The Evolution of Fine Art

Sculptures, rock paintings and cave paintings are proof that the history of Art goes back around 10,000 to 1,000 B.C. In the old days, art would normally resemble human or animal-like forms or outline a man fully equipped with spears and arrows. Art was made in this form because during this time, hunting was the primary source of food and was needed in order to survive. In the paragraphs below, we are going to take a closer look at the evolution of fine art, so pay close attention to what we have to tell you.


Art is no longer like it was thousands of years ago. It has now moved forward from the primitive period and into something that is more sophisticated. Mind you, the work from the Renaissance days is still popular, but artistic styles like Byzantine, Early Christian, Gothic, Rococo, Baroque and Baroque are responsible for making the modern art we know and love in today's world.

Mid-19th Century to the Early 20th Century

Modern Art was born during the search for endless possibilities and new standards. This was Art's way of coping with the ever so changing world. Concepts like Cubism, Impressionism, Dadaism, Expressionism, Surrealism and Fauvism became more popular than ever before. Not to mention the fact that artists during those times were highly regarded. Take Pablo Picasso as an example - today Picasso is considered one of the co-founders of the Cubist movement.

The Last Part of the 20th Century

Relativism was introduced during the latter half of the 20th century. This form of art involves the point of view that there is only relative value and no absolute truth which is skewed to the differences in perception. This is where the period of Contemporary Art first started. This form of art developed into a more stylish form, normally known as fine art.

Fine arts were mainly created for aesthetic purposes. Before, there were five greater art areas - sculpture, painting, architecture, music and poetry. Today, fine arts can be categorized into performing art and visual art. Visual art, in today's world, may refer to print making, design, ceramics and crafting. Performing arts involves using the body and/or voice to express something. Dance and theatre arts are two of the oldest forms of performing arts. Modern technology plays a major role in fine arts advancing to the next level.

Today, "artists" can make use of video, cameras and editing devices in order to develop a modern form of visual arts. High resolution lenses help the artist achieve a more compelling image. With the introduction of 3D technology, one could only wonder where art as we know it is going to go. One thing is for sure - the art of tomorrow will improve, just as it has been for centuries.

There are modern gadgets available that bring out the best of quality in fine art. In fact, those modern gadgets have captured a lot of attention. Art as we know it today may end up changing in the future, but art is obviously able to adapt to any circumstances and that makes art relevant to the world forever.

Name: Kenth Bender, Artist
Website: http://www.fine-art-bender.com
Fine art bender: Your Doorway To The World Of Soul. Just like poetry, far and near music.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenth_A_Bender


   

Pablo Picasso's Works of Art

The forms of twentieth and twenty first century art have been to an extremely large degree dictated by the movements that sprung into motion as a direct result of the work of Pablo Picasso. He was a Spanish painter that lived from 1881-1973, and is responsible for, among other things, beginning the cubist movement of art. An interesting piece of Pablo Picasso trivia is that even though he is usually simply referred to as Picasso today, he actually has one of the longest names of any of the important historical artists. The painter was born Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.


A Pablo Picasso quiz will show that he was both gifted by a natural gift for art, and by a father who was a painter and an educator in art. These two combined to provide Picasso with the perfect chance to become a skilled artist right form a very young age. Picasso would earn admission to the most prestigious art schools of the day, including the Barcelona school of fine arts, and the Madrid Royal Academy of San Fernando. However, the young genius, as many of the best in their field do at a young age, did not fit in well and had trouble with the authority of his instructors.

As with most of the greatest artists of the last several hundred years, life truly began for Picasso in the year 1900 when Pablo Picasso trivia shows that he first travelled to Paris. It was in Paris that he would begin to make a name for himself as a painter. The art collector Gertrude Stein would become his largest patron in his early days. It was also during this phase of his life that he would meet and befriend fellow historically legendary artist, Henri Matisse.

