Saturday, November 10, 2012

Art Paintings-Creativity at Its Best - ArticleCube

Art is a perfect platform where an artist gets an opportunity to exercise his freedom of expression. An artist elaborates his perception about world in the form of a painting. Creativity and great imagination is instrumental in producing a gorgeous painting. It’s a work of ones imagination and the ability to effectively use ones skill and talent. An artist may indulge himself in various kinds of paintings. Some paintings may be thought provoking, giving out a social message to rest of the world, whereas, some may simply exhibit the breathtaking beauty of nature. Few paintings may even throw some light on history, mythology etc . It completely depends on the artist as to in which direction he wants to channelize his creativity.

People highly appreciate art and its varied forms. They love collecting pieces of work of famous artists as they feel it’s not just a painting but a style statement too. There are various exhibitions that are organized at various places where some of the most distinguished and eminent artists across the globe get a golden chance to showcase their brilliance. Internet has also been a great help in bringing together such pieces of work from such illustrious artists. There are many online galleries where people can view different paintings of renowned artists. There are some well known art galleries that take orders online. Some may deliver the painting for free of charge whereas some may ask for additional charges.

An original certificate is issued to buyers of original paintings to prove that it’s genuine. People who cannot afford to buy original paintings can go for hand-painted duplicate versions of the same. These paintings are less in price and equally good as originals. There are various forms of art for sale, some of which may include abstract paintings, still life paintings, landscape paintings, oil paintings and many others. These art paintings for sale are really expensive and invaluable. It necessitates the need for buyers to be well-informed about the reliable sources from where one can buy such paintings. Security and authenticity should also be enhanced to avoid any duplicity and fraud. This is necessary to preserve such brilliant piece of work and avoid getting them into wrong hands.




Denis Ichitovkin - Fair painting

Friday, November 2, 2012

Oil Painting Tips - Organizing Your Palette - free article ...

Having a clean organized palette is an essential part of good painting. If you are just starting out with oil painting, these tips will help you get a good start.

You should have the right kind of palette to start off with. Your palette should be non-porous to prevent absorption of oil from the paint. Palettes come in a variety of different materials from glass to wood. My personal preference is the BOB ROSS Clear Palette. I have found this palette the easiest to clean and best for mixing colors.

When you are first starting out, it may be a good idea to start with a fairly limited palette of colors. If you purchase every color under the sun, you may find yourself mixing too many different colors, which will result in a muddy painting. Start off slow in the beginning, then add more colors as you become more experienced. Color choices for a limited palette vary from artist to artist. Here are the colors of my palette: Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Pale, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Orange, Phthalo Blue, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red Medium, Phthalo Green, Titanium White, Ivory Black. I recommend purchasing 1 . 25 oz tubes of all colors except Titanium White. Purchase a larger tube of Titanium White, as you will be using more of this color.

First, you should get into the habit of laying out your colors the same way every time you paint. This is just good practice and keeps the painting process flowing nicely. Arrange your colors along the edges of your palette leaving a lot of room in the center for mixing.

Don't be afraid to squeeze out a good amount of paint, especially your whites. You will be more productive if you aren't continuously stopping to squeeze out more paint.

Make certain to include all of the colors you think you will need to complete that session of painting as well. Again, this will make you more productive.

When adding paint to the palette, I have found that squeezing the paint out in long lines, as opposed to puddles, keeps my colors cleaner. When you have puddles of paint, they tend to get soiled by other colors when mixing. With a long line of paint, you can just take paint from the end as needed and not dirty the rest. Keep some rags or paper towels handy for wiping your palette knife clean.

It's a good idea to continuously wipe your palette clean during the painting process. There is nothing more frustrating then trying to remove dried up oil paint. Keep some alcohol handy so that you can keep the mixing area of your palette clean.

I hope these tips have helped. Happy Painting!




CraftMe.co- NZ FREE Fine Arts

Friday, September 14, 2012

Austria – Vienna, Salzburg, Halstatt and Sound of Music - free ...

Austria simply can’t be beat when it comes to beauty. You’ve seen the country in the Sound of Music, but the cities of Vienna, Salzburg and the alpine town of Halstatt are just as nice.

Vienna

Vienna is a city with a ridiculous amount of history. The home of the waltz, Habsburg Palaces and an unrivaled musical past. Walk for an evening through the cobblestone streets in the center city and you can almost hear a famous composer at work. In fact , many of the walking areas are lined with small orchestral ensembles playing their way through the evening. Elbowing in on their act, of course , are those unique artist who dress in a period piece and then stand in one position for what seems time eternal. Buddhist monks would be envious if they believed in envy.

The only downside to Vienna is the expense. It is very expensive. If you are going to spend some time in the city, be ready to pay for the privilege.

Salzburg

Salzburg is one of my favorite cities and I always try to hit it when I am traveling through Europe. The real home of Mozart, Salzburg is Vienna without less of the hustle and bustle. A walk through the shopping district will leave you breathless and, sometimes, penniless, but it is a worthwhile go. Salzburg is a city where you can drink bear with monks, take in an opera or just walk through exquisite rose gardens. Unfortunately, it gives Vienna a run for its money when it comes to being expensive. Yes, pun intended.

Halstatt

Halstatt is the little town in the Alps that puts the Sound of Music to shame. Located roughly an hour outside of Salzburg, the easiest way to reach it is by train. The train travels well up into the Alps and drops you off by the side of a lake. You plop down in a little hut and wait for the ferry from Halstatt to appear. The ferry then halls you across the lake to a Alpine town with no cars – Halstatt. It is like stepping into the past. People are friendly, prices are reasonable and romance is on the hoof. Swans swim along the outdoor cafes dotting the lake and, well, it is pretty dang nice. If you are looking for a little romance, Halstatt is definitely worth your consideration.

For many travelers, Austria gets scratched off the “must visit” list because it is so expensive. Still, you should try to visit it at least once in your life to take in the splendor.




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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Oil Paintings an Excellent Decorative by Mikhail Onanov


Every individual wants their home to look attractive. If you are a homeowner and want to decorate the living room then there are several ideas. You can select any decorative depending on your budget.artandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings can be one of the best home decorative. A person can select an oil painting depending on his taste. For several years, men have usedartandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings to decorate their houses. One can see some of the excellent pieces ofartandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings on the art galleries and museums.

The advent of internet has completely changed the lifestyle of people. Earlier one could find paintings on the art galleries and exhibitions. But nowadays, one can find a large variety ofartandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings on the online stores. One can opt for the figurativeartandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings or any other types of paintings. There are several sites which sell these types of paintings. A person can also opt for the custom made paintings. A beautiful painting can increase the elegance of the room and make the room appear beautiful.

People who have enough space to display the oil painting can opt for the large art prints. If an art print is chosen carefully then it can add some new meaning to the room. Excellent piece of paintings have their own language. They can enchant a person completely and refresh his mind. The interpretation of paintings often varies from one person to other. It is because of their different ways to view the painting. Interpretation of a painting can also reveal the mindset of a person. A piece of painting can spark the imagination of person and can produce several thoughts in his mind.

Brilliant painters with their excellent creativity made sketches of their imagination.artandtravelmarketing"> oil paintings or acrylic paintings can bring some visual appeal to the work place or home. The place where the painting will be displayed should be chosen carefully. Placing of the painting can change the ambience of the office. It can impress the clients who would come to the office. A beautiful piece of painting if placed in proper position can also motivate the staffs to work in more efficient manner.

Many people wonder how to buy an oil painting that would suit the house or the office. The size of the painting should be ordered depending on the space available in the room. A person can find limited collection of paintings on the galleries. To get the best art poster prints one can search the internet. In the internet one can find paintings by different artists of the world. One can easily select the painting and order them.

To order an art piece online, a person needs to find a store which has huge collection of paintings. It would be best if one would check the reviews of the store. Before making any kind of payment one should check whether the store uses secured server or not. One can buy a painting online by following these tips.





