payment.

There is nothing wrong with operating in a manner that mitigates customer risk, but you need to also diminish your own vulnerability to bogus commissions, and proceed in a slightly different manner when a customer shows:

few signs of taking any effort to express their desires,
study your advertising, or
exhibits absolutely no signs of caution about buying unseen goods.

by John Burton

Artist Website-Marketing Strategies that Every Artist Website Must Have

2009-11-22T11:02:00.000+07:00

Selling Art Online: Your website should be an integral part of your marketing offering your art for sale. The website is like having your own physical gallery and if the website is set up correctly, it should do your marketing and talking for you. Imagine if someone told you that you have to show your portfolio to numerous clients situated all over the world at the same time. Not physically possible , but that is exactly what your website will do for you.

Your website strategy has to be 2 fold 1) get the maximum number of people to your site- traffic

2) increase the conversion rate i.e get them to take the desired action

Here I will share with you Tricks to help you in making your website visitors take the desired action

1) Make Sure Your Website Looks Professional and Portrays the Image You Want to Show

Just like a physical gallery, your website should be clean, uncluttered, your background and image display should be like the walls of a gallery giving your visitor a pleasant experience that can be remembered. Make sure the Images you upload and clean and professionally done.

Now for the Cool Stuff

2) Use Your Website to Start Building a Relationship with your Prospects and Clients

Include in your home page what is called an Opt In Box which is simply a box where visitors can leave their name and email details. You will have to give a compelling reason for them to give you their details. Unless they really like your art, they will not easily join your mailing list. So give away FREE reports that will educate them about aspects of buying art and then you can start communicating with them and giving them a chance of getting to know you. Can you see how powerful this can be.

3) Make Use of Videos

You already know how powerful You Tube is. Using videos will propel your business as people love videos. You can have a video on your home page introducing yourself to the visitor or showing them works in progress. This way, they will become a part of the process of your art creation as you reveal videos of the progress of your works.

4) Create A Blog

Through your blog, you will be able to give your followers and prospects a chance to see what you are doing on a day to day basis and how your career is progressing. If you are organising an exhibition, the blog will give updates on what is happening and again help in formulating that relationship and interest in you. Similar strategies are used on Facebook and other social media sites especially Twitter.

5) Build Your Credibility

If you have testimonials or exposure in the press, this should be put onto the home page. This is because when people land on the website, if they can straight away see an example of your art work and the buzz around you, then they will want to stay and find out more.

6) Measurement and Statistics

In order to get more conversions, you need to be able to measure what works and what does not and this is through having your website fitted with tracking tools such as Google Analytics which can show you where the visitors are coming from and what action they are taking.

I hope the above information is useful to you. To Your Art Success

Author: Juzer Kimti

Globalizing Performing Artists Careers and Performances

2009-11-17T09:11:00.000+07:00

Of course its understandable when people crock their heads and perk their ears up a bit, as if they did not hear me the first time. "Globalizing" artists careers is what I said and that is exactly what I meant.

It stands to reason that this is the next natural step in the "evolution" of entertainment. Think about it. We have done just about all we can do with the stage and its devices (God from the machine). From the times of great Greek thinkers like Plato, Socrates, Aristotle and Greek tragedy Commander Euripides, much time has passed.

Moving on past the stage to motion and audio media has been exploited to its fullest capacity, so much to that point that admittedly every one seems to agree, "what is left?" After hundreds upon hundreds of years of reworking the same themes, dogma, trials and philosophies over and over, truly, "what is left?"

Enter: Superstar-case. Not only Supers.... but its "family" of related entities and believers. You may want to be one of the naysayers like a certain Professor Kevin..., rant, rave and curse all you like. The end of an era is at hand. A new dimension of life is unfolding as we read,... or write..., or speak.

Best you contemplate the profundity of what IS going on rather than remain cocooned in your own self absorption, trying to belittle those less privileged than you, who may be recipients of the benefits of an outstanding education.

Unfortunately, some of us work for a living or have beautiful, but poor parents, who can ill afford such luxuries no matter how much their heart desires to fulfill a child dream. And yes, we the children do dream, dare I?

The one thing that sets us all apart on the playing field, regardless of the circumstances we are born into, is a little thing called life.

Whether you agree with its fairness or not, simply put, that is life!

Nevertheless, back to the subject at hand. It seems the only natural progression that seems to fit with all the dynamic changes that have occurred these last few years is the "internationalization", the "globalization" of performing artists and content creators abilities and careers.

Can you imagine the awesomeness of what could and would be created if these two inimitable forces are joined at the hip in a cohesive union of the best and brightest from both genres?

Start thinking about it...

Author: Kenny Beck

Modern Art and Expressing Emotion

2009-11-05T22:00:00.001+07:00

One of the most common sayings you hear about art these days is that it expresses the artist's emotions. Indeed, this has become what many people believe to be the whole point of modern art. While it may be true that a work of art indirectly expresses the artist's emotion, this is not the point of it, and it is not even an essential aspect of art.