Picasso's fame would continually grow over the years, rarely diminishing. The only real time that he experienced what could be described as a drop off in popularity would be during the German occupation of Paris. A Pablo Picasso quiz will reveal that he would continue to work during this time. However, as his work was not up to the standards of the Nazi art ideals, he was unable to sell or exhibit his work, except secretly. Picasso would pass away in 1973, leaving behind four children from three different women that he had shared his life with.

Masters of Trivia is a website dedicated to trivia games and quizzes that cover several different areas of interest. The various trivia questions available on the site can be easily accessed and played by going to http://www.mastersoftrivia.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawna_S._Ruppert


   

Fine Art Print Making

With the ever increasing advancement in technology art is not left behind. As the prices of art are shooting up to great heights art is gradually becoming unaffordable to many. Many art houses and galleries are going into prints to keep up with the trends of making art affordable and approachable.


Printmaking is a process of making artworks by printing, usually on paper. Each print of the original is similar in colour and imaging as the original work, but is not a painting, but termed as a print of original work. Different types of printing techniques are monotypes, engraving, lithographs, woodcuts, linocut, screen printing, relief printing, mezzotint, etching, stencil and viscosity printing.

For a good quality print a photograph taken from a best quality digital camera is required. 10 to 12 mega pixel camera would give a good quality picture of the work that is selected for printing. Fine art printmakers have to follow certain important rules to get good prints. The image of the original work has to be good only then can a print be got of a good quality. There are various computer software used to edit and balance the colours in the photographs, like Adobe Photoshop, but it is best to have a good start with a good picture to maintain the clarity and feel of the original work. Poor images using low-end cameras would give distorted and blurred images on increasing the size of the image. The initial scan in the capture is very important. Any art work needs to be lit using an asymmetrical lighting principle to get the best of image of the original.

Printers of different high-technology that use pigments or inks that are fast and do not fade in the sun have to be used. Giclee' prints are becoming very common and acceptable as affordable art. Prints can also be done on canvas, textile, tiles and other medias.

Rizwana A. Mundewadi is a freelance Healing Artist and writer. Using her experience in the last decade she has been writing articles related to art, art investment, feng shui, symbolism, prosperity and good luck and has also added to this list her practical experiences with banking, loans and investments. Simple knowledge on art can be found at http://razarts.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rizwana_A._Mundewadi


     

Visiting Istanbul's Modern Art Museums

Istanbul is one of the world's most exciting and exotic cities. It has a history revealing artefacts unearthed from the seventh millennium B.C., which indicates that the area that is now the country's largest city was inhabited before even the Bosphorus was formed. Not only is the city an amazing amalgamation of culture and history, it is also one that has the unique aspect of straddling two continents.


Split between Asia and Europe, the city has more attractions and historical sites than many others and, while you are enjoying a stay in one of the best Istanbul hotels, you can soak up the atmosphere of luxury and plan your exploration of the city's wonderful art museums. Istanbul has a thriving and growing art scene that benefits from the merging of East and West, and the new art coming out of the city demands that you pay attention. While here, be sure to visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art and the Santral Istanbul.

Museum of Modern Art

Conveniently located near some of the best Istanbul hotels, at Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Antrepo No: 4, Tophane, the Museum of Modern Art is a testament to the "New Istanbul" art scene. The museum was founded in 2004; it was the first of its kind and is still the largest modern art gallery in the city. As an entrée, visitors find themselves among the containers which seem to have come straight off of the Bosphorus and into an elaborate room with books for a ceiling: a work of art by Wentworth. From there, wander through the permanent exhibits, which include works by Seker Ahmet Ali Pasa, Sema Gürbüz, and Ismet Dogan, just to name a few. The temporary exhibits change frequently and the museum has interactive exhibits for young visitors as well as a café to relax before heading back out into the buzz of the city.

The Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art

First founded in 2001, in 2005 the Elgiz came under a new name and its mantra seeks to "facilitate the globalisation of contemporary Turkish art, whilst familiarising the viewing public with a wealth of important international art" - which it certainly does. Charting modern art for the past fifteen years, the glass warehouse in the Maslak business district is a beacon for new and emerging artists. While on a weekend, or longer, break in one of the best Istanbul hotels, you simply must see the works of the Elgiz in order to know who and what is hot (and not) in the Turkish art scene. If you plan your visit at the right time of the day you can pop in for the lectures and talks that are often held at the museum.