Jim Goldstein\'s Tips on Landscape

Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Birth Of Eskimo Inuit Art Prints

Unlike Inuit sculpture, art prints from the Canadian Arctic are a twentieth century innovation in Inuit Eskimo art. One of the most significant events that happened during the development of contemporary Inuit art was when Canadian James Houston taught the Inuit to make art prints by incising designs into linoleum tiles, stone blocks and stencils from sealskins. He had previously studied printmaking in Japan since the Japanese were considered innovators in this art process.

One day in 1957, Houston met up with a local Inuit art carver by the name of Osuitok Ipeelee in Cape Dorset. Ipeelee had been studying the identical printed images of a sailor's head on two cigarette packages he had. Houston demonstrated the process of printmaking to the Inuit carver by rubbing ink onto one of Ipeelee's ivory tusk carvings and made an impression of it on a piece of toilet paper. Upon seeing the resulting graphic, the Inuit artist said, "We could do that. " This resulted in the birth of Eskimo Inuit art prints.

The Cape Dorset Inuit artists soon integrated the new print making methods into their Inuit art and by 1960, their printmaking was a growing business. Eskimo Inuit art prints by early artists such as Pitseolak Ashoona and Jamasie Teevee became much sought after artwork. Because of the success of Cape Dorset, other Inuit communities were encouraged to follow its example. So in addition to Inuit sculpture, art prints became another form of Eskimo Inuit art that found commercial success. Cape Dorset has an annual release of Inuit art prints each year and often sell out. Another Inuit community known for their Inuit art prints is Holman.




Field of Lillies Watercolor and India Ink

Friday, July 20, 2012

Switzerland - Interlaken, Zurich, St. Moritz and Geneva

Switzerland is the land of skiing, chocolate and very private banking. Ah, but there is so much more to experience in the land of neutrality.

Interlaken

Interlaken gets its highly creative name from sitting on the split of land between two lakes. If you’re looking for a little extreme sporting, this is place. You can backpack, horseback ride, parasail and so on. To really take in the majesty of the alps, I highly recommend you cough up the money for a go at skydiving. You may have gone ski diving before, but I guarantee you nothing compares to free falling down through the mountains of Switzerland. This is how God must feel looking down at the earth. While God gets the view for free, you will have to pay…a lot. Still, the view and experience is something you will never forget.

Zurich

Zurich is the cleanest city in Switzerland, Europe and maybe the world. There place simply sparkles. Various guide books challenge readers to find a cigarette butt or piece of trash on the sparkling streets. Personally, I find the cleanliness of the city a bit of a negative. Stop rolling your eyes. The place is simply so clean that it seems to lack any real character. One keeps getting the feeling you are walking around a Disneyland Park. The budget traveler should be aware that Zurich is more expensive than even Disneyland.

St. Moritz

If you’re looking for the arrogant rich, over the top luxury and incredibly expensive prices, St . Moritz is for you. Not really my crowd, so on to the next city…

Geneva

Geneva is not “just another” clean city in Switzerland. Okay, it looks like it at first and second glance, but the third glance may prove a delight. With cobble stone streets, the city reminds one of the stereotypical Swiss images in the media. In reality, Geneva has a bustling underground of live music, art and general fun. Four aspirin and two bottles of water later, I can certainly attest to it. The only way to let your hair down in Geneva is to buddy up to a local and follow their lead. Trust me, you’ll have a blast.

Switzerland often seems a bit too good to be true. Perhaps it truly is a mountain mirage. Guess you’ll just have to visit to do your own investigation!




ArtPrize Panel 10/04/11

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Hello From Orlando - A Walk Through St. Augustine - The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City In The United States


On our way home from Orlando, a little more than an hour into our 20 hour road trip back to Toronto, we stopped in St . Augustine, "the nation's oldest city", just north of Jacksonville - indeed the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, having been founded by the Spanish in 1565.

St . Augustin's founder, Don Pedro Menendez, came ashore on September 8, 1565, and chose to name the settlement after the patron saint whose feast day coincided with the day of landing. Of course , before the Spanish ever set foot on Florida soil, the Timacuan Indians had already been here and they watched Menendez and the roughly 1500 colonists and soldiers settle here. Over the last few centuries the city experienced governments from different countries, including Spain, Britain, and since 1821, the United States.

The real rise of this community came in the late 1800s when Henry Flagler (1830 to 1913) built two hotels and took over a third as part of the Flagler hotel chain. Flagler was the co-founder of Standard Oil, and although not as well known as some of the other early magnates of capitalism, he was one of the wealthiest individuals of his time. Flagler had a major impact on Florida: he founded the Florida East Coast Railway as a means of transporting guests to and from the north to his hotels in St . Augustine, Palm Beach, and Miami. A honeymoon visit to St . Augustine in 1881 with his second wife inspired Flagler's vision to transform this sleepy town into a winter playground for the rich.

Three of Flagler's former St . Augustine hotels are still in use today: Flagler College (the former Hotel Ponce de Leon), the Lightner Building - St . Augustine's City Hall (the former Alcazar) and Casa Monica, redone as a county courthouse in the 1960s, and reopened in 1990 as the restored Casa Monica Hotel. During the late 19th and early 20th century Flagler also developed a residential neighbourhood called the Model Land Company tract.

Within a few short years Flagler's dream of a resort town for northerners faded and he, and the wealthy northern visitors, moved further south. He continued to develop the Florida East Coast Railroad down the peninsula, into and across the Florida Keys, creating hotels and communities along the way.

St . Augustine is centered around the Plaza de la Constitucion, which anchors the Lightner Museum / City Hall, Casa Monica and Flagler College, three stunningly beautiful structures. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel, the Lightner Museum houses collections of legendary hobbyist and antiques collector Otis Lightner.

St . Augustine has a wealth of other historic and architecturally interesting structures. The most historically significant structure in St . Augustine is the Castillo de San Marcos, built by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695. The 19th century Lighthouse Museum is located in the St . Augustine Lighthouse on Anastasia Island east of town across the Bridge of Lions. St . Augustine also houses the oldest store in town dating to the turn of the last century. Talking about old buildings, St . Augustine is home to the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, dating back to 1727, known as the "Oldest House Complex", a National Historic Landmark.

The Mission of Nombre de Dios is located on the west bank of Matanzas Bay, and it is said to have been the site of the first Catholic Mass in what is today the United States. The Spanish Quarter Village is a living history museum composed of a collection of colonial period houses where guides recreate the dress and lifestyle as seen in 1740.

Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park exhibits foundations and artifacts of the first St . Augustine mission and colony. It also houses the Landmark Spring, Explorers Globe andtravelaccessoriesstore"> navigators' Planetarium. St . Augustine also houses the Oldest Drug Store and the nation's Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, built more than 200 years ago while Florida was under Spain's rule.

Unfortunately we did not have a chance to explore St . Augustine in detail, but our brief excursion into this historic city quickly proved what a unique destination St . Augustine really is. As a matter of fact, the city welcomes around 2 million visitors every year who come to discover a unique historic part of America. A settlement with authentic Spanish roots, complete with Castillo and all, is a truly unique sight in the U. S. and it was definitely worth the detour.

Here is a collection of websites for further information on St . Augustine:

- the City of St . Augustine,
- the St . Augustine Visitor Guide
- Visit Florida's information page about St . Augustine
- the St . Augustine Historical Society
- the City of St . Augustine's Department of Heritage Tourism

This entire article including photos is located at travelandtransitions.com/stories photos/orlando st augustine.htm" class="hft-urls">http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories photos/orlando st augustine.htm




SocialMediaDaily.com Video Update #1 - Michelle MacPhearson

Monday, July 16, 2012

You Can Easily Learn To Play The Harmonica

If you'd like to learn to play the harmonica the best thing you can do is to take one. Even though there are hundreds of programs offering sheet music and instructions, may be it would be better for you to start experimenting on your own as playing the harmonica is not really hard. You can start on your own and later get formal instructions of various harmonica masters.