Lets look at one of the usual definitions of art that you hear today, that it is a physical creation that expresses emotion. The first part of this is right, art does have to be a physical creation. That is an essential aspect of it; if someone were calling something non-physical a work of art, they would be incorrect. This will be explained further after a few other points.

As far as expressing the artist's emotion, of what value would that be to anyone? What would be the point of knowing the artist's emotions at the time they created a work of art? Why would they make a whole painting for that? What is important about any of that?

Whether someone was happy or sad at a particular moment in time is of no real concern to me, and does not warrant artistic creation. This idea makes art all about the artist and excludes everyone else from any real value. Art is not just about the person who creates it.

The problem most people have is they concern themselves too much with the creation of art, not the work of art itself. Most people assume that works of art in themselves have no purpose, so they focus on the action of their creation.

But works of art do have a purpose. We know this because they have been part of human existence since before language or civilization or just about anything. Something without a point would not be so intertwined with human life.

So what is that purpose? It is to express values. A work of art, if it is a work of art, should express mental ideas of values in physical form. It makes complex and deep abstractions on life available to the five senses. These values will elicit emotion, just as they do in other forms, just like when someone tells you a political belief that you strongly disagree with you get angry.

So it is not the artist's emotions that are being expressed, it is their ideas on what's important and valuable in life. The focus on emotion has lead to some of the worst art ever created being accepted by people.

When people see a modern artist making random splotches of paint, they assume that the artist is expressing their emotion, and they let the work be considered art. This is a mistake. Art is far too important to not think about and analyze. Modern art has gone astray and people need to have the courage to point out when something should not be called art.

Author:R Stevens

The Origins of Glass Art

2009-10-26T07:40:00.000+07:00

Cut glass and glass blowing production came from ancient techniques and were gradually refined over the ages. Cut glass objects were used as commodities, gifts, and jewelry in past millennia. Today exquisite cut crystal is sought after for its heirloom qualities and gifting allure.

Natural glass, like obsidian, is a dense volcanic glass, and has been used by man for millennia. To early man, obsidian glass was an extremely rare and valuable commodity, Because of the way volcanic glass fractures, sharp edges occur. This inherent quality of natural cut glass was put to use and was often made into sharp spear points and blades.

Man-made rudimentary glass was made from silica sand, plant ash and lime. Over time it was discovered that if glass was heated until it became semi-liquid, it may be molded or shaped and left to cool into a solid new piece or vessel. In ancient times glass pieces were valued as a substitute for precious stones, gems, and gifts.

During first century BC, the craft of melting and blowing glass into useable objects was developed. Glass pieces and items gradually became more common after the discovery of glassblowing. Objects such as vases, bottles, and cruets were mouth blown and mold blown during the Roman Empire, usually for ordinary purpose and daily use.

Common glass normally has a greenish hue. The green tint is caused by miniscule amounts of iron impurities in the sand used to make glass. Glass producers learned to make decorative and colored glass by adding metallic compounds and mineral oxides such as cobalt. Colored glass of reds, blues and greens became prevalent. After craftsmen learned to score and cut glass, they found clear glass refracted light in spectacular fashion. Thus, clear cut glass became popular, and demand for colored glass plummeted.

Around 1000 AD, a new development was made in glassmaking. The glass making component of soda-lime, was replaced by potash obtained from wood ashes. From this time on, glass from the northern part of Europe differed greatly from that made in the Mediterranean area, where soda-lime remained in common use. Centuries later in Bohemia, ashes from beech trees were used. The production of Bohemian "forest glass" was progressively refined over the years.

During the 11th century new ways of making sheet glass came about in Germany. Glass blowers would blow spheres, and then form them into cylinders. They would cut the glass while still hot and then flatten the glass into sheets. Glass makers in Venice, Italy improved this method in 13th century. By the late 1300's there was as many as 20 glassworks in Bohemia and Moravia. The 12th century saw the arrival of stained glass production. Stained glass, another form of colored glass, was made by adding metal impurities. Church and monastery applications of stained glass can be traced back to examples that remain today, i.e. St. Bartholomew church in Kolin. A glass wall mosaic is preserved there from around 1380.

Venice became the dominant center for glassmaking during the 14th century. Here new glass making methods were developed and export trade such as mirrors, tableware, and decanters flourished. Secrets of glass making were highly guarded in Venice, but eventually glass workers moved to other areas of Europe taking their knowledge and skill with them. As ornate glassworks became more popular, Royalty began ordering decorative glass articles to be made, to give as gifts of distinction for occasions.

A technique called "the Crown glass process" was used to make glass until the mid part of the 1800s. A glassblower would spin around 9 lbs of molten glass at the end of a rod until it spread out into a flat disk nearly 5 feet across. The glass disk would then be cut into panes. Glass from Venice was highly prized for over four centuries as they managed to keep this technique secret. In 1688, a method for casting glass was invented. This led to glass and glass panes in becoming a much more common material. The glass pressing machine was invented in 1827 and facilitated mass production of relatively inexpensive glass items. The glass pioneer, William J. Blenko, is recognized as first glass producer in America to use the cylinder method of creating flat glass by the 1920s.

