Art and Design

Maybe you've faced it before – a new house with an empty room or two. This room is just crying out for some furniture. So off you go to purchase a sofa you admire - then a chair. Or perhaps you purchase a full living room set complete with tables and rugs. With delivery a few weeks off you can just picture your living room (and not surprisingly, it looks just like the showroom). The delivery day arrives and you can't wait to cut the tags off of your new furnishings. You may have to position the sofa a few times to get it just so, but all in all, you're pretty satisfied – until you notice there's no art on the wall. And so you decide to buy some art that matches the sofa. I cringe a little while I write this, but in reality that is how many of us choose art. In fact, little confession, I still have art in my house that I bought because the frames matched!

If you have also considered buying art in an afterthought, you're not alone. We have all been taught that accessories finish off a room. In fact, if you've ever watched a design show, you'll notice that some professional designers decide on the art once fabric, furniture and rugs have been selected. So maybe we've all been brainwashed to believe that filling our space with art doesn't require much planning – just the ability to carry a swatch of fabric to a store. Well, just for a moment, I'd like you to think about your art and why you might acquire it sooner rather than later.

Art inspires creativity. First choose art that appeals to you, and then let your furniture and accessory purchases be influenced by the art you have selected. This shift in viewpoint allows for freedom of expression. Through the process of seeking out new art, and finding something you'd like to live with, you open your mind to all the new possibilities. Perhaps an abstract piece of art inspires you to consider an eclectic collection of furniture instead of a uniform suite. Maybe art with cool beach tones allows you to consider that slip covered furniture with a nautical appeal. Or a tropical print encourages you to use a hand-painted floorcloth in vivid hues in your new artistically inspired room.

Consider also the structural elements in your room. Many living areas have unique architectural details that historically have been used to display important art. By only focusing on furniture placement or accessorizing, you may lose sight of some of your home's great details. If the architectural details are not what they once were, before you rip it out, liven it up. Apply a mosaic design or faux finish to your fireplace surround. When you're thinking about changing things break out of the familiar and experiment with your creativity.

For some creative inspiration, find the nearest child. Generally, young children are much more free to express themselves than some adults, and when it comes to design, I can say from experience that they'll have their own unique opinions on what goes in their rooms. Take a cue from your child's artwork when you design their rooms. This way they are more inclined to love it when you're done. Gather together several of their favorite paintings or sketches, and note their favorite color, or emerging themes. You can copy these same themes through painted fabric, a wall mural, unique stained glass for the window, a floorcloth or even a quilted wall hanging. Don't forget to frame and hang the original artwork that inspired their new design.

So set out to design your living spaces with art as forethought. You will appreciate the art for what it adds to the overall project as well as the positive feeling you experience when you see it. And then you may begin to wonder why you ever tried to buy art that matches that pillow with the odd purple color. Happy art collecting!

About The Author
Lise Richards is an Artistic Lifestylist and owner of The Creativity Center, Inc and Red Door Gallery. Her Artistic Lifestyling program helps all people live more creatively in artistically designed spaces. Visit the company online at www.ArtisticLifestyling.com
information@artisticlifestyling.com

Ivory Like Sholapith Sculptures from India

In the past, collectors have been fascinated with sculptures of pure white Ivory without knowing the damage it caused to our eco-system. Luckily governments of a number of nations have banned Ivory trade altogether.

Craftsmen from eastern India had been crafting beautiful items of SholaPith (lookaloikes of Ivory) since ages. It is only recently that Sholapith items have got international recognition for its beauty, eco-friendliness and superb craftsmanship. Shola pith is a milky-white sponge-wood that is carved into delicate and beautiful objects of art only in a few states of India. Shola is a plant, growing in marshy waterlogged areas of eastern Indian States commonly referred to as eastern marshy Gangetic plains. It is unbelievable that this plant grows nowhere else in the world. The biological name of Shola is Aeschynomene Indica and it is an herbaceous plant. The Sholapith is the cortex or core of this plant.

The finest examples of craftsmanship are seen on images of gods and goddesses on festivals, especially the massive decorative backdrops made for "Durga-Puja" celebrations. Thousands of craftsmen spend months working on each piece and every details is meticulously worked out.The color of Shola is pure white and beautiful IVORY look alike sculptures have started decorating Western homes in Europe and America very recently. The shola crafts have flowery designs, decorative head-wears of gods and goddesses, garlands etc. You also find exquisite figurines like faces of gods and goddesses, elephants, peacock-boats, palanquins, wall hangings and a number of home decorations made of sholapith.

