Passion4Art | Art News

New Artist Showcase In Watercolors

2010-07-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

On The Net: Watercolor Artist Showcase from Australia, Canada, and USA.

On The Net Artist Showcase

Search Amazon.com for watercolor art

Worthless Art - Authenticating And Attributing Art Essentials

2008-09-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Essentials On Authenticating And Attributing Art

You can find art for sale almost anywhere, most of it
coupled with a variety of forms of certification,
documentation, authentication, provenance,
attribution, and all other claims that the piece is by
this artist, etc. But guess what? None of these
papers, claims, certificates of authenticity, documents
or even tall tales mean a thing if they’re not stated,
authored, or else traceable to or directly associated
with accepted, recognized, and qualified authorities
about the art in question, and also the artist themselves.

So here are some of the essentials to know on
attributing and authenticating art, how it works and
who the people to be trusted are.

They’re All Connected - Not!

One of the most pervasive problems in selling art
deals with “attributed” art. It’s so common that every
kind of unqualified individual would attribute
artworks to different kinds of artists, sad to say
100% of these attributions are considered to be
worthless.

How come? Simply because in the art industry,
legitimate attributions are only made by known and
recognized authority figures that have legitimate
authority on the attributed artists’ names.

Defining “Attributed”

Officially and technically speaking, “attributed”
means a specific work of art, which is most likely an
original, is at the hand and is certified by a qualified
authority on the matter. Take note that your keywords
here are “qualified authority”. Thus, if the attribution
is done by an unqualified person, then it would be meaningless.

Who Are The Qualified Authority?

A qualified authority is someone who really knows what
he/she is talking about and has the proof to anything
he/she says. Qualified authorities are those people
that have deliberately studied the artist under
consideration, have already published papers about the
artist, and have curated major gallery shows or
museums catering the works of the artist.

They can also be someone who have taught courses about
the artist; bought or sold at least dozens or even hundreds
of artworks by the artist; have written magazine articles,
books, or catalogue essays about the artist, and the like.

The artist him/herself can also be a qualified authority,
along with his relatives, employees, direct descendants,
and heirs. Also, people who have formal, legal, or
estate-granted sanctions or entitlements in able to pass
judgment the artist’s works are considered to be qualified
authorities. Most importantly, they should be recognized
throughout the whole art community to the people in charge
when it comes to the matter of dealing with works by that
artist.

Who Are Not Qualified?

The list of people whom are not qualified could take
forever to complete. However, here are some of the
general characteristics of those unqualified people
who most likely say that they are qualified.

First off, you should watch out for those who think
that the piece they are selling is by this certain
artist just because the work ‘looks like’ it is done
by that artist; also, those who think that the piece
is by that artist because they saw some illustrations
from art books that are similar to the piece at hand.

Additionally, sellers that answer you with “that is
what the previous owner told me” kind of questions
are not to be trusted. You really can’t rely on
tattle-tailing to verify if the work is an original or
not. This is just the same if they say that the work
is by such artist because the previous owner is rich
and famous.

You should also watch out for art appraisers, since
they only appraise and not authenticate; unless they
have qualifications to do so. Take note that appraisal
and authentication are two different things.

So, if you’re planning on buying a so-called original,
then you must make sure that the person you’re talking
to is a qualified authority, or better yet, the artist
himself!

Art Appraisals Facts

2008-08-13T03:19:00.000-07:00

Playing It Safe With Artwork Appraisals

Appraising an artwork is one important step especially
if you are building a collection. Thus, you should
take every precaution there is to appraise your art
correctly. If you are new to this kind of trade, it
can be really hard on your part. The good thing is,
there are resources and appraisal organizations that
can help you comprehend appraisal needs that you have.

Importance Of Appraisal

Not only is having an appraisal important, but also
updating it is crucial, so that your insurance
coverage on specific artworks or collections can be
updated. You are usually obliged to have a current art
appraisal, if your art has insurance claims,
charitable donations, estate tax, is for equitable
distribution or for sale.

There are various kinds of art appraisals, such as
replacement value and current value. However, you
should make sure that you know each and their
differences in order to get appraisals that would fit
your needs. Here are some of the most established
appraisal associations that can help you out with your
artwork appraisal needs.

American Society Of Appraisers (ASA)

This is an organization for appraisal professionals
and other people who may be interested in the
profession of appraising. They have an international
status, and are very independent and self-supportive.
They’re also the oldest among appraisal orgs and the
only major organization that represents all different
disciplines of the appraising industry. They started
back in 1936 and became incorporated in 1952. You can
find ASA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Appraisal Foundation (AF)

This foundation is a not-for-profit educational group
that is dedicated for the development of professional
valuation. It was established back in 1987. Since the
foundation started, they have worked hard to promote
professionalism in field.

Appraisers Association Of America (AAA)

For the field of personal property appraisal, this is
considered to be the oldest non-profit professional
organization. They’re a recognized authority for
determining appraisal standards, setting legal issues
and regulating the profession. Their certified members
can provide you appraisals for your decorative and
fine arts, jewellery, and other household contents.

Art Dealers Association Of America Art Appraisals
(ADAA)

This association has been existing for more than
fort-five years already. Their service has been
appraising different artworks for tax purposes. A lot
of collectors and museums have asked their help in
determining the value of many important artworks,
ranging from contemporary art installations to old
master paintings. Their appraisals have exceptional
acceptance records with the IRS. They’re also
well-known because of their professional quality.
Chicago Appraisers Association (CAA)

Don’t be fooled by their association’s name. They’re
not just one appraiser with a limited knowledge in a
single area, specifically Chicago; instead, they’re
one whole team of certified experts that are ready to
help you with your appraising needs. If you checkout
their website, you can find some helpful articles on
appraising and some of the frequently asked questions
in the field, answered.

The International Society of Appraisers (ISA)

This member-driven and non-profit association was
formed to help its member’s needs and provide public
service by making ethical, highly qualified,
recognized appraisers for the field of personal
property appraisals. They have a lot of prestigious
members who are independent and respected appraisers,
estate liquidators, auctioneers, consultants, dealers
and gallery owners.

So, if you want to make sure that you’re getting the
right appraisal for your artwork at hand, then try
asking for help from such credited institutions!

Collecting Art Tips And How To Become A Better Art Collector

2008-08-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Basics Of Buying Art: Whether You’re A Pro Or Not

Buying and collecting art intelligently can be done by
anyone. That’s right, anyone. You do not need to have
experience in collecting art, previous knowledge about
the art business, or even a degree in art history. The
truth is, all you’ll need is love for and appreciation
of fine art; plus a yearning to collect; lastly,
willingness to learn a some simple techniques that
would help you evaluate any kind of art work coming
from any period of history, whomever the artist is and
whatever his or her nationality is.

Anything Goes

Although you might read some specific suggestions and
recommendations describing specific works of art, you
should take note that there is really no right or
wrong kind of art and that there’s no right or wrong
method to collect or buy art.

Everyone has the freedom to collect whatever it is
that they feel like collecting and buy whatever pieces
they feel like buying. It doesn’t really matter
whenever and wherever you feel like purchasing art,
for whatever reason, and for how much you feel like
spending on the purchase. As a result, the following
tips are not for everyone, but are typically designed
for those who want to spend their money wisely on
worth it pieces.