The Bohemian countries of Czech and Slovakia are still known today as two of the finest cut glass and cut crystal producers in the world. Cut crystal pieces are prized as elegant anniversary and birthday gifts.

Author:John Simon

Health and Safety for Artists

2009-10-21T15:07:00.001+07:00

Know the potential dangers of the materials you use

Many of the chemicals found in art supplies are carcinogenic, and can present health risks if not handled properly. Some are potential skin irritants (some Acrylics contain a small amount of ammonia or formaldehyde), some should not be inhaled (pastel dust is very nasty), while others are highly flammable (turpentine).

Most art supply manufactures are extremely safety conscious, and publish full details of possible risks associated with their products.

Don't be complacent: take the time and effort to find out what the health risks are for the materials you, and observe any recommended precautions.

Do you visit clients in their homes?

If you visit clients in there homes, never visit anyone without leaving details with a friend. Tell them who you are visiting and where you are going . Let them know what time you expect to return home, and arrange to phone when you return to confirm that you are safe. If possible, take a friend with you the first time you visit a new client.
Public Liability Insurance, protects the policyholder in respect of their legal liability for injury or damage to third parties arising out of, and in course of, their business.

Do you allow clients to visit you at home?

In today's compensation culture, when accidents happen, some people look to blame others. If you allow clients to visit you at home, you have a duty of care to ensure their safety, and there is always a risk they may trip or fall, which could prove very costly.

If you need to meet clients in your home (for example, you may teach from home), then you need third party public liability insurance.

Do you publicly exhibit your work?

Similarly to the above, if you exhibit work, it is always worth checking whether the event organisers have obtained appropriate insurance. You may be required to make your own arrangements.

Networking

The work of an artist is generally solitary, and anyone engaged in this occupation should consider the occasional need to network with other artists.

The benefits of networking

There are a number of benefits to networking, but briefly it allows the sharing of ideas, knowledge of best practice, and prevents feelings of isolation.

For example, you might need occasional technical advice, want to know how others deal with routine administrative tasks (say packing and posting pictures), or maybe just let off steam - to someone that understands!

Internet forums for Artists

There are a number of different means by which networking can be accomplished, but the simplest, and most accessible, is to find and join an Internet artist’s forum.

When choosing a forum, there are two broad considerations: the size and activity of the membership, and the forum’s focus.

The number of members, and number of posts, is usually detailed at the foot of the forum’s home page. A sizeable membership (1000s) is normally an indication that the forum is a lively hub. Small memberships (a few 100) tend to indicate a less thrilling and responsive community.

Membership of a forum with a reasonable level of members/activity, and a narrower focus, can be the most gratifying. You are more likely to feel a kinship with, and derive a benefit from communicating with people who share your particular branch of art. Conversely, with a more general forum there is a greater possibility of meeting people with radically different ideas (the realist and the abstract expressionist struggle to share ideas, or knowledge of best practice).

Author: John Burton

Taiko

2009-10-12T17:15:00.003+07:00

The Japanese Art of Drumming

For many years I have had an interest in Taiko, the Japanese art of drumming. The literal translation of the word taiko from the Japanese means "big drum." So when you hear someone refer to taiko drums, if taken literally they are actually saying, "big drum drums." Taiko is the generic term and is used when referring to the style of drumming.

I don't know if it's the sound they create or whether it is my amazement at the player's discipline, precision and stamina. Probably a mixture of all of the above.

My main hobby is the martial arts, and in my mind Taiko players share many of the same attributes as martial artists. For example, the commitment to practice and developing skills, the cultivation of stamina/energy and a certain amount of showmanship are shared by both. In Japan practitioners learn the art of Taiko in a Dojo; the literal translation is, "place of the way". Exponents of Karate will also attend a Dojo. In both instances the training and the transmission of the arts are rigidly structured and highly disciplined.

In recent years I have noted a rise in the number of opportunities to see Taiko troupes in Britain. Not all the groups are Japanese and there is a wealth of talented British players. Pretty much all of the events are well attended. There is even some fusion stuff going on, it may not be for the traditionalist but it is really interesting.

Taiko has even made it into the corporate world and companies or organisations can use Taiko as a team building exercise. There is also a number of Taiko Groups that run evening classes and weekend workshops for the enthusiastic amatuers amongst us.

One of the drawbacks in the UK is that drums are very, very expensive and equipment is hard to source. I should know I spent long enough looking for a pair of bachi (drumsticks) for my wife, in the end I made them for her.

This year we saw the 5th Annual Taiko Festival held in Exeter and was organised by Kagemusha Taiko. The 6th Annual Taiko Festival is already being organised and again it will take place in Exeter on 16-18th July 2010.

So what is the appeal of Taiko?
For some reason drums of all kinds from Samba to African seem to evoke an almost primeval instinct within many people. It may have something to do with the fact you can actually feel the music and rhythm.