Needless to say, the items are appealing, they are completely natural and the beautiful craftsmanship brings a pure white ethnic aura at your home.

Where to find these fine Pith Sculptures

Ethnocraft: http://www.ethnocraft.com has some of these fine Sholapith items you could easily order over the web.

About The Author
Free Lance writer of Ethnic Home Decor. This article is a cortsey of http://www.ethnocraft.com where you can get fine Home Decor items and Sholapith Sculptures.
som@ethnocraft.com

Photographs Everywhere, But Is It Really Art?

I once heard a lady say to a photographer that she would have bought his work if it had been a painting. She liked the image, but for whatever reason didn't consider the medium suitable for her "it's just a photo".

I am sure that some share her thoughts, whilst others would be quite happy either way, but a growing number of people do recognise photography as an Art form. And collect it.

"There are three fundamental components of what we call art. First, is the artist; second, is the medium; and third is the artwork. All three, clearly are interrelated.' --- Tad Beckman ---

Defining Photographic Art

It is true many people do regard photography as merely a reproductive medium, and the photographer as simply the technician. And if this were just about your holiday snaps then it would be a valid point.

So let's start with my definition of photographic art. I say my definition because there is no stock answer it means different things to different people.

For me it's about creating a beautiful image that is an interpretation of the scene that I saw in my mind captured on film, rather than just a recording of what is already there.

It's about the photographer being the choreographer of the various components; the composition is critical, as is the lighting, weather conditions and the colours at play.

It's not just about pressing the shutter release, although timing is everything. Patience comes into play too, as you wait for all the components to be perfect all at the same time.

Some things you can control, but the weather well that constantly throws out surprises that can add that hint of drama to a picture or send you home disappointed.

It's these uncertainties that add the challenge, and this results in creativity as you respond to the situation. Other photographers will have their own criteria, but we all are producing very personal pieces of work that we feel passionate about and that are a representation of our interpretation of the world.

A Photograph - More Than Just A Sheet Of Paper With An Image On It?

Oh yes! Typically a photographer will capture an image that pleases their eye. They will create something that is close to their heart, and therefore give a little of themselves in the image.

Effectively they are allowing you to see how they perceive the world to be, one moment at a time. Add into the fact that many photographers print their own work (once they have an order!), and sign it then you could say you are buying a piece of history - or designer art!

In other words you are not buying a mass produced print, and naturally the price reflects this. You are buying into the reputation of that photographer and you will expect to pay more. When someone is starting out and building reputation then you are investing in the potential of that person.

You won't pay as much, but you'll be backing your own instinct and demonstrating your belief in that person's talent. Contemporary photography is affordable art.

Subject Matter - Does It Matter?

Personally I don't believe it does, and I mean this in the sense that people will be drawn to your work because they have seen something of yours and liked your style, and typically that means they like your choice of subject matter too.

My preference is for landscapes and increasingly flowers, whilst other photographers prefer sport, people or a more abstract approach to name but a few.

I think the key to preserving artistic integrity is to shoot for your own personal satisfaction, although naturally as your reputation builds you will develop an understanding of what collectors want, but for me I always have to love the image myself to want to share it with the world. Anything less and it stays in the drawer!

I still experiment, and search for new subject matter, but my photographic style is what it is. It just keeps evolving.

A New Language

Understanding the language of the image is something quite individual to the viewer, it does not explain itself in the same way to each person. It is subjective. And although some may view photography as easy, believing that there own point and shoot cameras can produce similar results to a master photographer are confusing the issue.

After all most of us have made paintings at some time in our lives, and may still own paint brushes, but wouldn't necessarily look at a painting by a master and not consider it to be art would we?

It is the heart and hand of the author behind the brush, camera or pen that executes the creative vision not the tools used.

About The Author
Sue Kennedy, LRPS & LBIPP
Sue Kennedy is an UK based photographer specialising in outdoor photography and works on commission for companies & individuals as well as shooting for picture libraries. To purchase from Sue's current print and card selection visit her Website: http://www.blueeyesphoto.com

The Seven Best Sources For Basic Guitar Lessons And Learning Techniques

The seven best sources for basic guitar lessons and learning techniques

There are two ways of learning anything, and they're not the hard way or the easy way, nor are they my way or the highway. No, they're teach yourself, or get a teacher.

Let's look at teachers first. They come in four guises, and some are more effective than others. The more effective, the more expensive--usually.