If you happen to be one of those people, then here are
some tips on how you can be a better art collector.

Four Way Questions On Buying Art

If the time comes that you see a piece that you want,
whether it be a painting, sculpture or a print, there
are generally four questions that you should ask
yourself to start your decision making.

Who’s The Artist?

To answer this, you have 2 reliable sources: spoken
and written information. Spoken info usually comes
from the artist himself, gallery exhibiting the piece
or the dealer. It can also com from other collectors,
friends, family, and other people that are familiar
about the art or the artist being considered. On the
other hand, written info could come in a number of
forms like artist career resumes, gallery exhibit
catalogues, art reference books and exhibition
reviews. How Important Is It?

This could be answered by simply looking at as many
possible pieces done by the artist. Try to be familiar
with the range of the artists’ art and see where that
particular piece falls. You can start by asking the
seller to show you a number of pieces done by the
artist, whether original, in print, or in photographs.
Also try to see works from all periods of the artist’s
career; doing this can teach you a lot about the
artwork and the artist at hand.

Where Has It Been?

Third, it’s also important to know where that
particular piece of art has been. This is done by
accumulating all incidental information about the
piece. It’s similar to making a biography of the
piece, from its birth, which is the artists’
completion of it, up until the present day.

This can be helpful since good provenance and
documentation can increase an artwork’s desirability,
collectability, and market value. Having a good
provenance in the art world is analogous to having
good pedigree in the pet world. For example, if a
painting was exhibited at a notable and important art
show, then it is more collectible than a similar
painting that wasn’t; just the same with awards and
prizes.

Is The Price Fair?

For this question, it doesn’t really matter what the
piece’s value may be in the future, since nobody can
really answer that. What you should want to know is
whether the piece is fairly priced today or not. This
is a very important question, because just like other
services or goods, art can sometimes come overpriced.

Baroque Architecture Exposed

2008-06-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Baroque Architecture

A very early style of architecture, but a very beautiful
style is Baroque architecture, which began in the early
17th century in Italy.

Taking the renaissance architecture and modifying it to a
new theatrical, sculptural fashion, Baroque architecture
became a very fanciful, extravagant style of structural
design.

While the Renaissance style was designed for the well to do
of society, the Baroque architecture initially played into
the wealth and power of the Roman Catholic Church.

The concerns were for light, shade and color intensity and
Baroque found its secular expression in grand palaces first
in France, then throughout Europe.

If you were to visit France today, the Chateau de Maisons
would be one of the highlights of Baroque architecture.

One of the most famous though of the Baroque architecture
pieces is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is the most
prominent building inside Vatican City. Topped with its
towering dome, it is a notable feature in the Roman
skyline.

Baroque structures are grand in size and ornaments. As
baroque moved through Europe, it eventually took on the
look of European Colonialism.

Greenwich hospital in London, England is another beautiful
example of Baroque architecture. Founded in 1694 as the
Royal Naval Hospital for sailors, the Greenwich hospital is
famous for its Baroque Painted Hall, which was painted in
honor of King William and Queen Mary.

The chapel is an awesome example of not only Baroque
architecture, but of baroque art with its high gold painted
ceilings.

Film Interested?

2008-06-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

New York Film Academy

No matter what type of degree you wish to earn in film, the New York Film Academy is one of the most renowned institutions for film and acting in the United States. There are campuses not only in the United States, but also in Europe and Asia. You can attend school either in New York, California or Florida if you wish to enroll in the New York Film Academy.

The academy offers a wide range of film programs. From one year film school classes to a Master of Fine Arts degree in film making, acting, producing and even screenwriting. Some of the most famous people in the film industry are graduates of the New York Film Academy.

There is no time like the present to get started in learning about film if this is the field that suits you. At the New York Film Academy, there are even classes for young people, to get them acclimated to the world of film before they choose to make film their career. As we get more video conscious in society, more people are expressing an interest in learning the art of film making.

No longer are we bound by only a few studios in Hollywood that dictate our entertainment. Independent film producers are popping up all over the country and bringing us some of the most innovative films that probably would not be made by the large movie companies in Hollywood. In addition, people are now using video advertising on the internet. This is a relatively new field, but one with enormous potential.

There is plenty of opportunity for someone who knows about film making to learn how to work in the advertising business either by making videos or advertising films that can be put online.

Whether you want to be an actor, producer, screenwriter or director, the New York Film Academy has a fine arts degree program waiting for you. Guest speakers that consist of Oscar winning actors and directors often appear at the academy to lecture students in classes. Those students with potential may be asked to participate in special classes. There is plenty of opportunity for your genius to be discovered at the New York Film Academy.

The New York Film Academy offers grants and financial aid for students whose budget will not allow them to pay the tuition or room and board needed to attend the academy. If you show promise as an actor or film maker, you can apply for a grant from the academy that can be used towards your tuition or room and board. Financial aid programs are also available and there is plenty of opportunity for those who want to work their way through school to do so.

If you have always dreamed of a career in film making and want to go to the best school in the country to make that dream come true, consider attending the New York Film Academy. Here you can learn everything that you need to get you on your way in the film industry, as well as meet some valuable connections who can help you further your career.

Surrealism

2008-06-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Buying paintings: Surrealism

Surrealists were a group of painters and artists that drew a large amount of inspiration from the potent impact from dreams. In the beginning, before this artistic movement was fully embraced, many civilized people questioned the value of these works of art. Though considered some of the more recent ground-breaking artwork yet to date by drawing on the psychoanalytic work of Freud and Jung, the Surrealist movement has not lost any of its’ prior affect on many a budding artist today, and influence from this art can be found in many of the works produced by the fresh artists of today.

Surrealism started as an outgrowth from another movement in the art world between the first and second World Wars. The movement that was later called Dada, and was most popular before the occurrence of WWI; many works of “anti-art” were produced as a reaction to the growing restrictions of the social world around at the time. Where Dada’s artwork was produced to deliberately defy the boundaries of reasonable interpretation, Surrealism expressed a more positive goal of combining a sense of the fantastic with a realistic eye, and creating a bold vision that took the idea of the surreal to the next level.

It is when reviewing the more creative and remarkable artists of this era, that one can come to realize the appeal and effect that the dreamy state of being has had on the art as a whole, and a person can come to grasp a more personal aspect to these unique interpretations of some of the issues that affect us today. Art is constantly being redefined from within, and it is solely upon the artist’s shoulders to weigh out the experience onto a canvas. It has been said that art imitates life and vice versa, but with Surrealism, the tables are certainly turned around when seen for oneself.

Artists and free thinking individuals such as; Andre Breton whom wrote the Surrealist Manifesto in 1924, to famed artist Pablo Picasso to whom Surrealistic success was achieved during his period of Cubism. Some of those artists who are now renowned as predecessors to the Surrealist movement began as affiliates of the Dadaism that was strongest during 1919 and the early 1920s, and some of those artists even took Surrealism to greater heights than before. Such as Marcel Duchamp who took to defying the boundaries in stride with his previous experience in the Dada movement.