The Santral Istanbul

Drag yourself away from the comforts of the best Istanbul hotels and have a driver take you to the Santral Istanbul; you may feel a twinge of nostalgia as it somewhat mirrors the industrial feel of the Tate Modern in London. The Santral is housed in the Ottoman Empire's first power plant (Silahtaraga), and its cool, sleek exterior certainly lends itself well to the array of contemporary artworks inside. It was opened in 2007, and is part of the campus of the Istanbul Bilgi University. Depending on when you visit, you can see digital art, film, sculpture, fine arts and other forms of creativity in this ever-changing exhibition space. And should you get peckish while wandering around, you can pop into one of the three cafes and then visit the interesting Museum of Energy, which is also housed here.

Looking for the best Istanbul hotels? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best rooms in a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberta_Stuart


     

The Earliest Pieces of Etruscans Sculpture

The Etruscans were a people living in north central Italy form the 8th century onward.  Before the middle of the 7th century, they occupied an area of west central Italy bounded on the east by the valley of the Tiber and on the north by the Cecina River.  These were the regions of classical Etruria in which the Etruscan civilization reached its height in the 6th century B.C.

The very earliest pieces of Etruscan statuary are flat rectilinear figurines from Vetulonia and Capodimonte di Bolsena.  These figures ocur in later contexts in the Regonlini-Galassi and Bernardini tombs, both of which contain pieces in a more advanced style which cannot have developed much later.  These are figures of women in pigtails and long skirts depicted in a style not unlike that of north Syrian, although this female type, copied in ivory and amber, is certainly local.





The above is just a bit of art history trivia that you may find interesting.  Art enjoyment comes in many forms - that of today's modern paintings and art appreciation of older eras.  Discovering art of the past is a great way to appreciate and learn about the art that is created in today's world.  Ancient styles are copied or used as inspiration for today's artists.  Art history styles sometimes repeat in today's art world. Find some of my own works of art at:  Dee Phillips Galleries

Are you interested in becoming an artist?  Do you want to refine your art techniques? Get Real Art Lessons, ebooks and DVD's, by Artist Delmus Phelps to get instructive information On How To Make Photo-realistic Paintings. Create realistic paintings in oils of flowers, still life...and much more!  Click Here!

What is Etching?

Etching is an art form using the process of biting lines or areas onto a metal plate by means of an acid, with a view to being printed.  Lines may be etched onto a metal plate without its being printed, as an art form itself as a decorative purpose, but normally the metal plate is used as a printing device. 

Etching differs from line engraving by the process by which the lines are incised.  In engraving an instrument is used to scoop a shaving out of the metal.  Etching uses a chemical action.  A print from an etching is distinguished from an engraved print by the fact that in an etching the lines do not diminish or increase gradually in thickness, but do so in a more (or less) abrupt stage and the endings of the lines are square.  In an engraving the ends of the lines tend to tape gradually to an end.  Engraving and etching have been used in conjunction with one another throughout history. 

There is another facet of etching as well, called dry point.  This is the process of scratching a line directly on the metal plate surface using an etching needle.  In its passage the needles leaves an irregular ridge on either side of the line creating a 'burr' to which the ink adheres to create a blurred effect.  This effect is often used as another aspect of the etching technique.

Etching was probably invented (as with engraving) north of the Alps, and the greatest works of this process appeared in Germany, France and England, as well as the Netherlands.  Its beginnings appeared as early as the 15th century and at the end of 17th century it was used as means of decorating metal, particularly armor.  It seems probable that the earliest works came from goldsmiths and the idea of printing from the plates came from them as well.

Many artists throughout history have used the etching process in their artistic endeavors.  Francisco Goya (1746 - 1828) is one notable artist that used this technique in his art works.  In France, Theodore Rousseau (1812 - 1867), Charles Jacque (1813 - 1894), and C. F. Daubigny (1817 - 1878) are among many other famour artists, which also include Rembrant.