The cheapest and possibly least effective teacher you can get is probably a friend. I don't say that to be disrespectful to anyone's playing abilities, but simply to point out that unless that friend plays by the book, and is a qualified teacher, you'll probably pick up any bad habits they have. They're also not likely to be available on a regular enough basis, and may either become impatient with you when you don't pick things up fast enough, or may just let things slide, allowing you to form bad habits of your own. The cost is good, though--usually free.

You may be fortunate enough to be still at school and have guitar lessons available there, either for free or at a greatly subsidised rate. If so, take them. Your teacher will be qualified, lessons will be regular, you'll have fellow pupils you know to swap notes with outside of lessons (and maybe even get together to play with!).

Night school is the next most effective and cheap method. It's almost exactly like school, except you have to make the effort to get there after a day's work. That usually means you'll have other things going on in your life--things that may intrude. Not only that, your classes will probably be larger, so you may have less input about what you want to learn. The cost will be very reasonable, though, when worked out as an hourly rate.

A professional teacher is the most expensive option. A good one will bring out the best in you, but will get frustrated if you don't practice. (Classical guitar teachers will encourage you to take grades, because their reputation grows according to how many people they get to pass). If you have the money, the time, and are prepared to put the work in, this is one of the most effective routes to take, because they'll correct any bad habits, and sessions are one-to-one.

If you can't afford a professional teacher, and you don't have night school lessons or a friend handy, the second option is to teach yourself. There are three possible options,

You can buy guitar tutors fairly cheaply at most guitar shops, or online. They used to come in book form, but increasingly incorporate CDs and DVDs to take you through the basics. There's a one-off cost, non-refundable, and you progress at your own pace.

Once you've got the basics together, you might decide the best way to teach yourself is to learn to play standards by ear. So you get out your favourite songs, listen to them over and over, work out the chords and lead work, then play. The advantage of this method is that it'll give you confidence, and if you mess up, no one will know. It's also cheap--presumably you've already paid for the music.

(Of course, there are fan sites online where you can download lyrics and sheet music to your favourite songs, thus saving you the time of doing it yourself. This can be handy. Beatles songs, in particular, use some rather ingenious chord sequences, and you might have difficulty working them out for yourself.)

Finally, there's the online course. For the cost of a single live lesson with a professional teacher you can get a DVD with a course aimed at various levels of proficiency. The product usually comes with a money-back guarantee, too, which is not true of the other methods. Another advantage is that you can learn whenever is convenient for you--teachers are usually available only at certain times of the day.

So there you have it--the seven basic guitar lessons sources: a friend, school lessons, night school, a professional teacher, a book or course, learning by ear, or an online course.

Which is best?

Depends on how serious you are, how much time you can devote to practice, and what you want to achieve.

If you're just starting out, it might be best to go with the least expensive route. That way, if you don't persevere, you haven't lost much.

If you do, though , and you want to get really good, you'll eventually want to consider a professional teacher.

Wherever you want your journey to take you, I hope you get there and have fun travelling!

About The Author
J M Jones (the Guitar Dog) helps you go from beginning guitarist to intermediate. Get the building blocks for your guitar success: to receive your free online guitar lessons, visit: www.guitarism.co.uk

How to Play Piano and Write Music

You are neither too young nor too old to play piano and compose. If you think otherwise, get that fairy tale out of your head.

A few geniuses began at age 3 and burned out in middle age. Gustave Mahler, a modern symphonic artist and Jazz Guitarist legend Wes Montgomery didn't start serious composing until they were well in their 30's. Verdi was still going strong at 87. Some of the great pop, jazz, and rock music of our time has been written by musicians who consider the age of 25 as "over the hill."

Conclusion: forget about age.

What about music theory? Does it have anything to do with playing the piano and composing a piece of music?

Sounds come first. Theory books and systems tag along behind, explaining in words what you've already experienced by ear.

Composing is a "hot" creative act. Studying theory is a "cool" analytical act.

Theory explains what is going on in a piece of music. It shows us the machinery that makes the music tick. Training in theory helps sharpen our understanding, and helps the player and composer organize his or her musical materials.

Absorb theory for what it has to offer. But watch out for the trap of "rules." In the early stages of playing piano and writing music, rules can be helpful disciplines to help focus our thinking. But given too much importance, rules become handcuffs; break them if you know what you're doing.

Use your good ears to break through the endless blanket of sound that surrounds our lives.

Direct you hearing. Sharpen your perception. Isolate sounds. Listen, and make yourself aware of your sound-world.

