Some Information About Renaissance Art
The Renaissance is widely considered by many to have been a historic age, this period of time came after the Middle Ages but before the Reformation in historic hindsight, but the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century is connected with the absorption of knowledge by Western influences.
Especially the various realms of mathematics from the origins of Hindu India, the importance of living well in the present through humanism, and the explosion of knowledge brought about by the invention of printing that allowed many to understand the world around them.
As for the art of the time, the Renaissance boasted many of the most important artists to have been culled from the public consciousness; such as
Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, and Michelangelo, and has come to represent a golden era of time in which many people found themselves enlightened as to the state of world affairs and their own internal issues as well. Much of the art to come out of the Renaissance has been described as being the turning point for a large amount changes in the way things worked, and much of this is due to the previously mentioned artists and their now priceless
works.
The Renaissance has seemed to donate quite a bit to our culture as it now stands, even though a new age of Renaissance has yet to be really hinted at, and much has collected throughout the years to show the validity within this age of progression in all avenues of interest. It is the Renaissance that
has propelled the many ages to follow into their current state, with much praise being accrued to the many pioneers which pushed this age to a close,
but their impact is felt in the architecture and artwork of our time through the striking ways in which they moved everything forward by leaps and
bounds.
Much to come from the years within the Renaissance, whether it would be philosophically or in the aesthetics that claim to hold sway in the multitude of artistic pursuits to have arisen, but from there it has only been elaborated upon. Creating an established amount of history from which to draw upon, and it is these things which man claims to call art which seems to have truly revolutionized the world in which we live and strive every day.
There are many things out there today that we have come acknowledge as fitting into the categories encompassing the realm of art, these areas in particular range the gamut from paintings and sketches to sculpture and architecture, but all these things have the common central idea of expressing an artists interpretations of the world both within and without.
T J Madigan has been established in online business since 1998 and is director of a number of successful online projects one of which is http://www.articles.net.au your best source for FREE and articles and information.
Is Graffiti An Urban Art Form?
You can travel almost anywhere in the world, and you will probably see graffiti. Although graffiti art is usually more common in big cities, the reality is that it can occur in almost any community, big or small.
The problem with graffiti art is the question of whether it’s really art, or just plain vandalism. This isn’t always an easy question to answer, simply because there are so many different types of graffiti. Some is simply a monochrome collection of letters, known as a tag, with little artistic merit. Because it’s quick to produce and small, it is one of the most widespread and prevalent forms of graffiti.
Although tagging is the most common type of graffiti, there are bigger, more accomplished examples that appear on larger spaces, such as walls. These are often multicolored and complex in design, and so start to push the boundary of whether they should really be defined as graffiti art.
If it wasn’t for the fact that most graffiti is placed on private property without the owner’s permission, then it might be more recognized as a legitimate form of art. Most graffiti art, however, is only an annoyance to the property owner, who is more likely to paint over it or remove it than applaud its artistic merit.
Many solutions have been put into practice around the world, with varying degrees of success. Paints have been developed that basically cause graffiti paint to dissolve when applied, or else make it quick and easy to remove. Community groups and government departments coordinate graffiti removal teams.
In some places you can’t buy spray paint unless you’re over 18. Cans of spray paint are locked away in display cases. In a nearby area the local council employs someone to go around and repaint any fences defaced by graffiti. A friend of mine has had his fence repainted 7 times at least, and it took him a while to find out why it was happening! Certainly the amount of graffiti in my local area has dropped substantially in the last year or two, so it appears these methods are working to a great extent.
But is removing the graffiti doing a disservice to the artistic community? Maybe if some of the people behind the graffiti art were taken in hand and trained, they could use their artistic skills in more productive ways. It hardly makes sense to encourage these artists to deface public property, and so commit a crime. But perhaps there are other ways to cooperate with the graffiti artists rather than just opposing them. Graffiti artists can create sanctioned murals for private property owners and get paid for it.
Maybe we need to start at a very basic level, and find a way to encourage the creation of graffiti art on paper or canvas, rather than walls. After all, who would remember Monet or Picasso if they’d created their masterpieces on walls, only to have them painted over the next day? Finding a solution to such a complex situation is never going to be easy, but as more graffiti art is being recognized in galleries around the world, we do need to try.
Steve Dolan loves art in various forms and mediums. Find out more about graffiti as an art form at http://www.graffitithis.com and if you have art that needs framing visit http://www.pictureframesweb.com.