Today etching is still used as an art form by many artists.  Copper offers the most suitable surface for etching, but zinc is widely used as well.  Iron can also be used with nitric acid, but it is highly susceptible to atmospheric conditions.  The best thickness for etching plates is 16 to 18 gauge.  Thinner plates tend to buckle under the etching process.








Find some of my own works of art at:  Dee Phillips Galleries

Are you interested in becoming an artist?  Do you want to refine your art techniques? Get Real Art Lessons, ebooks and DVD's, by Artist Delmus Phelps to get instructive information On How To Make Photo-realistic Paintings. Create realistic paintings in oils of flowers, still life...and much more!  Click Here!

Who Was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel?

Eiffel Tower

Yes, you guessed it.  Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was the engineer and bridge builder of the Eiffel Tower.  The Eiffel Tower was built for the Paris exhibition of 1889.  Alexandre Effel was born in 1832 and attended the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris from 1852 to 1855. 

Although you may not strictly consider building bridges or towers an art form, there is a certain amount of grace, fluidity and movement to the structures that mimics sculpture. In fact, in many of today's modern art sculptures the same principles of structure can be seen.

Eiffel also was master of airy two-hinged arches, such as that over the Douro river in Portugal. 

Eiffel designed the inner structure for the Statue of Liberty

Eiffel also gained fame by being responsible for designing the inner structure for the Statue of Liberty in New York.









Are you interested in becoming an artist?  Do you want to refine your art techniques? Get Real Art Lessons, ebooks and DVD's, by Artist Delmus Phelps to get instructive information On How To Make Photo-realistic Paintings. Create realistic paintings in oils of flowers, still life...and much more!  Click Here!

Embroidery as an Art Form

Embroidery is the decoration of fabric by means of a needle and thread.  It is needlework, but not just your basic everyday needlework that constitutes the creation and mending of fabric into garments and useful items, like pillows or sheets.  Embroidery is an art form that decorates or enhances the visual appeal of fabric.  It often creates a picture or design and is intended to be decorative. 

Embroidery has its history from a very early age, with paintings and carvings from Egypt indicating garments were embroidered in very early times.  Also history indicates early embroidery workings from the Orient and every quillwork (another means of embroidery) was done by the North American Indians and African tribes.

Different styles of embroidery, depending on the materials at hand in local cultures, have evolved in different parts of the world. 

Many embroidered works are treasured in today's art markets, where these artworks have gained appreciation by the use of colorful silks and gold and silver threads made into beautiful designs. 

Embroidered items can be simple in nature, working in only one color to create the design, to the use of thousands of strands of fine needlework made into all manner of items, from tea towels, pillow cases, curtains, to clothing and wall hangings.  Elaborate scenes can be created from using various threads integrated into the picture to create depth, shading and definition. Embroidery can also be abstract in design.

The embroidered works can be done by hand or by machine. 

The use of thread and fabric is yet another type of art form.  Art takes its shape from many mediums, like paint or sculpture.  Embroidery is another example of how beauty in art can be expressed using a different medium.

Here are a few books on embroidery that may interest you, whether you are trying to create your own embroidered artworks or are simply wishing to view embroidery masterpieces:

Work at Home Making Crafts for Cash! Click Here!

Art Trivia - Who was Antoine Etex?

Antoine (Tony) Etes was a French sculptor, painter and architect.  His two sculptures "Peace" and "War" stand at each side of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.  He was born in Paris in 1808 and died in 1888.  He is also famous for a large allegory painting "The Glory of the United States", which he painted for City Hall in New York City.  His best-known architectural works are the tomb of Naopoleon I in the Invalides and a monument of the 1848 revolution.

My Type of Art

As an artist, I am always experimenting with different art forms, although there are some types that I always come back to.  I guess it has to do with expanding my creative side.