A painting, a statue, and a building have a certain kind of life. All of their parts exist at the same time. But music is like a movie or a stage play: it unrolls slowly, bit by bit. A movie begins, continues, and ends before your eyes. Music does the same for your ears. Your piano playing and compositions live and breathe.

Guidelines for Playing Piano By Ear to Write Music

Begin your sketches with a simple, basic idea: a sound you like, a group of pitches, an interesting harmony, and attractive rhythm pattern, an idea for lyrics, and so on.

Next step: think out a number of possibilities for developing, expanding, exploiting, and contrasting your basic idea.

For example:

1. A group of pitches can be played forward, backward, upsidedown, or with its order rearranged.

2. You can keep the overall shape of a pitch group (the way it moves up and down), but change it by opening up or tightening the distance (interval) from one note to the next.

3. The same pitch group can be varied by changing its speed, meter, or rhythm... or by changing its "color" through changes of instrumental register (high vs. low).

4. A rhythmic idea, no matter how simple, can be stretched, tightened up, fragmented, or transformed into a repeated figure

5. A rhythmic idea can be applied to differnet pitch groups, or used to give movement to your favorite chord progression.

6. A harmony can be intensified by adding "color" tones (7th, 9th, added 6th, suspended tones, etc.); or softened by subtracting chord tones; or given a refreshed sound by the way you voice the harmony on the piano.

Try to keep a relaxed attitude toward you study of piano, and an open mind about new ideas that almost always turn up while you're experiementing with your sketches.

Above all, don't lock yourself into one way of thinking. After a certain point, a piece may have its own ideas about the way it should deveop; don't try to force it into a cookie mold!

Let it grow and breathe.

Copyright 2005 RAW Productions

About The Author
Ronald Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer. To learn more "Trick of the Trade," go to: http://www.mrronsmusic.com and http://www.playpianotonight.com.

Art Destinations on Long Island

The arts are alive and well on Long Island. There are far too many places to cover in a single article, but there are some definite places you’ll want to begin your journey though painting, sculpture and mixed media art. Some of the Long Island galleries are artist-run, so you’ll not only get a taste of the arts, but experience work by talented local artists as well.

If you have a fondness for 19th and 20th century European and American art, your first stop should be the Heckscher Museum of Art at 2 Prime Avenue in http://www.longislandexchange.com/towns/huntington.html Huntington. The Heckcsher collection includes Dadist George Grosz’s masterpiece Eclipse of the Sun. Grosz was a resident of Huntington between 1947 and 1958. The Heckcsher collection also features the art of "one-time" Huntington residents Arthur Dove and his wife Helen Torr. The Heckcsher Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10AM to 5PM, with weekend hours from 1PM to 5PM.

Great examples of Long Island talent can be found at the BJ Spoke Gallery, located at 299 Main Street in Huntington. This artist-owned cooperative gallery features annual juried art competitions, but their biggest event is the Expo. This competition highlights work in oil painting, watercolor, drawing, photography and other visual art forms. The Expo scheduled for 2006 is scheduled for March 6 through April 2. Whatever time of year you visit, you’re sure to see some of Long Island’s finest artistic talent on display. Operating hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11AM to 5PM. Friday hours are from 11AM to 9PM.

The Islip Art Museum is a contemporary art space located at 50 Irish Lane in East Islip. Past exhibitions have included "Food For Thought" which features artists who use food as both subject and medium. "The Nature Of Things" focused on ten artists view of the landscape tradition in the face of increasing technology. The Islip does five major shows a year and attracts both the New York art crowd as well as people on the international art scene.

The Parrish Art Museum at 25 Job's Lane in Southampton is a different experience altogether, combining student art competitions and unusual shows. One interesting recent attraction was called "Finders Keepers" The Obsession of Passionate Collectors". The show highlighted the collecting obsession—everything from walking sticks to celluloid Santas. In between student work and the special exhibits, you’ll find landscapes, photography and much more. Hours for the Parrish are Monday through Saturday from 11AM to 5PM. Sunday hours are from 1PM to 5PM. The museum is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

These are only a small sample of what Long Island has to offer. There is a great diversity of new talent, classic work on permanent display and unique exhibitions. If you have a passion for art, Long Island is sure to please. For a good overview of the Long Island art scene, take a look at www.longislandarts.com and you’ll get the latest news on local artists, services for those in the arts, and calls for entries to local competitions and juried shows.

About The Author
Joe Wallace is a writer for the Long Island Exchange publication.
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