Visual Graphic Arts

Sunday, July 26, 2009

His Most Famous Painting (The Bellelli Family) - Edgar Degas By Annette Labedzki

Painter, sculptor, printmaker, and draughtsman Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France. The progeny of a high-flying banker, Edgar Degas' childhood was set in an affluent family. Subsequent to completing secondary school, he decided to take up a career in law. Later on, in 1855 he switched gears, joining the esteemed École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Here, he got the opportunity to study under Louis Lamothe, who himself was a student of the 'Classical' artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. As per his belief that travelling would help his training in art, Edgar Degas visited Italian places, such as Rome, Naples, and Florence, very early in his career. He intended to learn and to reproduce the art of 'Renaissance' pioneers, such as Sandro Botticelli, Nicolas Poussin, and Andrea Mantegna. At this juncture of his career, one of the heralds of 'Impressionism,' Degas skilled himself at drawing family portraits, reflected most remarkably in "The Bellelli Family."

"The Bellelli Family" or Family Portrait is one of the most famous canvas oil paintings by Edgar Degas, as a youngster. He visited Florence, Italy in August 1858. Inspired from his Naples visit, the painting is a family portrait of his Italian aunt Laura Bellelli, who was pregnant then, her husband Baron Gennaro Bellelli, who had been exiled from Naples (his hometown), and their two young daughters. The scene is set in the mid-century parlor. The room authentically has a fireplace, with a mirror, a clock, and a drawn picture frame of Laura's father, gracing the wall. Degas painted "The Bellelli Family" in his studio at Paris during 1858-60.

Laura Bellelli is shown in attire, symbolizing the mourning for her deceased father. Her expression is decorous, dominating, and stern, similar to that of her daughters. While his eldest cousin Giovanna is standing with her mom, Edgar's younger cousin Giulia is sitting, sporting a youthful gesture and is probably looking at her father. Both the sisters are wearing black dress with white pinafores. Baron Gennaro Bellelli looks aloof from his family, reflecting his then subdued and insignificant entity. He is shown seated in a black armchair, half-turned towards probably his younger daughter and most of his back towards the viewers.

A work of genius by young Degas, the portrayal evokes the stress of each member of the family. None of the four characters is looking at each other. Everyone's gaze is fixed in different directions. Owing to this obviously reflected family discord, the painting was publicly shown in 1918 only, after the demise of every character shown in "The Bellelli Family." The daunting dimensions, the sober colors, the intentional use of open perspectives (doors and mirrors), all combine to escalate an ambiance of oppression. Hued mostly in black, this one of the first splendors of 'Impressionism,' "The Bellelli Family" carries dull shades.

After the successful completion of "The Bellelli Family," Degas returned to Paris in 1861, and shifted his interest to 'Biblical' paintings. Coveted amongst ardent art patrons, the Salon eventually noticed his work. This celebrated, annual, state-owned art exhibition brought him his well-deserved fame and money. A financially sound Degas was either ways devoid of the paucity that befell most of his contemporaries. Although, his 'Historical' and 'Biblical Art' was a huge sensation, Edgar Degas ended up choosing themes that were more contemporary. His urge to portray the pulsating life around him took him to the racetrack. He pictured horses, jockeys, and well-heeled spectators in his racetrack paintings. Later, he began to depict ballet dancers, which eventually turned out to be his most celebrated subjects. His technique was unique, with a strapping incline towards draftsmanship, oeuvre, and portraiture.

After 1870, Edgar's vision began to fail him, turning him to 'Figurine Sculpturing.' He packed his bronze statues of horses and ballet dancers with the same style of grace and lyricism, as did his paintings. Completely blind towards the end his life, Edgar Degas died a lonely eccentric on September 27, 1917, in Paris. The National Gallery of Australia's exhibition, 'Degas: The master of French art,' displays an assortment of Edgar Degas' art, from his early portraiture and historical ones, to modern themes, and finally to his experimental paintings and photographs in the 1890s. All said and done, Edgar's 200cm x 253cm frame, "The Bellelli Family," stays as the best milestone and is currently displayed at the museum Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com Annette has bonus offers on her work only. Buy 3 small paintings of any size (maximum size 11x17 inches) and receive 3 small paintings of your choice for free (maximum size 11x17 inches) SHIPPING IS FREE Buy one large painting (minimum size 18x24 inches) receive 5 small paintings of your choice (maximum size 11x17 inches) FOR FREE. SHIPPING IS FREE. Please feel free to subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com

Thursday, July 16, 2009

What to Look For in Different Types of Scrapbook Paper By Neil Minetto

In this post you will find some suggestions on what to look for in scrapbook paper and what types of papers are out there. It is important to note that there are many types and styles of it and we will not be able to cover all of them here but we want to help guide you in the right direction.