Generally, I like to paint with acryllics, and my favorite subjects tend to be children.  I find beauty in simple scenes and the saint-like quality of children's faces.  I like to portray children from different eras as well.  I enjoy the old-fashioned type dress that children used to wear back then and find them a joy to paint.  I love little girls with big bows in their hair, boys in overalls, babyies in rompers--that kind of thing.  Here are a couple of examples:

You can buy this picture at:

http://www.imagekind.com/Girl-with-Bunny_art?IMID=32356a36-1b94-436c-ad12-60a555a7055f

You can buy this picture at:

http://www.imagekind.com/Girl-with-Big-Bow_art?IMID=c8785909-b822-4946-a75c-58ab7a4040dc




 
 
 
 

 
 
You can buy this picture at:


http://www.imagekind.com/Reading-Together_art?IMID=c9ecc25a-25b4-455d-ad99-d45f05c775a6



The pictures above are only one type of art that I like to do.  As I said, as a creative person, I delve into various other art subjects, like landscapes and scenery, or even rock scupture and my own jewelry designs.

For this blog, I just wanted to share some of my art with you.

Hope you like it!

Who Was James Sydney Ensor?

Here is a little art history trivia.  Do you know who James Sydney Ensor was?  He was a Baron (1860-1949) and a Belgian artisit.  He was a member of the powerful Postimpressionist generation of artist-innovators.  In 1882 he gained fame with early landscape, portrait and still life paintings which were shown in the Paris Salon.  His use of vivid and luminous colour shocked his contemporaries.  This led him to create works for carnival celebrations and he sold his maks in his family's souvenir shop in Ostend.  He continued with his artistic endeavours and his phenomenal boldness and energy in his works created rich improved imagery and exuberant colorful pieces that was astonishing in the 20th century Expressionism and Surrealism period.  Early in the 1900's Ensor's collections in Germany influenced the development of the German Expressionistic movement, particularly Paul Klee.  He was made a baron by the Belgian kind in 1929 when his largest and most famous piece "Entrance of Christ into Brussels" (picture shown) was first publically displayed.  This piece was painted in 1888 and is a brilliant panorama of masked figures paying a carnival homage to the entering Savior.  James Sydney Ensor died in 1949.

Get Ready!  Its coming...  "Sell Artwork For Profit", a new ebook guide to help you sell your artwork for profit.  Watch for it coming soon!

Photography as Art

Art has many mediums and forms.  One type of art that is always popular is art photography.  This is where a photograph can stand alone as a piece of art, or where a photograph is manipulated into a new art form.  The subjects for photographic art is as wide as the world.  You can enjoy a colorful sunset, a beautiful landscape or nature scene, a unique picture of a cute animal, a still life, or even people composed in an artful setting.

Many photographers are having fun manipulating photographs into a new dimension.  There are many computer programs that help with this which can create stunning pieces of art.

Here a few examples of photographic art:

Photograph entitled "Good Mother Monkey"

"Flower Art"

"Colorful Leaves"

These Photo Art Images are available for purchase at:  http://dennyphil.imagekind.com/

If you are an artisit you may  wish to try out your own talents for photographic art.  All it takes is a digital camera, a simple computer program (if you wish to manipulate the pictures) and a bit of imagination.  You may discover a whole new talent, and a new way to make an income from your art!

Experimentation with Art - Anime

I am always experimenting with new art techniques and new ideas for my art.  I find this fascinating and fun.  Recently I tried the anime style of art (see picture).  Its like a comic-style that is greatly popular right now.  There are loads of possibilities for characters and even a lot of flexibility in technique.  It isn't just about flat comic style characters that appear in kid's comic books.  Some of the designs for anime that I have found are really exceptionally detailed, and some are sexy and x-rated.  (I'm not sure I have the 'balls' to do the x-rated versions myself, although I can appreciate all the wonderful detail that went into such works.)  Backgrounds for the artwork is just as detailed and fantastic as the work done for the characters themselves.

Experimenting with different styles of art and different techniques is always good.  It helps expands your mind and talent, and opens up a world of new opportunities.