Hey, it may not be for everyone, but you should go and see a Taiko troupe in action. You would need to be pretty cold not to be impressed on one level or another.

My name is Malcolm Murphy and I own and run http://www.ichinisanbachi.com a company that manufactures and sells bachi (Taiko Drumsticks). To the best of my knowledge Ichi Ni San Bachi is the only company in Britain where you can buy bachi online.

It came about by a strange quirk of fate: when trying to find a set of bachi for my wife it became apparent that nobody in the UK provided this particular service, and if I wanted to buy them I would need to pay through the nose for them as they would have to be imported. Once I had made them for my wife, other Taiko Players asked her where she had managed to get them and the rest is now history.

Three Rules For Creating Great Lively Drawings

2009-08-27T14:09:00.001+07:00

Even adept artists sometimes have a hard time when creating realistic three-dimensional drawings. Of course they know the fundamental principles and create naturalistic drawings intuitively. But sometimes even the most skilled discover parts in their artwork that appear distorted and not natural.

For novices it's even much harder, they have to practice hard to move up a training curve. It is well-known that outstanding drawing abilities are the outcome of hard practicing. Instead learning the three most important rules of three-dimensional drawing will make things easier . They will be a shortcut to improving your drawing skills and help even adept draftsmen to pinpoint parts that need reworking.

So what causes a drawing look naturalistic and third-dimensional? There are three rules that add to the realistic appearance of your pictures. Each of them has to be mastered. Collectively they ensure outstanding results:

* Composition
* Perspective
* Illumination and Darknesses

Composition

Does composition actually add to the three-dimensional appearing of your images? Naturally! The three-dimensional appearance of any picture has much to do with the relation connecting the various objects within the picture. You can produce an image with objects that all follow the rules of perspective and have perfect lighting and dark parts. But a weak composition will cripple most of the three-dimensional appearance.

There's just one important composition rule: let your drawing's objects intersect! Frequently I see beginning artists avoiding to let elements in their drawings intersect , because they are afraid to mess it up.

Sure - if your picture has lots of intersecting parts it gets more complicated to draw. There are more dark parts and also perspective and dimensions of the objects must be much more exact.

That's challenging sure enough. Closely arranged elements in your drawing may relentlessly reveal all weak points. On the other side if you cope to get the perspective, lighting and shades right, a closer composition will beef up the three-dimensional appearance.

So have courage to put your drawing's elements nearer together. Let them intersect and demonstrate how good you can draw them according to the rules of three-dimensional drawings.

Perspective

Creating a drawing employing accurate perspective is the point where a bit bit math comes into play. No need to worry - no complicated formulas, just drawing a few additional lines.

When creating a picture with the rules of perspective in mind you make sure that:
* your objects have the correct dimensions and size
* your objects have the correct distortion harmonizing with the viewer's distance
* your objects are arranged properly to one another

All this is achieved by following one simple rule:

"Picture elements and parts of them get smaller the farther they are away."

This rule cannot be emphasized too much. Once you fail to apply it correctly, your drawings will look distorted and strange. So drawing some additional lines will help you to employ this rule properly.

Light and Shadow

The correct lighting and shadowing is the 3rd important principle for realistic looking three-dimensional sceneries. It is for the lights in your drawings that shades appear. And shades are essential for a truthful looking drawing - except you depict "gray rainy day" sceneries only.

To craft realistic shades there are a few facts you have to consider:

* you have to recognize where the light comes from
* this enables you to find the right size of the shade
* the right angle and direction for the shade
* and the correct shape of the shade

Unfortunately realistic dark shades aren't that comfortable to realize. But there are a few helpful techniques. Just now I am writing on a tutorial explaining these techniques step-by-step. It'll follow here soon.

This is just a first draft of my conceptions on how to draw realistic.
You find updates, a comment area and more drawing instructions on my Website.
http://drawingsecrets.com

Professional Artist

2009-08-27T13:56:00.001+07:00

What is the artistic lifestyle all about. The real bonus of this lifestyle is experiencing the excitement and buzz that you get from being creative and free thinking. You will find that the ability to make art every day, whenever, however, and where-ever you want, is a mind blowing experience. Creative juices will flow and all your artistic ideas can be tried out. The spill over into your everyday life will astonish you. You will be thinking for yourself about your work, and you will find new ways of thinking about every other aspect of your life. You probably already know that artists are often philosophers, poets, musicians, designers, inventors, and writers as well as being artists. Being an artist encourages these other activities.-ever you want, is a mind blowing experience. Creative juices will flow and all your artistic ideas can be tried out. The spill over into your everyday life will astonish you. You will be thinking for yourself about your work, and you will find new ways of thinking about every other aspect of your life. You probably already know that artists are often philosophers, poets, musicians, designers, inventors, and writers as well as being artists. Being an artist encourages these other activities.

