August 2006 Archives

These beautiful Ansel Adams' prints would make wonderful gifts for any art lover [yourself included].

Fancy up your pencils in time for school.

The Russian lace-making tradition has produced some exquisite, ethereal pieces.  Read about this enchanting craft.

Display your quilts on these lovely new quilt racks, hangers or stands.

Try out this easy method to distress your needle or punch embroidered pieces.

Thread conversion charts allow you to match thread colours between different brands, or find nearest equivalent colour Look here for links to handy charts available online.

Wonderful models of the brave conquerors of the high seas. Be inspired and make a ship in a bottle for yourself.

Water color painting is the technique of using pigments suspended or dissolved in water to create images upon paper, papyrus, bark papers, plastics, leather, fabric, or canvas.

Buon Fresco painting, as used in the Sistine Chapel, was an example of early water color painting in Europe.

Watercolor paint is usually applied with brushes. The paint is diluted with water before use to allow for lighter areas within the painting. This transparency provides watercolor its characteristics of brightness, freshness, and clarity of color since light has passed through the film of paint and is reflected back to the viewer through the film.

Traditionally, dating from at least the last century, the white of the paper is the only white used in transparent watercolor. Opaque paint is seldom used for whites.

Watercolor techniques are quite demanding, and maintaining a high quality of value differences and color clarity are typically the most difficult properties to achieve and maintain.

Watercolor afficionados  prize it as a studio medium for its lack of odor and ease of cleanup, and also its portability and quick drying.

Try silver beads to add a cool touch of elegance to summer projects.

Having sewn a fine seam, you need to know how to take good care of it. Read through these helpful tips if you need to wash your labor of love.

Learn to knit with simple summer yarns. By winter you will be an old pro and can move on to woollies.

Inspired by the lovely beads you've been looking at? Try your hand at working with a few of them.

Have a look at these scintillating winners of the Bead Arts Awards.

Manga and Anime are recently popular artforms emerging from Japan. Manga are Japanese comics, and Anime is the Japanese version of animation. Anime is usually, but not always, the animated version of popular manga

Japan has had a long history of line drawings and cartoon art, with humorous ink drawings of animals and caricatured people from hundreds of years ago.  The simple lines and stylized features are still evident in modern day Manga, although there is also a Chinese and later Western influence. Osamu Tezuka, the "father" of modern manga, was influenced by Disney and Max Fleisher.

Japanese Manga and Anime cover a gamut of topics catering to all sorts of people. The realities of life, emphasis on a work ethic, and positive attitude to technology are all explored in detail. Manga are usually the vision of a single writer.
The unique Japanese Manga and Anime visual style is distinctive and fairly easy to recognize. Within a broad common stylistic ground, each Manga artist's technique is distinct and unique. The stereotype is of characters with huge hair and large eyes, but there are many, many variations, from L. Matsumoto's seemingly unevenly drawn squash-shaped "ugly" protagonists, to the soft-edged figures in Miyazaki's work. Gender stereotypes are uncommon, and characters tend to have unique and aesthetic tastes in fashion.

The best Manga and Anime are truly creative works of Art.

Check out these pictures of truck art - they are only digital images of the actual entries in a competition held in Germany, but worth a look-see at any rate.

The American Navajo Indians are famous for their evocative, timeless weavings which accurately mirror the social and economic history of the Navajo people.

According to legend, the Navajo people were taught to weave by Spider Woman, and the first loom was of sky and earth cords, with weaving tools of sunlight, lightning, white shell, and crystal.

The Navajos learnt their weaving skills from the Pueblo people by the mid 1600s, who in turn had been influenced by the Spanish. The Spanish influence includes the substitution of wool for cotton, the use of indigo dye, and simple stripe patterning.

Besides the "manta" (a wider-than-long wearing blanket), Navajo weavers also made a tunic-like dress, belts, garters, hair ties, men's shirts, breechcloths, and a "serape-style" wearing blanket. These blankets were longer-than-wide and were patterned in brown, blue and white stripes and terraced lines.