Try it yourself.  Look at other's works and see how you can apply your talents and techniques to their styles.  You may find a new form of art that you really enjoy.  With anime, it opens up the possibility of a lot of fantasy characters and sci-fi works.  Wouldn't that be a lot of fun?

Learn how to sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Family Portraits as Christmas Gifts

If you want a unique and personal gift to give this Christmas, why not choose to give an art portrait of a family member. Just think how a new mother would feel receiving an original portrait of her and her new baby! Think how special it would be to give an original portrait of a newly married wedding couple. If you are a husband, you could gain extra 'brownie points' by giving the gift of an original hand-painted portrait your wife in her younger days. And why not celebrate the life of a loved one by giving a hand-painted portrait of someone from past generations.

Family portraits make wonderful gifts that will be displayed and appreciate for many years to come. Family portraits make unique and personal Christmas gifts -- or you can give them as an anniversary gift, a shower gift, a birthday gift or even a wedding gift.

To give that someone special in your life a Christmas gift that they will definitely appreciate...and will show how much you care and how much thought you put into your gift-giving...all you need is a picture of the person.

Family Portraits make great Christmas gifts--and the time to order one is NOW!!!

Family Portraits are also very affordable. A 5" X 7" portrait only costs $55.00. Contact me today to arrange for your personal family portrait.

If you would like to order a special portrait of a loved one for Christmas gift giving, contact me at my website :Content Website Writer Use the Contact form and I will get back in touch with you.

Get Recognition and Make Money Selling Your Art

Do you love to draw? Do you love art? Do you love to paint? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you probably already dabble in painting, drawing or other artwork. You may love to create sculptures -- from clay, wire, metal or other materials. Whatever your art passion is, you may want to know how to sell your artwork. Selling your artwork not only makes you money, but also enables you to share your artwork with others -- and that is a VERY rewarding experience. If someone likes your art enough to pay money for it, then you can feel like you have succeeded as an artist.

Don't be a starving artist with no recognition for all your passionate hard work! Learn how to sell your artwork and get the praise and feeling of recognition that you deserve. After all, you have put hard work and creative effort into your artwork piece.

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Art Auctions - Drawings

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Art auctions for drawings are categorized into antique, modern and contemporary. Antique drawings are any drawings that were produced before 1900. Modern drawings have to have been created between 1900 and 1949. Contemporary drawings are drawings that were created from 1950 until the present.

There are a lot of contemporary drawings listed in art auctions that never get a bidder. There are many reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that the starting bid is set so high that it discourages interest. There was an art auction for a drawing that was created in 2000 that depicted James Dean welcoming Elvis Presley into heaven. The starting price for this art auction was twelve million dollars. I am not surprised that it did not get a bidder.

I found another pen and ink drawing in an art auction that was listed for a lot more than it was worth. The original listing started at $825,000.00 and when it didn’t sell, the artist lowered the price to $545,000.00. He offers the copywrite to the design, which he thinks would translate well for prints, posters or greeting cards.

There was an art auction for a drawing that was purchased in 1971 London that did very well. The seller of the drawing inherited it from his grandfather, who was the original owner. He started the bidding at a reasonable $599.00 and the drawing ultimate sold in the art auction for over twelve thousand dollars. He did a great job describing and picturing the drawing.

Antique drawings in art auctions can garner a lot of interest. I saw a drawing of two men in the nude that was drawn in the 1800’s go for more than eleven thousand dollars. This drawing was pen and ink and had a brown wash and traces of charcoal on lines of black pencil.

I was very taken with an antique drawing made by Sir Francis Grant in 1832. The drawing in the art auction was of a woman and her daughter in Scotland. The drawing was a signed original and sold for two thousand dollars. I hope that it ends up framed and hanging in a collection of similar pieces. It was really nice.

Another reason that art auctions for drawings don’t sell is that they are listed in the wrong categories. I found several contemporary pieces that were listed in the antique category. With so much competition in art auctions, it is important to make sure every detail is noticed.

