Family Dentistry - Helping With the Teen Years

At this time in a youngster's life it can be very difficult to keep up with just about everything not to mention their dental care. The effort put into keeping teeth and gums healthy can really get off track at this time.

One of the things that may help at this age is it is the time when looks become important. A teen wanting to be attractive can be an advantage for you to use as a tool to encourage the ongoing dental hygiene routine. The fortunate teen that doesn't need braces at this point is still at risk for other problems that seem to emerge at this time of life. Parents need all the moral support they can get and if the relationship has been built with a family dental team, they can provide some of that assistance. There are no shortcuts in a good hygiene regimen. Often seen at this age are that teens rely on mouthwash as a substitute for cleaning.

Unfortunately this may be a time when some unhealthy habits are encouraged by peers. Tobacco use possibly being the most prevalent. It may be of help to point out that the physical effects of smoking, oral and otherwise, will not show up until the habit is well established to the point of addiction. Maybe just some straight talk about not even giving tobacco the chance to take away the control we all have over our health would be helpful. Anti-smoking sites can be found online and possibly some of the graphic examples could help stimulate dialog but be aware that some are very graphic.

Sometimes the rites of passage from childhood to adult have side effect that will last a lifetime. Smoking being one, some others are Anorexia and Bulimia. Damage to teeth seems fairly insignificant when put up against the other devastating side effects of these terrible diseases but it is another area in which your family dental team can help you monitor your families' health. Teeth will soon show the effects of Bulimia Nervosa, in fact 26% of Bulimia cases are first diagnosed by dentists.

Another subject that may arise at this time is body piercing. Teens wanting to show their individuality or even rebellion may decide that tongue piercing is a way to do this. The list is long on why this is a bad idea, not the least of which is that the piercing site is very hard to keep clean and infection free. Other reasons include chipped teeth, site bleeding and gum damage. There is a very good web page on this subject that covers it well and very simply. Parents might want to take a look at it with their teens who want to have the piercing done it is: http://www.drhendry.ca/InfoAndLinks/TonguePiercing/Piercing.html

These very unsettling subjects are not meant to create panic in parents but to illustrate how a family dental team is indispensable when it comes to your families' health. These subjects also make getting back to the discussion of braces a bit of a relief.

If your child or teen is referred to an orthodontist for a malocclusion correction, oral care is obviously going to be more complicated than life without braces. Your orthodontist and your family dentist can work as a team to be sure that optimum results are achieved. Parents and teens certainly don't want to put the time, effort and expense into braces or retainers and end up with other problems in the long run. Gum care and all around oral hygiene are essential. While there is no substitute for brushing and flossing there are products on the market that can be very handy. The orthodontist will undoubtedly show the patient how to use an interproximal brush, commonly called a proxy brush or Christmas tree brush, to clean under braces. Possibly patients will want to look into getting a Waterpik TM or Sonicare TM Toothbrush to help with the process of cleaning teeth with braces on them. It is not uncommon for dentists to see very expensive corrective work surrounded by gums that will not sustain healthy teeth, even if they do come out straight, due to lack of maintenance, so this extra care is essential. Swishing with room temperature salt water can help mild soreness or inflammation of mouth or gums. It's an old fashioned remedy that still is prescribed today.

From the eruption of the twelve year molars to the eruption of the wisdom teeth can be a challenge. It's a good time to have the help and advice of professionals who see the common mistakes everyday. Things the team can remind your teen that are all too often seen are:

- Not to rely on short cuts, most often mouth wash, in substitute for a dental hygiene routine.

- The damage smoking can and will do to teeth and gums not to mention over all health.

- Tongue piercing may not be worth the risks involved and the extra hassle to keep infection from becoming a factor.

- There is a need to talk to parents and get help when peer and societal pressure begins to threaten their self esteem or well being.

- Oral hygiene and extra care when braces are needed is going to be more involved than care for teeth without braces but it will be well worth the effort in the end.

Paul M. Wagenaar, DDS
7400 E. Arapahoe Rd #203
Centennial, CO 80112
(303)770-5040
http://www.wagenaardentistry.com/

Learning About Art Glazes With a Classroom Mural Project

A classroom ceramic mural project is an inspiring way to involve students in learning basic ceramics and Acmi glazes techniques. Designing and producing their own ceramic tile wall mural not only teaches students the technique of ceramics, but also can be a great source of pride: it gives the students a sense of the value of collaboration, and of being able to make a permanent contribution to their school community. Moreover, the theme of the mural can be keyed to other classroom activities and lessons, such as social studies, science, geography, and art. Some possible subjects for a mural are plants and animals, undersea life, outer space, dinosaurs, athletic events, local history and landmarks, circus, flower gardens, etc. The art instructor can work together with classroom teachers to create lessons and provide supporting materials, so that the students have a good background understanding of the subject matter. The art instructor should prepare the students by explaining the differences between ceramic and painted murals, and exhibit historical examples of ceramic murals with slides. Depending upon the chosen subject, the students can be shown historical examples of art works with subjects similar to the theme of the projected mural, such as the paintings of Rousseau (for jungle animals); Moillet or Seurat (circus); or Impressionist garden paintings (flowers, landscapes).

The students should be directed to make individual drawings which illustrate different aspects of the completed mural. The student drawings - in different arrangements - can be projected onto a large paper fastened to the wall with an opaque projector, until a pleasing overall composition is found. Then the students can color the enlarged projection with crayons or markers to guide the selection of dipping glazes which will be used in the final mural. The paper drawing is then cut into 6-inch squares, each of which represents one tile. The squares of paper, and the unglazed commercial bisque tiles, should be labeled on the back with row and column numbers, so that it will be easy to recognize where they fit into the final mural. Underglazes are used to create the design or picture on the tile surfaces. These are safe and simple to use, and can be applied with a brush. Underglazes do not bleed or move when fired, and they take on deeper values when they are fired.

Clear art glazes can be poured over the tiles or brushed on in three coats (making sure that each coat is completely dry before applying the next one). If the glaze is applied by brush it is better to fire the underglazed tiles before applying the clear glaze, to avoid smearing (brush on the clear glaze and fire once more to cone 05). The kiln can be loaded in the afternoon and fired at 02 all night, then turned up the next morning and fired to cone 05. This way the kiln shuts off while school is in session, avoiding late-night trips to check the kiln. A 22" by 27" kiln can fire approximately sixty to eighty 6" by 6" tiles at a time. The final mural should be installed by a professional tile installer.

A ceramic tile mural project is an ideal way for students to learn about Acmi glazes and other art glazes. It can bring classroom subjects to life; and the permanent installation can serve as a point of student pride. Murals made with ceramic dipping glazes can be placed on the walls of hallways, cafeteria or gym, and on walls by doorways and drinking fountains.

Learn How to Watercolour a Panorama Onto Some Birthday Cards

Getting Going:

To begin painting in watercolour, you need 3 simple objects;

· Some good beginners' materials

· A subject to paint

· A basic method

Equipment Needed:

A beginners paint tray of water colours could consist of the subsequent colours:

· Lemon Yellow Hue

· Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue

· Cadmium Red Hue

· Permanent Rose

· Alizarin Crimson Hue

· Ultramarine

· Intense Blue

· Viridian Hue

· Raw Umber

· Yellow Ochre

· Burnt Sienna

· Chinese White

Additional Supplies:

· 4 main brushes

· Paper

· Pencil & Rubber

· Board or Hard Surface

· Roll of Masking tape

· Water pot or container

· Flat Plastic Palette/Tray

· Reasonable size board for your Birthday cards

What to paint - Finding a subject:

Many artists find it difficult to be influenced by the ordinary everyday things. However, real artists can turn the very ordinary thing into something special by purely viewing it creatively. It may be a landscaping, a structure, an inside scene such as a dining room, or still life like vases or crockery. If you feel really confident you might want to attempt a portrait (of the person you're giving the birthday card to), botanical colouring or maybe even an abstract. Your painting does not have to be precise or absolute, remember art is in the sense of the artist not the critic.