If you stick up to my advice, you'll get what's really valuable - your own ideas and understanding of the instrument. I personally learnt to play the harmonica about seven years ago and most of the time I was experimenting on my own, though I admit to having used some formal instructions from time to time, too.

As the harmonica is laid out in an intuitive way, learning how to play it by yourself is not a difficult task and it's worth trying. You can purchase a harmonica with a small introductory packet explaining the layout enclosed in the box. What is important to know is that everything is already set up in the chords. You need to play most kinds of music on a richter, or ten hole diatonic, harp, which gives you the opportunity to pick out basic melodies as soon as you try playing the harmonica for the first time. Having the basic knowledge, you can easily improve your skills by regularly practicing playing this beautiful instrument.

If you have already learnt the basics, then you might consider getting some professional help. Of course you can start taking harmonica lessons by a teacher or you can simply start listening to harmonica music played by other musicians. Music is said to be the best teacher, so why don't you gibe the second option a try. In case you do so, you will get many new ideas and in addition to that playing the harmonica might enable you to give your own musical expressions which will be added up to your repertoire.

If you choose to get a harmonica teacher verify that they are experts in playing the exact same style that you want. For instance, imagine you learned to play the harmonica in the Chicago bells mode, then you would not be able to play bluegrass or country blues harp as they all are very different styles.


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Bassoons

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Route 66 - What´s All the Fuss About Anyway?

For many, Route 66 is in their blood – they grew up on the old highway, traveled the road with their parents when they were kids, or, perhaps, even pumped gas at one of those vintage filling stations that actually knew what the term “customer service” meant.

For others, they are nostalgic like me – “old souls, ” some might say. And, if it’s history, it’s interesting!!! What the Santa Fe Trail is to us today, Route 66 will be to our future generations, and it’s heritage and history can no more be forgotten than those of the wagon train pioneers. Yes, it was another era, but still, a giant step in the progress of a nation.

So, people say to me all the time, “I just don’t get it. ” Well, if you travel this vintage pavement, I can guarantee that you will. Along this historic path, that generally follows an even older one – that of the railroads as they expanded westward, there is history that dates back far beyond the asphalt of the Mother Road. It’s not just about an old highway – it is so much more – an evolution from historic trails such as the National Old Trails highway that traversed much of the same road in New Mexico, Arizona and California; or the Trail of Tears that converges with Route 66 in Missouri and Oklahoma.

Along this vintage road, you will not only find the “good ole’ days” that you may remember, but also a depth of history that perhaps you can only imagine. From Civil War sites in Missouri and Oklahoma, to outlaws in Texas and New Mexico, to the numerous gold mining camps of Arizona, the sights along this old highway are incredible.

If you long for the good ole’ days with the buttery smell of popcorn at the drive in theater or a greasy burger at the local diner, you will have plenty of opportunities at places like the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois; Wrink’s Market and the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri; or the Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona. If your memory revives the days of Stuckey’s, Steak ‘N’ Shakes, and Burma-Shave signs, you’ll be happy to know that these Route 66 icons are on their way back!

If it’s an older part of the west that you’re looking for, you’ll find that too. Holbrook, Arizona was once said to have been “too tough for women or churches; ” Tucumcari was once referred to as “Six-Shooter Siding, ” and Galena, Kansas was the site of much bloodshed during its coal mining days.

Even though several interstates have virtually replaced the old highway, almost 85% of it can still be traveled. Along the way, you will encounter the remnants of ghost towns killed by the super highways that replaced Route 66. Some of these are a ghost towner’s dream, such as Glenrio, Texas; Cuervo, New Mexico; and a long stretch of ghost towns as you enter California’s Mojave Desert.

Along this historic road, numerous lakes, state and national parks, and historical sites are abundant. Take your time, as, all along the old Mother Road, there is something for everyone.




Wonder Wand Theatre Magic

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Finding discount prices on European vacations.

Imagine saving 30%-40% in airfare expenses as you get ready to travel to an exciting, exotic location. How exciting would that be? Inexpensive European vacations to travel Italy and Ireland travel can be found if you're willing to do just a little research. You don't have to be an expert at hunting down the most discount airfare, just spend a little time comparing departure dates and times. European vacations to travel Italy and Ireland travel and traveling overseas is an activity that more and more people are engaging in these days, and, believe me, you can find some incredible bargains on the internet.

If you're schedule is flexible, you'll find Fantastic prices on European vacations to travel Italy and Ireland travel.

For example, when traveling to London England, you'll save a lot of money if you can go before June and after September. The summer months are the busiest. But , if you search for European vacations to travel Italy and Ireland travel during the shoulder or off-season, you'll find some cheap flights that will save you a lot of money. Why give that money to the airlines when you can use it for sightseeing or eating in nicer restaurants? When traveling overseas be sure to allow plenty of time to obtain your passport. In addition , international travel will usually require longer check-in times at the airports. You'll need to pass through customs when you arrive at your foreign destination and you'll need to do it again when returning back to the U. S.

Spend a little time doing some research on the internet and you'll be very excited with the great European vacations to travel Italy and Ireland travel prices offered. You'll be in control of how much you pay and that'll make your vacation that much better.


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Monday, July 9, 2012

Popular Faux Painting Techniques Explained

In the last 10 years, faux painting techniques have gone from obscure to popular, from the realm of professionals to do-it-yourself projects. These techniques are not difficult although they can be time consuming (what decorating or remodeling project isn’t though) and require quick hands.

Called “faux” painting because these techniques mimic or create a false look of stone, texture, leather, and more, you will find that the styles fall into one of two types: additive or subtractive. Additive (also called positive) techniques simply mean that you add color onto the wall. Sponging is the most common of this type. Conversely, subtractive (also referred to as negative) techniques means you take paint off after it has been applied. Ragging is a common subtractive technique. Most negative techniques use glazes and require that you move quickly before the glaze dries.

When it comes to glazes, there are two types: latex (water based) or oil based. Latex is by far easier since it cleans up with soap and water, but oil based glazes provide longer working times and generally provide a harder, more durable finish. However , for do-it-yourselfers, I recommend latex glazes and working in small areas at a time. I have also seen solutions that you can add to the glaze to lengthen the working time. For your first glazing job, you may well want to consider using this additive available at finer paint supply stores.

Here are the various type of faux painting techniques:

Sponging: Probably the easiest method, you apply paint to a wall with a natural sea sponge. It provides a richly textured look. In addition to good looks, it’s a simple way to camouflage an uneven or repaired crack wall. Use a couple of colors over the base paint to add greater depth. Be bold or subtle; it’s up to you. You can use glaze or paint just as easily with this technique. I’ve seen this done in a negative manner, but it is most commonly performed as a positive method.

Ragging/Rag rolling: Typically a negative technique, you paint a tinted glaze over the base painted walls. The glaze should be tinted darker than the base coat, keeping in the same color family as the glaze allows some color through it as well. Either use a wadded up dry rag or twist a rag into a cylinder. Then dab or roll the rags to remove the glaze. You can use one or two colors over the base coat. You may also do this in a positive method like sponging for a softer look and texture.

Color Washing: In this additive technique, you apply the tinted glaze mixture over the base coat using a circular motion as if you were washing the wall. Use rags for a very soft look or a natural sea sponge for a more textured appearance.

Strié: Create a historical and aged texture to the wall, with this negative method. Roll tinted glaze over the base coat, then use a wall paper brush to make fine lines from top to bottom. The glaze should be darker than the base coat to allow the lighter base to show through the fine lines.

