new art

sad arts district

Today we are heading to North Carolina. The day promised to have big things in store for us, starting with the world's largest chest of drawers in High Point. Then it was off to Charlotte, where we saw the Panthers' Stadium. Not much else to do here. We went to dinner at an award-winning wood-fired pizza place. We ate outside on the patio, where we discovered that the building was interactive. If you pressed on certain places on the exterior wall, sound effects and bright lights went off. Like we said...there's not much going on in Charlotte. From there, we went looking for fun in the arts district –- which turned out to be one intersection with one open bar. We both drank one beer, staying there one hour, and drove back to our hotel. Maybe tomorrow will be more... just more.

Art of Sadness

Everyone gets sad. We all are susceptible to negative thoughts and feelings sometimes. Sadness is a normal emotion that has the ability to make life more engaging. Some of the greatest art in the world was created because the artist was so entrenched in his emotions of sadness, that it bled on to a canvas without control or restraint. Sadness almost always accompanies loss. Loss of life, love, happiness, and the most crushing of all, loss of hope. Hope for something better. Something beyond the feelings that are possessing you at the moment. When you are at your grimmest times, hope is the only thing that will keep you fighting.

Sadness assists us in appreciating our own happiness. When our mood eventually evolves from sadness toward a sense of hope and happiness, the sense of contrast gives a stronger appreciation for the goodness that does exist. My next article will do just that, in showcasing art about hope, inspiration, & happiness.

humber college

“Initially there’s some resistance to accepting traditional approach,” he said, “But once they adopt it, it does so much to advance their skill set.”

After my slide lecture, I did a sketch demo with water-soluble colored pencils. I drew an old brass samovar in a small sketchbook, with the sketch blown up onto a giant TV screen.

Humber is transitioning to a degree granting institution, offering 4-year degrees, 2 and 3-year diplomas, and an array of graduate certificates. It prides itself in 91% job placement for its graduates. There are 17,000 full- and part-time students in the college overall, and about 3,000 in the Media Studies program. The art program prepares students for traditional illustration, animation, or web-based opportunities.

Humber College's Visual and Digital Arts Diploma Program curriculum can be seen at

over there

Well, at least that's what I'm thinking this J.E.B. Stuart miniature keeps asking me.

Why a Civil War mini? Well that's what I've been painting over the last couple of weeks, and the best thing is it's been for work! The great Confederate cavalry commander (above) and half a dozen Union cavalrymen will be making an appearance in the July issue of Wargames Illustrated (#261) as part of our "American Civil War -The road to Gettysburg" theme.

The finishing touches on the re-launch issue (#260) are being finalized in England as I type, and I have to say it has been a pleasure to work with Dan Faulconbridge on this one. I have certainly learned a lot about putting together a magazine that isn't a "house mag". There's a certain freedom that is VERY refreshing. I have also learned that I need to start pushing my personal design and layout skills a bit, skills that have atrophied over the last few years of management. Anyway, this all means I'm very happy with the way my new job is going!

Oh, and I thought I'd throw in this pic. It's my take on a Dutch Windmill for Flames of War (or any other 15mm game with the potential to be set in Holland). The brief was to build a Dutch windmill from materials that are really easy to get a hold of. While I still have a few more things to add to the model above (including paint) this have been made from a cereal box, some Coke cases, a Bic pen, and a handful of bass wood strips (perhaps the toughest thing to get a hold of thus far). As well as making it into the upcoming Firestorm: Operation Market Garden campaign box coming out later in the year, we'll be doing a "how to" in Wargames Illustrated.

The building in front of the windmill is a resin cast of one of the cool Flames of War French village buildings that'll be released later this year. Jason Buyaki (of Gale Force 9, formerly my colleague at GW, and terrain guru) created all the masters for these pieces and boy are they really beautifully detailed!

autumn and portrait

Remember I said that the autumn still-life was put on hold? Well there was a little misunderstanding in the initial instructions which is a little humorous. I was told it should have some gourds, a jack-o-lantern in a white pitcher, a pumpkin, some chinese lanterns and maybe flowers. Well I did think the jack-o-lantern in a vase was a little odd... and soon found out it was supposed to be chinese lanterns in a pitcher! Too funny. I do like some of the compositions I came up with with a pumpkin in the pitcher though!

Anyway, the client lent me her majolica pitcher for the chinese lanterns and here is where I'm at. Actually I got a little further than this today but didn't take another photo.

& I have some good newsand some bad news... I am going to be able to work on this tomorrow and tentatively finish it... the bad news - I have the time towork on it tomorrow because my six year old has the flu and I can't go to work because I will be home with her. So I brought home my supplies and while she's vegging on the couch, I'll hopefully have this finished.

