Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Evening atmosphere on the outskirts of the lake - OIL PAINTING
Alley by the Lake by Leonid Afremov - beautiful oil paintings
Art Train Journeys on Rail Road OIL PAINTINGS
Beautiful OIL PAINTING seemed a series of locomotive with the ancient train passing on the right track under the bridge / tunnel
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Body Jewelry Fashion Trends of Piercings
While some people consider body jewelry to be a recent fashion trend, the truth is that body piercing dates back to ancient times. Body Jewelry was a way used by ancient civilizations to designate social class or standing. In addition, Body jewelry was also part of religious practices.The first recorded incidence of body jewelry via piercing comes from the evidence of nose rings recorded over 4,000 years ago in the Middle East. Further evidence is found within the verses of the bible where in Genesis there is reference to a gold nose ring. Nose rings in the Middle East and India are used to denote social standing and family wealth. Nose piercing appears to have came to America in the 1960s when the Eastern religion and enlightenment swept across the nation.
Additional types of body jewelry have equally fascinating beginnings. Ear piercing is unarguably one of the most common forms of body jewelry. With the history of earrings going back as far as 3000 BC in parts of Asia, it appears that this form of body jewelry was used as an expression for both cultural and decorative reasons. Mummies dating back as far as five centuries have been noted to have piercings and body jewelry in their ears upon burial. These cultural adornments of body jewelry have lost some of the symbolic roots, and based upon current trends has become more of a fashion accessory.
Tongue piercing is another common form of adornment and body jewelry. Tongue piercing was part of the ritual of many tribal societies including the Mayans, the Aztecs, the Tlingit and the Haida. The blood that was drawn during the piercing was thought to appease the gods.
There are, of course, many other types of body jewelry that have their roots in ancient rituals and lifestyles. From nipples to much more personal locations, body jewelry is a current fashion trend with very old ancestry. In some cases today, body jewelry may be the result of seeking a way of honoring familiar heritage. For others, it is the attempt to find a way to make a personal statement.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What a Party!
I painted this evening at a christening that could've been a bar mitzvah or wedding. It was at Macaluso's in Hawthorne, and the proud parents were hosting a big crowd. The DJ kept everyone busy, but as soon as I started to set up, the kids gathered. I didn't even put my table up before they were jockeying to go first.
The hit face tonight was the puppy, just like one I did at the birthday yesterday. No one even wanted a different sort of dog - a dalmation or a shih tzu - they were all about the hound-like dog I painted initially. I had two tigers, lots of peace signs, and a couple of other faces, but the one I actually liked best was on a teenager who just asked for a really small butterfly by her eye.
I can't peg exactly why I like it so much, but it strikes me as really clean, pretty, and simple. She was absolutely in love with it, and the customer's reaction always colors my opinion of the painting too. So that must be it also.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Day of Firsts
I painted today at two birthday parties. The earlier, in Wayne, was a first birthday, and it was a slow start. Lots of kids wanted to get painted, but no one wanted to be first. I find that every now and again. Well, this brave girl decided to run with it, and became a puppy.
She was great, and the face was a hit That prompted her friend to join in, but she was more or less undecided as to what she wanted. She started talking around a fish, but didn't see how I could do it, so I suggested a fishbowl.
My first ever fishbowl! She loved it, as did everyone else there. Both girls took cards, and one told me that her dad said they might want me for her birthday too.Meanwhile, a mom and dad of one of the kids each separately came over to book me for a party in early June!
After that, I got a couple of superheroes. Batman blinked, but they look great together.
This boy had been afraid to get painted initially, and then pulled together the courage to do it. He was ecstatic with his train, and kept wanting to look at it, either in the mirror or just by looking down at his nose as best he could.
My next victim originally wanted to be a Power Ranger, but no one had Google access to get me a photo to follow. I admit that's one cartoon I've never watched. So he came up with a bear idea, and dad asked me to do a ferocious bear, rather than a cute teddy. I did my best to comply, right down to the snarling teeth and fish dinner.
Last, but definitely not least, grandma wanted a bluebird on her collarbone.
The shimmery blue I used was one of my new Fardel liquid paints, the ones I got from my Secret Santa in the UK. Now I'm truly addicted to them. It looked amazing in person, with a coppery shimmer that I loved!
It was just such a great party. Yes, it's a business for me, but more than the cash, I love it when everyone's into the painting and having fun. I love it when kids who are shy at first finally get up the courage to get painted and really enjoy it. I love it when adults are willing to join in the fun. And of course, I love it when people love the work I do. I won't lie, the ego boost is nice and I left the party feeling really happy and full of adrenaline.
The second party, in Lincoln Park, was a referral from the mom at this party last year! In fact, my Gene Simmons was at the party too, as was last year's birthday boy, who I'd painted as a pirate. He wasn't into getting painted this time, but his mom was.
I got to play with my new Fardel paints again, too!The birthday boy chose one of my favorite things to paint - a tiger.
How cute was he? He loved it, and promptly became a tiger, growling and baring his claws at the other kids. Some other animals joined him in the jungle, though. Like a leopard.
And a lion.
And even a mini tiger. I love it when the littles get painted!
Once that cutie got painted, of course, other parents wanted to see if their kids would sit for me too, and they got even younger! Like this puppy, who was about 7 months.
After that, the parents of this 4-month-old had to see if he could be painted too. I think he might be my youngest customer to date!
And I'm not sure that record will ever be beat.
Of course, not everyone was a jungle animal or tiny. We had a kitty.
And a Giants fan, despite their current standing as 10th place in the NFC.
Gotta respect that!
Another great party for a bunch of great people. All in all, it was a terrific day!
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