Striping: The only difficult part of this positive technique is getting your stripes straight. Be sure to use a level or drop a plumb line. Tape off your stripes, then paint every other one with glaze. If you use a bold color, you do not need to tint the glaze to get a delightful two-tone effect. For softer colors, you may wish to slightly darken the glaze although it is not necessary. This technique may also be combined with color washing as you color wash the stripes for more interest and texture. Of course , for a more dramatic look, you can use paint in complementary or various colors.

Dry Brushing: This is a positive method in which you use a small amount of paint on a brush in herringbone patterns to create the texture. You will need tow or three colors to achieve the best results.

Frottage: Using plastic sheets for this negative method, tinted glaze is applied over the base coat and then plastic sheets are applied and smoothed over the glaze. Once the wall is done, the plastic sheets are removed for a marbling effect.

Faux finishes can provide interest and texture to your rooms – and less expensively than wall paper. While you may need to block out a full day to do the work, by the end of the day, you can sit back and admire the rich, luxurious look of your new room.


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Royal Buckingham Palace Symbols Gilded Art Medallions Ornaments Gates UK by BK Bazhe.com

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Budapest, Hungary - The Castle District

Towering a couple hundred feet above the Danube River, the Castle District in Budapest is a special place. Surrounded by gothic churches with stain glass, a visit to the Castle District is like stepping back into the renaissance.

Castle District

Situated in the Buda section of Budapest, the Castle District sits on the eastern side of the Danube. Positioned a couple hundred feet above the Danube, the entire city of Budapest can be seen from the numerous vantage points. The view is so amazing, the Italians coined a saying, “Europe has three gems – Venice on the water, Florence in the plains and Buda in the hills. ” The Italians definitely got it right.

Buda Castle

Visiting Buda Castle is like stepping back into the heights of the renaissance. The Castle is adorned with red marble stairways, gothic facades, bastions and epic statutes overlooking the Danube. The fountains around the Castle simply can’t be described with words.

Holy Trinity Square

Just to the south of Buda Castle lies holy trinity square. The Church of the Holy Lady, which is also known as Matthias Church, dominates the square. The church has served as the location where Hungarian Kings undertook their rule and many famous figures are interred on the grounds.

Behind Matthias Church is the rather interesting Fishermen’s Bastion. This Roman bastion has the appearance of a mini-castle at Disneyland. The views from the parapets are amazing as you take in the Danube River as it cuts through Budapest. Just outside of Bastion, however , you have to keep your eye out for something amazing.

Hungarians historically have been some of the best horsemen in the world. As part of the tradition, the horseman carried bullwhips instead of ropes. Big bull whips. And they like to crack them just outside of the bastion. If you aren’t paying attention when this occurs, the world’s loudest snap will send scare the “you know what” out of you. The only thing I can equate it to is the sound of rolling thunder, but without the rolling. When it happens, drinks, food and cameras go flying.

If you’re visiting Budapest, the Castle District is definitely worth a visit. In fact , the District is a good reason to go to Budapest.


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TOP YOUTUBE INDIE ARTIST - BRANDT MORAIN - RULE OF MAN (Music Video) Unsigned Artists Indie Band

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Digital Photography Lessons Made Easy!


Whether you've gotten a new digital camera or have an old one lying around - and you have decided it is time to learn the techniques of getting good photos out of it? Digital photography lessons can eliminate years of struggle and torment off your studies.

However , not all digital photography lessons are equally well done.

Getting an outstanding and creative shot truly isn't all that hard and learning how to shoot it should be relatively pain free.

Many of the courses around work at trying to make it sound difficult and confusing - just to make sense of their large prices. Of course , they feel the need to write the lesson so that it takes a PhD degree merely to understand it too!

Few courses give you easy to learn info that's going to really help you shoot better, immediately.

Here is the first step in creating stunning photos...

The top shooters ALL learned to master their camera by using a photo notebook.

They write down their vision of the shot they are trying to get, then they record the settings, lighting conditions and etc.

Once our shooters get the images back from the lab - or once they get to their computer to input their photos (you shouldn't judge a photograph by the viewing screen on the camera - it's just too tiny), they pulls out their photo notebook.

If their photo was exactly as desired, they record it in their journal and move on. If their photograph didn't turn out like the visualized concept, they record THAT result as well.

Next they determine some of the ways the photograph could have gone wrong and ways to fix the issue.

Finally they go out and try it again!

Rinse and repeat until you have mastered that shot. Then move on to the next one. Within a space of hours, you will have improvement in your photographs. Inside of a few weeks you'll have learned how to accurately create any sort of photographs you want.

Not very many digital photography lessons are stronger than simply keeping (and making use of) a shot journal. Give it a try, you'll like it.

Warning - Using a shot notebook will instantly make your photography better, but that's just the first step. Done correctly digital photography lessons can make lasting changes in your outlook on photos, creativity and art.



Photography Tips and Techniques

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Kids Activities: How To Make Your Own Puppet Theaters And Finger Puppets

Your kids can make a puppet theater and an assortment of puppets all by themselves.

Materials Needed

  • a table for the theater
  • a cloth that can cover the front and sides of the table, leaving the back exposed
  • some stiff white cardboard or colored paper depending on the type of puppet they want to make
  • pencils and coloring materials
  • scissors
  • glue
  • sticky tape

I admit that this theater is nowhere near the kids puppet theaters you can get at http://www.toyskidslove.com/puppet-theaters.htm. Still, for the budget conscious, your kids can still get their makeshift puppet theater if you do it yourselves. A bonus is that your kids would be busy for hours just making their puppets. Ideal if you are broke and have with a bunch of kids that need to be kept out of mischief.

For the puppets, finger puppets are ideal for starters. My 6 year old boy thought up this puppet design all by himself. He used colored paper, wrapped loosely around a finger. He taped the the paper shut, loose enough so he could put on or take off the puppets as he wished. Then he drew a face on the tip of the puppet. His elder brother liked that design and helped him make a variety of such finger puppets with different colors and different expressions.

The puppets I had initially taught them to make required much more work. Here's how you can make some simple puppets.

  1. Decide on the story line, the characters and what puppets are needed for the show.
  2. Draw pictures of these characters on stiff white cardboard. Each picture has to be just big enough to cover 1 finger.
  3. Color the pictures.
  4. Cut out these pictures.
  5. Cut a white strip of cardboard about half an inch thick, 1 and a half inches long. This is going to be like a ring around the child's finger, attached to the puppet so that your kid can make the puppet move around.
  6. Form a circle with the white strip.
  7. Glue this circle behind the picture so that a finger can go through it to support the puppet.
  8. Let the glue dry completely and you have your finger puppets.

Once you have enough puppets, you can make the theater.

The Puppet Theater

Spread the cloth over the table, so that the front and sides are completely covered, but the back of the table is fully exposed.

That covered table is the puppet theater.

The children can hide behind the theater, put on the finger puppets on their fingers, lift their hands over their heads to perform the puppet show.

Pay attention when your kids perform their puppet show for you. Participate when they ask you to. Your attention means a lot to them.


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Reading

Glass Mosaic Tile Art: How to Make a Permanent Signature on Glass


Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.

Ever wonder how to sign your indoor glass mosaic art so the signature won't rub or wear off? Nothing seems to stick permanently to glass. Permanent marker isn't permanent. Acrylic and enamel paint rub, chip, or flake off. Nothing works!

Until recently, I signed my indoor glass mosaics with enamel paint. I covered the entire mosaic (except the signature) with old rags and towels, and then lightly sprayed on two light coats of clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint. That method works okay, but it doesn't seem to be as permanent as my new idea.

I had an epiphany a while ago and I've been signing all my indoor glass mosaics with this method ever since. Try it and see how it works for you. Use this method only for indoor mosaics. Do not use this method for outdoor mosaics or mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e. g., a sauna or shower area).

CAUTION: Try this method on a piece of scrap glass before trying it on your mosaic art. Trying it on scrap glass first will let you know if this is how you actually want to sign your mosaic art. It will also give you practice before doing it on your mosaic art.