Painting a Watercolour Landscape:

Landscapes are possibly the best for beginners and the following basic technique should be applied. Four general principles are valid while colouring a landscape.

Your View - As an artist you're looking to produce a visual illustration of your chosen scene, it is not a clone but an illusion of what you're painting. Remember, it is how you see it and paint it that makes it a unique work of art for your birthday cards and even canvas.

Aerial Perspective - Take time to look at the landscape you would like to paint and you will notice 4 elements emerge. Initially the objects further away will appear smaller. Second, the distant items will not be as detailed. Third, colours become less vivid the further away they are. Fourthly, as objects diminish their tones become paler and less contrasted.

Composition - Use your pencil to create an outline of the landscape. Be sure to set out a horizon, middle and foreground within your landscape. In general, this follows as the horizon being the background of the painting with the horizon line being about two thirds from the top of the page. Most beginners start drawing the horizon half way up the page - although our eye-line only sees 30-40% of the "surface matter" in any given scene and the rest is sky.

After you have drawn the basic out-line of your scene, the colour is now ready to be applied into your picture.

Choosing a paint tray of colours:

The popular practice is to retain a broad paint tray of around twelve colours and add to it for specific necessities. For example, you will notice that a lot of birthday cards are aspired to be bright in colour and therefore you may wish to include some brighter contrasts to your work.

When you have obtained the initial palette, the subsequent thing is to find a suitable board.

Which board?

Watercolour board is mould made board and is often acid free giving it an extensive life without wear and tear. The board is pre-sized making it possible for the artist to sponge and rub-out (if necessary) without damaging the board.

Basic Technique:

Squeeze a pea-sized amount from your water-colour tubes or dab a damp brush into your watercolour pan - best to start with 3 primary colours - a red, blue and yellow.

Use a round brush and start placing some blue on the sky, before dabbing the colour with a wet handkerchief to produce cloud shapes by opening out the colour.

After that, work onto the distant horizon line making use of subdued colours (i.e. thinned blues, grey and yellow diluted with water) then onto the onto the mid-ground area adopting more blues and green prior to moving onto the forefront using yellowy-greens and stronger, more vibrant colours - not thinned with a lot of water. Note: Should you be colouring a medium sized birthday card, you may want to downgrade the range of the out-line before beginning to paint.

After you have developed those colours you are able to then build up a sequence of layers to fit your needs. If you are very adventurous, you might wish to try the wet-into-wet technique. This is where the colours combine whilst they are still wet. It produces pleasing, delicate tones for your birthday cards and is brilliant for glum, atmospheric paintings in order to lighten up the cards for the person owning the birthday.

An added method, is generating a water-colour wash, which offers many special effects like, graduation, granulation and flecked. Avoiding being too technical, a wash is in fact where a colour alters as a consequence of the water content mixed with the pure colour. Such effect is formed by beginning at the top of a dry piece of paper. Paint a band of darkened colour (ultramarine blue), before adding more water to the brush and create a second band under the first. This should be continued until you have a graded wash i.e. the colour goes from dark to pale and occasionally clear. When colouring birthday cards, you don't need to worry over adding the words 'happy birthday', because the greeting may be placed inside the greeting card with the front showing your creative abilities.

Some Finishing Suggestions:

DON'T - fiddle around with the painting; once the birthday card is complete, do not add more touches thinking you will improve it.

DON'T - Let your palette become too wet.

The colour should be allowed to dry in between stages of application except for when you are employing the wet-into-wet method. Maybe use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.

Continually refer to the object you are painting and to your work of art.

Start painting from the top of the board.

Always cleanse your equipment with cleaning soap and water.

Paint loosely; do not get drawn into precision. Bear in mind that it's a painting and not a photocopy.

Author and marketer for www.Cardly.co.uk A company offering striking water-colour birthday cards

Water Runs Downhill, Always!

Stuart and I were sharing coffee one night this week and having our usual great time discussing current events, political issues, economics, latest gadgets, and on and on. We both have interests in a large variety of subjects so conversation is never a problem. We were on the topic of business when a thought came to me that I would like to share with you.

First a little background. I have worked in the manufacturing realm all my adult life. Most of it in two specific professions; Manufacturing Engineering and Product Research and Design. Over the 20 years that I served in these capacities I learned some very basic concepts about human behavior. Stu and I were discussing one of the most powerful behaviors any business owner, parent, Engineer, employee.......(you get the idea) should learn and integrate into everything they do. Ready for this one, it may underwhelm you at first but the concept is powerful. There is a basic physical law of water that can not be violated, water will ALWAYS take the path of least resistance. You can not violate this very basic characteristic. Hydraulic experts have learned how to harness the power of water by exploiting this basic principle. Dams are built to encourage water to run through a turbine to generate electricity. Water wheels ran early manufacturing operations by channeling water to a wheel with paddles on it. Water is always looking for the easiest route down the mountain. Here's how humans fit into the equation. What we share with water is that, given a choice, we have a basic tendency to take the path of least resistance. Oddly, we are all made mostly of water, around 75%. Until our current path is blocked by an obstacle we will continue on our journey "down the mountain" without stopping.

Now on to the principle that may slightly adjust your dealings with others. If you are attempting to influence a person to make changes that are in their best interest, find a new path of least resistance and point them toward it. In the case of Stus' manufacturing plant, employees will always find an easier way to do things, even if it is wrong. My advise to Stu was to make sure the right way to do a job was always easier than the wrong way. The operators will always do it right if it is easier than doing it wrong. Henry Ford used to say, "Give the hardest job to the laziest man and he will find a better way to do it."

When I was designing new products it was with an eye toward this understanding. My standard phrase to all the teams and individuals I dealt with was simply this, "It is NEVER the operators fault." The principle is very simple. If a part can be put on wrong, it will be. Our job as product designers was to make sure it could only be put on the right way. Take the person out of the equation. Make sure the "system" was in place that would not allow a part to be installed wrong. There is some basic psychology behind this concept that may make into a future article but there is not room here. My admonition at this point is to look for ways to "take the operator out of the equation" in all your dealings as much as possible even in your family. Parents, do you battle with your children on the silliest of tasks? Keep in mind that if doing the wrong thing is harder than doing the right thing the natural tendency for your children will be the easier of the two. Make the right thing easier and there is a better chance your children will do it more often.

One final illustration and I will let you get back to what you were doing before you opened this email. In sharing this concept with my friend Dean he relayed that when he was a kid, mom would send him up to the bathroom at night to brush his teeth. Being a bit stubborn he would run the water but not touch his tooth brush. One evening as he stood watching the faucet run he thought, "Hey, if I'm gonna be up here anyway, I may as well brush my teeth." The path of least resistance for him was to avoid the boredom of watching water run down the drain and occupy his time actively brushing his teeth.

The best part about learning human behavior is that we are all predictable, most of the time. In general we will always find an easier way to do things, given the chance. Rather than battle against this basic law of human behavior, accept it and learn to use it in favor of doing the right thing rather than allow people to do the wrong thing. Who knows, you may even find your business runs better and your family gets along better.

My desire is that silly article may spark a thought that improves your interaction with others.

Enjoy the day, its the only one we've got today!

Plein Air Artist Workshop - What to Take and What to Expect Once You Get There

The purpose of going to any workshop is to get away from the daily routine, find new ideas, meet new people, go to a new or different place and come home refreshed, inspired and eager to resume life again. That truly happens when the teacher is sensitive to the needs of each workshop participant, gives demonstrations appropriate to the needs of the class and the participant is open-minded and willing to change.

