The delicate beauty of flowers has long inspired the works of writers, musicians, and artists alike. One such example of this is the series of paintings created by famous artist Vincent Van Gogh, titled “Sunflowers”.
Among this collection are three nearly identical paintings of fifteen sunflowers, followed by two equally identical paintings of twelve sunflowers. These five paintings were done while he was living in Arles, a city located in the south of France, in August of 1888. The later similar paintings were done early in the following year.
The first of the paintings was created to serve as decoration in his friend Paul Gauguin’s home. Thus began the Sunflower series. The paintings depict sunflowers in all stages of life, from early bloom to nearly the end of the flower’s existence, where the petals are depicted as wilting away.
These paintings were unique at the time because of their vivid yellow color. New pigments had just been invented which made the coloring possible. The brightness of the flowers was something that people hadn’t seen, and thus made the paintings immediately valuable.
Van Gogh, in a letter he wrote to his brother, explained, “The sunflower is mine in a way.” He was speaking of the true uniqueness and innovation of the appearance of the painting relative to other paintings he and his contemporaries had done.
In March 1987, the true worth of these paintings was displayed when Japanese insurance magnate Yasuo Goto paid nearly $40 million for one of the paintings in the series. This was a new record for Van Gogh paintings. At the time, he may have made the purchase for himself or for the company he owned, which was called the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Japan. Either way, the painting now rests in the Seiji Togo Yasuda Memorial Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. Following the purchase was a brief scandal in which the painting was suspected to be a forgery; however, it was concluded to be genuine.
Van Gogh was struck by the inherent beauty in these simple flowers. He was inspired by their hope in the first bloom and their honesty in their wilting death. He was not alone in that opinion; his work was followed by many similar paintings. Even in modern contemporary art, we find a vast majority of still life paintings to be inspired by flowers in various stages of life and death.
Friday, September 19, 2008
An Education In The Arts
For some people art is just something you put on your refrigerator doors. It is something you have to do for schoolwork, or to while your time away. In truth, there truly is something beneath the surface of art that will tantalize every student and teacher. And this is the truth behind art education.
Q. What Is An Education In The Arts?
A. Art Education is the means by which a student gains an understanding of form and design. An education in the arts is typically divided into three areas - the fine arts, such as music, drama, sculpture or painting, the general arts, programs such as education, criminology, etc, and design, such as graphic design, web design, or interior design.
Q. Why Arts?
A. Art has a great power to influence people. It also has a significant effect on the history of man. Art may seem like it is just something pretty, but under the hood it boasts of a pretty powerful engine. One that has shaped the world, and indeed your very life. You can't go one day in the span of your life without being exposed to some form of artistic design, from the
A wise man once said that an education in the arts is the absolute best education one can have because it exposes you to the most general field of studies. Over time, you will know a little about everything. If you chose a more specialized field, you would gradually learn more and more about less and less. And I'd rather know a little about everything than everything about something, don't you agree?
1. Express Yourself
Art is by far one of the most rewarding careers because, unlike a career in the sciences or a trade, it allows you to express your creativity. And no two days are the same. The power to captivate and inspire is also very rewarding. Hasn’t the Mona Lisa drawn its share of oohs and aahs? And hasn’t many a tear been shed at the beautiful works of art around the world? Man has always expressed his deepest thoughts and desires in a tangible form. This form is Art.
Industries need artists who have had a good education in Art. Creating labels, stickers, and advertisements for their products isn’t easy. These things require plenty of thought and design. Every detail has been considered to make its effect on the consumer optimal. Have you ever been interested in a product simply because of the packaging? This is art at work.
Q. What Is An Education In The Arts?
A. Art Education is the means by which a student gains an understanding of form and design. An education in the arts is typically divided into three areas - the fine arts, such as music, drama, sculpture or painting, the general arts, programs such as education, criminology, etc, and design, such as graphic design, web design, or interior design.
Q. Why Arts?
A. Art has a great power to influence people. It also has a significant effect on the history of man. Art may seem like it is just something pretty, but under the hood it boasts of a pretty powerful engine. One that has shaped the world, and indeed your very life. You can't go one day in the span of your life without being exposed to some form of artistic design, from the
A wise man once said that an education in the arts is the absolute best education one can have because it exposes you to the most general field of studies. Over time, you will know a little about everything. If you chose a more specialized field, you would gradually learn more and more about less and less. And I'd rather know a little about everything than everything about something, don't you agree?