Using a fine-tip permanent marker, sign your name on the glass. I usually put my signature on the bottom-right corner of my indoor mosaics. Put yours where you like it best. I find a piece of tessera big enough to hold my entire signature so I don't have to write on any grout lines. If I have to write small to fit it on a single piece of tessera so I don't cross any grout lines, then I write small.

Lay your indoor mosaic art on a flat surface. Do this so the wet glue won't run or drip. If your mosaic is flat, the glue is thick enough so it stays where you apply it (i. e., it won't run or drip). With your indoor mosaic lying flat, carefully apply plain white Elmer's Glue-All over your entire signature. Don't touch the tip of the glue bottle to the signature or the ink might smudge. Slowly squeeze out enough white Elmer's Glue-All to cover the entire signature. (White Elmer's Glue-All is the stuff we all went to school with. I can usually buy a big 7. 625-oz bottle at Walmart for about $1. 50. )

Allow the glue to thoroughly dry overnight. White Elmer’s Glue-All dries clear. When wet, the glue doesn't absorb or blur the ink. Instead, the ink stays intact and the signature looks good after the glue is dry and clear. The glass color also shows through so the glue doesn't affect the mosaic's appearance. The ink is entombed in the glue and the glue provides strong, permanent protection for my signature on my indoor mosaics.

Don’t try to get cute by using a cotton swab or other tool to spread out the glue evenly. While trying to spread out the wet glue, if you press just a hair too hard and touch the ink, it will smudge. If you leave the ink alone, it won’t smudge or blur, but it will with the slightest touch. Therefore , I suggest that you don't try to even out the glue lines. Instead, hold the tip of the glue bottle close to the glass and carefully squeeze out the glue. The edges will look a bit ragged (i. e., not perfectly straight and square with each other). In my opinion, that’s okay, they don't need to be perfectly smooth, straight, and at perfect angles with each other. When the glue is dry and clear, I don't notice the raggedness unless my nose is right up to the mosaic.

As noted, don't use this method for outdoor mosaics or for mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e. g., a sauna or shower area).

This process is explained on my website for free with lots of pictures, so if you don’t quite understand it, go to my website and look at the pictures. Try this method on a piece of scrap glass and see if you like it. If you do, then you'll know a neat trick that allows you to sign your indoor mosaic art masterpieces and be comfortable that your signature won't rub or wear off over time.

Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!





Creating Texture: Large Painting Knives

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Music

Will listening to music make you smarter? Will learning to play a musical instrument make your brain grow larger than normal?

Questions like these ones have been popping up all over the place in the past few years, and not just in scientific journals either.

In recent times the media has been fascinated by the research surrounding brain development and music, eagerly reporting on the latest studies to the delight of the music-loving parents of young children.

But all this information - and some misinformation too - has led to generalized confusion about the role of music and music training in the development of the human brain. The bottom line is this: if you're confused by all you read about music study and brain development, you're certainly not alone.

In part, this is due to the manner in which the phrase "the Mozart Effect" has been popularized by the media and bandied about to describe any situation in which music has a positive effect on cognition or behavior.

In fact the Mozart Effect refers specifically to a 1993 research finding by Frances Rauscher, Gordon Shaw and Katherine Ky and published in the prestigious journal Nature. The scientists found that 36 college students who listened to 10 minutes of a Mozart sonata performed higher on a subsequent spatial-temporal task than after they listened to relaxation instructions or silence.

An enchanted media reported this interesting research as "Mozart makes you smarter" - a huge over-simplification of the original results.

As Rauscher explains in a later paper, the Mozart Effect was studied only in adults, lasted only for a few minutes and was found only for spatial temporal reasoning. Nevertheless, the finding has since launched an industry that includes books, CDs and websites claiming that listening to classical music can make children more intelligent.

The scientific controversy - not to mention the popular confusion - surrounding the Mozart Effect, has given rise to a corresponding perplexity for parents. They wonder: "Should my kids even bother with music education? "

In fact the answer to this question is still a resounding yes, since numerous research studies do prove that studying music contributes unequivocally to the positive development of the human brain. Other researchers have since replicated the original 1993 finding that listening to Mozart improves spatial reasoning. And further research by Rauscher and her colleagues in 1994 showed that after eight months of keyboard lessons, preschoolers demonstrated a 46% boost in their spatial reasoning IQ, a skill important for certain types of mathematical reasoning.

In particular, it is early music training that appears to most strengthen the connections between brain neurons and perhaps even leads to the establishment of new pathways. But research shows music training has more than a casual relationship to the long-term development of specific parts of the brain too.

In 1994 Discover magazine published an article which discussed research by Gottfried Schlaug, Herman Steinmetz and their colleagues at the University of Dusseldorf. The group compared magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brains of 27 classically trained right-handed male piano or string players, with those of 27 right-handed male non-musicians.

Intriguingly, they found that in the musicians' planum temporale - a brain structure associated with auditory processing - was bigger in the left hemisphere and smaller in the right than in the non-musicians. The musicians also had a thicker nerve-fiber tract between the hemisphere. The differences were especially striking among musicians who began training before the age of seven.

According to Shlaug, music study also promotes growth of the corpus callosum, a sort of bridge between the two hemispheres of the brain. He found that among musicians who started their training before the age of seven, the corpus callosum is 10-15% thicker than in non-musicians.

At the time, Schlaug and other researchers speculated that a larger corpus callosum might improve motor control by speeding up communication between the hemispheres.

Since then, a study by Dartmouth music psychologist Petr Janata published by Science in 2002, has confirmed that music prompts greater connectivity between the brains left and right hemisphere and between the areas responsible for emotion and memory, than does almost any other stimulus.

Janata led a team of scientists who reported some areas of the brain are 5% larger in expert musicians than they are in people with little or no musical training, and that the auditory cortex in professional musicians is 130% denser than in non-musicians. In fact , among musicians who began their musical studies in early childhood, the corpus callosum, a four-inch bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right sides of the brain, can be up to 15% larger.

While it is now clear from research studies that brain region connectivity and some types of spatial reasoning functionality is improved by music training, there is growing evidence that detailed and skilled motor movements are also enhanced.

Apparently the corpus callosum in musicians is essential for tasks such as finger coordination. Like a weight-lifter's biceps, this portion of the brain enlarges to accommodate the increased labour assigned to it.

In a study conducted by Dr . Timo Krings and reported in Neuroscience Letters in 2000, pianists and non-musicians of the same age and sex were required to perform complex sequences of finger movements. The non-musicians were able to make the movements as correctly as the pianists, but less activity was detected in the pianists' brains. The scientists concluded that compared to non-musicians, the brains of pianists are more efficient at making skilled movements.

The study of music definitely affects the human brain and its development, in a staggering number of ways. But what to make of all the research, especially in terms of deciding the best course of music study or appreciation for yourself or your offspring?

A 2000 article by N M Weinberger in MuSICA Research Notes makes the following excellent point: Although the Mozart Effect may not list up to the unjustified hopes of the public, it has brought widespread interest in music research to the public. And listening to ten minutes of Mozart could get someone interested in listening to more unfamiliar music, opening up new vistas.

Irregardless of the hype surrounding the Mozart Effect, the overall academic evidence for music study as a tool to aid brain development, is compelling.

At the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco, Dr . Frank Wilson says his research shows instrumental practice enhances coordination, concentration and memory and also brings about the improvement of eyesight and hearing. His studies have shown that involvement in music connects and develops the motor systems of the brain, refining the entire neurological system in ways that cannot be done by any other activity. Dr . Wilson goes so far as to say he believes music instruction is actually 'necessary' for the total development of the brain.

So the bottom line is this: Music study and practice probably does aid in the development of the brain in various important ways. And after all, if you enjoy music, there is nothing to lose by trying, and everything to gain!