The artist who paints en plein air, a French term meaning "open air", is one who takes his/her easel to a location and paints some of the scenery. One question arises: Why subject oneself to sunburn, bug bites and the whims of nature when it would be easier to take a photo and sit in a comfortable studio and create the painting? It would, but the painting will not have the energy and feeling of one created on site. Photos are great references, but do not show the depth of field that one can see when out of doors.

Most plein air artists use oils for their paintings, although a few use watercolors and acrylics and even fewer use pastels. We will limit our discussion here to oil painters. If the artist prefers to use a small support, say 4" x 6" to 11" x 14", he/she often uses a Pochade box. This is a small box which contains paint, an area with adjustable clips which holds the support (usually a canvas board or other board), palette, brushes, and a place to store the wet painting during transportation. Pochade boxes come in various sizes and sit on an adjustable tripod. They are light but relatively expensive. The artist might also bring another bag for tripod, paper towels, apron, brush cleaner and a trash bag.

If the artist uses larger supports, she will generally use canvas and a French easel. Inside this easel is room for paints, brushes, brush cleaner, palette, paper towels, trash bag and apron. It has three legs that open, are adjustable, and support the easel for the standing or sitting user. It will also carry the wet painting even if it is very large. A French easel is heavy when loaded with supplies, but relatively inexpensive.

To transport your paintings back home if you paint small, separate cardboard boxes are available for transporting wet paintings and will store several paintings at once. If you paint on canvas and all the canvases are the same size, one method is to put push pins in, say, the upper left and lower right corners of each canvas, put the canvases face to face and tape the corners together using masking tape. Then put them back in the original boxes. (You may have leftover canvases as not as many will fit in the boxes now that push pins are between them.)

Typically, the day will begin with the class assembling and each person introducing themselves. The teacher will give an overview of the class, where it will meet and the time, and do a demonstration illustrating the lesson of the day. Afterward, the members are free to choose their location within a given area and begin painting.

At first this is somewhat overwhelming because the artist might have and 8" x 10" canvas board on which to paint and a panorama of sights from which to choose a scene. To make it easier, the artist has a few choices. She can make a few sketches in her sketch book as to how she thinks the scene will look when painted. She can also use a view finder which will block out all but the desired scene and move it around to get the optimum positioning. The view finder can be as humble as putting one's thumbs and forefingers together to make an opening approximately the shape of her support, or as complicated as a small plastic with a slide that alters the shape of the view from rectangular to square, depending on the shape of the artist's support.

Often the workshop instructor visits each painter once or twice during each session to offer suggestions. After all, he/she wants the painter to be pleased with the finished product. If the instructor has a critique session each day, that's a bonus! Each member of the workshop has a chance to comment on all the paintings created. A critique session can prove to be very helpful to the artist because the many members of the workshop often have ideas that are totally new to the artist. If comments are offered in a positive manner, the workshop participant can go home refreshed and inspired and eager to begin painting.

At Mary's Art, Inc. we have a large variety of original hand painted oil paintings on canvas. these inexpensive, colorful paintings were created en plein air (French for "open air") to capture the feelings and emotions of nature and bring them to you for your enjoyment. They are modern in style, somewhat abstract, and with expressionism overtones. Please visit http://www.murphyartstudio.com and find paintings your whole family will love.

How to Paint Flowers - The Best Way to Begin is Botanical Art

If you are a flower painter who is often frustrated and disappointed by your finished painting, then you need to go back to basics and learn how to draw. Maybe you already have good painting skills, but if you don't know the basic principles of accurate observation and how to build up form through tonal value, you are wasting valuable time - and probably talent too.

How to Paint Flowers - The Best Way to Begin is Botanical Art

Learn how to paint flowers successfully by doing what I did. Learn how to draw. Botanical art is the best way I know of teaching you how to become an able and accurate drawer.

I love botanical art. I run botanical courses and workshops, and sell my flower prints around the world, but before I became a painter of flowers, I first learned how to draw them.

The skill of accurate drawing is vital to botanical art, a magical and increasingly popular art form that I love to teach. Botanical art has its origins in scientific illustration, whose aim is to impart knowledge. Before the advent of photography, the botanical illustrator was the lens of the camera, recording the natural world in all its astonishing beauty and complexity.

The basic principles of creating a believable 3D image on a 2D surface are exactly the same for both painting and drawing. For me the only difference is what you hold in your hand - a paint brush or a pencil.

Drawing and painting are like walking and running: one skill follows naturally from the other. After all, you learnt to walk before you could run, didn't you? First learn how to draw, and then move on to painting. And when you have mastered the skills of painting, then move on again, if you want to, to a more approximate, more impressionistic, more abstract style.

I think all painters should be able to draw competently and accurately - if they have to. Whether they choose to is a different matter. Of course, this is a purely personal opinion, but in its defence, I'd like you to name me one great painter who couldn't draw.

A full-time artist and tutor of botanical illustration, I run courses in botanical drawing and painting, as well as tutoring workshops both in the UK and abroad. Click here to learn more

My paintings are in many private collections, and I have had two solo exhibitions. My flower prints sell worldwide and I also write on botanical art for magazines.

My passion is observational drawing from the natural world. If you would like to join me on one of my courses or workshops, click this link now to find out dates and details http://www.mariannemcphie.co.uk

Marianne McPhie

Give Me a List of Hobbies, Tips For Positive Thinking- Self Help To Fulfill Your Creative Needs

Give me a list of hobbies, I want to fulfill my creative needs. Is that you?

Are you an artist inside trying to find your way outside of that confined box that says you have to have special rules before you can imagine yourself creating art? It seems the story of the week positive thinking is everywhere. Consider that of course as you find that list of hobbies. Next define it as just playing and your approach to having a good time. 10 tips for positive thinking might line up as being all the different facets of art that you can imagine. Maybe you don't need positive thinking hypnosis cds, you just need a feeling of playfulness and a bunch of artists tools and mediums. That is a good reason to have lots of different toys and hobbies, it brings back the kid in you.

What makes you feel happy, sad, or inspired? We are all very complex and what inspires us one day may not the next. Positive thinking can get brushed aside. We as artists, and I include you in that, get frustrated sometimes.

Why did it work yesterday and not today? UG huh?

We hope for a magic formula. Is there one? Kind of I guess. It is different in all of us, so we all have to find those special things for ourselves. The one thing it all has in common though is that feeling of playfulness.

Music.. for one does a whole lot to inspire. You can dance to it and be active or you can just sit back and listen. The The positive thoughts music bring are endless of course.

Writing, I write constantly; poems; thoughts,; a journal; stories. Writing a story or poem lends to all kinds of illustrative ideas, try it.

Nature, one single leaf, if you pick it up and really look at carefully, is sooo amazing! So much more amazing are WE! How it that for keeping positive? You can dry leaves, put them in a journal or even slip one in your pocket to remind you of everyday miracles.

Look for color. I used to paint without using a lot of color.. then a friend talked to me about color and it must have been a perfect day for hearing, because I just started adding color like crazy after that. I squeeze out every color I have and try to use them all in a painting, even if it is just a tiny spot. Colors are amazing.

Matisse said to 'Feel the colors"

Rest in the knowledge that if you feel a desire to be artistic or creative? You are! I believe that 'Desire is talent and the rest is practice'. So practice! We are born with a 'desire' to create, but we must put in some effort, it doesn't just happen.

Draw constantly and create your instincts. Be a Leonardo da Vinci and take a sketchbook with you EVERYWHERE. Anytime you have even 3 minutes, draw! Draw anything at all.. your toe, a leaf, anything.

Be curious, another tip from the master da Vinci. Ask questions.