Where you can do it. You can be an artist where ever you like. An artist can legitimately travel to far flung exotic places to be able to paint them. You can follow in Gaugin's footsteps and settle on a south sea island, and the tax man will allow it as a justifiable expense. Or you can set yourself away from prying eyes in your own hidey-hole studio right in the centre of town, emerging to mingle with cafe society and the company of other artists. You can choose the town, you can choose the country. The world is your oyster.

When you can do it. An artist creates art when inspiration and circumstances are right. That means that you will not be a clock slave. You will probably want to work very hard because you are having a good time and enjoying the work. But you can take time off when other interests are foremost. You are the boss. The old nine to five routine is a thing of the past. Work all night then take a week off. Be prepared to have moments of frenzied activity before an exhibition, followed by periods of rest and calm when you will be preparing for the next one.

Who you will be. Do all this and bask in a respected and admired position in society. The international status of an artist has never been higher. You can experience the limelight in whatever size bites that you wish. If you are extrovert and enjoy being the focus of attention, or if you are introverted and wish to keep yourself to yourself, either way you can build a successful career as an artist, and still expect to receive the accolades of your fellow citizens. Artists command respect where ever they are.

Why being an artist is so good. Here is another bonus that you will find as an artist. You will find that you have access to new exclusive upper circles where the role value of being an artist is understood, envied and revered. Here you will meet and mix with the wealthy, powerful, and influential social leaders, where you can benefit from patronage and established good taste. You are rightly valued because you as an artist contribute to the well being of society. Your work will be sought out and collected because it could be a good investment, and because you are seen as a trend-setter.
Author:Darren Franklin

Guide to the Design exhibition

2009-08-19T15:03:00.002+07:00

September is the month when Earl's Court, London, plays host to 100% Design show, the leading design exhibition event that brings together the world's leading architects and cutting edge interior and object designers. It is a world class event that showcases on numerous exhibition stands how architecture is playing its part in sustainable design and how design has taken on the green agenda and is turning necessity into innovation.

Designers in London are at the hub of a revolution that is happening in design. Architects are leading the way and naturally incorporating many of the green issues that are essential to reduce global consumption and greenhouse gases. Architecture is moving to marry innovation and design with sustainability in the use of materials and the way that those materials are both manufactured and used. Eco development is no longer for hippies but is an integral part of the new wave of architectural design. Of course not all property developers are adhering to the new world order but there is legislation in place regarding insulation and energy saving lighting. Heat loss and noise pollution are now compensated by proper built-in insulation and renewable energy is encouraged through solar panels and wind turbines.

Interior designers and product designers have been slower to follow a green agenda and product manufacturers are guilty in some instances of designing with no thought for the natural world in terms of using up resources and the future disposal of an item. Today, design and engineering are working closer together than ever before and the scope for innovation in engineering has never been better. Much of the world's design generates from the UK and Britain has a great talent base of young designers that are keen for design to be green, functional and aesthetically beautiful. British design welcomes people from all over the world to work here and to bring their own unique perceptions to great design that is exemplified in exhibition forums such as 100% Design.

Design is more than brand identity. 100% Design is an interactive exhibition that draws people to products that give pleasure that lasts and is 100% functional. Some people regard interior and object design as sometimes frivolous rather than problem solving but 100% design is an exhibition for designers that have the courage of their design convictions. Not all design can work but sometimes design such as that of a paperclip simply cannot be improved. To understand good design is to also acknowledge that bad design like bad movies is never the intention of the designer.

100% Design is an interior design & architecture exhibition that always pushes the boundaries of contemporary innovation.

Catherine writes about Exhibition stands and services and Exhibition information.

Organic Art...painting with food !

2009-08-09T20:46:00.001+07:00

The other day I started experimenting with alternative art materials. There are so many ways to create really original art. With a blank white piece a paper in front of me there are no limits.

I immediately went to the refrigerator. I used broccoli scrubbed into the paper, then carrots, and beet juice. This led me to the spice cabinet where cous-cous seasoning put out a powerful, and rich ochre color. Cinnamon was lovely and soft and worked well for some shadowing effects. This was a fascinating experiment in the intensity and amounts of natural dye in food and spice samples!

I then took my color search outside. To my surprise the bright red geraniums that are outside my front door, when squished and scrubbed into the paper I was working with turn an amazing dark purple. Bouganvilla blossoms also a red variety turn a very lovely... rasberry. I use some yummy tree bark to scrub along side the bold colors to soften the transition of colors. It works, as does a wierd green seed, for some very defined green lines of direction. Kentucky blue grass scrubbed into paper leaves a soft chlorophyll smudge to play with.

So, try something new with art. Go outside, collect flowers, twigs, bark, seeds, grasses, soil, anything and everything. You will be surprised at the colors you get , the amounts of color contained in items, and it will be a step back into time. I was always intriqued by the very first airbrush paintings on the cave walls at Lascaux south western France, where pigments were blown thru a reed, and scrubbed on with mats of moss. These images were made of maganese and iron oxide and are over 17,000 years old.