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Making Music: Dave King

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Your Photo on Canvas - The Best Gift Idea


Thinking about what to give as the perfect birthday gift for a parent, family member or friend, for any occasion, can feel like a chore at times. After all, some people are absolutely impossible to buy for. However the process can be made much easier by using the one thing you know someone will love – you. It is always nice to get a framed picture of a loved one as a gift, however for the next birthday event, give the old idea a fresh twist and print your photo to canvas.

When you print your photo to canvas, you create a birthday gift that is unique and distinctly personal. One of the best things about putting your photo on canvas is that it is birthday gift that is perfect for him or her. Whether your gift will be a man or woman, putting a photo on canvas will hold a special meaning to them.

How To Do It There are a number of digital programs and other supplies that will help you get your photo on canvas to be painted. Depending on your level of comfort with the painting medium, you may decide to paint the canvas yourself. If so, this will take the unique birthday gift to a whole different level. Painting is not as much about perfection it is about expression. Creating a personalized painting as a birthday gift for a mom or dad or another man or woman, shows them that you not only care, but also that you have deliberately put in the time and effort to make their birthday gift truly unique.

Painting is not a style that requires a strict adherence to form, per se. When you put your photo on canvas, there are still a host of options such as the style in which you will create your painting. Depending on if the birthday gift is for a mom or dad, or is a birthday gift for a man or a woman, you may decide to use certain colors or shapes to decorate your photo on canvas. Whether you are creating a birthday gift for him or her, the possibilities can range from simplistic and classic to modern or Victorian. Find out what the tastes and styles are of the person you are creating your unique birthday gift for. Think of the décor in their home. What would be the most appropriate type of painting to give as a birthday gift for him or her?

Ask for Help You may decide that you want to commission an artist to help you put your photo on canvas and paint it. This will cost much more money that doing the process yourself. However , it may be worth the price to be able to give the most unique birthday gift to the man or woman you have in mind that will reflect professionalism and a more accurate representation of your photo on canvas.




Art Classes with Australian Fine Artist Cherie Vize

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Everything You Need To Know About Buying The Perfect Backpacking Tent


Whether alone or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore a natural surrounding and get some great exercise to boot.

One should never go unprepared, however. Take it from me, not having the right gear or equipment can make a backpacking trip go from an exciting weekend to a frightening two day disaster with no end in sight. There's nothing worse than being stuck on a mountain in a sudden and unexpected rainstorm, without the right water resistant protection. One of the most very important items a backpacker should bring to avoid such a watery suffering is a good backpacking tent.

Though important, backpacking tents are a tricky commodity it can be difficult to pin down exactly the kind you should get. If you are planning on going backing soon and are in the market for a tent, here are some simple tips that may give you a place to start.

First of all, the kind of environment you plan to be mountain climbing through is important to keep in mind as you choose your tent. Even if it is suspect to rain, it is a good idea to purchase a tent that is completely water resistant and closed on all sides.

Even though a 'lean to' or cover like tent with open sides is an well organized and simple form of shelter, these kinds of tents can only protect from the mildest of weather conditions. Additionally , most wilderness areas popular for backpackings are safe places for insects, such as mosquitoes, and an open tent will offer no protection against these pests.

Secondly, you should consider the length of your trip when looking for a backpacking tent. Also, what kind of land are you going to pass through? Are you going for a rough and nearly vertical thirty mile plus climb, or a pleasant and easy five mile trip through the woods? If the latter is the case, weight is not an issue and you can purchase as large a tent as you please. The larger the better; you can house all your equipment inside to avoid damage from morning dew or from night animals with a sufficiently large tent. If you are taking a more arduous journey, you'll want the lightest possible tent you can get that offers adequate protection.

Lastly, choose a good brand name. Ask for advice at the store you visit, or if you are ordering one online, choose a name that you are familiar with. Backpacking tents are important, and not an area to hold back on on financially speaking. If you are pressed for cash, bring cheaper food items. I'd rather eat freeze dried sauce while warm and dry in a nice, functional tent, than eat bone mignon while soaking wet in a heap of junk that fell apart as soon as it started really pouring.

Personally I prefer to sleep under the stars while backpacking, if the weather permits. A good insect disgusting can reduce the mosquito problem and there is something refreshing about waking up covered in dew. However , it only took one bad and very wet experience for me to learn that you should always bring a tent on a backpacking trip, whether or not you plan to use it.




Cheap Airline Tickets Tips

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Digital Photography Class - Cracking the Photography Code


Don't roll up your eyes and groan at the mere mention of "class". Not all classes are as bad as those in your school and college were. In fact , a digital photography class promises bounties of fun and it is guaranteed that it will be one class of your lifetime, which you would not want to skip at any cost.

The soaring popularity of digital photography has seen digital photography schools springing up in almost every nook and cranny of your locality. So , which one to enroll to ensure your money's worth?

Any good digital photography school worth it's salt will offer intensive training and impart comprehensive knowledge in almost all the aspects of digital photography. And this also includes enlightening you on the internal mechanism of a digital camera. You can expect there will be no shortcuts either.

Your digital photography class will start out with an introductory session that will give you an overview of the camera setup and what digital photography is all about. You will be trained on the functions and settings of your camera so that after the completion of the course you will know your camera like the palm of your hand and will be better able to appreciate the scope of digital photography.

Being well versed in the parts and workings of a digital camera ensures that when you go to buy one for yourself, you can make the right choice.

Digital photography classes, as a principle, concentrate on teaching you the manual mode of photography. This is because the hallmark of a great photographer is definitely his skills in wielding control over how his photographs turn out. And wielding control entails that you do not let the camera decide when the flash should be used or being spot on with the focus and exposure settings without the intervention of the camera's in-built scene modes.

There are many digital photography classes that arrange field trips for its students. And you will surely agree that a hands-on experience in outdoor shooting is actually far more beneficial than a theory class. Besides, a few bouts of outdoor filming will also ensure that your lighting issues are sorted out. Thus, the nitty-gritty of lighting like using filters to tone down the tints of a photo taken in the harsh midday sun or the details of night photography are best appreciated when tried first hand.

A stint at a digital photography class will hone your photographic skills manifold times with in-depth training in composition and blending the rules of traditional photography with the digital photography mode. The fine points of filming in different settings and churning out optimum results should also be a part of the curriculum.

Digital photography classes are particular about details. Therefore , you will not be stopping at filming lessons only. You will be taken through the editing and processing of digital photographs too. You will be taught the ways and means of accessing the images stored in the camera's memory cards and the PC editing tweaks that will transform even the drabbest image into an enchanting piece of art. Besides, you will also be educated on how to compress the digital image files and have them uploaded on the Net.

There are hundred and one things that you can do with your digital images. Printing is definitely one of them. And you can be sure that your digital photography class instructor will teach you the fundamentals of getting digital prints.

A digital photography class is an excellent way of acquainting yourself with the 'ins' and 'outs' of digital photography. Attend one and flaunt your skills with the lens and the shutter.




Painting

Vinyl Records For Sale Buying Tips


As part of my ongoing quest to grow my vintage music collection, I am always looking to find vinyl records for sale. There are a multitude of places you can look to find these bargains. Some outlets charge a serious amount of money whilst others are really cheap. Of course , amongst those really cheap bargains there is an outside chance you may pick up something that has a much higher value in the real world to those who know. Old records in particular are a challenge worthy of this pursuit.

You may find it useful to begin your search for vinyl records in places that are local to where you live. In particular bargains can be found at garage sales and in flea markets as the owners often don't know what the true value is of what they are attempting to sell. So if you want a valuable record at the right price, here is an excellent place to start if you don't mind spending the time to unearth these bargains.

I once found a very valuable vinyl record for sale at a garage sale, mixed in with a number of other valuable records in a box. I paid just a few dollars for those boxes, which was an absolute snip. Some of the records were still unopened.

