Saturday, February 2, 2008

Painting Themes: Soul of a painting

There are so many admirers of paintings. But this admiration is not in general nature. People have become more particular about their choices of art work. A person who adores oil painting may not be the admirer of water color painting. Similarly, a person who reveres biblical paintings may not have any interest in paintings of the renaissance period. I want to assert here that theme is the most important feature of an art piece. It is the most essential element of the painting. It is the life of an art work. The theme of the painting gives an orientation to the creation.

There may be end number of themes in painting field. God and goddesses, animal figures, court scenes, romance, nature, mythology, literature, folk lore – almost everything in life and imagination can become the theme for a painting. For example in nature paintings, there are so many themes adopted like skyscapes, landscapes, riverscapes, seascapes etc. In landscape paintings again, there may be so many themes like Abstract Landscape Paintings, Acrylic Landscape Painting, American Landscape Painters, American Landscape Painting, Chinese Landscape Paintings, Landscape Oil Paintings, Urban Landscape Painting, Watercolor Landscape, Romantic Landscape Painting, Renaissance Landscape Paintings, and Oil Painting Landscape.

In case of oil paintings too, there can be so many sub themes. On the basis of medium too, painting themes are selected. Oil, watercolor, pastel colors, ink etc. are the media that are chosen for painting. Similarly, animal themes may include Camel Paintings, Cat Paintings, Elephant Paintings many more.

Fore more interesting informations on various painting themes, please visit http://www.ethnicpaintings.com/painting-by-themes/

Handicrafts: Beautifying Homes and Lives

Handicraft is the term given to an artifact made by using conventional methods and tools. It is characterized by minimum or no use of machines. Early civilizations witnessed the making of handicrafts for various purposes. A particular section of the people began making handicrafts for royalty or the influential people of the period, for trade and commerce and for the general public. Indus Valley Civilization in India observed the mass production of pottery and beads for the purposes mentioned above. The invention of the metallurgical techniques led to a great development in the production of metal handicrafts. Copper was the first metal to be discovered and numerous artifacts were made in copper and bronze. Similarly gold and silver and finally iron proved to be decisive in the metallurgical advancements.

Handicrafts could be made in several other mediums too. Stone crafts, glass crafts, wood crafts, paper crafts, and textiles are just a few examples. There are innumerable handicrafts that are made by mixing more than one medium too. In the beginning, handicrafts were made for the utility purposes. But once the utility purpose was successfully served, the handicrafts were made for decorative purposes. Several handicrafts now decorate the favorite places of the people like homes, offices, gardens, halls and others.

Textile and jewelry are the crafts that are an integral part of the lives of everyone. These crafts are now in highly advanced age and their trade is over multi-billion dollars.

Handicrafts are nowadays an important commodity for trade and commerce. The trade volume is consistently growing. In a country, like India, where there is a big portion of population involved in making handicrafts, this factor will bring a good change. Countries like Thailand, China, Mexico, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh are powerhouses of handicrafts. The economies of these countries are getting a fillip after the commercialization of handicrafts on large scale.

For all kinds of general and commercial queries on Handicrafts, please visit, http://indiahandicraftstore.com

Crafts

The term “craft” refers to a set of activities that involve skill, innovation and dedication of the apprentice to produce a desired object. Craft is a combination of ideas and their practical viability to bring out an art piece. On various occasions, term craft is used to explain the artistic practices that are related to decorative arts. An artifact has to have either utilitarian value or decorative value or both. The principle media for applying various crafts are wood, stone, clay, glass, textiles, metal and paper. Crafts can be classified in to two basic categories- handicrafts or the traditional crafts and the other crafts. Traditional crafts are those which are done in old ways- their methods, tools and the techniques have been in application for centuries. Some crafts are modern inventions; they are done with new tools, technique and media. The target recipients of these crafts are also different. Some crafts are yet of a different nature. These are the popularized crafts, which were originally done by a very small population and within small geographical area.

The term “Studio Craft” has been in limelight for some time. This term is used for the art practiced by independent artists working alone or in small groups. Studio crafts may include studio pottery, metal work, weaving, wood turning, glass blowing and glass art.

Most of the crafts require from apprentices, a combination of skill, speed and patience. These qualities help in making masterpieces of certain crafts. Artificers are wise and innovative, these qualities helps them to remain in the hunt for better offers and more worthy applause.

There are as many varieties of craft as their practitioners. Various sub- categories are derived from the principle medium. For example, the crafts involving textile as medium include Banner-Making, Calligraphy, Canvas Work, Cross-Stitch, Crocheting, Curve Stitching, Embroidery, Knitting, Lace Making, Lucet, Macramé, Millinery, Needle Point, Patchwork, Quilting, Ribbon-Embroidery, Rug Making, Sewing, Shoemaking, Spinning, Spirelli, String Art, Tapestry, Tatting And Weaving. Similarly, the crafts in wood, metal and clay as medium include Metalworking, Jewelry, Pottery, Sculpture, Wood Working, Cabinet Making, Chip Carving, Marquetry, Wood Burning and Wood Turning.