Feel the day and realize how special you are to be alive in it. Google, give me a list of hobbies, write your own 10 tips for positive thinking plan and you will be on your way to developing everything you need to understand all that creative energy that often gets missed.

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

I paint and sculpt female fantasy art and map fairy tale adventures. I dream of beautiful women on canvas and art of exotic women.

I have illustrated for Hay House Inc.,"Women Who Do Too Much" CARDS, taken from Anne Wilson Schaef's book. I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications. My paintings are collected worldwide.

Giclee canvas art work, greeting cards and posters are available for sale on my website:

http://www.kathysart.com

Sign up for my mailing list for FREE ART GIFTS suitable for children: Drawings of whimsical angel pictures, legends of mermaids and fairies in art. Tiny angels whisper fantasy art for shrink art, or coloring pages. Also a "Letter From the Tooth Fairy", ya just never know when you might need one!

I am Represented by:

Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc., 547 West 27th Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10001

ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz

Check out my Squidoo too: http://www.squidoo.com/kathysart

Childe Hassam - An American Spectrum of Impressionist Versatility

Born on October 17, 1859, at Boston, Massachusetts, Fredrick Childe Hassam or Childe Hassam was a renowned American Impressionist painter, famous especially for the urban and coastal scenes he captured. Paintings, watercolors, etchings, and lithographs, the artist worked through all these mediums. His father Frederick was a cutlery merchant, while his mother Rosa was a homemaker. Childe showed interest in art since his early childhood. His flair emerged at Mather Public School in the form of drawing and painting, which his parents nearly ignored. In 1872, a huge fire swallowed Frederick's business. To help him out, Hassam dropped out of school and took up an accounting job with the publisher Little Brown & Company. However, his low inclination in the job led Frederick to find something for him in art. Hassam soon started working with a wood engraver George Johnson. He proved his mettle by producing competent designs and images for letterheads and newspapers.

In 1879, Hassam started producing oil paintings, while watercolors stayed as his preferred medium. He would mostly capture outdoor scenes. In 1882, Hassam took up freelance illustration as his career and established his first studio. He specialized in illustrating children's stories for various high profile magazines, such as Harper's Weekly, Scribner's Monthly, and The Century. All this while, the artist continued his drawing training at the Lowell Institute, a division of MIT, Boston and painting classes at the Boston Art Club. In 1882, Hassam held his first solo exhibition of watercolors at the Williams and Everett Gallery, Boston. In 1883, he along with his American Illustrator friend Edmund H. Garrett (1853-1929), travelled through Europe to study their art style. He created some 64 watercolor works, which he exhibited in 1884. When back to Boston, he married Kathleen Doan.

Childe Hassam ventured into cityscapes from mid-1880s. 'A Black Road' (1884) and 'Boston Common at Twilight' (1885) are some of his famous initial works in the field. As his oil works improved, the artist decided to quit illustration. Before that, the Hassam couple settled down in Paris. The artist joined Academie Julian to study figurative art. Soon, he reverted to self-study. In the autumn of 1887, Hassam painted two versions of 'Grand Prix Day,' employing a breakthrough change of palette. Inspired from French Impressionism, his colors were soft and diffuse, flooding the scenes with light. Free brush strokes added further finesse to the effect.

In 1889, the Hassam couple settled down in the New York City, the art capital of the U.S., to associate with artists, dealers, and collectors. They took a studio apartment at Fifth Avenue and Seventeenth. One of his first New York oils 'Fifth Avenue in Winter' is dedicated to the view from this studio. Childe played an important role in the evolution of American Impressionism. In 1897, Hassam participated in the secession of Impressionists from the Society of American Artists. He even formed a new American society, The Ten, in the same year. In 1906, he was elected Academician of the National Academy of Design, New York. In 1910, Hassam painted his exceptional piece 'July Fourteen.' In 1913, Hassam displayed his six paintings at the Armory Show. The same year, he displayed his 38 works at the Panama-Pacific Exhibition. His most famous paintings are the 'Flag' series, dedicated to & made during the World War I (1914-18). Childe Hassam died in East Hampton in 1935 at age 75.

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. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited.

Picture Communication and to Do Lists For Kids With Sensory Issues Or Autism

Children with sensory processing issues, or organizational challenges, may have trouble keeping routines and agendas straight. Encourage sensory kids, even preverbal or nonverbal ones, to work with To Do lists!

Many people are able to organize their day and prioritize their activities without having to refer to a To Do list. Others enjoy the satisfaction of checking off each task on the list as they complete it. Kids with sensory issues often have tremendous difficulty with organization and should be encouraged to create and work with To Do lists for chores, homework, and appointments. Having visual evidence that there's a lot to be done before the television goes on will help them stay focused on the tasks they need to complete.

Visual or picture To Do lists, which use stick figures, simple line drawings, or photographs to illustrate what is on the agenda, can be very helpful for a child who is unable to read. A To Do list provides clarity about what the future holds and helps build the child's ability to sequence tasks. One child may do fine with a morning routine To Do list that has line drawings for eating breakfast, washing up, brushing his teeth, taking his vitamins, getting dressed, brushing his hair, putting on his backpack, and walking with a parent to the bus stop. Another child might need to have a particular activity broken down into steps: for washing hands, her To Do list might have a sequence of drawings that illustrate turning on the tap, wetting the hands, using soap, rinsing the hands, turning off the faucet, and drying the hands.

In addition to using visual To Do lists during the course of an average day, you can make a unique list of the tasks to be completed while you and your child are out and about. If your child sees that photograph of the bank and then the photo of the grocery store, she will feel a sense of control as she is taken from one environment to the next. You might even ask her to "read" what's next on the list.

To Do lists in school can be helpful for everyday activities and special events such as field trips. Have students check the agenda throughout the day and cross off completed tasks. If your child's class doesn't have a visual agenda, make one for your child. You may be surprised by how much easier it is for your child to stay on task when she can see her agenda in front of her.

Copyright © 2012 Nancy Peske

Nancy Peske is an author and editor and the parent of a child who at age 2 was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and multiple developmental delays. Coauthor of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, available from Penguin Books, Nancy offers information and support on her blog and website at http://www.sensorysmartparent.com She has been active in the SPD community since 2002.

Try The Lily That Climbs

Widespread use of Gloriosa rothschildiana in the florist trade, especially for corsage and bowl arrangements, is bringing the arresting beauty of these exotic, tropical, African bulb-vine flowers to the attention of many thousands of American flower lovers who might otherwise never have seen them outside of Florida and choice greenhouse collections in the North.

At this time several Florida growers are supplying Gloriosa flowers to the northern florist trade, the blooms being shipped air express to leading cities in the East and Mid-West. They arc also a major adornment of flower gardens around the subtropical Gulf Coast, especially in central Florida, where they were introduced from England some 41 years ago by the late Dr. Henry Nehrling, pioneer Florida plan tsman.

The flower of G. rothschildiana is not unlike a slender and symmetrical tiger lily, with recurred segments brilliantly patterned in scarlet and yellow, the whole flower gradually deepening in color to crimson as it matures.

G. rothschildiana tubers can be handled like gladiolus in culture: planted, grown to blooming stage, ripened off and dug two or three times a year in warm climates. As the vines are tropical and tender to frost, this procedure cannot be used in the North except in the greenhouse. However, more and more northern gardeners are growing Gloriosa outdoors in the Summer by planting the tubers in the late Spring when the ground is warm and digging them before severe cold weather arrives in the Fall.

The Gloriosa tribe includes several other species of which only Gloriosa superba, G. planti (G. virescens, G. simplex) and G. carsoni are grown in the United States at this time.

Gloriosa superba is fairly common in Florida gardens. It is a graceful climbing tuberous-rooted vine, with slender leaves, growing six or eight feet tall at maturity.