When looking for good scrapbook paper, before you look at color and size you must make sure that it is acid and lignin free. This will make the paper better for preservation. It ensures longevity of the paper and means that it will not yellow with time or deteriorate as is the case when using standard paper. You will see that when paper is left out, over time, it becomes brown and yellow. This is caused by the lignin, which creates acid in the paper and discolors the paper's fibers.

Scrapbook paper is generally sold in a normal size that measures twelve by twelve inches and in some instances, eight by eight inches. It usually comes in a durable cardstock weight that is also great for stamping, card making, and crafting as well as scrapbooking.

You can buy it from many stores online and around your neighborhood. It comes in different quantity packs and we have found a great variety of colors, design and patterns. It is good to buy in bulk and split it among friends and neighbors so it costs less and you still get what you are looking for. These packs have so many different design types and styles that you might find ugly looking sheets of paper. Do not worry, you should look to use those pieces of paper as accent pieces by tearing them apart or using them for shapes, letters and various designs.

If you are looking to use a printer to make designs, letters or symbols on your paper, make sure it can be fed through your printer. Get the exact weight and size of the paper you would like to buy and then look at the specifications of your printer to make sure it can handle the size and weight of your paper. Most printer websites can tell you what types of paper it can handle. Above all, look for the scrapbook paper that compliments your style and artistic nature. You will find that your paper collection will reflect your personality. Plain paper can instantly be transformed with a bit of imagination and your personal artistic flair to make something you will be truly proud of.

Posted on The Scrapbook Paper Site

Monday, July 6, 2009

Processing of Murano Glass By Riccardo Rossi

Venetian glass is sodic, as in the ancient Mediterranean tradition. This means that the silica, which is a sand destined to become glass through fusion, is added to the soda ash is added in order to allow the fusion at lower temperatures. The potash, alternative to soda, typical of the Nordic countries, creates a brilliant glass suitable for grinding and incision (such as the english lead glass), but not to the complex, typically venetian, workings Mixing of raw materials takes place in the evening, at the end of working hours, and preparation of material lasts throughout the night: to the two basic raw materials are added the stabilizer (such as calcium carbonate), the bleachings or colorings, and, if necessary, the opacifiers. The reverberation chamber melts the raw materials at a temperature of about 1400 degrees and glassmakers in the morning find the the molten material, ready for modeling. The molten glass is flexible up to a temperature of 500 degrees.

The working group is the "square", made up of serving and boys, which is coordinated by Master. The work can be also cold-finished by expert grinders performing sanding or other finishes; the incision is made in figurative independent laboratories, where highly skilled decorators works. If the forseen decoration is the enamel, the object moves in a laboratory in which are made the painting and the annealing of the enamel.

Blown glass
The invention of glass-blowing is dated in the first century BC on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and remains the most important event of the whole history of glassmaking. Especially in Venice, the glass-blowing was the preferred technique for high level glass works.

The Murano masters have developed, from the Middle Ages, an extraordinary skill in hot modeling, inventing new techniques and coming to propose shapes of major elegance and refinement.

Visit this Murano chandeliers shop for the best Murano chandeliers and lightings.

Friday, June 26, 2009

His Most Famous Painting (Chatterbox Falls) - Robert Genn By Annette Labedzki

Robert Genn (born 1936) is one of the most critically acclaimed Canadian painters who have received immense international recognition for his "Canadian Landscape Paintings." He had adopted the style of 'Realism' where he most often portrayed the landscapes of Canada. Robert Genn went to very remote locations to explore the beauty of nature and to confine it onto the canvas. Among his many famous paintings, "Chatterbox Falls" marks its place high in artistic history through time.

Robert Genn specialized in many techniques of painting, such as silkscreen painting, oil, and watercolor; he though created this famous painting using acrylic on the canvas. Chatterbox Falls is located at the far end of Princess Louisa Inlet in Canada. This secluded location was of much interest to Genn, as the environment consists of vividly palpable beauty, intrigue, and mystery. He captured this charismatic location ingeniously onto the canvas. Where the clear water of "The Chatterbox Falls" 'Symbolize' tranquility and peace, the sudden light of the sun helps us remember the joys of living.