Though some pieces can seem happenstance from a distance, the powerful intent of the artist to convey a new meaning through mixing up and recombining various creative influences, and even at times making new threads of thought from old ideas or objects is the goal of the artist. To defy the boundary that one has to each own their reality in life, and to put on a new sense of perspective, shaping the rest of a lifetime to come. Some of the more famed paintings are hard to find inexpensively, but buying prints can be the easiest solution to that problem.

There is still a great deal of work created today that draws heavily from the impact that Surrealist thought has made on art in general, and especially on how art can be defined on a truly individual front. The most world-renowned artists have already passed on, but their examples stand as firm points from which to gain an understanding of what Surrealism is, whether defined through a critical mind or as a sampling of how broad the area of art can be. Surrealism is an artistic expression of that state of mind that lies unexplained at the gateway of the subconscious.

Prairie Style Design And Home Features

2008-06-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

Prairie Style Architecture

If you are looking for an interesting, and beautiful style
of architecture for a house or smaller sized commercial
building, then you may want to look towards the prairie
style architecture.

The prairie style architecture was drafted originally in
the loft room of the Steinway Piano Company building in
Chicago, Illinois in the 1890’s. The Prairie Style was
popular from the 1900’s through about 1912.

Probably the most famous follower of the Louis Sullivan
teachings on Prairie Style architecture was Frank Lloyd
Wright.

Also termed Prairie School Architecture, the Prairie style
was and is most commonly found in the Midwestern United
States.

Prairie style homes are distinct in their design. Created
with horizontal lines, flat roofs with overhanging eves and
windows grouped in horizontal bands.

Some of the most famous Prairie Style homes are the Darwin
D. Martin House in Buffalo, NY, along with the Guggenheim
Museum in New York City and Fallingwater in Pennsylvania.

There is one though that stands out above the rest, the
Robie House. Located on the campus on the University of
Chicago, it is the quintessential example of the Prairie
Style Architecture.

Illinois still holds the greatest number of Prairie Style
Architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright lived for a time in Oak
Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Here you will find
street after street of Prairie Style Architecture.

Prairie homes were made to function efficiently in the
prairie climate. The horizontal lines were thought to match
those of the native prairie landscape. The interior was
designed to be multifunctional and utilizing the suns
natural light and natural air flow throughout the house.
The Prairie Style architecture is by far some of the most
beautiful you will find in the Midwest.

Graffiti As It Should Be

2008-06-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

Graffiti The Modern Way

Graffiti has existed since ancient times with roots from the Ancient Greece and Roman Empire and can be anything from simple scratch marks to elaborate wall paintings ( Wikipedia).

Now these modern days, graffiti is also a Facebook application that is found in the Just for fun and Messaging categories. Never heard of Facebook? It is a social website that you can access from your PC or Smartphone. One of the great things about this website is the ability to easily keep in contact with everyone you know. Facebook can link to your contacts list so that you can invite all of your friends and family to join. In addition to keeping in contact with friends and family there are many ways to share information with them. You can join groups and socialize. Graffiti is a Facebook program that can help you have fun and it enables you to keep in touch with everyone.

Graffiti is one of the more popular Facebook applications. In addition to keeping in contact with friends, there are many applications, like Graffiti, that add to the enjoyment of Facebook. To find applications that interest you, log into Facebook, click on applications, and then choose browse. Enter what you are looking for in the search box. Applications like this can help you expand your group of friends. They are ranked by users like just like you.

If you are looking for applications pertaining to the Just for fun or Messaging genres, then check out Graffiti. Using categories can help you find what you are looking for quickly. There are a plethora of different categories to choose from. This is just one way to locate applications that suit your needs. If Facebook did not sort all of the applications into categories, it would soon become an unorganized monster.

Graffiti developed by Mark Cantor, Tim Suzman and Ted Suzman, is very popular. Rated with 4.0 out of 5 stars, you know that other enjoy it. Graffiti has an amazing 189,999 daily active users who think this program is great. Ratings for this program are based on input from 244 individual Facebook users. Graffiti is found in the Just for fun and Messaging categories. You can draw graffiti or pictures for your friends and share them with everyone. It is simple and easy to design pictures or just doodle. Instead of daydreaming why not create some amazing graffiti instead. Share all of you creations with the entire world, or just a few close friends. How about giving Graffiti by Mark Cantor, Tim Suzman, Ted Suzman a try to see if you like it. Over 100,000 others do.

Applications like Graffiti are what make Facebook different from all of the other social websites out there. With Facebook on your Smartphone, you will never be out of touch. We can connect to our friends and relatives in ways we never though possible thanks to the technological advancements available today. This includes social websites such as Facebook. Facebook, other social websites, and their counterparts have changed the way we communicate, share information, and convey our ideas. We can all stay connected easily thanks to Facebook. Why not share Graffiti by Mark Cantor, Tim Suzman, Ted Suzman with your group of friends. See if they like it too. Facebook works best when you share it with your friends. While you are at it why not browse the just for fun, messaging to find more applications like Graffiti. All of the applications are free, so there is nothing for you to lose.

Contemporary Art: Minimalism

2008-05-29T03:19:00.000-07:00

Buying Paintings: Contemporary Art - Minimalism

Though I could enjoy speaking on the topic of art for sometime, I found myself without a way to truly understand the differing values in the ways of thought that permeate this grouping of human experience, and found myself looking to sources over the Internet to further my knowledge to utilize the information gathered to purchase paintings. I have always been interested in the passions evoked by the series of artists and movements that proliferate what we have come to know as the history of art. Reflecting on this notion of life’s passing interaction whether Romanticist, Surrealist, or Minimalist in nature.

Speaking on Minimalism now, the ideas that made this movement unique relied heavily upon the work being stripped down to the barest fundamental aspects, and laying bare those integral parts of self-expression. Many pieces of work other than visual art has been affected by these ideals of minimalism, and acted outside of this particular aesthetic appeal, creating new ways to interpret literature and even lifestyles. As far as painting goes, however, the minimalist paintings will typically use limited color schemes and simple geometric designs. Minimalist sculpture is focused on the materials used.

Some of the phases commonly agreed on about this movement are each notable for how they have progressed the overall conception of minimalism as a movement. A distillation in forms was the first phase, with contributors claiming in order to create a universal language of art that masses were meant to understand easily, and seemed poised to support the rapid industrialization for particular settings of the time. Searching for a purity of form, and paving the way for the abstractions to come later on, allowing for the second more notable phase to reach its’ crescendo afterwards.

Much of the formats for commercial artwork we see today have had a great deal of background in this movement of visual art, allowing us to understand on a fundamental level what the message is that the work is trying to convey, and a large amount of the signs and signals we find today relies heavily upon these ideals to translate a universal meaning to the general populace. We can easily see the progression of minimalism in these examples of the world over, and it almost as ingrained into our society now as much as we care to see.

A minimalist painting will typically use a very limited amount of colors and have a very simplistic geometric design. Minimalism in sculpture, on the other hand, is much more concerned with the materials used. Many people believe that minimalism in generally is about geometric shapes, but this interpretation depends widely on the branch of art as well as the interpreter.