Characteristic of all Gloriosa species are the curling tendrils at the tips of the leaves by which the plant takes support in climbing up a string, wire or trellis. In the wild, this method of fastening enables it to clamber through brush and undergrowth to the light. When firmly fastened to an object by these tendrils, the plant is anchored as firmly as if it were tied with string. The leaf will tear before the tendril will let go. The sideways projection of t he style is another peculiarity of the genus.

The tubers of most Gloriosa species are distinct, being most closely related to the nearby genera, Littonia and Sandersonia, both of South African origin. Gloriosas are of African origin, too, although G. superba is also recorded from southern Asia, and is common in India from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas. In the case of G. rothschildiana, G. superba and G. carsoni, the tubers are U or V-shaped, plump and brown at full growth. They are fragile and must be handled carefully in order to protect the bud-eyes on the tips of the tubers.

The tubers of G. planti, as it is generally called in America, although the older authors class it as a synonym of G. simplex of Linnaeus and 0. virescens of Lindley, arc still more strange. They are usually of pencil thickness, or slightly larger, and wander through the soil aimlessly, curling like a snake, and extending up to two feet in length. They are difficult to dig without damage to the tuber. In commercial practice only one arm of the Gloriosa tuber is sold and the other retained by the grower for planting stock.

Gloriosa rothschildiana can be grown in the Northern garden in Summer under gladiolus culture with excellent results. G. planti can be handled in the same way, although it and G. superba have a longer growing season and are not recommended for outside planting in the North without further experimentation along these lines.

Gloriosa bulbs want a fertile but well-drained, sandy, loam soil and do well in lighter types, if fortified with a little commercial fertilizer before planting. They do not require manures or compost as these may be injurious to them, causing scab or bulb rot. In storage, the tubers should be kept moderately cool and dry, preferably covered with peat, vermiculite or other warm, insulating material. If stored in cold, damp conditions they will lose vitality and may rot entirely.

Gloriosa superba was introduced into England from Holland before 1700 by Lord Portland. It was known to Linnaeus and described by him under that name in his Species Plantarum of 1753. Linnaeus also described a second species, with blue flowers and no tendrils on the leaves, under the name G. simplex (because of the lack of tendrils). This species was never seen by Linnaeus personally but was described from the "Gloriosa coerulea" description in Miller's Dictionary, 8th edition.

Reference to Miller's Dictionary reveals that the plant was not seen by him in bloom, either, but was growing in a greenhouse in England at that time as a climbing plant from Senegal, believed to be a Gloriosa with blue flowers. The seed had been obtained from the gardener to the King of France.

No trace of the outcome of the mystery can be found in the literature. Certainly all Gloriosas as known today have definite tendrils in the mature foliage, and no Gloriosa is known from Senegal or anywhere else with blue flowers, so it is possible that upon further study, Linnaeus' Gloriosa simplex may be an invalid species.

All the Gloriosas may be grown in small tubs or large flat pots or bulb pans as they are called. In small pots the new tubers are likely to damage themselves by banging their noses against the sides of the pots; many times this pressure is strong enough to destroy the growing points. The vines may be tied to a string, wire or bamboo stake while growing, or they may be permitted to clamber over an adjacent shrub or piece of brush. Without support they will topple over when two or three feet tall and become unsightly. We have tried to even grow some under LED grow lights with some success.

G. virescens was first described in 1825 as a "greenish-flowered" Gloriosa from Mozambique. The original illustration in the Botanical Magazine shows the foliage with strong leaf tendrils and a flower very similar, if not identical, to the G. planti grown in America and Europe today. The name G. planti came a few years later and was based on a plant sent to England in 1851 from Natal by a Mr. R. W. Plant. It is usually classed as a variety of G. virescens.

The flower of G. planti is smaller than that of G. rothschildiana but of similar shape, having broad petals only slightly waved or crisped. The crisping is most notable in G. superba. The coloring of planti is yellow and orange, and the flower is paler in shady places or under glass. When first opened, it is sometimes entirely yellow, but deepens in color in a few days. There is a yellow variety of G. superba which opens clear creamy yellow in tone and deepens to tawny red as the flower ripens. This variety is found occasionally in G. superba plantings in Florida and the effort is being made to separate a selected strain. It is a handsome thing at its hest.

G. carsoni is a modern species first described in 1895 by J. G. Baker from East Central Africa. It has slender leaves and an elegant, tall, free-flowering habit like G. superba, the blooms being less crisped and claret red and yellow in color. It is an attractive species, not showy and spectacular like G. rothschildiana, but graceful and appealing. It first bloomed in Florida during the 1949 on plants grown, by Ralph Seymour Cammack of Maitland and from bulbs obtained in England and Holland. G. carsoni makes large tubers, but not as large as G. rothschildiana, which may produce them as thick as one's wrist and as long as the forearm under optimum conditions.

G. planti as grown in America is a branching semi-dwarf type, two to three feet tall, with handsome wide, glossy, bright green leaves and abundant, recurved orange-red and yellow flowers, exactly like the illustrations of O. virescens in the old English garden papers. It seeds readily and may be the source of interesting hybrid types if present experiments prove successful. One grower has already reported success in hybridizing Gloriosas.

The main blooming season for Gloriosa species is the late Summer. G. rothschildiana may be had in bloom every month of the year in a frost-free climate, and commercial flower producers dig and plant the bulbs regularly throughout the year to have a steady sequence of flowers. Greenhouse growth of Gloriosa rothschildiana in the North in Winter may ultimately prove satisfactory.

G. rothschildiana is the most recent discovery of all the species commonly grown and was first described in 1903 in the Gardener's Chronicle by James O'Brien, who sent the first tubers to Dr. Nehrling in Florida shortly afterward. The plant had bloomed for the Hon. Walter Rothschild, M.P., at Tring Park, England, from tubers collected in Uganda by Maj. H. B. Rattray. It was immediately recognized as the most handsome and brilliant species of the genus and created a sensation in Europe when shown.

Gloriosa bulbs are propagated by parting the tubers at an angle in the Spring before planting and from seed. G. superba, G. planti and G. carsoni seed well; G. rothschildiana will seed fairly well under hand pollination. The seeds need a ripening period before planting and will give a better germination after a year than when planted immediately.

What better time than right now to explore and learn more on the subjects such as LED grow lights. Take advantage of our years of experience, visit gardenlightingproducts.com.

The Church at Auvers

The painting "The Church at Auvers" is dramatic in its form. The land in front of the church is lit up by the light of day. The rays of the sun reach the ground here, and lush green vegetation thrives as a result. However, as we move closer to the church, the rays of the sun disappear as the church seems to rest in its own shadow. No light reaches or is reflected from this dismal building. The angles of the church building also seem warped, as if by an unholy hand. The roof beams are not strait and neither are the tiles and this warped exterior gives the church a somewhat menacing look. A threatening sky can also be seen rising behind the church, further illustrating this feeling of impending doom.

The deep brush strokes of Van Gogh are visible throughout the painting, both on the sunlit road, on the wavy growth in front of the church and on the roof of the church itself. The brush strokes depicting the sky are also visible and help create a movement in the sky above the church which helps to create the menacing impression. It is the sort of church one would mostly expect to find in a nightmare, and it cannot be ruled out that Van Gogh, at this stage in his life and with his sanity in question, could have indeed felt as if he was living in exactly such a nightmare.

But the painting can also somewhat refer to Van Gogh's own religious career. After having been dismissed from the evangelical career he had earlier envisioned, he wrote his brother Theo how the church seemed to emphasize "empty and unenlightened preaching". This is also the sort of preaching one could probably find in this particular warped Church.