There are so many options when considering painting with nature, you just have to give different elements a try.
Broccoli, carrots, cinnamon, tree bark, cous-cous seasoning, red geraniums, purple bouganvilla, curry powder, and a wierd green seed, on watercolor paper.

Art should not be comfortable, it should be something of the unknown, a challenge. Artists need to reach, to explore, to inspire, and investigate..... opening new frontiers in thought.

Go out and touch something new today.

Deb Haugen is a Malibu, California artist. Tagged the "Organic Artist" because of the content of her work. After 30 years of painting "My main focus is currently my organic art series inspired by the creek bed and horse trails I walk daily. Organic art is essential, vital, and rudimentary, it is all around us" Deb Haugen's artwork is in private collections in the US, Germany, Spain and Japan. http://www.theorganicartist.com

Find works of art

2009-08-02T17:13:00.002+07:00

A church with a valuable and interesting works of art can be found

Art is a subject on that one quickly can also argue, because not everything that one feels as great art, is also used by other people perceived as works of art. So should it also be because of the artistic field is an area where everyone can be omitted, as they like. In the past there were very many well-known artists whose works of art today in many churches and museums, even more can be admired. They are just in a museum in a great many works of art to see, because there are many museums that deal with a specific art direction, or even with a certain performers.

There are also museums that are thematically not only to do with art have always exhibits the works of art by a particular artist whole show. But not only in a museum you can admire art, because there are also many churches in which it is the most beautiful works of art on display there. In general, it is a church for the architecture, as works of art is understood. This refers to the interior as well as the entire shell of the church. In addition, the interior works of art as a means, as the impressive altars in churches are often very artistically designed. The works of art in a church as well as from a museum in an inventory taken. This list this as proof that a particular works of art in the Museum or in the church was, if something is stolen. The inventory must be very concentrated, and above all will be carefully implemented.

How to Keep your Oil Colors Pure

2009-07-31T11:49:00.004+07:00

One of the biggest hurdles for beginner oil painters is learning how to keep colors pure. How many times have you started an oil painting only to quit from frustration because things just didn't look right. Your colors were muddy or they just lacked brilliance. This is a very common problem for artists just starting out with oil paints. Hopefully after reading this article, you will no longer have to put up with this frustration any longer and will finally be able to enjoy oil painting.

BE CLEAN AND ORGANIZED

I know for some of us, it can be very difficult to maintain a clean and organized painting environment. Sometimes we can get very caught up in our work and things can get sloppy. The last thing you want is to become a sloppy painter as your work will suffer. Break the habit early and try your hardest to develop clean and organized painting habits.

Your Palette

First, you should get into the habit of laying out your colors the same way every time you paint. This is just good practice and keeps the painting process flowing nicely. Arrange your colors along the edges of your palette leaving a lot of room in the center for mixing.

Don't be afraid to squeeze out a good amount of paint, especially your whites. You will be more productive if you aren't continuously stopping to squeeze out more paint.

Make certain to include all of the colors you think you will need to complete that session of painting. Again, this will make you more productive.

When adding paint to the palette, I have found that squeezing the paint out in long lines, as opposed to puddles, keeps my colors cleaner. When you have puddles of paint, they tend to get soiled by other colors when mixing. With a long line of paint, you can just take paint from the end as needed and not dirty the rest. Keep some rags or paper towels handy for wiping your palette knife clean.

It's a good idea to continuously wipe your palette clean during the painting process. There is nothing more frustrating then trying to remove dried up oil paint. Keep some alcohol handy so that you can keep the mixing area of your palette clean.

If you don't want to fuss around with a regular palette, why not try a disposable one? They are basically paper with a plastic coating that prevents the paper from absorbing the oil. The beauty of the disposable palette, is that you can simply throw it in the trash when you are done. Using a disposable palette will definitely help keep your colors clean as you will be starting with a clean surface every time you start a new painting session.

When mixing your colors, use your palette knife and not your brush. A palette knife can be wiped completely clean so there is no chance of your colors becoming contaminated. Your brush is made for painting and not mixing and you can shorten the life span of your brush if you are continually mixing with it.

Brushes

I like to have a handful of clean brushes near by when I am painting. This way, I do not need to stop and clean my brushes when I am working with a different color and there is less risk of the wrong colors getting into the mix.

SATURATION OR BRILLIANCE OF COLOR

When a color is squeezed straight from the tube, it is said to be high in saturation or brilliance. This is because it hasn't been mixed with any other colors. The more colors you mix together, the duller they will become. It has been said that one should not mix more than three colors together and this a very good rule to follow. If you mix more than three colors together you are kind of defeating the purpose.

Why is this so? Let's say that you are going to mix a brown. You decide to use red, yellow and blue to create your brown. You then decide to mix in a bit of orange. As you know, red mixed with yellow will create orange. So there is no need to add the additional color.

No one ever said it is a sin to use color straight from the tube. If you are painting something that calls for brighter color, why not use paint straight from the tube without mixing. Sometimes we get so accustomed to mixing color, that we neglect the pure color that is right in front of us. When using pure color though, try not to over do it. Too many bright colors can create havoc in a painting. Try and add bright colors against a duller surrounding so that your bright colors really stand out.