Below is my portrait tromp l'oeil comission. Its finished except for the okay from the client. Enjoy!

roadside dinosaur

Yesterday, this hand painted sign along Highway 116 in South Hadley, Massachusetts beckoned us down a winding dirt road into the woods. We had a few minutes before the lecture at the Eric Carle Museum, and I have a Inside the cinderblock building we met Cornell Nash, museum director, amateur paleontologist, and gift shop manager. He has collected dozens of dinosaur footprints from the quarry behind the museum. Most prints are three-toed, roughly the size of a human handprints, from a dinosaur the size of a Coelophysis. A few are larger—a foot and a half or so—from a meat-eater often identified Dilophosaurus.weakness for funky roadside dinosaur attractions.
He told us that when early American settlers found the trackways in the late 1700s and early 1800s, they had a very different explanation for them. The most popular idea was that Noah had released some giant ravens from the Ark, and let them run around on the vast mudflats after the Deluge.

First day of 2009

ART BY COMMITTEE
Many of you have asked to resume Art By Committee. I had to take a break only because it was getting so popular, and was taking a lot of time and a lot of my megabyte allottment from Google. At some point we can try it again, and we’ll see if it’s manageable. The results of your work are certainly amazing, and I’m always grateful for your effort.

To each of you I send my best wishes for the new art year. May the muse of inspiration be always at your side.

blast rule

When it comes to painting procedure, it’s healthy to be suspicious of rules and recipes. Isn’t painting supposed to be a wild dance in the wilderness?


But allow me to suggest five general pointers that lead to happier results in just about any kind of painting. If you like them you can print them out and stick them near your easel.

1. Use the biggest brush possible for a given passage.
2. Paint large shapes first, followed by small shapes.
3. Save your tonal and chromatic accents until the last.
4. Try to soften any edge that doesn’t need to be sharp.
5. Take time to get the center of interest right.

Or, the briefer version: (B.L.A.S.T.)
Big brushes.
Large to small.
Accents last.
Soften edges.
Take your time.

Original Chinese Art Paintings

	Providing Wonderful Chinese Paintings Since 1998 - Original Paintings by Accomplished Chinese Artists - Oldest Online Retailer of Chinese Paintings - Highest Quality of Paintings and Customer Service

You are now being presented with an absolutely superb artistic collection displayed within this paintings gallery website. The Gallery of China have spent most of the past decade seeking out the most gifted artists and highest quality traditional original Chinese paintings that China has to offer.

All paintings can be ordered securely online through this website. Paintings are superbly packaged and are usually shipped the same day - we will arrange for your wonderful package to arrive with you as soon as humanly possible. Upon opening your package and hanging your original Chinese painting (paintings arrive ready to hang) we guarantee you'll be stunned and delighted by its sheer beauty and elegance. If you are buying for a friend he or she will love you forever!

As if that was not enough a beautiful Certificate of Authenticity is provided for you with every original painting purchased - either to keep safe under lock and key or display proudly alongside your painting.

Adding a touch of asian art to your home or office with a rich and vibrant Chinese painting is a deeply rewarding experience. The subtle lines and fine contrasts and colors add an ambience to a room that's simply magnificent. All who enter cannot help but be touched and charmed by the exquisite and exotic character this creates.

Paintings displayed on this paintings gallery website are all originals so there is only one of each. All asian art paintings are therefore sold on a first come first served basis. Paintings already sold are marked as such. Paintings are ready to hang.

Abstract Art and How To Understand It

The first thing to say is that Abstract Paintings aren’t any one single thing, there are all sorts of approaches to abstract art with extremely different results. My own interest and approach is in the tradition of abstract expressionism, with the idea of the artist as subject, an intuitive approach and self expression high up the agenda.

When asked what his subject matter was, the Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock famously remarked “I am the subject”. The point being that you don’t need an external point of reference in order to create a painting. Having said that, it is inevitable that external factors do have an influence and show through in the resulting abstract paintings.

What Pollock is saying is that it is who he is that makes his paintings what they are. He is the sum of his own unique experiences, and it the combination of this and his particular memories, mood, environment, etc that result in his paintings.

It is a shame that abstract art is not widely appreciated, and in the UK at least our education system has to take at least part of the blame. There is still a widespread perception that abstract paintings are either created by people because they can’t do ‘proper’ paintings, or that they are in fact trying to do a proper painting, but failing badly.For further information on my ramblings on the subject of abstract paintings see my Understanding Abstract Art essay.

Karachi Art Fundraiser for Earthquake Attracts

Spectacular camaraderie for the cause of relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims was witnessed at Nomad Gallery, which hosted the opening reception of a fundraiser exhibition featuring the works of five artists from Bangladesh and over 70 from Pakistan here Thursday. Local art-lovers and foreigners including representatives of foreign missions turned up in large numbers either to buy or reserve paintings, sculptures and graphic art masterpieces or merely to express support for the cause. The exhibition opened for public viewing and auction last Saturday. All proceeds from the exhibition will be handed over on December