Another feature of "The Church at Auvers" is how two paths are diverging in front of the church. One peasant in the painting has already chosen the left of these paths. The presence of diverging paths is also found in "Wheatfield with Crows" by Van Gogh. We see these crossroads in Van Gogh's art at a time when the artist himself must be said to have been at a crossroad, deciding whether to fight for his sanity or give in to the impulses of his insanity. It is a recurring theme for Van Gogh as both sides battle for his soul in the last year of his life.

It should also be noted that the interpretive look of the church, as it was probably not quite as warped in reality, is based on the expression Van Gogh wanted to create. As such, the painting helps illustrate why Van Gogh was so important in the movement towards expressionism and why modern art still owes him a debt of gratitude.

The ominous look of "The Church at Auvers" has inspired the paintings use in popular culture. In the British TV drama "Doctor Who", the good doctor e.g. spots an evil creature in the window of the painting and decided to go back in time to the time when The Church at Auvers was painted.

For those without time machines, the painting can today be seen at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, France.

To see a online gallery of hand painted oil painting reproductions from all the great artists please check out the site which has a wide selection of Van Gogh Reproductions.

The Advantages of Using a Bedtime Routine Chart in Your Home

You put your child to sleep. You walk into the living room and the child follows behind. It is a normal routine for many families. Bedtime is difficult for many children. Seeing a child a few times each night as they come out for one more hug or scoot out of the hallway to say they miss you - this is pretty normal for most families. Allowing children to keep themselves up late sets poor habits and leads to a difficult struggle to get through the following day.

In the midst of the struggles to get a child to bed, parents understand they are losing valuable sleep time. They know that a lost hour of sleep will turn into a tired and grumpy child the next day. The evening battle of wills will cause a child to wake up the next morning cranky and fighting their parents through the next day.

Children need a rhythm to their day. From morning to evening, it is important that young children are easily moving from one transition to another with ease. This is even more important as the day wraps up in the evening. Children and parents are tired from the long day and need every tool available to make bedtime smooth and comfortable.

A bedtime routine chart can be a helpful tool assisting parents and children to find a rhythm to bedtime. The chart will lay out the final steps of the day from changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, and hearing a story in bed. The chart can use illustrations of each step of the bedtime routine. If you use interchangeable labels, children can have an opportunity to put their parts of the routine in order with help from the parents. Giving children a chance to have a say in their evening routine can go a long way in giving ownership to the sometimes stubborn child.

In our home, we have used charts for the daytime and bedtime. Our bedtime routine chart has a picture of an owl perched on a tree limb. To the side sits five magnets ready to receive the activity labels - which are golden stars. We have found that nice homemade charts bring much more appeal than a simple printed off sheet found on the internet. While you can add more activity labels, we use some that are fairly generic - brush teeth, put on pj's, go to the bathroom, story time, bath time, etc. My wife has drawn illustrations on each label so that both child and parent can "read" the label.

While no chart or routine will make each evening 100% perfect, we have found a helpful amount of rhythm in using our charts in our home. Our child appreciates the appeal and has made a connection to the owl. Just this past week, he spent several days using his imagination as he said he was an owl - even to the point of sharing what little animal parts you could find in his pellets (such an imagination).

If you would like to create your own chart, head to your local craft store and even take your child with you to help. If you are not the crafty type, you might search on the internet to see if you could purchase one for yourself. In our home, we have tried to stay away from simple free internet printouts. We want the chart to become part of our home and our evening routine. It will need to be sturdy enough to make it through the basic abuse brought upon it by both my son and his younger brother. Best wishes to your family and may your adventure towards evening simplicity be a blessing on your home.

To learn more about bedtime routine charts, visit A Kid's Day - a small family owned business creating handmade visual schedules and charts for families.

Photoshop Tutorial - Photoshop Tutorial to Turn Your Photos Into Watercolor Paintings

I cannot say enough good things about my best friend in the digital world: Photoshop. Suffice to say, I love it! As a Graphic Designer, I use it in 99% of all my projects, and now I enjoy using what I do to make Photoshop Tutorials for others.

You don't need to be a professional or even and "artist" to create works of art. Nowadays, you don't even have to know how to draw! I intend to create a series of tutorials to illustrate several ways to use this program for creating beautiful pictures and illustrations just by using photographs. In this particular tutorial, I will be showing you how to turn photos into watercolor paintings in a few easy steps.

The only materials needed to follow along with this tutorial are:

--Photoshop. I use Photoshop CS3, but you can use whichever version you have.

--A photo. Either a photo of your own or a stock photo. Some really good stock photos can be found for free at Stock Exchange.

That's it! I find a graphic tablet a nice tool for all work I do in Photoshop and they are fairly cheap these days, but it is definitely not necessary.

This tutorial does assume that you have some basic knowledge of Photoshop. Having a basic "beginner knowledge" of the program will help a lot. Also, there is a link in my bio for you to see photos that walk you through everything.

1. Open Photoshop. Then go to File-->Open, select the picture you want to work with and then hit "Open".

2. On the layers palette (on the right side), right click on the "Background Layer" and select duplicate. Do this twice.

3. Click on the first duplicate layer (this should be your middle layer), then go to Image-->Adjustments-->Desaturate . Then click on the second duplicate layer(your top layer) and do the same.

4. On the top layer, go to Image-->Adjustments-->Invert.

5. Still on the top Layer, set the blending mode (located within the layer palette, looks like this: ) to "Color Dodge".

6. Still on the top Layer, got to Filter-->Other-->Minimum and set the radius to 1.

6. Now duplicate the bottom layer(the one that still has color) one more time and drag it to the top of your layers. Go to Filter-->Blur-->Gaussian and set the radius number in the box anywhere between 1 and 5. Usually the more detailed the picture, the lower you will want to set the radius. Then set the layer blending mode to "Multiply".

7. Select the Paint Brush Tool, select the soft round or "fuzzy" brush shape at the top and set the size to fit whatever area you are working on. Set the opacity to 20%.

Go to Layer-->New Layer and name your final layer whatever you wish and hit "OK".

Then select the color you wish to paint with and paint the area to improve or change colors.

Each picture you do will have different results. Have fun playing with different levels and colors! I hope you found this Photoshop tutorial easy to follow. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Of things are better when you have pictures to follow, so I put together a set of free reference pictures to go along with this. They can be found here

Educational Shower Curtains

As children we are naturally curious, but we all retain a certain amount of curiosity as we age. We are able to absorb information if it is presented in a clear, easy to understand form and repeated. So, if you have an educational shower curtain in your bathroom and you visit the bathroom every day you will slowly start to absorb and remember the information presented. Most of life's basic knowledge is discovered at an early age and usually forgotten by the time we're adults. Amazingly enough we call have a natural curiosity that allows us to continually absorb everything around us. One of the easiest ways to learn and remember something is to see it over and over again. Whether you're brushing your teeth, having a shower or soaking in the bath tub you're bound to look at your shower curtain and have fun soaking up some cool facts without even trying.

Shower curtains can be educational if you choose the right one. Educational curtains are designed to be fun and with colourful illustrations look great in the bathroom too. Simple Memory Art (SMART) designs are amongst the most popular and they are available from Amazon for only $29.95. With an educational curtain you will bring a learning experience into your home.