By the end of the 1700s Navajo weaving began its divergence. Navajo weavers learned that wefts did not need to be passed through all the warps each time, but rather, by stopping at whatever point they wished they could create patterning other than horizontal bands. These "pauses" in Navajo weaving are often seen as "lazy-lines" (diagonal lines across the horizontal wefts) in finished pieces. By 1800, weavers were using this technique to create terraced lines and discrete design elements. Navajo weavers also demonstrated more willingness to use color than their Pueblo teachers.

The history of Navajo weaving continues; over the past century, Navajo weaving has flourished, maintaining its importance as a vital native art to the present day. Virtually all the nineteenth and twentieth-century styles of blankets and rugs are still woven, and new styles continue to appear.

Take a look at these award winning entries at the Creative Fibre National Exhibition 2006.

Pirates were creative when it came to their flags. Most of them had their own personal favourite.

Starting a new quilting project? Take time to prepare your fabric, it could make all the difference.

Wash and iron fabric before cutting patches. Rinse dark colors separately in warm water to check for excess dye. Continue rinsing until water runs clear. Iron fabric when slightly damp for best results.

Make this beautiful card!

François-Auguste-René Rodin (1840 –1917) was a radical French sculptor of the academic classical tradition that was taught at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris.

Born in a working class family in Paris, Rodin was refused admission to the Beaux Arts academy, but trained in the tradition at a local trade school for decorative sculpture. He later moved to Belgium, where he developed his inherent flair to produce intricate, tumultuous, multi-dimensional surfaces.

His attention to detail and realistic finishes brought an unexpected charge: Rodin was accused of surmoulage (taking plaster moulds from the live model) in his work, The Age of Bronze.

After a spirited battle and vindication, in 1880 Rodin was awarded the commission to create an entry tableau for the proposed Museum of Decorative Arts. Rodin labored for 37 years on this monumental project, The Gates of Hell, depicting scenes from Dante's Inferno in high relief. However, the Museum was never built.

Many of the figures from this tableau were later offered as individual sculptures, and include some of his most famous works: The Thinker (Le Penseur, originally titled The Poet, representing the poet Dante), The Kiss (Le Baiser), Damned Women, The Three Shades (Les Trois Ombres), and the Ugolino group were a few.

Rodin effectively perfected and used the technique of marcottage (layering), wherein the same sculptural forms where repetitively incorporated through varying identities and groupings. He was captivated by dance and natural motion, and used flexible and agile amateur models to help build a lyrical movement into his works.

Rodin had a colorful personal life, including a long-term relationship with Rose Beuret, begun during his poverty-stricken early years in Belgium, and a tempestuous affair with the gifted young sculptress Camille Claudel, who was his muse and assistant for The Burghers of Calais (Les Bourgeois de Calais), and his main model for several of his works.

The Greatest of the French Masters, Rodin had a vast force of apprentices, craftsmen, and stone cutters working for him, the most renowned being the Czech sculptor Joseph Kratina.
Upon his death in November 1917, Rodin was buried in Meudon, Île-de-France, and a cast of The Thinker was placed next to his tomb.

A walk through the making of a Grandfather's clock.

Look how these ancient Egyptian motifs have been used to turn everyday items into exotic collectibles.

Ever wondered what that swatch of fabric in your stash is? - Cotton, silk, wool, rayon ... or what?

Run a check.

If you are looking for a suitable project for a young, beginner cross-stitcher, check this one out!