1. Express Yourself
Art is by far one of the most rewarding careers because, unlike a career in the sciences or a trade, it allows you to express your creativity. And no two days are the same. The power to captivate and inspire is also very rewarding. Hasn’t the Mona Lisa drawn its share of oohs and aahs? And hasn’t many a tear been shed at the beautiful works of art around the world? Man has always expressed his deepest thoughts and desires in a tangible form. This form is Art.
Industries need artists who have had a good education in Art. Creating labels, stickers, and advertisements for their products isn’t easy. These things require plenty of thought and design. Every detail has been considered to make its effect on the consumer optimal. Have you ever been interested in a product simply because of the packaging? This is art at work.
Printed Wall Art Images
A striking and impressive way to bring an empty wall space alive is to display printed wall art. This form of art is becoming a unique and contemporary way to provide a room with natural images. The variations available are immense and cover virtually any subject or theme to suit both individual needs and the rooms style of decor.
One of the advantages of using printed wall art to cover walls spaces is the availability to have the enlarged images broken down into different sections. This offers alternative ways to hang the prints as well as hanging them in the latest block approach. Blocks of three or four images which when positioned in order close to each other provides the illusion of a far greater image and wall space covering while retaining the main focus of the picture. With advances in technology photographic images can be successfully transformed into works of art covering a whole host of different topics.
Popular scenes of from the United States in black and white make a real statement, these printed wall art images are also available in night scenes with the street lighting bringing the images alive. This style of wall art is ideal for contemporary living as it provides a printed wall art which offers a real alternative design concept from traditional prints.
For a minimalist look printed wall art for natural cloud formations are a great way to bring the natural world inside a home. These images are uplifting to the mind and brighten the moods on the dullest of days.
People's love of animals has been used effectively in the printed wall art range which is available, rare and endangered wild life species in their natural habitat offer stunning wall art displays. Underwater scenes of dolphins swimming against oceanic blues are truly amazing and would look superb displayed on bathroom walls. Rooms which get can become hot and stuffy also benefit from these refreshing images, merely looking at them can provide the illusion of real time cool blue seas!
One of the most popular printed wall art designs available are images of flowers which have been enlarged to super sizes, these offer a real alternative from conventional floral pictures. Individual parts of the flower blooms cover the canvas and highlight the delicate flower parts. These look incredibly stunning when a white background is used and the vibrancy of the flower's natural colours is shown. A creamy white Cala lily against a white background offers a truly dramatic effect, the only colour seen is the merest hint of the green stem. This clean, crisp image looks effective when hung against either a white wall or contrasted against deep rich colours.
Whichever printed wall art image is chosen the sleek style will compliment modern and contemporary interior design styles and invite family and friends to discuss the art works, which for many is a fundamental point of displaying art. Art works should be utilised rather than merely hung on a wall and forgotten about, they are part of the room's design and atmosphere to be shared and enjoyed by all who view them.
One of the advantages of using printed wall art to cover walls spaces is the availability to have the enlarged images broken down into different sections. This offers alternative ways to hang the prints as well as hanging them in the latest block approach. Blocks of three or four images which when positioned in order close to each other provides the illusion of a far greater image and wall space covering while retaining the main focus of the picture. With advances in technology photographic images can be successfully transformed into works of art covering a whole host of different topics.
Popular scenes of from the United States in black and white make a real statement, these printed wall art images are also available in night scenes with the street lighting bringing the images alive. This style of wall art is ideal for contemporary living as it provides a printed wall art which offers a real alternative design concept from traditional prints.
For a minimalist look printed wall art for natural cloud formations are a great way to bring the natural world inside a home. These images are uplifting to the mind and brighten the moods on the dullest of days.
People's love of animals has been used effectively in the printed wall art range which is available, rare and endangered wild life species in their natural habitat offer stunning wall art displays. Underwater scenes of dolphins swimming against oceanic blues are truly amazing and would look superb displayed on bathroom walls. Rooms which get can become hot and stuffy also benefit from these refreshing images, merely looking at them can provide the illusion of real time cool blue seas!