Renowned Russian Artist Releases 40 Beloved Paintings
For the past two decades, Victor Lysakov’s modern expressionistic art could only be found at international exhibitions, in private collections or inside his own painting studio in Moscow, Russia. The renowned artist holds a vault containing hundreds of masterpieces. For the first time ever, 40 of these prolific pieces have been released to the American public.
For art enthusiasts living in or traveling to California, a side trip to the first exclusive Lysakov gallery in Pacific Grove is a worthwhile detour. For those outside California, never fear - your local fine art gallery may soon display Lysakov’s art on their walls. A distinct group of hand-selected galleries nationwide have been offered the Lysakov Distributor opportunity; your neighborhood gallery might be one of them.
Named one of “The Best European Artists,” Lysakov has participated in several prestigious exhibitions and auctions in Russia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Austria, France and Italy. Using oil or acrylic on canvas, Lysakov prefers brilliant, unmistakable hues - his color palette is very distinct. Each painting is its own unique creation and exudes a certain depth. New or seasoned, trusting or suspicious, frightened or fearless, the artist challenges you to grow bored with his paintings.
The local mayor, savvy art collectors and local design firms have unanimously agreed that Lysakov’s art rivals paintings found in upscale metropolitan art galleries in San Francisco and New York. In what the company considers a groundbreaking revolution in modern art, Lysakov’s work is not entirely subjective. A captivating story accompanies each image, giving the viewer riveting insight on the artist’s muse.
At first glance, the modern expressionistic work of Victor Lysakov might invoke an unexpected reaction - curiosity, mystery and even fear. But after closer inspection, the eccentric becomes extraordinary and the weird, wonderful. Lysakov challenges the viewer to conquer their fear - paintings should not be scary. “They merely depict life,” he says. “Sometimes the scariest things in life are the most trivial ones.”
He began experimenting first with watercolor, but now paints almost exclusively with oil or acrylic on canvas. Though never classically trained, Lysakov studied Rembrandt’s and Bryullov’s techniques. A self-taught artist, he read books incessantly, and spent hours upon hours in museums.
Born in Siberia in 1952, Lysakov discovered his artistic talent at a young age. “It was when I was six years old that I realized, for the first time, that the most natural and the most fitting way for me to carry on a conversation with the world was through the visual language.”
In early adulthood, Lysakov veered off the creative path and focused on a more traditional education - engineering. In 1975, he earned his MS in Physical Chemistry from Moscow State Institute of Steel and Alloys. In the decade following, he established a successful career in various military machine building plants. At one time, he was even accountable for over 700 employees under his command. In 1984, he attained his Ph. D. in Technical Sciences from Lomonosov State Institute of Fine Chemical Technology in Moscow.
Lysakov’s paintings range in image size from a humble 14×14 to a majestic 58×50. All are offered at an extremely low edition size of 395 Signed and Numbered (S/N) and 30 Artist Proofs (A/P) giclee canvas prints.
Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) is a French term roughly meaning “spray or squirt” which refers to the digital printing process. During printing, millions of microscopic droplets of ink per second are applied to the print media. A giclee is a high-end fine art print often recognized as the next best thing to owning the original.
Artists at all levels and in a wide variety of media are creating prints using giclee technology. Buyers, attracted by the high quality and dynamic reproduction of giclees, have triggered a giclee explosion; while the fine art print market increases by about three percent annually, the giclee market is growing at more than 60 percent annually. In a $2.8 billion print market dominated by lithographs and serigraphs, giclees now total $160 million annually - and growing. According to CAP Ventures, digital fine art is expected to reach a retail value of $600 million by 2007.
Lysakov Art Company, Inc. is located at 305 Forest Avenue in charming Pacific Grove, California, in the heart of one of the nation’s art capitals: the Monterey Peninsula. On-site, the 4000 square foot facility houses the corporate offices, publishing headquarters and the first-ever exclusive Victor Lysakov Gallery.
Heather Neal is the VP of Sales and Marketing for Lysakov Art Company, Inc., the exclusive publisher for renowned Russian artist Victor Lysakov. For more information please visit: http://www.lysakovartcompany.com.
A Passion Swells Within My Soul
A passion swells within my soul. A deep feeling creeps over my emotions, sending chills of uncertainty over my life.
I want to reach you, find your heart and touch it. I am afraid.
I keep fighting the way I feel. Hoping it will go away. Knowing you do not feel the way I do. Knowing you will never change.
I want to reach you, find your heart and touch it. I am afraid.