Modern drawings are by far my favorite art auctions. I wanted the stamped Degas I saw up for auction, but it was way out of my budget. I’m sure that the person that ended up with the highest bid at the art auction will love and treasure it.

Well known artist’s drawings can fetch a lot of money in online art auctions. If the title of the art auction contains the words original Picasso, for example, it is sure to go over two thousand dollars. If the item is signed, it can go for much more.

I really liked a drawing I found in an art auction from an artist that I was unfamiliar with. The artist was Patrick Caulfield and he titled his drawing Grapes. He used colored pencils on black paper in the late 1980’s. This drawing sold for the opening bid, $4,250.00.

Portraits for Christmas

There is no time more special than Christmas for families. Christmas brings together loved ones to share in that special holiday. What better gift to give than a truly unique wonderful representation of someone you love.

How about giving Grandma an extraordinary portrait of her very dear new baby grand-daughter? Wouldn't your fiancee love a portait of herself to be hung lovingly in your new home? Wouldn't you like a picture of your son or daughter hung as artwork on your walls (instead of an unknown landscape)?

This Christmas give a special gift that truly states the love you feel for your family members --> give a personal portrait!

Portraits are painted in acryllic paints and detailed with pencil crayon (in full color), are approximately 8 X 10" and ready for matting and framing.

All you need to do is send a picture of the person you want portrayed by email, pay by email and the portrait will be mailed to you for Christmas gift-giving.

Price is $55.00 for a single subject.

If you would like to order a special portrait of a loved one for Christmas gift giving, contact me at my website :Content Website Writer Use the Contact form and I will get back in touch with you.

Give an Art Portrait for Christmas

If you want to give a truly unique and heart-felt gift to someone special this Christmas, now is the time to order an art portrait.

Done in a combination of acryllic and pencil crayon, this art portrait would make a beautiful Christmas gift. All you have to do is submit a color photo of your loved one, and I will take it from there.

The likeness of your loved one in the art portrait will be done on 8 X 11" paper and will be in full color.

Cost for the art portrait is only $55.00 (single subject) plus shipping.

If you would like an art portrait done for someone you love this Christmas, email me at phillipsdee@ymail.com.

Artists - Ways to Become Inspired

If you an artist you know it happens -- you get artist's block. You get to a point where you don't know what to do next. Sometimes this is as a result of too many projects going through you head, or sometimes you just feel tired and can't think of anything you want to paint. (I speak of painting, but this can also relate to sculptors or other types of artists). It feels as though you have hit a brick wall and there is nothing left in the world that is interesting or unique.

So, what do you do to break this block?

One way is to turn to nature. Go for a walk along a woodland path. Take a stroll through a park. Heck, even turn on one of the nature channels on T.V. Everytime I turn to the nature route, I find something interesting to set off my creative juices. I am not strictly a nature painter -- I paint a lot of people -- but nature still thrills me and inspires me in all my painting. I can see a young girl sitting underneath that canopy of leaves in the woods. I can see a fairy sitting on that mushroom beside the rotting log. I can see an angel in flight through the blue, blue of the summer sky. You get the idea!

Another way to become inspired is to read the history of another artist. Even if you don't paint like that particular artist, some of the details in their work can inspire you to try different things in your own work. Perhaps their use of color, or the way they have incorporated an object as a symbol in their painting. Maybe its how they painted what was the normal everyday life of their time. Or possibly something in their style of painting that you always wanted to try--now may be the time.

You can also try a different medium. If you are a painter, try sculpting a little. If you make jewelry, try sketching clothing designs in pastels. This could not only lead you to new ideas in your own work, but may turn you on to a new phase of art.

There are many ways to combat artist's block. Look around at the world you live in and try new things. I guarantee there is a world out there that only needs a new way to look at to help you become inspired.

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Artist Resources - About Your Art Website

As an artist, your website is your home base . . .your "hub." . . . where you and your visitors connect. As such, you need to make sure that it includes certain information and features that art collectors have come to expect. To get the resources to help you maximize your online art marketing efforts, here is a great program that I recommend.

FineArtViews-Artist Resources