But the simplest way to describe minimalism is that the less that is in the painting or work of art, the better it is. Minimalism is all about drawing attention to the few objects and colors of the composition. In this way minimalism shows us that less is better, for the eye is not drawn away by this of that filler or extra objects.

Minimalism is about starting with nothing and then carefully applying the few objects and colors that will define the piece as a whole. Minimalism is still one of the major parts of contemporary art, but it is used I conjunction with other styles and flairs from other art movements to form new types of minimalism.

Impressionist Cityscape Paintings

2008-05-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Buying Impressionist Cityscapes

I have been looking for impressionist cityscapes in various mediums to decorate my home. I prefer to hang art that was created in the last fifteen years. There are so many great artists to choose from.

I have decided that I want to have three impressionist cityscapes painted in acrylic. I will be buying one called Stormy Desert that was painted by an artist named JoanAnn. The piece is painted on a 40” X 30” canvas and has flowering cactus plants in the foreground.

The next impressionist cityscape painting I plan to buy is called Tuscan Waterfall. The piece is a triptych and is on three gallery wrapped canvases. The artist lives in Tennessee and supports herself with her art.

The last acrylic impressionist cityscape that I plan to buy is called Autumn Dream. Autumn is my favorite time of year and the painting captures every color of autumn. The artist painted the sides, so there is no need to have it framed. I can’t wait to see this hanging in my home.

I have found only two impressionist cityscapes that I liked in the Gouache medium. The first was from an artist named Joe Wojdakowski and the subject is an area located in Wells, Maine. I’m not sure why I am so drawn to this particular impressionist cityscape, but I am and plan to buy it.

The other Gouache impressionist cityscape that I plan to buy features Big Ben in London. The artist is an Englishman named Alasdair Rennie. The scene is rainy and I like it a lot. It reminds me of my time in London when I was a child.

The first oil impressionist cityscape painting I bought was called Koi Pond Reflections. I’ve seen this artist’s work before and I always really like it. The painting was completed using brush and knife. The painting has not arrived, yet, because the paint is very thick and needs to complete the drying process undisturbed. I cannot wait to get it!

I really like having various styles of impressionist cityscape paintings. I don’t just like variety in the mediums; I like variety in styles and influences. I really fell in love with an oil impressionist cityscape painting called En Sendero that was originally purchased in Oaxaca, Mexico. I purchased the painting for just over three thousand dollars.

The oil impressionist cityscape painting of Paris that I want was painted by a well recognized painter Radik Atoyan. He is Armenian and signed the painting in his Armenian language. He has a unique way of using color that just makes his painting look special.

I have also been interested in watercolor impressionist cityscape paintings. There is an original painting that depicts an urban rainy night that I think would be perfect for me. The painting just makes me feel good to look into.

I made a purchase not long ago that was painted by an Israeli artist named Yosef Kossonogi. The use of color in this watercolor impressionist cityscape is so vivid. I could not wait to hang it on my wall. After the shipment arrived with the painting, my brother came right over with a level to hang it.

I found a painting that reminded me of a vacation I took to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The impressionist cityscape painting was created by Adam Maeroff and I think that it is the perfect painting to complete my collection.

Landscape Art Clayton Pruitt Landscape Architect

2008-05-25T02:54:00.000-07:00

Landscape architecture and designing is probably the most up coming allied branch of construction. It can be best defined as the art of planning, designing, managing, preserving and rehabilitating the land and as well as human-made constructs. The complete restructuring of land ensures that the land can be utilized for further construction activities.

The scale of this line of work includes architectural design, planning of site, estate development, and environmental restoration, urban planning and design, town planning and design, recreational and historic preservation. A practitioner in the field of landscape and designing is referred to as a landscape architect.

Many people these days are opting for an exclusive residential option that speak of originality and creativity. If you have the eye for artistic details and are willing to spend money, then Clayton Pruitt landscape architect is the person to go to. A prominent landscape architect, Mr. Pruitt has a wealth of experience in his stream of expertise. He works as a garden designer in the Lakeview Landscape Inc.

To hire his expert services, he indicates that he will work on a contractual basis. Though he charges for the first meetings, the charges for facilitation of the design with the contractor, and maintenance schedules are extra and will be levied on an hourly basis.

Clayton Pruitt landscape architect believes that designing a garden requires inputs form the clients as well. They can give the best idea of what their requirements are and some of them have come up with very unique and creative concepts of gardening. He believes that designing is something that we do at every point in our lives. Whenever you put something together yourself, you have indulged in designing.

Even a routine activity like gardening needs designing skills. He emphasizes on the need of correctness of vocabulary, grammar and spelling thus making letter writing a form of designing. Designing, thus should be practiced as a religion. It is only then when the best design solutions can be thought about.

Clayton Pruitt believes in a sincere and dedicated approach towards his work however humble the project may be. One of his specialties is waterfall landscape design. He appreciates the work of the painters who confine the epic scope of some wonderful landscapes that stimulated them. This form of landscaping is a good illustration of asymmetrical design. Water can be a magical element in the entire layout of the garden and can give a distinctively look to the garden.

As a landscape designer, Mr. Pruitt suggests the use of patio plants, house plants or miniature Christmas trees to make the gardens attractive. Lakeside Landscape Inc is an affordable tree service company and will offer its band of customers all the help required with maintaining a garden.

Clayton Pruitt landscape architect believes that a landscape becomes a garden when it develops into an extension of the owner, in the functional, aesthetic and emotional regard. Landscape art portrays scenery such as valleys, mountains, rivers, forests and trees and this can be replicated in the residential gardens.

In fact, a well maintained and beautifully designed front lawn adds a touch of exotic beauty to a residential plan.

Art Advertising Career

2008-05-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Art Degree in Advertising Art

Few careers in art are as lucrative as those in the advertising field. Advertising itself is a creative art and requires many different facets of creativity in order to be successful. If you are a highly creative person who enjoys working in the commercial industry, an art degree in advertising art may be just your thing.

There is more to learning about the world of advertising than just being able to come up with catchy slogans and ad campaigns. People with a degree in advertising learn all about the business side of advertising as well as the creative aspect. It is important to know all about copyright law and account supervision along with the creative element of advertising.

Advertising executives tend to make a very good living, but often begin their careers in entry level positions such as copyrighters, assistant art directors or account managers. After obtaining your art degree in advertising, you will most likely seek employment in an advertising firm where you will begin your career at the entry level. Your background and degree in advertising art will enable you to learn the craft from the professionals for whom you work. As is the case with most businesses, you will have to work your way up the ladder towards being an advertising executive.

Those who work in the field of advertising use their creative energy to market different products for clients. Marketing can come in many different facets. Advertising is not only done on television, but on the radio, in print and on the internet. Depending upon your area of expertise, you may find work in one of these different media fields. There are many different facets in advertising art.

Upon graduation, you will have a BA in advertising art. This is a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In addition to learning about the field of advertising and taking many different art courses, you will also have to take traditional courses in English and Math in order to obtain your degree. In most cases, you will be taking only a few math classes, more English classes as well as economics, marketing and business classes.