LIGHTEN OR DARKEN WITH COLOR

What is it that most of us do when we want to change the value of a color? To lighten a color, we usually add white and to darken a color we use black. You should always look for the opportunity to use color to change the value instead of black and white. Adding white or black to color will diminish its brilliance, unless that is the effect you are shooting for. A great example of this is using Yellow Ochre. If you want to brighten and lighten this color, instead of adding white, try adding a little Cadmium Yellow Light.

I hope this article has given you a little more insight into keeping your colors pure. Remember to practice oil painting as often as possible and never give up, no matter how frustrated you get! ?

Author: Ralph Serpe is Webmaster and founder of two popular instructional Websites for artists: CreativeSpotlite.com - Visit us today for more free art lessons. ArtInstructionBlog.com - Visit today for more free art instruction on a variety of different mediums.

Individuality and the Artist behind Esoteric Art

2009-07-23T13:19:00.004+07:00

Interactive learning has taken root in many circles today. The sharing of thoughts and experiences between teacher and student, between mentor and apprentice, between parent and child, or among people in groups helps facilitate the learning process.

Play-acting and dramatization are forms of interactive learning. In a theater or drama class, for instance, a student may be asked to portray emotions like fear, anger, hope, or joy. These are exercises in knowing one’s self and identifying one’s emotions for what they really are. They are warm-ups to effective communication and free expression in the arts.

The interplay in esoteric art is very similar. There is a quiet but active interaction between the artist and you as the person looking at the artwork. The approach on the viewer is very individual. You as the viewer are literally being posed with a question that you alone can answer and face based on your own individual perception. The artist portrays a certain subject and you are invited to interpret this subject based on your own perception of reality. If the subject presented by the artist is a person, then you as the viewer may identify or inter-relate the posture or behavior of the subject with your own person, like you would with a mirror.

The esoteric artist must then be a strong individual if he or she were to act as a mirror. This artist must be honest and brave enough to deal with the subconscious and unconscious aspects of personality that are openly revealed to other people in his or her paintings. An esoteric artist must adhere not to what is trendy or fashionable, but to what is real and true.

Esoteric art is something of a psychological experience more than it is an emotional or intellectual one. Psychology basically tells you that your personality affects your behavior. Simply speaking, your thoughts and moods affect the way you react to events and situations around you. Our internal reality affects our external reality. What happens inside of us affects what happens outside of us. What we feel and think inside of us will become what we feel and think is going on outside of us. It is something like a chain reaction, wherein a positive play of good vibes within you will help reinforce good vibes in your environment.

In a way, esoteric art is a therapeutic medium towards healing some psychologically-based personality problems, especially in cases when there are unresolved issues within a person and there is still no closure on the past. It encourages you to take control of the situation rather than allowing the situation to control you. It sort of tells you that anything can happen and so whatever may happen, it is how you react to what happens which really matters in the end. It helps you believe that once you change something from the inside, you can change everything on the outside.

Esoteric art is meant to be a liberating experience, both for the artist and the viewer. The goal is always self-realization. Once an artist has portrayed an innermost reality and this long-forgotten memory has been triggered ie viewer, then an esoteric painting has truly realized its purpose for being.

Discover the meaning behind narrative art and how one artist uses it on her work at http://www.mazzoldi-best-acrylic-paintings.com/narrative-art.html
Contemporary romantic esoteric artist Aurora Mazzoldi shares her acrylic paintings and interpretations at http://www.mazzoldi-best-acrylic-paintings.com

Suthee Studio's Picture

The Performer Versus the Artist

2009-07-19T11:17:00.002+07:00

This afternoon was X's final rehearsal for the retreat performance. The rehearsal was at the College of Music, UCT. The room was a piano practice room, TINY! No room to move, so the audience, X's mother, the guitarist's mother and I sat outside in the corridor opposite the open door!

X was nervous, but sang like a dream, and moved like only a heartfelt professional star can move! There was no sound equipment, all the instruments were muted, and X used a dummy mike, but she held that mike and sang into it with ALL her heart, and without any strain projected into the words of the songs every fibre of her being! It was one of those rare moments in life, a moment that is never coming back - one and a half hours of heart-rending beauty SHARED with a few fellow travellers upon the Path with a Heart! A mere rehearsal on a Sunday afternoon, but for me personally so much more poignant than the glamour of a performance! Words can never express the RAW nerves, the OPEN VULNERABILITY of the artist in rehearsal giving his or her EVERYTHING with the CLEAR intent of being able to deliver an utterly IMPECCABLE performance, for perfect it is never likely to be, no matter how well rehearsed! I found myself fighting back the tears for most of the rehearsal!