Flea markets are another great place to check out. The people that run the stands at these flea markets are more savvy so they do have an idea of what things are worth, so you are likely to end up paying more for any vinyl records you buy at these venues. That said, you can still find excellent deals at flea markets and they are good if you have a specific record or artist in mind. You can also find more information about where to buy vinyl records at http://www.bigjohnsrecords.com

Some music shops also stock vinyl records and also resell the vintage types. Nowadays these types of stores are becoming rarer and you will find that any records on sale at these shops will cost you more than those sold at flea markets and local garage sales. The one advantage of a store like this is that there is a very good chance you will locate the record you are specifically looking for, at a price.

Another option that is often overlooked by many is the internet itself. As there are people all over the world selling their items on the internet, it makes an ideal hunting ground for those that know what they are after or even those that just want to browse.



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Music Recording : How to Make My Music Sound Like the Pros

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Creative Writing Technique: Visualization

Visualization is one of the best techniques to use when plotting a story. It's like watching a movie in your mind, only the movie is your story. You can see all the scenes and events playing out, from beginning to end.

To start, find a quiet spot and relax. Concentrate on your breathing. Let your mind wander and don't focus on anything. If you start worrying or thinking, just let the thoughts float out of your head. Now, when you're relaxed, imagine yourself walking down a city street. Fill it in with all the details - imagining the sound of cars or of people talking. Feel the cement under your feet and the sun on your body. Walk along this street for a bit until you are fully immersed in your visualization. Now imagine that you come a theater. You buy the ticket and go in. Now you are in the lobby, but there is no one else around. You have the whole theater yourself. Buy yourself some snacks or not. Now go into the theater and take a seat. You are the only one in there so you can sit wherever you want. The curtain goes back and the movie starts - and the movie is *your* novel. Just relax and watch it play out, as if you were viewing a real movie. Don't force anything. Just let your mind fill in the story events on its own. When you feel like you've seen enough, wake up and immediately write down what you saw so you don't forget it. Use this technique whenever you are stuck for where to go with the plot or what to write in a scene.

Another way of using visualization is using it to meet your characters. Relax the same way you did before, but instead of imagining a theater, imagine that you are meeting your main character for coffee or lunch. Go into the restaurant or coffee stop and find your character. Really see him. What does he look like? What she wear? How does he smile, etc . Sit down and talk to your character. Let your mind fill in the questions and answers. Don't force anything. Do this with all of your characters if need be until you really know them.

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Wonder Wand Theatre Magic

Beginning in Videography

If you're looking to get into videography and video editing as a hobby, the options can be daunting. Here is a small question and response that may help you get started in this fun and rewarding hobby.

What type of camera do you recommend?

Response: For a beginner, a Canon single CCD camera will suit you well. It has a cost range of $500 to $700. Canon is well respected at all levels of video camera quality and has probably the best quality for the price at the low end.

If you want to start out with something more professional, you may want to look into the Canon GL2 which is a low end 3 CCD (1/4" each) camera running about $1500. This camera is great for an enthusiastic hobbyist or a beginning special events videographer.

If you're looking to make some money on the side (or as a career) with your camera doing special events such as wedding videography, you may want to look into the Sony VX2100, a high-end consumer 3 CCD (1/3" each) camcorder, running at a price between $2100 and $3000, check out prices here. The high definition capable version of the same camera is called the Sony HDR / Fx1 and goes for $3700 at all major retailers.

What is CCD?

CCDs are imaging chips. CCD stands for charge-coupled device and is a light sensative circuit which stores an electrical charge representing each tiny part of an image. The difference between low and high end video cameras is usually determined by the number of CCDs (one or three), and the size of the CCD. In video cameras the number of CCDs determines the clarity of the picture in low lighting (most indoor) situations. The size of the CCD is directly linked to the amount of "color bleeding" present in the video.

It is also interesting to note that for video cameras, unlike photography cameras, the size of the pixels is far more important than the number of pixels. Fewer pixels that are larger make a better video camera. It is also interesting to note that as you go from low-end to high-end cameras, you will be getting fewer "extras" on your camera such as the ability to take "still photography".

Next question: What video editing software would you recommend?

Response: Pinnacle Studio 9 has many great features for beginning in photoediting. It runs between $70 and $90 at major retail stores. It gives many options and is very user friendly. If you're looking for some more advanced options in lighting, transitions, and sound editing, you may want to consider the more professional editing software Pinacle Liquid Editions for around $600.

This article may also be found at http://www.researchtechs.com/videoediting.htm


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Jewelry Photography : Accessories for Jewelry Photography

Friday, June 8, 2012

Linking Music To The Heart Of A Child

Music is powerful and persuasive. It touches one’s emotion, motivation, creativity and relaxation. It has the soothing effect that can calm our mental nerves. It inspires you to do something new and productive. It gives you ideas. It lulls you to sleep. The list is definitely endless.

Music is many things. It makes us happy, annoyed, melancholic, afraid and mad. Music is also for every one. It invades almost anything and everything. Different milieus have their own music to recollect. Various races and continents also enjoy distinctive music. Young and old alike take pleasure in it.

In every stages of life there will always be music for it is perpetual. In fact , there are unique types of music that caters to specific group of individuals. Rock and metal music cater to hyperactive music enthusiasts. Love, acoustic and pop songs blend well with lovers and emotional persons. For kids there is the children’s music.

Children’s music can give kids a magical experience. They can play roles with it. For a moment, they can be a pretty princess with a castle or a dashing knight in shining armor. They can simultaneously play musical instruments. They can dance and sing.

Music is entertaining most especially to children. Thus, even at the very young age they must be exposed to music. By doing so, kids develop their sense of adventure and discovery.

Aside from that, they can be knowledgeable about children’s music lyrics. They can also develop the basic languages.

Children’s music can also be treated as therapy. Application of children’s music can treat some physiological and psychosocial elements of illness. Treatment is aimed for the acquisition of non-musical behavior by virtue of systematic musical methods.

Studies have proven that children with developmental delays and learning disabilities like Down’s syndrome respond to music. Thus, exposure to music can boost response and expression. As a result, individual expressions and talents like singing and dancing can be discovered.

Children’s music treats developmental delays and learning disabilities by drawing out movements. The latter develops self-awareness which can easily be manifested. Examples of these movements are gripping the beater, tapping a triangle, playing cymbals and drums and the likes.

The relationship between children’s music and movement cannot be overemphasized. The rhythm of music creates the ideal stimulus that results to coordinated movements. These movements lead to repetition which is a mode of child learning.

Aside from entertainment and therapy, children’s music is also a special kind of education. It develops the cognitive skills of children. Exposure to music stimulates learning about colors, numbers, shapes and parts of the body. As a consequence, though may not be the primary goal, it increases the child’s intelligence.

Stimulation of cognitive abilities leads to multi-sensory development. The latter contributes to the ability of a child to retail information and be attentive to detail. As a result, the child becomes confident and clever.

Children’s music can also develop the child’s social skills. Usually, musical experiences are done in groups. Participants can sing in unison or one after the other. With this process, every one is encouraged to participate thus participants eventually become closer.

Children’s music can be so powerful that it can develop both the intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects of a child. It simultaneously augments functional abilities at the same time the expressive and creative capacities of a child.




Music Therapy S Cadambi Vidhya Kendra

Room Lighting For Home Theaters - Control And Ambiance

Room lighting control is an important aspect for home theaters -- especially if you have a front-projector and screen set-up. Video projectors often demand a controlled lighting situation due to the lower light output of their displays. Room ambiance is another important function of lighting during a viewing as you most likely not want your guests to sit in darkness (unless it is a really creepy horror flick). Reflected room lighting is a consideration as well as you do not want a glare on the screen -- whether it be ambient light from a window or merely reflections of a lamp within your room. Ambient window lighting is major when determining your living room layout or designing a dedicated viewing room. A dedicated room would of course be best without windows altogether -- if you have the luxury of designing a room from scratch.