One of the most popular printed wall art designs available are images of flowers which have been enlarged to super sizes, these offer a real alternative from conventional floral pictures. Individual parts of the flower blooms cover the canvas and highlight the delicate flower parts. These look incredibly stunning when a white background is used and the vibrancy of the flower's natural colours is shown. A creamy white Cala lily against a white background offers a truly dramatic effect, the only colour seen is the merest hint of the green stem. This clean, crisp image looks effective when hung against either a white wall or contrasted against deep rich colours.
Whichever printed wall art image is chosen the sleek style will compliment modern and contemporary interior design styles and invite family and friends to discuss the art works, which for many is a fundamental point of displaying art. Art works should be utilised rather than merely hung on a wall and forgotten about, they are part of the room's design and atmosphere to be shared and enjoyed by all who view them.
Be Inspired by Printed Wall Art
There is a large variety of different designs and styles of printed wall art available to compliment the décor in any home or interior design style.
The different subjects portrayed enable personal choice as well as complimenting a room’s décor, wall art, along with any other form of art should be purchased to enhance the appearance of a room and give pleasure to the owner. Printed wall art has brought a whole new conception and approach and the way it is seen. The dimensions of the blocks on which printed wall art is displayed provides depth to the display and many of the designs actually give the appearance of being wrapped around the sides to extend the image and finish it with no sharply defined lines which is extremely pleasing to the eye and very easy to view. This method of display printed wall art images brings a contemporary feel to the art and takes away the need for picture framing or glass. Both of these aspects, seen in traditional wall mounted pictures have distinct disadvantages, firstly the glass has a tendency to reflect unwanted images on its surface and therefore detracting the eye away from the art work, secondly, traditional framing often poses its own problems with colour and design matches within a room, whereas printed wall art has neither glass or a frame. They are produced using robust and durable materials which do not detract the eye away from the art work, there is no unwanted light reflection or framing required. Printed wall art can change dramatically throughout the day as the light changes within the room bringing different aspects of the art alive.
Inspirational printed wall art is ideal for displaying in living spaces and work areas, designer canvas printed wall art provides a crisp, clear image in a vast range of subjects enabling the viewer to focus and concentrate, many people make a conscious decision to chose an inspirational design which enables them to think positively and constructively in both their personal and professional life. Modern commercial companies have realised the great potential of displaying this type of wall art and deliberately choose to have these styles of art displayed in conference and board rooms to enlighten their employees and while a work type atmosphere is not necessarily desirable in a home the concepts behind displaying contemporary and modern art forms this way can have a very positive effect on the way people think and regard themselves.
One of the great advantages of using printed wall art within a home environment is that they are very affordable pieces of contemporary art which enables them to be used in virtually every room of the house. Clever and innovative interior designs use printed wall art as an integral part of the room’s design, selecting sizes, colours and themes which enhance the room’s appearance and make either a subtle or bold statement depending on the type of atmosphere trying to be achieved. The beauty of printed wall art designs is that people do not have to use professional interior designers to achieve these stunning effects.
Printed wall art which uses serene and calming images such as sunsets, beach scenes or drifting clouds are ideal to use in bedrooms, if they have a discreet spot lighting directed onto them they can de-stress and relax the mind ready for sleep, in natural daylight the same image can please the eye and invigorate the mind.
The different subjects portrayed enable personal choice as well as complimenting a room’s décor, wall art, along with any other form of art should be purchased to enhance the appearance of a room and give pleasure to the owner. Printed wall art has brought a whole new conception and approach and the way it is seen. The dimensions of the blocks on which printed wall art is displayed provides depth to the display and many of the designs actually give the appearance of being wrapped around the sides to extend the image and finish it with no sharply defined lines which is extremely pleasing to the eye and very easy to view. This method of display printed wall art images brings a contemporary feel to the art and takes away the need for picture framing or glass. Both of these aspects, seen in traditional wall mounted pictures have distinct disadvantages, firstly the glass has a tendency to reflect unwanted images on its surface and therefore detracting the eye away from the art work, secondly, traditional framing often poses its own problems with colour and design matches within a room, whereas printed wall art has neither glass or a frame. They are produced using robust and durable materials which do not detract the eye away from the art work, there is no unwanted light reflection or framing required. Printed wall art can change dramatically throughout the day as the light changes within the room bringing different aspects of the art alive.