Audiences only get to see and to applaud the FINISHED product, and although every artist LIVES for that moment of being on stage, yet deep within his or her innermost being there is always an indescribable melancholy and, all too often, a devastating sense of emptiness! This is something only a performing artist can grasp! Performances are like WONDER-FULL meals that take HOURS of preparation, but that are CONSUMED within a few short MINUTES by diners that, although more than generous in handing out compliments, nevertheless leave the table gorged and bloated, and thinking only of going to BED!

The performance is GREAT, yes, and the audience goes home well SATISFIED and already planning when they can attend the NEXT performance, but how does the artist SHARE the blood, the sweat and the tears that have gone into making that performance? How does the artist share the JOURNEY that has taken years and years of an utterly ruthless and most unforgiving training, the great many disillusionments and failures that threaten to strip one of any sense of self-belief, and the endless disappointments that eat away at a hope that is NOT allowed, CAN never be allowed, to waver even for one moment? Do those few moments of success upon the stage, even with thundering applause at the end, do true justice to a journey never shared, simply because it is NOT shared, and neither CAN it BE shared?

Hence the melancholy and the sense of emptiness! To walk onto an empty stage at the end of a performance in which one has given one's all, and to look into that empty auditorium is to KNOW with every fiber of one's being what it is to be alone, and what it means to empty one's cup so that finally it may be filled with that ALL-ONE-NESS that makes for the good, the bad and everything in between! Performers are LONELY people that seek out one ESCAPISM after another after every single performance! But the artist LEARNS to savour the JOURNEY until he or she has BE-COME the journey! How can one justify seeking to escape the Path with a Heart?

But by far the greatest source of the artist's melancholy lies in the difference between rehearsals and performances. When an artist walks onto stage and gives his or her everything, of course, the audience will be on its feet, shouting and screaming and clapping! Many will say this is only but RIGHT, for surely it is the artist's JUST reward for having delivered a truly MEMORABLE performance! But those few rare individuals who are in the know applaud more quietly, and do not shout bravo or demand encores, for they KNOW just HOW very EMPTY is that moment of success! This is the distinguishing MARK between the performer and the true artist!

The performer goes through the REHEARSALS so as to EXIST for the limelight and the recognition that comes with SUCCESS! The artist LIVES for the REHEARSALS so as to GIVE EXPRESSION to his or her innermost BE-ING, the performances being mere STEPPING STONES, mileposts, marking the JOURNEY! To the performer recognition is EVERY-THING! To the artist, VULNERABILITY to CRITICISM is the JOURNEY to ALL-ONE-NESS! The performer EXISTS for acknowledgement on stage! The artist LIVES to RECEIVE CRITICISM in rehearsal!

When I looked into X's eyes at the rehearsal this afternoon I saw that openness, that vulnerability that comes with WANTING to LEARN, and even though she had her nose up against a brick wall, and a dummy mike in her hand, she sang into that mike and to that wall with ALL of her heart, but also with the nervousness that is born of the EXPECTATION that she is going to be CORRECTED, CRITICISED, any moment! How does one express this in words, other than to term it HUMILITY in LEARNING what it is to LOVE? X's eyes were REFLECTED in the eyes of her accompanists, no matter how much older and more experienced than her they are! As I stood in the corridor facing these four people in that tiny rehearsal room, I was, like so many times in my life, totally overcome by the unspoken RE-QUEST in their eyes: "Tell us HOW we can IMPROVE our skills!" How can I possibly verbalise my feelings in that moment? The point is I can't! A handful of friends met, their hearts touched each other's ever so briefly whilst they shared for one and half hours the journey upon the Path with a Heart! When they meet again it will be for the performance, and another milestone would have been reached, another retreat will be over, and they will smile at each other, hug, and go their separate ways in pursuit of their LEARNING, their REHEARSALS, to achieve THE most impeccable performance they are capable of!

Strange how LIFE works! Why, at this precise point in my life was I taken back to the College of Music, with the Ballet School just across the narrow little street named Lover's Walk, to rehearse X for THIS retreat?! Never have I felt the impact of the Cry of the Eagle more profoundly than this afternoon! And to top it all, as fate would have it, I was alone, like all the many years during which this specific spot in Cape Town had been my "rehearsal turf." Yes, X's mother was present, and, yes, I could sense that with all her heart she was supporting my purpose in WILLING X to give her best! But strange how alone I was! Strange how the Cry of the Eagle sounded in my EARS! In being back at UCT after so many, many years, and specifically now that the Cry of the Eagle has been sounded, I truly felt the aloneness of the ALL-ONE in handing over to humanity its heritage! Consequently for me, the RE-TREAT started this afternoon! Never have I felt more humbled by the truly wonder-full privilege of being able to tread the Path with a Heart!

Théun Mares, Lightbringer, humanitarian and author, man of knowledge of the Toltec Tradition, is highly skilled in helping people to help themselves in building relationships. Mares has extensive knowledge of life and human behaviour and as an author of eight books, he continues to share a vast amount of the Teachings of the Toltec Tradition.

Author:Theun Mares

For more information on Theun's work please visit:
http://www.relationship-resolution.com
http://www.toltec-legacy.com