My hand reaches out for yours. I need you to hold me. You are like a mother is to her child. A song is to a bird. You are my song.
I want to reach you, find your heart and touch it…I am afraid.
It’s surprising how when you accept people for what they are and who they are,
They become exactly what you had hoped they would be.
The sun sets softly against a summer sky;
The warmth of its’ glow rest gently on my brow.
The sweet scent of daffodils caress my sense;
Bringing memories of pleasant times and distant places.
The lingering sound of waves crashing relentlessly against granite rock;
Shatters a silence that echoes within me.
A billowy cloud nestles quietly against a blood stained sky;
Causing shivers of bewilderment to run through those who chance to observe its’ beauty.
A single silhouette casts a shadow, signaling that night is drawing near.
As the sun sets over the horizon, my thought are drawn to you;
Thoughts of special times in different places.
Capturing moments that are forever locked in my heart.
There to call up whenever I want to put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.
I look forward to seeing you at the end of the day.
Thank you for being such a special person in my life.
A warm glow mingles in my soul;
Gently caressing my heart
I feel the powerful presence of a being over me.
I glance up and you are there.
I Feel the strength of you in me;
Easing the frailty of my life.
Eyes pierce the core of my deepest emotions;
I feel their touch wounding me slightly.
A hand on my silent flesh, burns, leaving it’s mark behind.
Icy words freeze my passion.
Strong sweet smells linger in the distance.
Somewhere in this world there’s got to be;
A little place just for me.
A little place where I can cook;
A little cranny or a nook.
But somewhere in this world there’s got to be.
A simple place just for me.
Copyright
Jaci Rae is the author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money and Winning Points with the Woman in Your Life One Touchdown at a Time. Book Jaci for your next show: http://www.jacirae.com/ and hit contact button for her publicist.
Take a Piece of America Home
The great American landscape is the inspiration for Renee Nemerov’s paintings-the rich green West Virginia mountains with its waterfalls, the pristine beaches of Lake Michigan, the Southwest’s brilliant blue skies and rugged rock formations, the lush California coastline and breathtaking Pacific ocean views, the winding Rio Grande-interpreted with vivid, exploding color and her own original styles in abstract or expressionist form.
Primarily an abstract and impressionist landscape painter, but also a skilled sculptor and portrait painter, Renee is noted for her use of imaginative concepts, intense, rich variegated colors and fluid lines used to convey the emotional essence of a subject.
She is the daughter of businessman turned artist David Nemerov, famous for his huge, wall-sized, floral oil paintings, the sister of controversial, avant garde photographer Diane Arbus, and of Howard Nemerov, one of the first Poet Laureates of the United States. She had the opportunity to study and learn from such great artists as the reknowned Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo, San Francisco expressionist Robert Friemark, Jean Liberte at the Art Students League, Camillo Egas at the New School, both in New York City, and the Swiss Impressionist, Hanseggar.
As a result of a two-man show of their artwork at the Palm Beach Institute, Renee and her late husband Roy Sparkia were commissioned by Laurence Wein, then one of the building’s owners, to create the eight 5′ wide x 7′ high illuminated panels in the Empire State Building lobby. They depict the traditional Seven Wonders of the World, the great pyramids of Egypt, the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria, the hanging gardens of Babylon, the temple of Diana, the statue of Zeus, the mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Colossus of Rhodes. The eighth wonder is the Empire State Building, at that time the tallest building in the world. These huge, crystal resin and stained glass panels were installed in the Empire State Building in 1963 and are still there attracting millions of viewers today.
Renee is a prolific artist, painting daily and believes that art should be made readily available and affordable for everybody. Through the Internet, she is now able to sell her artwork directly to the public-worldwide-rather than in a bricks and mortar gallery with its elite audience and typical 100 percent mark-up.
She has had major shows in New York City; Palm Beach and Miami, Florida; Traverse City and Saginaw, Michigan; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Ventura, California. Her work was included in a U.S. State Department traveling show, which was part of the cultural exchange program with Russia. She is represented in the Lord Beaverbrook Museum in New Brunswick, Canada and the Nate Cummings Sara Lee collection in Chicago, among others, and her sculptures and paintings are internationally collected.
“I like to paint on deep gallery wrap canvas with painted sides,” Renee says, “so that they seem almost three dimensional, and can be hung without a frame. I think it makes for a clean contemporary look.