Inspirational printed wall art is ideal for displaying in living spaces and work areas, designer canvas printed wall art provides a crisp, clear image in a vast range of subjects enabling the viewer to focus and concentrate, many people make a conscious decision to chose an inspirational design which enables them to think positively and constructively in both their personal and professional life. Modern commercial companies have realised the great potential of displaying this type of wall art and deliberately choose to have these styles of art displayed in conference and board rooms to enlighten their employees and while a work type atmosphere is not necessarily desirable in a home the concepts behind displaying contemporary and modern art forms this way can have a very positive effect on the way people think and regard themselves.
One of the great advantages of using printed wall art within a home environment is that they are very affordable pieces of contemporary art which enables them to be used in virtually every room of the house. Clever and innovative interior designs use printed wall art as an integral part of the room’s design, selecting sizes, colours and themes which enhance the room’s appearance and make either a subtle or bold statement depending on the type of atmosphere trying to be achieved. The beauty of printed wall art designs is that people do not have to use professional interior designers to achieve these stunning effects.
Printed wall art which uses serene and calming images such as sunsets, beach scenes or drifting clouds are ideal to use in bedrooms, if they have a discreet spot lighting directed onto them they can de-stress and relax the mind ready for sleep, in natural daylight the same image can please the eye and invigorate the mind.
Striking Printed Wall Art
A great way to make the most of wall space is to hang printed wall art which is pleasing to the eye and forms both a focal and talking point. Inspirational designer canvas printed wall art is available to suit any type of interior design style and with the majority being printed as blocks the make a bold statement to a room without the necessity of trying to match fame colours and styles.
These excellent quality printed wall art designs are more than just a picture, they can provide a room with the finishing touches which are essential in any modern or contemporary area of a home or working space. They are chic and elegant, creating either dramatic or subtle effects and without the traditional glass covering they do not reflect unwanted images or light from them. They are made with a professional coatings which are both practicable and durable.
The subject matter when choosing a printed wall art picture is vast, there is a printed wall art subject to suit all tastes and interior design styles. Many of the subjects available are used to not only compliment the design of the room but also can remind people of their holidays and a tranquil way of life. These wall art designs are perfect for reducing stress, they can calm the mind and create an informal and relaxed atmosphere in a room, scenes of tranquil beaches or the setting sun can create a sense of well-being.
Printed wall art is designed for contemporary living, the modern approach to interior designs is to have one quite large striking picture hung against a plain wall, this can be achieved by using one solitary printed wall art design or by using the same wall art design which has been divided into four squares. These printed wall art designs are intended to be hung together with just a small gap exposing the wall in between them. The visual effects is equally as dramatic as one large print, however, can suit smaller rooms or wall space more effectively.
An alternative to four blocks is to have printed wall art panels. These are produced in rectangular blocks and look stunning when displayed on smaller walls or small spaces, their shape is an ideal way to bring the illusion of height to a room.
Printed wall art which depict scenes of the most famous focal points in America are extremely popular, these photographic printed wall art pictures are extremely striking and are suitable for modern interior designs, providing a visual impact in monotone. These prints are also available in subtle tones as well as night scenes for a unusual and dramatic look.
Close up photographic printed wall art images of flower blooms and bouquets are very popular choices of printed wall art as they provide a clean, bright and fresh look to a room. These are available in a whole host of different flower species and colours enabling a favourite flower to be displayed all year round. These printed wall art designs make a real impact and when only part of the flower 'blown up' by immaculate photography is used to design the wall art takes on a whole new concept from traditional flower pictures, interesting and unusual shapes are formed over the area of the canvas or block which provides a focal point to a room.
These excellent quality printed wall art designs are more than just a picture, they can provide a room with the finishing touches which are essential in any modern or contemporary area of a home or working space. They are chic and elegant, creating either dramatic or subtle effects and without the traditional glass covering they do not reflect unwanted images or light from them. They are made with a professional coatings which are both practicable and durable.