Educational Shower Curtains:

- World map

- Water cycle

- Metamorphosis

- Periodic table

- Dinosaurs

- London underground

- Top 500 SAT words

- Travel destinations

- World flags

From learning about the water cycle and metamorphosis to familiarising yourself with the London Underground or New York subway routes. The water cycle is well illustrated with clear easy to read and understand labels. View the transformation of a tadpole into a frog and a caterpillar into a butterfly with the cool metamorphosis curtain. Familiarise yourself with the top 500 SAT words, brush up on your Spanish vocabulary or memorise the periodic table. World maps, with or without flags and travel destinations will allow you to become an expert Geographer. Other maps include: DC transit, San Francisco, Jersey, Washington DC, Boston and Chicago subways. What about a Hawaii state map or a detailed map of California. One of my favourites especially if you know someone who is a palaeontologist is the dinosaur shower curtain. Great for young dinosaur fans too as they can learn about dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals from this fascinating shower curtain. Get it gift wrapped with a personal message and shipped direct to the receiver for a special surprise.

View educational shower curtain images, product and customer reviews at Educational Shower Curtains

Or for more inspiration try Shower Curtains 4U

Make-Up Kits

Make up kits are compact kits containing the latest and best make up products and accessories at affordable prices. They come in beautiful colors and shapes and look elegant on your dressing table. Most high quality make up products help you to maintain a fresh look throughout the day. Make up products are great for concealing birthmarks, varicose and spider veins, acne, age spots, freckles, dark eye circles, tattoos, bruises etc. In most make up kits, the make up brushes are color coded to the make up in the face disk. This helps you always to know which brush goes with which product. Various special offers are provided by most companies.

Make up kits contain eye shadows, blushers, brush sets, and two-way cake and lip gloss sets. Most of the kits are available with mirrors.

Make up kits are available for different categories of people. Thus you have student make up kits with color set powder, sponge applicators, stipple sponge, powder puff, flat brush, eyebrow pencil, and instructions. Dancers' make up kits are meant exclusively for dancers. These contain professional quality makeup, applicators along with an illustrated instruction booklet created by makeup artists. Then there are the theatrical make up kits meant for stage professionals. These contain modeling putty/wax, application guides, hair white, latex, spirit gum, crepe hair, stage blood, powder puff and powder brush. Certain make up kits for special purposes such as clown kits, cat kits, skull kits, old age kits, severe trauma kits, vampire make up kits, werewolf kits and witch kits are also available. Partyware make up kits form another category which contain party hats, straps, mats and decorative items which help you personalize your own party.

If your profession demands frequent travel, you can choose to buy portable plastic make up kits with all necessary make up items. These come in attractive colors and compact shapes pleasing to the eye.

Make Up provides detailed information on Make Up, Eye Make Up, Make Up Tips, Make Up Mirrors and more. Make Up is affiliated with Nail Care [http://www.Nails-Web.com].

Off the Walls - Graffiti in the Gallery

The only way I know that the illustrator, designer and street artist Toofly's real name is Maria Castillo is because that's the name displayed with her e-mail address. I suppose I should be more cautious and say that I assume that it's her real name. Frankly, I didn't think it was important enough to ask her about.

The lady is getting a lot of ink these days. Maybe we need a new term for that; let's say she's propagating billions of editorial pixels. That would be in addition to the untold gazillions of pixels that her art generates on computer screens around the world, those well-lit but low-resolution 2D images that, try as they might, just can't quite do justice to the lady's work as seen in Real Life.

Started with comics Let's back up a bit as long as we're talking Real Life, and hip you to Toofly growing up in Corona, Queens (New York) "around some Italians and a lot of South American and Dominican families, in a small little one-family house" with her grandparents, mom, uncle, aunts and younger cousin. Toofly liked drawing as far back as she could remember, and confesses that she would "sneak into my uncle's room and grab his X-Men comics and try to draw some of the female characters, especially Jean Grey."

Those were the early days, the artist recalls, of "discovering what a strong female looked like." Soon enough, when Toofly started at New York's High School of Fashion Industries in 1991, she would discover what a strong female acted like, too. "I was taking fashion design classes but realized that I would much rather draw and paint than sew clothes. When I walked into a classroom with walls full of graffiti tags and character illustrations, that did it for me. I had discovered what I was meant to do."

Street walls to Wall Street Toofly has since taken her street-wall sensibility into areas that Wall Street can relate to, like commerce. "I do a lot of everything these days," she says, "and there's always something new I'm doing. My freelance pretty much supports me, and everything else is extra fun stuff." Even with her illustrations licensed for all manner of t-shirts, bags, totes and prints, she doesn"t claim to have "made it big," and admits, "I just recently arrived to the gallery scene, and little by little I'm starting to send my press kit and proposals around to various corporations for those big commission deals. It's got to be right though," Toofly asserts, "because I'm not just going to do anything for money."

Still, the fact she can make money today -- with an art style born of equal parts bravado, talent and, quite often, misdemeanor trespass -- testifies to her persistence as well as savvy marketing skills. It is also good timing for artists of her ilk to go legit, as the march of progress has made itself known in many urban areas by the presence of video surveillance cameras and other anti-graffiti measures. Whether it's on canvas, a brick wall or a greeting card, Toofly says, art is still art. "I still have a purpose, and the freedom to dream up my own reality, and no one can take that away from me."

Toofly has plenty of tools -- spray cans, brushes, pens, crayons, chalk, mop heads, whatever works -- and plenty of influences too, "from all over the place," she says, "like fashion photography, graphic design and various contemporary and historic artists." Comic (excuse me, graphic novel) illustrators like Jim Lee and Scott Campbell are faves, as she "grew up drawing their female characters." Boris Vallejo's fantasy painting was a strong influence, but perhaps the greatest influence was graffiti writer Sabe -- "because," Toofly admits, "if it weren't for his drawings and tags in those classrooms I may have ended up somewhere else."

The Muses knock on a lot of doors at Toofly's house. "I'm moved by emotional music," Toofly says, "whether it's Led Zeppelin, Muse or Mary J. Blige love songs. I also listen to freestyle and 90s hip-hop classics to get me back to my roots." The lady is a virtual melting pot herself, and the rhythms of her life and times are easily discerned in the characters she draws, taut as coiled springs, energy ready to blow up into something new and unexpected.

Enjoying "every good moment" Besides all her work that people can find on the web (just the term "artist Toofly" will get you well over a thousand hits), she has some group gallery shows coming up, graffiti productions throughout New York's five boroughs and various events where the artist will paint live or speak. Toofly is also starting to sell her line of products and art prints on her own site as well as different boutiques and lifestyle shops in the U.S., Europe and, soon, Japan.

Toofly has her priorities in order. She is involved in organizing and promoting youth workshops of various kinds, helping kids find places to create their art without ending up on video security tapes, trying to give back to the community that nurtured her. "I was given a chance to experience life, good and bad, to learn and have fun in it," she reflects. "You have to accept that things do not last forever, so try to enjoy every good moment you can create. It helps to know that at the end of the day, I can fall and get up again, and if it's not meant for me anymore, then that's okay too."

Toofly's art [http://www.tooflydesign.com/bio.html], her vision, is uniquely hers, and doesn't ask to be compared or contrasted, just accepted for what it is -- which is all she asks for herself, as well. "All of this and the freedom to do art unapologetically?" she muses. "It's very inspiring."

By Scott McQuarrie, representing the EZWatch Pro brand, a leading provider of computer based Security Camera Systems for business, commercial and government applications.

An Interview With Yeva Babayan - Artist

She designed one of the first campaigns for major fashion label, Juicy Couture and has side fascination with metaphysics. Just your typical California girl...or not. Graphic designer, Yeva Babayan brings a touch of exotic class to her edgy illustrations. Check out the interview from this bright young artist!

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?

I was born and raised in Armenia during the Soviet Union era, came to America at the age of 10 and have been happily living in Glendale California ever since. Frequently I fantasize of living in New York, but the weather keeps pulling me back to Cali.

At what age did you begin illustrating? And when did it become a profession?

I honestly believe I started illustrating while still in my mother's womb. I knew from a very young age that art, in whatever form, would be my profession. In high school I attended the Pasadena Art Center College of Design art program and decided then to apply to their graphic design program. A great way to produce commercially viable work infused with illustration.