There are many different schools where you can learn the art of advertising. You should seek to obtain your art degree in advertising art from a school that is accredited and one that will hold weight when you attempt to look for a job. Do some research into the advertising field prior to enrolling in art school for advertising. Make sure that you will be paying tuition towards a degree that will enable you to get a job in the field of advertising, which can be quite competitive.

Advertising is one of the most lucrative fields in which one with creative abilities can dabble. Because of the many different aspects to advertising, there are several options open to someone who enjoys marketing, business and has creative instincts. You do not have to know how to draw well to be successful in this artistic field. You just need to be aware of the market and have fresh ideas on how to sell products. An art degree in advertising art can be one of the best ways to insure a bright future in a creative environment.

Painting Of The Month Flowers

2008-05-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

This painting of the month as of may 2008 is painted by Huysum, Jan van who lived and act between 1682 - 1749, Source The National Gallery, London. The flower composition is painted by oil on canvas and dated as of 1737.

And the source tells:

"The flowers, as is common in van Huysum's pictures, are of different seasons and most of them are depicted larger than their natural size. The arrangement includes peonies, poppies, blue iris, African marigolds, apple blossom, narcissi, marigolds, tulips, jacinths, roses, ranunculuses and auriculas. The vase is decorated with putti in low relief. At the base of the vase are more roses, carnations, convolvulus, grapes, peaches and a chaffinch's nest".

For those interested in flower painting studies this is truly a wonderful piece of art work.

Art Pieces And Reproductions For Sale

Bonsai Tree Landscaping Resources Orchids

Art History Degree Usability

2008-05-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

Art History

A degree in art history is useful for someone who wishes to be a teacher or perhaps work in an art museum. Many people find it interesting to learn about the history of artistic pursuits and go to art school to get a degree in art history.

For those who wish to find a career in teaching art history, it is necessary to get an art degree. If you are planning on teaching grammar school children, you may do well with a bachelor degree of arts. If you are planning on teaching older children, such as high school students or even at the college level, you will most likely need a master degree in art history.

Art history is a most fascinating subject and most people enjoy learning about the old masters, the impressionists and the others who followed in their footsteps. Most school districts teach a bit of art history in middle school and add it as an elective during high school.

Other uses for an art history degree would be to work in an art museum. This can be quite a rewarding and lucrative career, particularly if you aspire to be a curator of a museum. Those who wish to have a career working in an art museum will most likely have to begin in an entry level job at the museum, in most cases, as a tour guide.

In order to obtain a teaching job, a person should also have a degree in education. Many people major in art history and minor in education when seeking a job as an art history teacher. It is also important to have the correct teaching certifications.

Someone with a master degree in art history will find many different avenues open to him or her, although this is not the most lucrative of careers in the art field. It can be very satisfying, however, for anyone who truly appreciates the history of art. Someone must preserve this history for future generations. This endeavor lies on shoulders of those who choose to teach art history, either in a classroom setting or in a museum.

Anyone who has a love of history as well as art appreciation should consider a career as an art teacher or art history teacher. In many schools, a teacher is supposed to know about many different types of art as well as different art techniques to teach students. Although a teacher may major in art history, they will also be required to teach students skills such as jewelry making, painting and drawing.

It is good to be well rounded in the field of art if you are planning a career as an art teacher. If, however, you seek to work in a museum as an art historian, you need only concentrate on art history. You should know your art history backwards and be able to ascertain which artist painted which type of painting by sight. Your knowledge will come in very handy to those who visit the museum where you work.

An art history degree can be used for many different purposes and can be very enjoyable for someone who wants to teach, work in a museum or even write books about the history of the fine arts. It is important that people continue to study art history so that the knowledge can continue to spread to future generations.

Media Art Degree Elicited

2008-05-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

Art Degree in Media Art

Media art is an ever growing field and encompasses all forms of media. Many people who may enjoy working in television or with different two dimensional formats. If you have a knack for drawing figures or designs and wish to make them "come alive" in the media, either on television or online, then you may be interested in obtaining an art degree in media art.

Media art is something with which we encounter every day but pay little attention to. If you are watching television, chances are that you will see examples of media art when the station broadcasts their upcoming events. Media art concentrates on making two dimensional images come to life as three dimensional images. Images can be of people or designs.

People who seek to obtain an art degree in media art should have some drawing experience and be able to draw quite well. Most people can learn to draw if they apply themselves to this art. You do not have to be Picasso to be able to do well as a media artist. If you have a rudimentary ability to draw and a desire to learn, you can be taught the different aspects of media art.

Because of the introduction of the internet into our lives, media artists are in high demand. Not only do they work in media such as film and television, but they also work for online companies. Any time you see designs coming to life, you are witnessing the work of a Media Artist.

A good example of media art is the MGM lion. This was the brainstorm of one individual. The MGM lion would roar at the beginning of an MGM film and was surrounded by an artistic design. As the years wore on, the MGM lion became more of a sophisticated icon. In most cases, the media art is used to portray something that signifies the television channel or film that you are watching.

The average individual observes the media art and associates the art with a particular television station or other form of media. They do not often think about the art itself. For this reason, many media artists are considered unsung heroes of the art world. Their work is well known, but they are not. However, they are well compensated for their efforts. Media art is a growing field and one that can be quite lucrative.

Many people think that getting an art degree is a waste of time. They imagine artists as starving, living in attics and not having any money to eat. They have watched too many films and believed too many myths about the "starving artist." Contrary to popular belief, most famous artists lived to see their genius discovered and today there are thousands of opportunities for artists to not only find employment, but also to make a very good living. A creative mind is a gift and many people are paid well for having this asset.

If you enjoy working with designs, drawing and have a creative flair for turning images into 3-D designs, you may choose to obtain an art degree in media design. You will have the satisfaction of having your work noticed by millions of people and be well compensated for your efforts. In addition, your craft will always be in demand.

People Painted How They Happend To Be

2008-05-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

You may or may not happend to read that a painting has been sold at one art auction in New York for the highest amount ever bought from a currently living painting artist's artwork. Earlier only the 'Hanging Heart' sculpture by Jeff Koon was in the top as of november 2007.

The painting now sold is painted by the 85 year old artist Lucian Freud. He is an artist originally from Berlin, Germany who later on moved to Great Britain and is a grandson of the wellknown Sigmund Freud.

Lucian was earlier associated to surrealism when he painted people and plants in unusual settings, however, transformed over to paint portraits of people and artists with thicker impasto techniques from the 1950s and forward in a more traditional representative style.

"I paint people, " Freud has said, "not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be" ( Source).

Lucian's portrait painting from 1950 now sold is called Benefits Supervisor Sleeping depicting the muse Sue Tilly and went to over $34 million or £22 million.

Symbolism

2008-05-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

Buying Paintings: Symbolism

Evoking a taste similar to the Romanticist tradition, but utilized mysticism and sensitivity through mythology and dream imagery, preceding the psychoanalytical work of Freud and Jung. With a strong philosophical touch, more so than a style of art, and Art Nouveau and Expressionist artists such as Edvard Munch. Beginning in France as a reaction to the movements of Naturalism and Realism, which seemed to capture the particular components of consensual reality, and presented spirituality and imagination reflecting some artists budding interest in religion and spirituality.