  “An artist's proof is a single print taken in the printmaking process to see the current printing state of a plate while the plate (or stone, or woodblock...) is being worked on by the artist”. Artist's proofs are a special prints of the regular limited edition.
Artist's proofs date back to a time when limited editions were all hand-pulled from a one-man litho press. They were the first prints pulled off a fresh "stone" (the plate which was drawn or etched by the artist to create the prints). This plate suffered wear and tear as greater number of prints were made. This meant that the artist’s proofs were the sharpest and most colorful of the lot, and so fetched better prices.
In today’s world of modern offset lithography, all the prints in an edition are nearly identical. Artist's proofs maintain their collectability and value because they are a small subset of the edition, and they usually come directly signed by  the artist. The artist usually signs the proofs personally, including a number showing the quantity of artists proofs available In these days of mass production and marketing, getting something directly or even indirectly from the artist is rare. Publishers usually turn over the artists proofs to the artist for his or her own use, and retain all the other prints in the edition.
Collectors also value artist's proofs because they are unique images. They are generally considered a status symbol in the world of art collecting and their resale value is proportionally higher than the numbered editions.
An artists proof is also known as a "comp".
Here we have an image of the artist's proof for Monet's "The Magpie".

Make yourself a lovely circus horse. Take this class with the talented Nancy Gawron at The DollStreetDreamers.

Try this new product to create beautiful art. Look at some of the projects made using it.

Make a fun Noah's Ark over the weekend with your preschooler.

The winners of the Butternut Challenge have been announced and here they are!

Newbie 1st place winner is Mimo Wiseman
N10   http://butternut1.homestead.com/Newbie6.html

Newbie 2nd place winner is Lee Barker
N9     http://butternut1.homestead.com/Newbie5.html


Advanced 1st place winner is Joyce Shehi
A12   http://butternut1.homestead.com/advanced12.html

Advanced 2nd place winner is Cindi Goodwin
A7     http://butternut1.homestead.com/advanced7.html


Professional 1st place winner is Brenda Arnold
P1     http://butternut1.homestead.com/professional.html

Professional 2nd place winner is Sandy Bruggink
P2     http://butternut1.homestead.com/professional2.html

The Chau is one of the rare mask dances of eastern India, found amongst the tribals of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

The three forms of this martial dance are named after the region where they are practiced-  the Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Bihar and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Orissa.

The dance is performed as part of the celebrations that herald the arrival of spring. The originally simple, rustic masks were redesigned in the early years of the previous century along the lines of the world famous frescoes of Ajanta. The soft pastel color of the masks, and subtle and elongated lines of eyebrows and eyes were marked to enhance the expressive movements of the dancer.

As with the Noh masks, the Chau masks were purely decorative, and concealed more than they revealed, leaving it to the dancer to portray every nuance of intent and emotion through their bodily movements.

The masks are made primarily of a base of jute fibers, with layers of mud, clay and paper. The eye openings are large, but the openings at the nostrils are very slight and vestigial. At times thick, knitted eyebrows and facial hair growth are used to indicate the malevolent nature of a character.

The costumes used with the masks have evolved alongside, with large, elaborately showy headdresses.

The thematic content of the masks is limited to the great Indian epics and local folklore.

Some people see their bathtubs as more than soap and water.

Work this lovely cross-stitch portrait of the great Marilyn for an ardent admirer.

Like to make a braided cord to edge a pillow or string a bag? This is an easy method - give it a try.

Have a look at the early Singer sewing machines.

If you like primitive art, here are several free patterns you can have a go at.

Try a painting holiday!

Name: Tatjana

Nickname:  Tanja

Location/Business: I work at home in the Zemun, Republic of Serbia

Patterns Type/Style Available:  Marko the butcherman-nylon sculpted head doll.

Website: http://www.PictureTrail.com/tanja22   http://www.tanjas-dolls.blinkz.com/

Please tell a little about yourself. I'm SAHM of two girls,addicted to doll and crafts.

How long have you loved dolls and have been making dolls? I love dolls all my life,but started making them about a year ago (little longer)

What started you making dolls?  I saw some beautifull dolls on the different websites, but I couldnt afford them.Than it becomes challenge for me to find out if I can make something like this,and here I am now.