Glare Control and Picture Enhancement

Room lighting control is relatively easy with a little planning. If you want to incorporate your home theater within your living or family room you will want to postion your video display so that any ambient light upon the screen is diminished or eliminated altogether. Each time we have moved to a new home one of my first considerations (much to the chagrin of my wife) is where we will place the TV in our living room. Since video is my profession I plan our living room layout around the TV and entertainment center (again to the chagrin of my wife). The TV is always placed at an angle away from the main window in the room in order to eliminate window reflections on the screen. Our living room lamps have shades that direct lighting downward and are not very translucent in order to minimize their reflections. Since I have a front projector and screen display in the living room -- in addition to the 32" Mitsubishi we use for normal viewing -- we have vertical blinds which do a nice job of darkening the room. We also have velour drapes which can pull to either side of the screen and do a great job of providing a controlled lighting environment for our projector. You will want to do much the same -- have your video display directed away from any windows and use blinds with drapes to control daytime lighting from windows.

Setting the Mood

Wall sconce lamps located along the walls for ambiance during viewing in a dedicated room is a nice touch and lends to the theater-esque atmosphere. Depending upon the overall decor and theme of your dedicated room sconces can be either plain or elaborately gaudy much like the movie houses of yore. Basic sconces can be found at a local Home Depot or lighting store. More elaborate theater-looking sconces are available at specialty stores. A dedicated room will benefit from remote controlled lighting - or at least it will add a "touch of class" to your theater. There are many varieties of remote controlled lighting which can be controlled either by their standard controller or be included within a macro-programmed command on one of the many all-in-one type macro-remote controls such as the Harmony H659 which I am quite pleased to own.

Regardless of whether you are incorporating a system into your living room or planning a dedicated room, the principles of home theater room lighting are the same -- no glare or reflection on your video display and sufficient ambient room lighting for your guests during viewing. If you have any further questions about home theater room lighting feel free to use the contact form at theater-Systems-Advice.com/contact.html" target=new>Home-theater-Systems-Advice. com/contact. html and I will be pleased to answer any of your inquiries to the best of my ability. You may also find more resources for home theater lighting and audio-visual components at theater-Systems-Advice.com/more-resources.html" target=new>Home-theater-Systems-Advice. com/more-resources. html -- from beginner's tips to theater design and acoustical considerations.




super star theater

Monday, June 4, 2012

How To Protect Your Ebooks And Software From Being Stolen!

There are many systems that can lock your software or document, allowing you to control access to that file. But the problem arises with assuming that this will stop all theft. A well thought out, thorough protection system can deter theft, but it cannot stop it 100%.

An "unbreakable" protection system simply does not, and will never exist. If someone really wants your information, they can get it, even if it takes years of work.

SO WHAT'S THE POINT? WHY USE ANY PROTECTION AT ALL?

There is no 100% security guarantee in anything, but that's no reason to totally ignore protecting your intellectual property -- A thief can easily kick in your front door and rob your house, but you still lock the door. Locking the door is not 100% effective security, but we still do it. Why? Because it deters most potential theft and those who are more determined will have to work a bit to get in.

WHO SHOULD USE PROTECTION?

The big question here is, HOW VALUABLE IS YOUR INFORMATION TO YOU? Sensitive, proprietary or private information demands some sort of protection, otherwise transmitting over the net is not an option.

If your information is not free, then it's obviously of some importance. So , how much damage would it do to you if it were made freely available? What type of impact would it have on your sales and could you (or would you) absorb that without thinking twice?

Is a $14 Ebook worth paying for another service to protect it? Probably not, but it depends on the situation and target market. What about a $2, 000 report? Does the price change the perspective?

Businesses protect their property. If you believe your information or software to be of a unique or proprietary nature, you should protect that information using some means, no matter how small.

Companies like Microsoft lose hundreds of millions of dollars due to software theft and fraud, yet they continue to implement protection measures in their software. I would guess that without any protection whatsoever the losses would be in the billions.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

Like I said, there is no 100% way to prevent every possible incident, but you can make it very difficult and less likely to happen. At best what you should hope is to provide just enough security to close obvious security flaws and discourage would-be thieves. But not so much security that it discourages honest users and customers.

PROTECTION OPTIONS

Here are some common protection schemes:

No Protection: Just distribute your information and hope for the best.

- Pros: No special process to access file which means less support issues.

- Cons: File can be passed around, copied, distributed and/or sold without authorization from the owner. Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.

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General Password Protection: Simply requiring a predetermined password to install or register the file.

- Pros: Simple for customer or end user.

- Cons: File and password can be passed around, copied, distributed and/or sold without authorization from the owner. Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.

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PC-Unique Password Protection: Generates a unique password based on the user's computer.

- Pros: Can't pass around the file since it is basically locked to one machine.

- Cons: Requires an extra step for registration; Customer cannot move file to another PC; If their PC crashes they will need another unique password; Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.

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Delayed Registration: This requires a user to enter a second registration number a specific number of days after they first register the file. For example , after 90 days of use, they must enter a new registration number that they receive from you.

- Pros: It allows control over chargeback and refunds. The file will be disabled after the second registration period because you will not provide the second key to reactivate the file.

- Cons: Requires an extra step for registration; A user can request refund or chargeback AFTER the second registration period.

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Post-Purchase Activation: Requires activation by online server. After user purchases they are entered into an online customer database. They then install and register the file by entering their name/email or some data. The server confirms the purchase and then activates the software. This method is become more and more common with big name software.

- Pros: Can prevent unauthorized distribution of file since the file must be activated by the online server.

- Cons: User must be online to register file; Can't move file to a different PC; Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.

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Active Password Protection: Each time user attempts to access file it checks an online server to confirm the usage rights and permissions for the user.

- Pros: Prevents distribution or copying of file; File Owner can revoke access to file after chargeback or refund; Access permissions can be changed and applied in real-time.

- Cons: must be connected to the net to register and/or access file; User may not be able to move file to another PC; User registration can be somewhat cumbersome and difficult for some customers.

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EVALUATING PROTECTION SERVICES

When looking to protect your digital information any protection system or service that you consider should have a few basic security bases covered.

For software and executables:

1. When opening the file, a protection system must not save or copy an unprotected version of the file to the windows TEMP directory or anywhere on your PC for that matter.

2. The system should automatically prevent password sharing and access by unauthorized parties. This will prevent the document from being passed around or distributed illegally since it can't be opened unless you are authorized.

3. It should have some method to revoke or cancel access for refunded or fraudulent users.

For PDF documents, providing adequate protection requires a bit more security as their are many more ways to obtain a protection free copy of the document.

Any PDF protection system must cover the three bases above, as well as:

* It must prevent emailing of file and exporting or extracting pages from file.

* It must prevent copying file and text to the clipboard

* It must prevent redistilling of the file and printing to PDF

* It must prevent unlimited, uncontrolled printing of file

* It must watermark all printed pages

* If using Adobe Reader, the company providing the protection service must be an authorized Adobe DRM provider.

WHAT ABOUT COST? IS IT WORTH IT?

Is $300 a year too much to protect your copyrights? Definitely not. Protection costs money, but if your business is making money then it's a cost of doing business.

Is it for you? I don't know. Selling a few low priced applications a month probably won't warrant any sort of protection, but if you generate a substantial income from your software or the information distributed is of a critical nature to your business, then you need to protect your intellectual "capital" at some level.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Personally, I believe that some level of protection should be implemented on any piece of software or document that is of any value to you. You should never mass distribute a file in an unprotected format. Otherwise you will be scrambling when you find someone misusing it... if you find them!

It's easy to listen to those that say "don't worry about it" (a common reply to the document protection topic) until someone is actually stealing from you. Then all you can do is worry about it, but it's too late really. The damage is done. You can't take something back once it's out there unprotected. No amount of legal threatening is going to phase someone in Prague who just doesn't care about your copyrights.




Capturing Radiant Light and Color in Oil Painting