I love strong bold color, and different challenging compositions, and I strive to use them to capture emotion and movement in their purest form, and to stretch the viewer’s imagination into new areas of response. I am constantly surprised by the richness and variety of the American landscape with its dramatic vistas and feel I will never tire of painting them.”
Vivid colors, imaginative concepts are trademarks of Renee Nemerov’s exciting landscapes. View them at: http://www.contemporaryartstudio.com
Quality Gear Enhances the Art of Dance
For those who don’t take part in dance, the difficulty and athleticism involved in this activity are sometimes lost. The importance of proper training cannot be stated enough and neither can the need for correct gear. Dancing, depending on its form, can really take a lot of a practice and good gear not only serves to make a performance “look” better, it can also make a difference in the wear and tear a dancer’s body will undergo. With this in mind, it’s important not only to make sure gear looks good, but also performs well.
The uninitiated may not understand the value of good gear, but when it comes to dancing, it’s vital. This is very true especially of the shoes needed for various dances. They are specifically designed to help a dancer perform the moves necessary for each basic style of dance.
Ballet shoes, for example, come in several different types meant for beginners and more advanced dancers. The basic slipper of the dance is the standard gear for many dancers of this form, but the more advanced will use what’s called a pointe shoe. This shoe supports the foot with a stiff sole. Its boxy shape encases the toes and will allow a skilled dancer to rest his or her weight on the platform, allowing the famous toe stances signature in any ballet performance. When the shoes or the skill level required aren’t present, this form of dance can be impossible to execute and can even lead to injury in the dancer.
Like ballet, tap comes with its own type of shoes. Designed to create the signature sound of the dance style, tap shoes are specialized gear. Without the right shoes, a tap dancer just won’t tap. Beyond the noisemaker, however, tap shoes are designed to support the dancer and help him or her avoid injury.
Other forms of dance each come with their own shoes, as well. The basic tenant behind them all, however, is a drive to help ensure the foot and legs are properly supported to not only allow the moves necessary for the style to be executed, but also avoid injury.
Beyond the shoes, dance comes with a whole host of other required gear. From costumes and workout suits to bags, towels and beyond, dance is an art form that requires its own specialized equipment.
Those looking to buy dance gear should make sure they pay attention to a few things to help their dancer do their best:
* Fit. Any gear from workout clothing down to the shoes should be fit correctly to ensure the clothing doesn’t get in the way and performs its job correctly, too.
* Appearance. While almost anything will go for classes and practices, the style of clothing for actual shows will be very important. Many times set costumes are required and must be purchased in accordance with rules outlined by a school or team.
* Comfort. Dance gear should be comfortable and be of materials that enable free movement. If they don’t, the routines can be jeopardized.
Dance is an art form that uses the human body to create the picture. When the gear is good, a dancer is free to perform at his or her best. When it’s not, movement can be hampered and even worse, injury can happen.
Save on the gear your team needs to succeed.
http://www.danceteamgear.com
Long Live Those Who Choose the Independent Path in Film Production
It seems like the only films being made these days by major studios are sequels to comic book hero movies, remakes of classic old movies and old television shows that have been turned into movies. Most of the projects of today
How To Buy Paintings For Relatives That They Will Appreciate
Are you thinking of buying a painting for a relative? There are some things you should know that will help to make your gift be better appreciated. There is more to buying a painting for someone than just the right size and color.
One of the most important considerations when buying a painting for someone else is the content or theme of the painting. If the relative you are thinking of buying a picture for has a home that has modern furnishings a painting of the old west would probably be out of place. The opposite is true as well; a Picasso would look dreadfully out of place in a home furnished in early American or country decor.
Of course you have to think about the size of the painting too, if the person has an average size home with eight foot ceilings a six foot tall painting is just not going to work. You should know where the painting would be placed before you buy so you can choose one that will fit the wall properly.
Sometimes religious themes can work well when buying for relatives. In contrast to buying for a friend when you may not know their religious background you will in all likelihood be very familiar with the religious preference of a relative.
Another very smart idea is to buy paintings from artists whose works the relative already has. It is pretty much a guarantee that if they like an artist enough to have his paintings hanging on their wall, they would welcome another.
If you know that the person likes a particular area or vacation spot that can make for good subject matter to look for in a painting. If their favorite vacation was in a small town in Italy, a painting of a quaint little cafe would go nicely. If you know that they have a penchant for the Caribbean and their home would receive such a painting in good taste you could buy a seascape of a Caribbean beach or island.