The subject matter when choosing a printed wall art picture is vast, there is a printed wall art subject to suit all tastes and interior design styles. Many of the subjects available are used to not only compliment the design of the room but also can remind people of their holidays and a tranquil way of life. These wall art designs are perfect for reducing stress, they can calm the mind and create an informal and relaxed atmosphere in a room, scenes of tranquil beaches or the setting sun can create a sense of well-being.
Printed wall art is designed for contemporary living, the modern approach to interior designs is to have one quite large striking picture hung against a plain wall, this can be achieved by using one solitary printed wall art design or by using the same wall art design which has been divided into four squares. These printed wall art designs are intended to be hung together with just a small gap exposing the wall in between them. The visual effects is equally as dramatic as one large print, however, can suit smaller rooms or wall space more effectively.
An alternative to four blocks is to have printed wall art panels. These are produced in rectangular blocks and look stunning when displayed on smaller walls or small spaces, their shape is an ideal way to bring the illusion of height to a room.
Printed wall art which depict scenes of the most famous focal points in America are extremely popular, these photographic printed wall art pictures are extremely striking and are suitable for modern interior designs, providing a visual impact in monotone. These prints are also available in subtle tones as well as night scenes for a unusual and dramatic look.
Close up photographic printed wall art images of flower blooms and bouquets are very popular choices of printed wall art as they provide a clean, bright and fresh look to a room. These are available in a whole host of different flower species and colours enabling a favourite flower to be displayed all year round. These printed wall art designs make a real impact and when only part of the flower 'blown up' by immaculate photography is used to design the wall art takes on a whole new concept from traditional flower pictures, interesting and unusual shapes are formed over the area of the canvas or block which provides a focal point to a room.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Art of Watermelon Carving
Fruit carving is one of the oldest traditions followed in the Oriental countries, China, Japan, Thailand and some Asian countries in particular. This artistic tradition generally centers on some festivities where the beautiful sculptures draw the attention of the people. In fact carving of fruits is an exquisite work of art. In China, watermelon carving is the most popular. Fruit carving can also be done on such fruits as carrots, papaya, pumpkins and other smaller fruits for carving individual items. But watermelon carvings appear to be highly attractive on account of its varied colors and size. The contrasting colors of melons lend a striking effect to the finished product, making them all the more appealing.
Prior to the execution of your carving skill, it is essential to make all the proper arrangements. A good carving knife with a single sharp pointed blade is a must- have in this case. Carving on a watermelon is done in a relief format; it can be just a simple cut out or carry an intricate engraving. This Chinese artistic sculpture is of ancient origin that has been passed down through the generations. In modern days, this wonderful tradition has found great recognition and popularity throughout the world. The varying tones and colors of watermelons (pink, white, green) work wonders to give a contrasting effect to the sculptures.
Watermelon sculptures can turn out to be the cynosure for any occasion or international event. This artwork can be exhibited at any cultural platform to showcase some wonderful talents. The carvings done on the watermelons are endless, ranging from teapots to flower vases, to little animals or even trophies. These amazing designs are carved out using carving tools and melon ballers. The carving tool is used to cut out intricate patterns while the melon baller scoops out larger sections. The melon baller is particularly helpful in carving out large unique shapes such as a fish, basket or fruit holder. The watermelon rind is very easy to cut into and amateurs can begin with cutting the rind to create large designs.
Watermelon carving can be a great fun with the kids too. In fact, being an excellent source of vitamins and a tasty fruit, kids can have a great time learning this art and absorbing the benefits of this fruit. This unique art sculpture should be encouraged among the children not only to propagate and keep alive the ancient tradition but also to give way to the creation of masterpieces of the future.
Prior to the execution of your carving skill, it is essential to make all the proper arrangements. A good carving knife with a single sharp pointed blade is a must- have in this case. Carving on a watermelon is done in a relief format; it can be just a simple cut out or carry an intricate engraving. This Chinese artistic sculpture is of ancient origin that has been passed down through the generations. In modern days, this wonderful tradition has found great recognition and popularity throughout the world. The varying tones and colors of watermelons (pink, white, green) work wonders to give a contrasting effect to the sculptures.
