Tag Archives: art

The Power of Finger Paint

If you are looking for a great activity for your toddler or preschooler, consider finger paint. Yes, I know it is messy, but you can’t beat finger paint for a young child when it comes to discovery and development. From the colors to the squishy texture between little fingers, finger paint is an opportunity to learn all sorts of things. Here are a few tips to help you get the most you can from experiencing finger paint with your child. As mentioned about, many parents are put off by the potential mess of finger painting. A little preparation can make … Continue reading →

Is Artistic Genius an Excuse?

Are those with exceptional artistic or creative talent outside the rules for normal relationships and marriage boundaries? So often in today’s society, and even past society that seems to be the case. We make excuses because they are a genius. That was some of the thoughts that came out of the play Mick and I saw last night. We went with friends to see our local drama group’s production of the play Mr. Bailey’s Minder by Australian author Debra Oswald. The play is the ‘tough, funny and bighearted story of an abusive and cantankerous’ artist called Leo Bailey. Leo has … Continue reading →

Greatest American Dog: The Art Episode

If ever, oh, ever there was an episode that proved my point that the show is not looking for the greatest American dog but is looking for the greatest American trainer, it was this last one. The Judges: Art Critics or Dog Experts? What was up with them judging the art? I don’t recall in the list of any of their credentials it being mentioned that they’re world renowned dog artists themselves. Okay, so Laurie’s was rather simplistic and “poster-ish” but who are they to knock on her? Like they’d do better? And Beth Joy and Bella Starlet’s creation? I … Continue reading →

Introducing Art to My Little One

Chances are that you are already introducing your baby to art whenever you look at a picture book or name colors and shapes, but why not go a little bit further and expose your toddler to more sophisticated fare. You might be surprised at how much he picks up and understands. I learned this lesson myself earlier today. A new friend invited us to an art program for children at a local museum. The program was geared for children aged three through ten with a parent. My two older children fall within this range and were excited about the prospect … Continue reading →

A Family Art Gallery

With three children making pictures, it never took long to fill up the space on the front of the refrigerator. We started several art galleries in our house to showcase their work. Framing the children’s art makes them feel important. And I love the way it looks on our walls. It’s a fun family look. I’m not talking frame shops here, but something you can do yourself. If you’ve ever had a piece of art framed you know that it’s very expensive, and you probably picked from a mat or two to highlight the art. You can easily copy the … Continue reading →

Ad or Art Inspiration Challenges

In previous articles I have discussed how artwork, ads and other items are great inspirational pieces for your layouts. Sometimes it might be a mood or the setting, sometimes the colors used in the ad and sometimes it might even be the entire layout of the ad. I thought that perhaps that by seeing some examples of artwork created using an ad or piece of artwork as the inspiration, it might get you in the mood to try the same. Just as an extra thought, often when I am in a scrap rut, I will grab an ad that I … Continue reading →

Foo Dogs Aren’t Dogs… Are They?

Perhaps you’ve heard of foo dogs — also known as fu dogs, fo dogs, or Chinese lions? These works of art may be called dogs, but are they really dogs? First, a little history: animal imagery is an important element in Chinese art. During the Shang dynasty, stylized animal faces were placed on vessels in tombs and engraved onto weapons. For some, the animal faces served as fierce guardians or symbols of royal power. During the Han dynasty, we saw the first appearance of the lion in Chinese art. Outside of royal gifts, China had no lions of its own; … Continue reading →

Super Bowl XLII: What to Know Before You Go–Other Offerings

For the past few days I have been examining the options Super Bowl fans have in Phoenix as they prepare for the NFL’s biggest game of the season. In previous blog I covered everything from dining options to party places and everything in between. There is no doubt that in a few days Phoenix will be (at least temporarily) the hippest, hottest place in the nation. The super big Super Bowl crowds will likely displace the many snowbirds that flock to Arizona each winter, but I’m sure city and state leaders could careless. In the place of the repeat visitors … Continue reading →

Warm Up a Room

Warm up your home even in the middle of a winter chill with these great tips. Modern homes boast cathedral ceilings and more space than ever before. The possible downside to these larger spaces is a possible loss of warmth to the space. Sometimes even smaller rooms can feel cool because of color and design choices, and sometimes even the furniture arrangment. There are ways to to make a room cozier, even if it currently seems overwhelming. Warm paint colors, such as reds and oranges will instantly warm up a room. They will also make the space seem smaller. In … Continue reading →

Create A Gallery Space

Create a formal (or informal) gallery space to add elegance and fun to your home. It is easy to do! The first thing you need to to is to pick an area of your home for your gallery. A hallway way is an idea space, especially if it acts and an entry point into your home or into the main entertaining space. But if a hallway doesn’t work for you, consider any wall space, from a dining room to a family room. One home I saw had their gallery in their first floor half-bath, and it really livened up that … Continue reading →