For more information on various crafts, please visit http://www.india-crafts.com/art-craft/

Valentine’s Day: An Occasion to celebrate Love

In modern context, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as an occasion when lovers express their love towards each other. It falls on February 14 and coincides with the day on which St. Valentine was martyred. The popularity of Valentines Day is immense and it is observed as holiday in several countries including United States.

On Valentine’s Day, lovers exchange gifts and valentine cards. People also donate to charity and gift candies on this day. Flowers are the most popular gifts for Valentines Day. Among flowers, rose is most liked and gifted. It is said that red rose is gifted to express love where as yellow rose and other flowers are gifted for pure friendship.

Valentines Day is closely marked with mutual exchange of love notes or valentines between the lovers. Previously, handwritten love notes and love poems were exchanged, but later from 19th century onwards mass scale production of Greeting Cards started. This development also gave rise to the commercialization of thus far a sacred Valentines Day.

The main symbols of Valentine’s Day are the heart shaped outlines and the figures of winged Cupid. Numerous gift items flood the gift shops as Valentines Day gets closer. Customized valentine cards are also a major attraction of the gifts shops. Greeting Cards sites come with new and fresh valentine e-cards. E cards cover wide themes on valentine like valentine kiss cards, valentine flowers cards, valentine teddy cards, valentine friends cards etc.

Valentine cards are a popular thing to convey the tender emotions of individuals. After Christmas cards, valentine cards are the most circulated cards. This day is more popular in women than men, a source says. A vast amount of information is circulated through various mediums on unique Valentine day ideas and tips, party destinations, gift shops, flower centers etc. News papers, TV channels and radio channels air programs and stories related to Valentines Day from weeks before the actual Valentine’s Day.

From a week before 14th February, celebration of valentine week begins. Each day has different theme like 7th Rose Day, 8th Propose Day, 9th Chocolate Day, 10th Teddy Day, 11th Promise Day, 11th Kiss Day, 13th Hug Day and finally Valentines Day on 14th.

Lovers wait for Valentine’s Day impatiently. A lot of people propose their feelings of love for the first time to their sweethearts on this day. Proposals are taken in positive spirit on the part of proposed. At the same time, outright rejections are avoided.
For unique ideas on Valentine’s Day, please visit http://www.mydearvalentine.com/

Popular Valentine Gifts: A Reflection

Valentine’s Day- The Festival of Love is an occasion to celebrate the exquisite feeling of love. This is the very reason, why the entire world gets embraced in envelop of pious and passionate love on this very day. Valentine’s Day is also reputed to be the ideal day for lovers to express their undying love for each other. Gifts are the essential part of Valentines Day. Valentine Gifts help in conveying the message of love and care in most effective manner.

Selection of gifts is not an easy job rather it may take weeks to finalize the ideal valentine gift. Lovers have to do extensive planning for valentine gift because they wish to give unique gifts that can be remembered for very long time. A gift that goes with the personality of the recipient is considered an ideal gift. Those who have fallen in love for very first time have to think rather more than those who are already in love for a sublime gift. The thought of rejection forces them to select just the best Valentine Gift.

Some of the most popular Valentine gifts are discussed below:

Valentine Flower Gifts: Famous Author Henry Beecher says, “Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into.” Flowers may not have soul in them but they sumptuously manifest the beauty and the prowess of almighty. As the symbol of love also, flowers are wonderful. Roses, Tulips, Candies, lilies etc. are the flowers given by huge number of people as Valentine Gifts.

Valentine Cards and E-Cards: From 19th century onwards, mass production of greeting cards started. Valentine’s Day was popular in that era too, therefore, very soon printing of Valentine Cards begun in huge scale. In present scenario also, valentine cards are immensely popular. These cards reflect the thought as well as adequate graphical illustrations to express the sentiment of love. Valentine E-cards are also a great success as they are sent electronically.

Valentine Jewelry: Jewelry has always been favorite valentine gift for women. A diamond or silver jewelry with studding of precious or semi-precious gemstone with trendy design is the pre-requisite of beautiful valentine jewelry. So either the heart shaped pendant or necklace, bracelet, earrings or stylish bangles, all are going to leave the recipient jumping with ecstasy.

Teddy bears and other soft toys, chocolates, candies, books, video games or attractive clothing ranges are the other articles which you can present to your partner as valentine gift.
For information on Valentine’s Day Gift please visit http://www.mydearvalentine.com/valentine/gifts/

Valentine Gifts: Unique Way of Expressing Love

Love is in the air as season of valentine has begun. Valentine’s Day, falling on February 14th is going to be a huge occasion for lovers all around the globe. Valentine’s Day is poplar worldwide for expressing unbound love and faith towards beloveds. Most of the people present beautiful valentine gifts to express their love for their sweethearts.