In literature, poet Charles Baudelaire was developing his work and the movement, and especially with such luminaries as Verlaine contributing to the collective effort of the literary movement during the 1860s and through to the 1870s. With the works of Edgar Allen Poe coming to popularity in the 1880s, the Symbolism movement in artwork represented an outgrowth into the darker and more gothic nature of Romanticism, and contrasted with Romanticism’s rebellious and impetuous sides. Symbolist writers wrote in very metaphoric and suggestive manner, to imbue the subjects with a sense of symbolic meaning, and made realistic images into representatives for more esoteric and primordial ideas.

In translating the language of dreams into artwork with symbolic leanings, discovering a visual style that draws upon that philosophical approach that captures a sense of art that has been influential on more than one movement artistically, and has evoked some of the more fantastic imagery to ever cross a canvas. The Symbolist Manifesto was published in 1886, leading to a description of the movement that included ideas such as being hostile towards plain and matter-of-fact meanings, and to express the ideal in a perceptible form was the sole purpose of this art form.

Symbolists that preferred poetic means of conveying their ideas, were known for their techniques of removing technical aspects to achieve a greater fluidity for their work, and became related with seeking use of symbolic images over raw description to evoke the state of the poet’s soul. Paul Verlaine was influential in an 1884 publication defining the essence of Symbolism, through many essays on the relevant poets of the day, and came to the conclusion of relating the works of this movement to the famed philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, whose own work delved into art as a means of refuge from the strife of the world.

These similarities, which presented a contemplative and artistic refuge using themes such as mortality and otherworldliness, created disparaging arguments between critic and artist alike. Leading to many Symbolist poets of the day to make their own publications and periodicals, and the literary Symbolism then reached its’ peak in the year 1886, with one particular periodical lasting until 1965. Though the two aspects of the movement were distinct, they would occasionally overlap each other, and became a continuation for mystical tendencies in a Romantic tradition, even flirting with the self-consciously dark Decadence movement.

There were several dissimilar groups of painters and visual artists within the Symbolism movement, and the artistic movement seemed to have a greater impact worldwide than the literary movement, reaching multiple artists and sculptors from such distinct parts as Russia. Many of the symbols found herein are not necessarily universal, but more personally affected with the artist’s obscure and private references, with some dreamlike subject matter influencing later Surrealists. Symbolism has had a strong link to music for a while, and mostly due to the enthusiasm for the work of Richard Wagner, whose own music reflected his influence from the philosopher Schopenhauer.

Symbolism even grew to affect some of the literary fiction contributed by Oscar Wilde and Paul Adam, and has a pronounced ring when speaking about movements that have literarily and artistically that have crossed over into other inner groupings of artistic work. The waters of Symbolism have even filtered down the centuries into the state of motion pictures today, and early on held influence with Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, as well as Russian actor and director Vsevolov Meyerhold’s method of acting that influenced early motion pictures.

It is difficult to overlook Symbolism’s influence and repercussions throughout the timeline to the current period of the world, as it drifts through many aspects taken for granted on a daily basis, and many pieces of work for many artists from writer T. S. Eliot to painter Pablo Picasso and even the state of horror films as well. A decidedly different state of the world now has interpreted and reinterpreted all this throughout these hundreds of years, and created more and more material reflections of the state of things as they happen to be.

Art Museums

2008-05-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Places to go for art and oil paintings. Read on...

Oil Paintings Around the World

So you love to travel, right? What about traveling all over the world to visit art museums? There are many art museums all over the world that house the most famous of oil painting, and among them are Rembrandt's Mona Lisa, works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Michelangelo, and many others that are either well know or not so well known. In any case, these oil paintings can be seen in museums that have preserved throughout time, and some of the more famous and better ones are outlined here in order for you to put them on your list of places to visit in your lifetime.

The number one place to visit would be the Louvre. This museum of art includes famous oil paintings among other things and can be found in Paris. This should be your second stop after the Eiffel Tower. Started out as a palace and was built in the late 12th century, this wonderful palace houses some of the world's most popular oil paintings. Among them, the Mona Lisa by Rembrandt is the most popular to see and visit. Some of the most lesser known oil paintings that are housed in this ancient museum, but are nonetheless very interesting include an oil painting titled Charity by Andrea del Sarto that was created in the early sixteenth century and the Pieta, which is an oil painting by Rosso Fiorentino which was also oil painted in the sixteenth century.

However, if you are in the United States and would like to visit art museums for the pleasure of looking at famous oil paintings, you don't need to travel too far. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is held in New York City, and no one needs to look further than this to see some of the most famous oil paintings of the world also. A couple famous American oil painters include Lawrence Kilburn who painted an oil painting titled "Portrait of a Lady." He created this work of art in 1764, and he used a canvas to make this work of art. Other famous American oil painters include Joseph Blackburn and Matthew Pratt, who also made their famous oil paintings in the mid to late sixteenth century.

If one is travelling around the world, one might stop in England where there is The National Gallery. This is located in London, along with the Royal Academy, which also has famous oil paintings on hand in their house collection. In Russia, one can visit the Hermitage Museum located in Saint Petersburg, or one could even stop in Japan to go see famous oil paintings there. For example, one could find the National Museum of Art, located in Osaka, and also the National Museum of Modern art, which is in the great city of Tokyo.

Article Source: http://www.paintinghotel.com/

Make sure to bookmark this passion4art blog page for more art tips and resources and thanks for visiting.

Famous Landscape Architects

2008-05-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Some Of The Best Famous Landscape Architects

Landscape architecture has been recognized as a distinct profession only in the early 20th century. However this field has number of famous landscape architects within this short period. American society of landscape architects provides the list of some of the famous landscape architects in U.S and Canada.

Dr. Jacob Bigelow was the first landscape designer in United States who proposed different types of uses for graveyard. Thomas D. Church was one of the best landscape architects who had done more than 4000 projects. He was the creator of California garden which was designed to suit the Mediterranean climate and this garden requires low maintenance and high longevity for the native plants. He designed more than 2000 home gardens in California. He also designed public gardens of University of California.

Horace W.S Cleveland is yet another famous landscape architect who suggested some basic changes in the sanitation, park system, town residences etc in major cities of America. Charles Eliot made distinctive achievements in the landscape architecture which include Metropolitan Park and open space systems in Boston. Beatrix Jones Farrand was one among the founders of American Society of landscape architecture and she is famous for her work on Yale University quadrangles.

Fletcher Steele is one of the famous landscape architects who had designed number of suburban residential gardens. In the past decades, lawn area in every American home was ubiquitous. Fletcher Steele was against this pattern and he supported the need of privacy in the lawn area. NaumKeag in Massachusetts is one of his famous landscapes. He had promoted variety of garden types and he suggested some ways to use garden as an outdoor living space. He supported the need of functional elements in a garden like vegetable garden, fruit garden etc.

Most of the people consider Fredrick Law Olmsted as the founder of landscape architecture. But he considered himself as an environmental planner. He had designed many city parks including the famous Central park in New York City. He had also designed number of parks in Boston city.