World Performing Art Festival show concluded in Lahore

LAHORE: The twenty-fifth World Performing Arts Festival, organized by Rafi Peer Theatre, has come to conclusion, which remained continued for 11 consecutive days here in Lahore on early Monday. After three low intensity crackers� blasts at the gate of Punjab language building where the festival was being held, the organizers of world performing arts Sunday said they will not be threatened by blasts and keep arranging such festivals in future too. Addressing a press conference here at Al-Hamra Cultural Complex, the chief organizer of the festival Faizan Peerzada termed the Saturday night�s blasts as cowardly acts and that these cannot threaten the organizers and participants of the festival. He pointed out that artists from 25 countries who are participating in the festival are still in high spirits, adding there presence here today is self-speaking proof of that. The CEO of Rafi Peer Theatre, Usman Pirzada on the occasion said there was fool-proof security in Al-Hamra Cultural Complex but the administrators of Punjabi Cultural Complex had to open its door because of a programme which gave opportunity to the terrorists to carry out their activities. The foreign artists present on the occasion said they received great respect and love in Lahore and that they will come back next year to participate in the festival.

6th Annual World Arts Festival

Come for the 6th Annual World Arts Festival celebrating the Town's 30th anniversary of incorporation. This weekend venue celebrates the variety of cultural arts found within the state and from around the world. The festival includes a mixture of music, visual and performing arts, crafts, community group demonstrations and high-spirited youth activities. A quality array of ethnic culinary choices can be explored in the food court alongside the beer and wine tasting garden. Three stages of scheduled entertainment will be found throughout the 12+ acre sight that will also expand into the thoroughfares of Lakeshore Drive and Lake Valley Road for the display of both an antique and custom car show alongside a ground level fireworks display. Unite in the cool breezes of northern Arizona and celebrate the cultural diversity found in Prescott Valley during the 6th Annual World Arts Festival!

bubbles

1. WARM RISERS. The warm air from my breath made the bubbles rise upward to the height of the treetops. Some drifted out of sight and others popped as they touched the branches.

2. MILKY SPHERES. The bubbles turned opaque after about five seconds and froze into delicate white ice spheres. They drifted gradually downward, cracking or breaking silently when they touched the snowy ground.

3. NO DIFFERENCE. There was no observable difference from the behavior of bubbles at subzero and normal temperatures.

4. “PLASTIC” SHREDS. The bubbles floated for a while and then popped, but they popped in slow motion, turning into droopy sacs or ashen wisps like shredded plastic bags, rather than a spray of droplets.

5. CRYSTAL GLOBES. Most of the bubbles popped right away, but a few froze hard and clear with a pattern of frostwork forming from the top down. They stayed in that state for about 30 seconds. After that, the sunlight made the ice sublimate, opening up a hole on the top half of each bubble. The bottom half fell like a cup and dissoved into vapor before it could hit the ground.

Please vote in the poll at left to choose the true answer and explain your thinking in the comments. I'll give the answer on Wednesday, Jan 21. If any Canadians or Scandinavians want to come up with your own experimental results, I will post the best photos or YouTube videos.

Gurney’s

An exhibition of original artwork from Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time has opened at the Rhinebeck Savings Bank in New York, where it will continue through February 20.

The Gazette Advertiser quoted the bank’s publicist as saying about me: “He’s been hung all around the world.”

So, if you can, please come to my hanging. And if you want to put a piece of original Dinotopia on your wall, have a look at my original art blog to view the works available for sale.

different types of art

In one sense, the word art refers to a finely honed skill. Chefs are culinary artists; Karate experts are martial artists. I can see how a Watermelon Swan could blur the line between form and function; Is it food, Sculpture, or both? I can also see how the graceful moves of Brazilian Capoeira are more like dancing than fighting.

However, when most people hear the word "Art", that is Art with a capital "A", they think of the Creative Arts. This usually means the visual arts, but can also mean music, literature, theater, dance or film. There are many means to creative expression, and many choices.

walking on sunshine

here are many ways you and your students can participate in the festival. Students can perform onstage at one of the two outdoor stages, submit artwork for display, or simply enjoy the many activities. Performances should have some relevance to the theme and must be five minutes or less to allow as many students to participate as possble. We welcome your submissions of artwork, poetry, or photography spotlighting the theme. Please review the Performance Information Form and Art Submission Guidelines below for more information.

Updated forms coming soon!

Howard Pasamanick/HP Photography

Very Special Arts Festival

join us for the 31st Annual Very Special Arts Festival on Thursday, April 29, 2010, from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm, with the theme Imagine... VSAF celebrates the artistic achievements of students with disabilities along with their mainstream peers. This FREE festival features continuous performances on two stages, workshops in the visual and performing arts, and an exhibit of student art created around the theme. All schools are welcome to participate.

Howard Pasamanick/HP Photography

The festival is held on the Music Center Plaza in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. VSAF is free to the public and open to all grade levels. No reservations are required, but notification of attendance is appreciated.

The 2010 Curriculum Guide and Flyer with the theme Imagine... will be available for download in December.

Back to U.S Border

A long line of cars led up to the border crossing as we returned from Canada. It seemed they were stopping and searching everyone.
Four guys in flak jackets searched a car in front of us, using mirrors on poles to look under the bumpers. They made the guy get out of the car, escorted him away, and then one of the officers drove off in his car.