Robert always stuck to a particular pattern of design and tradition. His use of colors though bright or muted at places, added a sense of obscurity to this masterpiece, measuring 30" x 34". His bold brushstrokes and sharp indentions in "The Chatterbox Falls" depict a sense of strength and stability, the lush green vegetation in the painting, 'Symbolized' the sign of life. The snow peaked mountains, the overlapping mist, and lichen-roofed rocks were perfectly portrayed on the canvas. Genn's tremendous representative of talent and artistic brilliance,this work is filled with small rivulets and has cascading mountains encompassing it. The painting captures the true picture of this place, as it depicts the water of Chatterbox swelling amidst the lush and gorgeous ecosystem. This painting was auctioned and is now a part of a private corporate collection.

"The Chatterbox Falls" has a particular serenity about itself. In the words of Robert Genn, "It was a cosmic privilege to be amidst this natural splendor and portray this onto the canvas." Robert Genn, after the creation of "The Chatterbox Falls," leveraged his fame by creating similar landscape paintings of the west Coast and the Rocky Mountains. Robert's works allowed the viewers to be a part of the divine natural cathedral and experience its divinity, mystery, and sheer brilliance. "The Chatterbox Falls" continues to enthrall audiences through its simulated capture of natural beauty, with all of its essence, onto the canvas.

Annette has bonus offers on her work only. Buy 3 small paintings of any size (maximum size 11x17 inches) and receive 3 small paintings of your choice for free (maximum size 11x17 inches) SHIPPING IS FREE Buy one large painting (minimum size 18x24 inches) receive 5 small paintings of your choice (maximum size 11x17 inches) FOR FREE. SHIPPING IS FREE. Please feel free to subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

His Most Famous Painting (The Raising of the Cross) - Paul Rubens By Annette Labedzki

Peter Paul Rubens (born June 28, 1577) was one of the most charismatic and influential Flemish painters of the 'Renaissance' period. His bold interpretation of the mythological stories and their dramatic rendition on the canvas made him a pioneer in the 'European' style of painting. Peter had adopted the 'Baroque' style of painting, exuberating struggle and drama. He personified allegorical characters and rendered them on canvas, depicting their trauma, emotional struggle, and their sheer bravery, as is best evident in his "The Raising of the Cross" or "The Elevation of the Cross," which depicted the last stages of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. Paul Rubens created this painting after his return to Flanders from Italy. Created during 1610-11, "The Elevation of the Cross" is a triptych panel painting. A triptych is divided into three sections, with each one symbolizing a story.

In "The Raising of the Cross" however, Rubens highlighted only one storyline, that regarding the 'Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.' The middle section of "The Raising of The Cross" is much dramatic and tensed, as it shows nine executioners raising the body of the Christ. Rubens' influence of other Italian 'Renaissance' painters, such as Tintoretto and Michelangelo is evident in the painting. There is a dynamic usage of colors and the executioners are shown with seminude muscular bodies. The most distinct feature of this panel painting was the way Christ was lifted in a diagonal manner, which manifests Caravaggio's influence on Peter Paul. Caravaggio's painting titled 'Entombment' was similar in nature as the high and the fall of the subject was of prime importance. The other two sections display the emotional pandemonium that occurred when Christ was crucified. One section displays the mournful Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, and the followers of Christ. The despondent environment revolving around the death of Christ is palpable in this section of Paul's painting. The other section displays the royal monarchs in their grandiose nobility who witness the Crucifixion of Christ with much sinister pleasure. This section also portrays the Crucifixion of other two Jewish thieves. The outer sections of the triptych depict saints, such as Saints Amand, Walpurgis, Eligius, and Catherine of Alexandria.

French Rulers confiscated Peter's 15' x 11' painting in 1794 and fled with it to Paris. After the fall of the great ruler Napoleon, the painting was returned to the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, where it resides until date. Rubens demonstrated his artistic brilliance with an excellent capture of drama, mournful silence, and rich nobility that revolved around the death of Christ. Through "The Raising of the Cross," Paul Rubens definitely capitalized his knowledge of 'Renaissance' painting with much ingenuity and innovation. This triptych, relating the tale of the magnanimity of Jesus Christ, is considered a brilliant exemplary of the 'European' artistry.