Quality Art Materials Benefits Art Professionals
January 5, 2008
By Astrid Lee As an artist myself, I have found that whenever I choose quality artwork, somehow the artwork gains a new dimension of worth. I find that I am mentioning little quality factors to buying candidates that just help things along. Of course, potential buyers have to first find the work and love it. Then, they need to be coached to actually purchase it. It can be scare decision for some buyers, as there is sometimes not much to go by other than their own personal taste. Their taste is of course of overriding importance, but they are not always sure of that. So, when I can bring in... Read more »
The Purpose of Creativity - Playtime for the Soul
December 30, 2007
By Judith Waller Creativity is an essential part of being human. And your purpose in life is to understand and express the gifts that are uniquely yours. Creative play is one of the most nourishing ways you can do this for yourself. It doesn’t have to be about creating works of art — it’s a process of discovering and reconnecting with your true essence. Are you ready to invite your soul out to play? What is creativity? The great Italian Renaissance sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti, once said: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” This principle... Read more »
Make Your Art Successful - Create A Story With Your Drawing And Painting
December 27, 2007
By Michael Dale When you draw a picture do you think about creating a story? Would you concern yourself about what your painting says? It doesn’t matter what art materials and tools you use to create your drawings and paintings, unless the picture you create has a history it can never be a success. Many beginners wouldn’t realize that their drawings and paintings should have a message. Drawing can be done with graphite pencils, charcoal and chalks… but unless your sketch weaves its magic story your hard work is lost. Top artists spend a great deal of time and energy weaving magic... Read more »
Art and Its Power to Transform
December 11, 2007
The artist Wassily Kandinsky writes in Concerning the Spiritual In Art that “the artist must search deeply into his own soul, develop and tend it, so that his art has something to clothe, and does not remain a glove without a hand…The artist must have something to say, for mastery over form is not his goal but rather the adapting of form to its inner meaning.” What we have to say with our art runs the same gamut of possibilities as what we have to say in our conversations. Our art may reflect the idle chatter of a cocktail party or the revealing insights of an intimate conversation. We... Read more »
The Art of Glass
December 7, 2007
Many groundbreaking discoveries came about by chance! In 1928, bacteriologist Alexander Fleming found a mould had contaminated one of his experiments. To his surprise, the mould turned out to be an antibacterial agent…and so, penicillin was born. Another remarkable creation is the multifaceted and challenging media of glass. By melting combinations of soda and sand, our ancestors found, upon letting the mixture cool, that its composition had changed into a transparent ‘glassy’ mass. Trial-and-error resulted in one of the largest industries to date. The creation of glass continually... Read more »
Rhythm & Balance
December 5, 2007
By Domen Lombergar Balance is the perception of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance. It is an appeasement of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability. Most successful compositions attain balance in one of two ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically. Balance in a three dimensional object is simple to understand. If balance isn’t achieved, the object tips over. Symmetrical balance means having equal “weight” on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. You can also call it formal balance. When the elements are arranged equally... Read more »
Why don’t men ‘do’ scrapbooking?’
November 24, 2007
Why is it that nearly all scrapbook enthusiasts are women? It’s not as if we don’t like taking photographs, is it? If you’re on holiday and someone barges into you while they’re trying to line up a family shot, it’s not going to be Mum standing there apologetically! We also love collecting things, though that’s more to do with not wanting to throw stuff away. It’s not that we’re not in touch with our past either. You show me a guy who’s never played with any of his son’s toys. You don’t see many women queuing up to relive their greatest... Read more »