What is your favorite doll?  My favorite doll is basic woman by P.Grose

What is your favorite type/style of doll to design/make? I like dolls with needle sculpted faces,with lot of wrinkles.

What is your favorite media to work with? Why? Fabric is my usual media,but I would like to try my self in sculpting too.

Do you have a background in art?Usualy no,I just do the way I feel in this moment.
 
Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?

No,nothing of that but hope to start something.

Who is your favorite doll designer?I cant tell because there is lot of great designers out there,and lot things to learn from all of them.

Do you have a favorite doll pattern?No,cant tell,I'm like the monkey -want everything and like everything.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration? I'm inspired with anything around me,it can be picture,fabric or something I hear on the news.

Where is your favorite place to work/design/draw/make dolls?I have my room with all my fabric's beads,wools etc.Cant call it studio because it is small room,but it is only my room(untill I'm stronger than my older daugter).

What was the first doll you ever sold? It was comisioned bellydancer doll.

Do you name your dolls?  If yes, how do you come up with
your dolls' names?   It is difficult to name my dolls because we have different names and it has no sence in English,but I do give them some names.

Do you have a favorite doll-making tool and/or product? Favorite tool for me is my computer because it is my first and most important conection with doll world.

What is your most favorite part of the doll to make? Heads are favorite parts,because you can put feelings in your dolls face.

What is your least favorite part of the doll to make?I dont like to stuff dolls it is boring.

What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?Just dont do anything untill I feel like it.

What is your best doll-making tip? If you cant do it the way designer wants you to,do it the way you can, it always turns good.

What advice would you give a beginning doll maker?  To take one step at the time,nobody knows everything at once.

Anything else you would like to add?
I'm werry happy because I met lot of kind and generous people from all ower the world,through my dollmaking passion

Make a simple stick puppet. Make many.

Get ready for school with a colorful folder - make some for your friends too!

Let the light shine through the myriad colors!

Check out this Disney collectible !

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio [1571 –1610], Great Master, was the first representative of the Baroque school of Art.
The maverick artist spent his early years in Caravaggio and apprenticed under Simone Peterzano of Milan, a pupil of Titian. He entered the art scene in Rome in 1592, with a style which emphasized simplicity and realism, and was closer to the Naturalism of Germany than to the stylized formality and grandeur of Roman Mannerism.
His exaggerated approach to chiaroscuro, termed tenebrism, heightened the emotional intensity of his subjects, and earned him his first major commission with the Counter-Reformation Church.  In 1599, Caravaggio contracted to decorate the Contarelli Chapel in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi with two works, the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew and Calling of Saint Matthew.
The popularity gained by these first works earned him several prestigious assignments with the Church, although his adherence to reality and propensity to work without drawings were not appreciated by all.
The volatile and tumultuous artist, however, was incessantly embroiled in drama and intrigue, and this resulted in his being constantly on the run from authorities from one place or another. This regular ostracism did not affect his art, and he continued to leave behind a line of successes in his trail – at Naples, Malta and Sicily. His work had great impact upon the young, aspiring artists in each of these places, who in turn popularized the Baroque movement across borders and time.
Ribera, Vermeer, La Tour, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Courbet and Manet are some of the famous artists influenced by Caravaggio.
Caravaggio included himself  in several of his paintings, his appearance being as the witness on the far right to the Martyrdom of Saint Ursula.

The Knutsford tapestry is an amazing effort by the good citizens of Knutsford to preserve their community's heritage. Take a closer look at this special work of art.

Bakelite, lucite, glass, celluloid, studio, moonglow.. buttons of all shapes and sizes. Take a look.

A needle organiser helps save time on large, intricate projects worked in several colours.

Work this pretty crosstitched  kettle onto a tray cloth for an elegant garden tea party!

Have a  precious possession that's broken? Would you would like to mend it? Try FIXIT .

Have a try at this simple whitework sampler.