Some people really like the paintings by the Old Masters like the Dutch artist, Rembrandt or the romantic styles of Monet. While buying an original is quite likely cost prohibitive, you can find reproductions that are very well done and will be loved by the person you are giving them to.
The best thing to do is to make sure of the style that the person or persons prefer and be sure that you know the size of the area where the painting can be displayed.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about art and fine art prints at http://www.fineartstudiodesigns.com
How To Choose Fine Art Paintings By Realist Painters
Realism in art is defined in the same way as it would be in literature; it is the rendering of the subject matter as it really is without being embellished or putting one’s personal influence on it. The whole emphasis with realist painting is to portray the scene or the person as is in a no frills and unromantic fashion. What is sought in realism is to relay exactly what the artist is seeing to the future viewer of the painting without adding to or taking away from the subject.
Many of the paintings done my realist painters tend to deal more with situations or subjects that are a little abnormal or even sordid. Realist photography is the same way, for example some of the photos from Vietnam portraying an actual shooting, while shocking, were also very real. The idea of realism is to say this is all I know, what I see with my own eyes, whereas idealism is more concerned with a philosophy that our world is just a reflection of something greater.
Realist painters are more likely to work in subject matter that is commonplace and everyday such as farming, fishing, and other normal everyday pastimes as well specializing in painting the elderly. The colors chosen are completely non embellished and even border on being drab compared to other styles of painting.
In the 1500’s mannerism was probably the most practiced from of art in Europe and depicted figures that were exaggerated and abnormal appearing in unrealistic positions. The work of Caravaggio changed all of this when his paintings of average everyday people involved in the doing normal activities became popular. All of his paintings were simply like photographs or snapshots of real events of everyday ordinary people.
The Dutch were famous for embracing realism and the detail of the paintings from the Dutch Masters is unsurpassed. Rembrandt was one of the most famous of these realist painters whose works are admired and studied to this day. I look at these paintings and am amazed by the attention to detail that they were able to show.
Today, realism is still a major force in art as well as all other forms of media. Some of the largest draws at museums are the realist photographers who are portraying subject matter from the Gulf War and other similar tragic landscapes in a way that tugs at the heart. Realism can make you feel like you are there and at the same time, glad you are not.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about art and fine artwork at http://www.fineartstudiodesigns.com
Abstract Paintings, You Either Love Them Or Hate Them
I’m a buyer and collector of abstract paintings. There are few things I like more than finding ones that appeal to me. My favorite type of painting is done in gouache and I have several favorite artists.
I know a lot of men spend their weekends playing golf or lurking in home improvement stores. I spend mine prowling garage sales. It’s amazing what people will sell for a pittance because they don’t recognize the value of what they own. Last weekend I purchased a painting done by Oscar Bluemner. The owner had it stored in her attic and thought it might have belonged to her dad. I got it at a steal.
I’m not always so lucky, though. I paid through the teeth for a work signed by Louis Bassi Siegriest. It was painted in 1947 and the composition was calming to me. I really didn’t mind the price, because to me the painting was worth it.
Last year my sister finally graduated college and got her own digs. As a house warming gift I found an oil painting done by Leonardo Nierman. I considered getting a frame to go with it, but decided to let her choose that herself, at my expense of course.
Another great painting that I bought is by Joanne Riddle. It’s called Trade Winds and it’s one of the best pieces that I own. It’s a huge painting and has a vibrant blue color. It was so big, I had to pay extra to have it shipped to my house.
I used to go out with a woman that had a painting done by Robert Gilberg. It was a signed abstract and it had almost a chameleon effect, since every time I gazed at it, it seemed different.
I have an aunt that shares my love of abstracts and her favorite artist is Lou Monti. I found one of these great paintings during a trip to Arizona and had it shipped to her from there. She promised to bake me some of her famous butter cookies and I plan to take her up on that.
My Grandfather was career military and is very patriotic. I had seen a modern abstract done in red white and blue hanging in town hall. I tried like mad to get them to sell it to me, but no one seemed to have the authority so I had to give it up. Too bad, it would have looked perfect over his mantle.
I tried to get my only nephew interested in abstracts. I bought one painted by Richard Diebenkorn at a good price on eBay, but I misjudged the size and it was too big for his studio apartment. I ended up reselling it at a profit, so it actually turned out well. With some of the profit, I purchased a smaller one done in 1927 and it fit well on his wall. I don’t know if he really liked it, but at least he seemed to and that’s good enough for me.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Fine Art Prints at http://www.fineartfulgifts.com