Andrew Jackson Downing is yet another one of famous landscape architects who is also considered as the founder of landscape gardening. He had focused his design plans more for gardens only. He had designed gardens in numerous middle class homes in America. Since he was basically a nurseryman, he had the ability to judge the plant types suitable for variety of soil and land. He provides help to grow native plants in home gardens.

Thomas Jefferson was not only a landscape designer but he was also a politician. He designed so many estates for his friends. He devoted his efforts in designing gardens. He was proud to be called as a gardener.

Hideo Sasaki provided dedicated work for the creation of landscape architecture. He insisted that landscape architecture can be a part of architecture, civil engineering and planning. He provided various improvements in the landscape designs. His great achievements include urban design improvements in Pennsylvania.

Apart from the above mentioned landscape architects, there are number of famous architects who dedicate their efforts in order to upgrade this field.

Greco-Roman Architecture

2008-04-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Architecture Style Ancient Greek Buildings

Ancient Greece may have spawned the beginning of sculpture
and architecture, not only in ancient times, but also until
present day.

Until the 7th century, Greece was without architecture.
Since the pre 7th century Greek buildings were made mostly
of wood or mud-brick, there is nothing remaining of them
and there was little in written record about them.

But in a more modern Greece, buildings such as the
Parthenon and the Coliseum, still partially remain, giving
us beautiful architecture in which to study.

Most Greco-Roman architecture either rectangle or square in
shape and made from limestone, which is found in abundance
in Greece. Though many people think Marble was used in the
building of the Greco-Roman architecture, the cost and
unavailability of it directed its use for mostly sculptural
decoration, except for the Parthenon.

Greco-Roman architecture is abundant in columns and size.
Most people don’t realize that there are two types of
Greco-Roman architecture, the Doric and Ionic.

While the famous Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus in
Athens are Doric, the Erechtheum, which is located right
next to the Parthenon is Ionic. Ionic Greco-Roman
architecture is more decorative.

The most surviving buildings of Roman-Greco Architecture
lean towards the temples. This is mainly due to the
building material used. Limestone though, after years, can
begin to waste away and decompose with natural erosion.

A building like the temples and the Parthenon were revered
as the grandest buildings, therefore marble, which was
difficult to transport from the few islands where it could
be found, was used.

Mixed Media Art Auctions

2008-03-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Mixed media art auctions have a lot to offer. Today I found several seriolithographs. I liked the colors that the Polish artist Zamy Steynovitz used.

The fun part of mixed media art auctions is that you just never know what you’ll find. I found a pebble art piece from the 1960’s that featured a bare-chested chariot driver cracking a whip. The piece also had three horses. The medium of pebbles was very interesting.

Another interesting find while I was looking through mixed media art auctions was a mirrored wall hanging that represents the Manhattan skyline. This piece was made before the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings and they are represented in the piece.

Sometimes the medium used in mixed media art is the same as other categories of art. I found a nice acrylic painting in a mixed media art auction that was unusual because of its subject. The artist painted a red sea dragon with a lovely woman. I learned that the artist was influenced by Salvador Dali, HP Lovecraft and his love of the game Dungeons and Dragons.

I found a really pretty 3-D art collage shadowbox while I was looking through the mixed media art auctions. The title of the piece was True Confessions of a Mermaid Gone Bad. The piece was listed as professionally framed art with glass in yellow stained wood.

Mixed media art auctions bring so many different artistic styles to light. I found a Scandinavian inspired design of two peacocks on a hand stitched wall hanging. The piece was surrounded by a decorative border and the frame was reported to be in great condition.

Sometimes the mixed media art auctions include artistic things like hand made cards. I found an artist that lists auctions of greeting card collages. The ones that I was looking at used vintage images, ink and extremely decorative paper.

There was an item of art that came up in my searches of mixed media art auctions that I really liked. It was listed as a beautiful abstract tin art. It was actually quite impressive and was listed as measuring two feet by two and a half feet. I think this would actually look great on my mother-in-law’s wall.

So many of the paintings I found listed in the mixed media art auctions were just unusual versions of mainstream subjects. I have found so many art auctions with poppies painted on canvas, but today I found a white poppy painted in oil with a brilliant emerald green background. It was very striking and I think that the contemporary feel to this piece came across very well.

I had never considered vintage maps to be art before I found them in the mixed media art auctions. I guess when a map becomes antique and is no longer useful for its original intended purpose, it can become art. I found a listing for battle maps that was very intriguing. This map would look good framed and displayed with other war related memorabilia.

Mixed media art auctions really do have a lot of different kinds of art represented. I found an artist with items listed whose medium is purses. She makes purses from cigar boxes and solders a handle and various embellishments on the side. The purses are really quite delightful.

You may return to our Passion4Art blog for more art information and art material anytime.

Thanks for visiting today.

The Gothic Art Style Described

2008-03-01T03:17:00.000-08:00

Some of the most valuable early artwork comes from a point of time before the Renaissance had begun, and going on through the early Middle Ages, referred to as the period of Gothic art. During this particular time in history, the artwork took on telling narrative stories through pictures, and much of these pieces were Christian and secular in nature. Some of the earliest examples of Gothic art are sculptures found on cathedral and abbey walls, and the first real form of Gothic artwork began as architectural works in fact, even becoming the subject matter for many stained glass windows at the time.

The style of painting that further defined Gothic art wasn’t produced until nearly fifty years after Gothic architecture and sculptures, and even though the break between Romanesque artwork and the Gothic styles has remained imprecise at best, the beginnings of Gothic artwork seems to occur in various areas at different but related intervals. The artwork began in England and France around 1200, and in other areas like Germany and Italy between 1220 and 1300. The paintings stayed just as narrative as the architecture on church walls during this time, and has stayed the territory of secular storytelling for a long time afterwards.

Though Gothic art in paintings has had a relatively short time as the medium of choice amongst the artists, there is evidence that the artwork falls into four particular styles of these paintings, and these were the most common forms during this time period. The fresco, the panel painting, the illuminated manuscript, and the artwork done on stained glass are all depictions of Gothic painting. Of these particular types, stained glass artwork had remained a strong reminder of those ages long past, and is still created by master artisans that learned their trade skills from these dark ages.

In the case of the other three particular forms of Gothic painting, frescoes continued to be used as the pictorial narratives on church walls in southern Europe, and were a consistent incorporation of early Christian and Romanesque traditions. In Italy, during the 13th century, the panel painting began and spread throughout Europe. With this proliferation, panel paintings became even more predominant by the 15th century, and becoming even more popular than stained glass at the time. Since not all monumental works have survived, illuminated manuscripts are the most complete record of Gothic painting, and provide a comprehensive account of styles that would otherwise perished.

As the state of the world began to change, so too did the interpretations of the artwork as a reflection of these changing times and attitudes, and the movement became known as International Gothic by the late 15th century. From there, it had evolved into an art form depicting not just secular stories and allegories, but also resulted in the occurrence of more illuminated manuscripts and paintings as increased trade and the rise of cities and universities grew. With this proliferation of growth, more people were literate, and lead to better records kept with this occurring. Leading up to many of the well-known medieval artists today.