An extensive planning is needed before selecting a Valentine’s Day gift. Actually love is a very sensitive issue and no one would want to take chance in this delicate matter. So, in finalizing the gift, so many things are kept in mind like what are the likes and dislikes, favorites, and the mood of the recipient. A valentine gift should reflect the personality of the recipient and it should enhance the charm of the recipient.

Some of the most popular Valentine gifts are mentioned below:

Flowers as Valentine Gift: From time immemorial flowers are considered as beauty personified. Adabella Radici says, “A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions- so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life, yet long on effect.” Rose has been the favorite of millions, but other flowers are also liked by huge number of people. So, a valentine flower gift- an artistically worked out bouquet is waiting for you to be passed on to your sweetheart.

Jewelry as Valentine Gift: A sleek silver pendent embedded with a tiny diamond can just leave your girl friend or wife overwhelmed with joy. A low toned ” I Love You” along with this small piece of jewelry will do wonders. Similarly, a marvelously crafted golden watch can just move your partner with ecstasy. In market you can find as many as valentine jewelry significantly marking the heart signs which can be an ideal Valentine gift.

Valentine Love Cards as Valentine Gift: The main motto of Valentine’s Day is to pass on a message to your partner that how special he or she is for your life. Sometimes a lovely valentine card is itself a valentine gift. A valentine card that is marked with a lovely thought along with the appropriate illustrations is what a lover would eventually want from his or her partner.


Beside these popular valentine gifts, you can also present teddy bears and other soft toys, favorite books, video games, favorite clothing range or anything unique as valentine gift.

For information on Valentine’s Day Gift please visit http://www.mydearvalentine.com/valentine/gifts/

Express Your Love with Valentine Cards

Valentine’s Day is the day of celebration of love. It is the most important day for lovers as they express their innermost feelings to their sweethearts this day. Expressing the thoughts of love with a valentine card is a sort of giving a new approach to a romantic day. Love is a beautiful feeling where heart does the talking. To express the impact of love valentine cards are sent to the reason of love.

Valentine’s Day cards are mainly sent for conveying special message. Valentine cards help in letting your beloved know that how much you love them and what importance does he or she holds in your life. All the illustrations and the colors of a card have just supportive value but the message is most important thing.

Valentine cards are a handy thing when someone is expressing his or her love for very first time. First love is always special and there is a need of great courage to propose love to someone for the first time. When it is not possible to express your love for first time, valentine cards are a great help as they carry the appropriate message that you want to convey to your sweetheart.

A valentine card can also be given along with a valentine gift. A handmade valentine card will be the best to impress someone. You can decorate the card with the figures and pictures of your own choice. You can write self composed message or you can take it from any online or offline source. A valentine poem written on the card will be highly romantic. You need to put those thoughts in the card which is similar to the one you think about him or her. A “be my valentine’ message would be a great thing in a handmade valentine card.

A valentine card may have different themes. Some prominent themes are miss you valentine cards, Kiss you valentine cards, Friend valentine cards, Flower valentine cards, Hugs valentine cards, Chocolate and gift cards, Poems and Love Songs cards, Family valentine cards etc.
Therefore select a unique Valentine’s Day card say your sweetheart “I Love You”.
For more interesting details on Valentine Gifts, please visit http://www.mydearvalentine.com/

Be My Valentine

When two hearts start throbbing in the same motion, when two pairs of eyes want to look only into each other and when their conversations seem to be as lovely as music, you are struck by the cupid’s arrow my friends! And you have become inhabitants of a distinct territory called love. The time when Valentine's Day is approaching fast, everyone who is in love has to do a lot of preparations to make his or her valentine feel that he or she is the most loved person around. On Valentine’s Day lovers want the most pleasant favor from their partners asking them, “be my valentine”.

The phrase “be my valentine” implies at the importance of valentine in life. Love is a tender feeling that is able to perfume your whole life. And this quaint feeling comes when you are blessed with a valentine. There is a major part of luck and chance in getting an ideal valentine than that of hard work and labor. We see many people pleading “be my valentine” before so many folks for so many times. But only luckiest few succeed in getting their valentines. As the Valentines Day gets closer, plans and strategies are mooted up for proposals and disclosures. Lovebirds plan extensively for beautiful Valentine gifts like valentine flowers, valentine jewelry, valentine chocolates, valentine teddy bears etc.

Actually love is the game of emotions and feelings. It’s also called a dangerous game because the feelings don’t originate easily for some one and when they are originated they can not easily be crushed. Love is extremes of two things- it gives unbound pleasure if you get it, but at the same time it gives immense pain if you don’t get it. That’s why lovers work so hard to make their beloved love them too.

Be my valentine poems are also one of the most effective Valentines Day ideas to get the approval of your beloved. Michael Drayton puts his thoughts in this poem:

Must, bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a mate;This day's Saint Valentine's.
For that good bishop's sake
Get up and let us see
What beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns.

For more important details on Valentine, please visit http://mydearvalentine.com