Watermelon sculptures can turn out to be the cynosure for any occasion or international event. This artwork can be exhibited at any cultural platform to showcase some wonderful talents. The carvings done on the watermelons are endless, ranging from teapots to flower vases, to little animals or even trophies. These amazing designs are carved out using carving tools and melon ballers. The carving tool is used to cut out intricate patterns while the melon baller scoops out larger sections. The melon baller is particularly helpful in carving out large unique shapes such as a fish, basket or fruit holder. The watermelon rind is very easy to cut into and amateurs can begin with cutting the rind to create large designs.
Watermelon carving can be a great fun with the kids too. In fact, being an excellent source of vitamins and a tasty fruit, kids can have a great time learning this art and absorbing the benefits of this fruit. This unique art sculpture should be encouraged among the children not only to propagate and keep alive the ancient tradition but also to give way to the creation of masterpieces of the future.
Ancient Egyptian Art
Ancient Egyptian Art is one of the most recognized, admired and collected art in the history of the world. From delicate gold jewelry to vivid paintings to massive statues dozens of feet tall, for over 5,000 years Egyptian art has fascinated, delighted and awed generation after generation with its beauty, style and mystery. While genuine ancient pieces of art are rare and extremely valuable, modern Egyptian artists make beautiful art and jewelry that is inspired by some of the greatest recovered works from ancient sites, and which adheres strictly to the styles used by ancient artists. Jewelry in gold and silver with inlaid stones are fashioned after pieces of jewelry recovered from ancient tombs. Papyrus Paintings are painted in vivid color on genuine papyrus, made using the same principles developed thousands of years ago on the banks of the Nile, where the papyrus plant grows to this day. Paintings are executed in the style of frontalism, one of the most striking characteristics of ancient Egypt.
Frontalism
Frontalism is the style in which every known piece of ancient Egyptian art was produced. In paintings, the style of frontalism means that the head of the character is drawn in profile, while the body is drawn from a front view. However, even though the face is in profile, the eye is drawn in full, as it would be seen from the front. The legs always face the same direction as the head, with one foot forward and one back.
Ancient Egyptian figures, especially of gods and pharaohs, are noticeable for their very formal, even rigid stance and posture, but their faces are always serene, regardless of the scene in which they are depicted. There were very strict rules about how a god or pharaoh could be represented, which even included a prohibition against anything being drawn in front of the face or body of the pharaoh, even when the scene depicted clearly required it for any kind of realism. Realism was simply not a goal of ancient Egyptian Art. It is these very formal and stylized rules that have made Egyptian Art one of the most widely recognized forms of art in the world. Over thousands of years Egyptian artists adhered to this one style, which is quite remarkable, especially as compared to the extreme differences in art expression that have occurred in the modern world in just the past 100 years or so. The only acknowledged variations are in the portrayals of animals and common people as compared to the more formal depictions of pharaohs and gods. As can be seen in many Egyptian paintings, animals and common people or slaves are represented in a more natural manner, though still within very strict and formulaic rules.
Frontalism
Frontalism is the style in which every known piece of ancient Egyptian art was produced. In paintings, the style of frontalism means that the head of the character is drawn in profile, while the body is drawn from a front view. However, even though the face is in profile, the eye is drawn in full, as it would be seen from the front. The legs always face the same direction as the head, with one foot forward and one back.
Ancient Egyptian figures, especially of gods and pharaohs, are noticeable for their very formal, even rigid stance and posture, but their faces are always serene, regardless of the scene in which they are depicted. There were very strict rules about how a god or pharaoh could be represented, which even included a prohibition against anything being drawn in front of the face or body of the pharaoh, even when the scene depicted clearly required it for any kind of realism. Realism was simply not a goal of ancient Egyptian Art. It is these very formal and stylized rules that have made Egyptian Art one of the most widely recognized forms of art in the world. Over thousands of years Egyptian artists adhered to this one style, which is quite remarkable, especially as compared to the extreme differences in art expression that have occurred in the modern world in just the past 100 years or so. The only acknowledged variations are in the portrayals of animals and common people as compared to the more formal depictions of pharaohs and gods. As can be seen in many Egyptian paintings, animals and common people or slaves are represented in a more natural manner, though still within very strict and formulaic rules.
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