The International Gothic style of artwork was developed in Burgundy, Bohemia, and northern Italy in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. During this period in Gothic art, artists traveled widely around the civilized world at the time creating a common aesthetic among the aristocracy of the time, and removing the concepts of contrary artistic styles. The main influences for this period in artwork were derived from northern France, the Netherlands, and Italy. It was during this time, that aspects of rational uses of perspective and setting became a common feature, and other features included flowing lines and rich coloring.

In the case of Gothic sculpture, it had evolved from the elongated forms of the Romanesque style, and became a more naturalistic expression in the early 12th and late 13th centuries. Influences from Greek and Roman statuary were incorporated into drapery, facial expressions, and poses. The sculptor Claus Sluter and the changing tastes for more naturalistic styles became a harbinger for the end of the Gothic period of art, and signaled the beginning of the evolution into Renaissance period at the end of the 15th century.

In a time period where upheaval was the normal occurrence of many of the people then, Gothic art fell into the broad scope of medieval artwork that included such disparate elements and styles as Viking art and Celtic art, but in varying degrees relied upon the artistic heritage of the Roman Empire and the early Christian Church. In fact, much medieval artwork has the history of these elements conjoining and converging into the remarkable artistic legacy we read about today, and have contributed over time to the outcome of many other forms of art from the Renaissance to the present day.

See also:

Auction Gothic Art Units

art.paintinghotel.com ( and search for 'gothic').

Gothic Arhitecture

Market Place for Art

Realism In Art The Popular Cultural Movement

2008-02-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

In literature as well as art realism is the depiction of subjects as they appear in practical, everyday life. Realism does not deal with interpretation or embellishment. The point of realism is to capture people or situations in a gritty and real way. Similar to realist photography, the realist painter does not place emphasis on stylization but is most interested in depicting situations just as they appear to the naked eye.

While realism depicts real characters in real situations, there tends to be emphasis placed on the sordid or ugly. In this way, realism is very much the opposite of idealism. In idealism the theory is that the reality and regular world around us is merely a reflection of a higher truth. With realism, however, it’s as though we’re saying “all I know for sure is what my eyes and other sense organs tell me”.

As a reaction to the idealism of Romanticism in France during the middle of the nineteenth century, realism became the popular cultural movement in many ways. Realism is often linked to demands for political and social reform, as well as ideas about democracy. Dominating the literature and visual arts of England, France and the United States between the years 1840 and 1880, realism was popular throughout many facets of life.

Realists tend to throw out such hubris as classical forms, theatrics and lofty esoteric subjects in favor of the most commonplace subjects and themes. A very famous example of a realist painting is Jean-Francois Millet’s ‘The Gleaners’ from the year 1857. This painting portrays three women working in the fields. The colors are very realistic, almost drab, by contrast to non-realist paintings.

Realism as an art movement appears as early as 2400 BC in India in the city of Lothal. Examples of this type of art can be found around the world and throughout art history. In a very broad sense, realism is art that shows any subject or object that has been observed and accurately depicted, though the entire art piece may not conform to realism conditions.

During the late sixteenth century the most prominent mode of art in European art was a form called mannerism, which showed artificial and elongated figures in very unreal, though graceful positions. Then an artist by the name of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio emerged and changed much of the direction of art simply by depicting real humans doing real things. His work shows images painted directly fro meveryday life and shows an immediacy that had never been seen before.

Dutch art had any realism entries, with their fondness for homely details and humble situations and subjects. Rembrandt is a very well known example of Dutch realism in paintings. The Barbizon School took realism in a whole new direction when, by observing and painting nature, the beginnings of Impressionism took shape.

Realism still plays a role in paintings and art of all kinds today. From film to television and the fine arts, realism is still a major player in the world of creative and expressive processes and productions. Throughout human history there have been those that wish to see things as they are and those that see in reality a hint of the divine. Realism went a long way in providing the one extreme with which we’ve discovered several in betweens in more modern and contemporary art.

See also: Art Gallery Online With Realistic Paintings

Saskia Van Uylenburgh (Re...

Buy From Art.com

Children’s Art Paintings Guide

2008-02-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

Children’s art paintings are fun to look at. They bring me good feelings. I have had a lot of jobs the last couple of years buying children’s art to hang in various places. I have enjoyed every single job.

I bought two children’s art posters for the children’s hospital to hang in one of their waiting area. They were both from Maurice Sendak’s book Where the Wild Things Are. I loved that book when I was a kid and this art brought back some good memories.

I found a Jim Daly children’s art print to frame and put in the physical therapy lounge at a local rehabilitation center. They wanted to put together a friendly feeling place that would help keep kids entertained. I put the painting where parents can read.

I was asked to hang children’s art along a long hallway in a home I was decorating. I thought that this was an odd request because there weren’t any kids living there and the home had a very stark and cold feel to it. It was definitely the minimalist style this homeowner had that left me puzzled.

The children’s art paintings that I ended up choosing for the hallway were all from the same artist. The artist specialized in mini paintings and they were all so simple and beautiful. They actually fit with the owner’s style. I had each painting put into a simple frame with no matting and hung them all along the long hallway.

I actually liked this artist so much that I purchased twice as many children’s art paintings than I needed to complete the hallway job. I plan to give these paintings as gifts to people that I know with either a child or a whimsical spirit. I even liked the artist’s name, Lollipop Art.

I was asked to add some decorations to a family’s daughter’s room. The family was extremely active and bicycling seemed to be the primary family exercise. I thought it would be fun to find some children’s art painting that depicting cycling in a fun way. I found an acrylic signed by the artist of a woman on a bike with a child and a yellow balloon.

I had a client call me asking about buying a children’s art painting by artist Stephanie Bauer. The painting was called Dragonfly. I did find the painting and also found that it was not for sale. Fortunately, there is a fine art print made from this painting. My client was more than happy to purchase the print and have it framed in an extremely nice frame. It hangs in her daughter’s room now. She loves it because it is pink!

I was hired to find a painting for the waiting room at a local dance studio. I found that all of the classes were for children, so I looked for a children’s art painting to hang there. I found one called Little Girl Ballerinas. It was very colorful and whimsical. The owner of the studio loved it.

I was hired to redecorate three girls’ bedroom. The family had three daughters that all wanted children’s art paintings on their walls. Each had a distinct personality and interests that didn’t overlap with the other two. The first girl received an acrylic painting called Sports Girls. This sister is the one that is very athletic.

The next sister is very interested in entomology. She is very shy and quiet. I found a children’s art painting for her that she really liked. I could buy the actual watercolor from Pily Torres, so I bought a reproduction that looked great after it was framed.

The third sister was completely immersed into dancing. I found a gorgeous children’s art painting of a folk art ballerina that had several different pinks in it. It looked great without a frame and she was really happy with it.

The most recent job I had wanted something really unique. They wanted a children’s art painting, but they were more interested in an extremely large mural. I found one that the family really liked that depicted a fantasy scene. It looks like there is a castle in the background and a unicorn in the foreground is leaping. I liked what it added to the room, it was the perfect choice.

See also:

Art Decoration

Art Gallery offering Childrens Art

Water Baby and the Moon Reproduction

Children Love the World

Buy From Art.com