What people (artist or otherwise), places or things inspire you, and how? Salvador Dali has always been my greatest inspiration. His work is very metaphysical and never ending, There are infinite worlds in one painting, up for infinite interpretations, which in turn makes it timeless.

Essentially I'm mostly inspired by nothingness, and the phenomenon of rising forms within the nothingness. I usually create best when I stop thinking and let things flow, with no control or premeditation, then whatever comes out I build on. Seemingly insignificant things yield the grandest inspirations.

I'm also inspired by ancient civilizations, African tribes, their traditions, languages and body art.

Are you professionally trained or were you self taught?

I think an artist intuitively possess all the skills they will ever need to create. I've gone through classes in college that teach the "appropriate" way to hold a brush or use certain tools, but I don't think art or creation can really be taught because it's so personal. A teacher can pass on their technical skills, experience and views, but you are you're own best teacher, and in that respect I'm self taught.

What are your most used 'tools of the trade' (i.e markers, pens, etc)

At the moment I love watercolors. It's one medium that carries a lot of freedom and can be used with the least amount of control, which is something I'm a big fan of.

The infamous black ink pen has always been one of my favorite tools. But overall, I think the project dictates the tools to be used. One time I accidentally left a cup of Yerba Mate tea on the stove and was too lazy to clean it up, the next morning when it was all dry, it looked amazing, so for a week I was obsessed with painting with tea.

What are you working on at the moment?

I'm working on a series of paintings exploring the composition of the human body as it is constructed out of the predominant thought patterns a person holds. This is a personal project.

Can you tell us a little more about your 'Juicy Couture' pieces?

It was amazing working on this project as the brand was just taking off and there was no point of reference as far as "keeping on brand", which gave me total freedom to literally do whatever I wanted. The only thing I had to work with was the brand slogans, other then that it was complete mayhem. At the time they were my dream client! Each poster was born out of my interpretation of the slogans, and each interpretation would spring out of the most random things I would hear, see, feel and encounter that day.

What are your other interests beside art?

I love metaphysics, and read everything I can get my hands on. The human mind and the possibilities of it's use have always fascinated me. Foreign cinema and discovering new music is definitely a favorite pastime. Traveling and eating is something I love to indulge in as well, I'm a total foodie.

What is the worst parts of being a full time, working artist?

Well, the worst is realizing that at times the work flow can be so overwhelming that it seems my entire life is spent in the confines of my studio while there is a whole world out there to see and discover. I get a little claustrophobic, then get over it and dive back into the work.

And the best?

The best part is doing what you love and getting paid for it. The work is never repetitive and its beautiful to always be faced with a new challenge to solve. New ways to look at things, and know that what I'm doing is in some way touching or influencing another's life.

Any advice to up and coming artists?

Don't ever compromise your vision.

And there you have it, thanks for your contribution Yeva! We hope to see more of you.

Check out Yeva's other work at Website: [http://www.yevalution.com/]

To view this article with the original images visit http://designtavern.com/2008/11/12/yeva-babayan-artist/

Design Tavern http://www.designtavern.com

The Top Photo Editing Software Is Still Photoshop

Over time since Photoshop initially became available, several different companies have attempted to make photo editing software to contend with it, however, pretty much all have failed. Microsoft even tried bundling Corel with all the PCs it was selling and even that didn't work. Individuals who purchased those personal computers still acquired and mounted Photoshop and would either uninstall the Corel or just never use it again. Photo editing software just does not get much better than Photoshop. Regardless if you are a novice only trying to make your Facebook pictures look better or a professional photographer you'll appreciate all to the impressive stuff that Photoshop can do.

With all the digital cameras available around the world in these days, downloading images directly into Photoshop has totally replaced scanning, sending scanner sales and prices falling. So, who needs a scanner when there aren't any hard copy prints anymore? The days are gone of driving to the store and dropping off your roll of film to be processed. Even pros who had their own darkroom are now able to digitally download photos right from their very costly, high-end digital SLRs. No more working in the dark with poisonous chemicals and messing with paper prints. A lot of printers offered today can print high-resolution images straight onto photo paper in various sizes so all the user needs to do is download the images straight from their digital camera to the photo editing software, adjust the levels, then print out the digitally retouched photo. What a time saver!

The photo editing software that you obtain when you buy Photoshop is second to none when it comes to various stuff that you can do to your photos. Most people will never use the advanced functions of Photoshop like learning how to mathematically alter the curves so the image is retouched to Art Director specs, but it is nice to know you could if you need to.

Designers and Graphic Artists love Photoshop as it is the easiest to use digital tool in making drop dead gorgeous collages and photo illustrations. There are some outstanding artists using Photoshop as their canvas and creating awe inspiring works of art. Galleries all over the world right now feature the work of these modern-day artists who earn a living manipulating pictures in Photoshop.

The fundamental concept of Photoshop is the fact that you can use it to improve or add to a genuine picture. In the same manner, Photoshop can be used to add things such as color or light. Photo editing software such as Photoshop enables you to use Filters in order to retouch and modify existing photographs and illustrations. You can run a photograph through one of these digital filters, such as Brush Strokes, or Charcoal and the end result will look like a brush stroked painting or even a charcoal drawing. You can also make photos negative or polarize them. You can saturate colors or improve colors completely. Pretty much anything you want to do can be done in Photoshop, the world's best photo editing software.

There are so many websites that offer various forms of advice on how to use Green Screen Background but most of them are not very detailed or specific. Make sure to check out my own reviews and posts on all you need to learn about Green Screen before following other advice.

Eyeshadow Application Tips For Cross Dressers

Many consider eyes to be one of a woman's most beautiful features. No matter how far you go back in history, women have always been illustrated with large, beautiful eyes.

Quite understandably, you will also want to make the most of your eyes - especially if it helps you look and feel more feminine. Of course, the fact that beautiful eyes can distract from a number of facial flows gives you yet another reason to really get to work on these assets.

Eyeshadow allows you to really accentuate the eyes by adding color and making them look bigger, brighter and more beautiful. Nowadays eyeshadow is available in pressed, liquid and stick forms. You can also buy frosted, bright and sparkly eyeshadows that can be used for special occasions. Cross dressers can expect to have a lot of fun experimenting with eyeshadow to create the perfect look. The options are endless and the pleasure unlimited!

The important thing to remember is that there are no real hard and fast rules, so you can be creative. Makeup books and magazines can give lots of ideas, and many cosmetics companies offer useful hints and tips.

If you're new to dressing, I would suggest that you start with fairly natural colors until you get the hang of applying eye makeup, as it can be a little tricky to master. You can usually buy eyeshadow as individual colors or as a palette of 2, 3 or even 4 shades. A trio set would be a good starting point. These usually contain three shades of eyeshadow - light, medium and dark. The good thing is that the colors are from the same color family, which removes the guesswork.

For perfect eyeshadow application, start with the medium toned shadow and apply this all over the eyelid. Then apply the darker color to the outside edge of the eye and the crease. This draws the lid out, thereby creating the illusion of a larger eye. Finally, apply the light tone to the center of the eyelid and the brow bone. This adds emphasis and creates a sparkle around the eyes.

Always remember to blend the colors well as solid blocks of color give a harsh look. It's advisable to use makeup brushes for eyeshadow application, rather than the sponge applicators that eyeshadows often come with. The correct tools allow the job to be tackled with precision and ease, and definitely give a more professional finish.

Good brushes can be expensive, but they make a very worthwhile investment. You can usually buy them individually, which means you can build up a collection over time. For perfect eyeshadow application you will need a medium head eyeshadow brush and a medium sized round tapered brush for the crease area.

If you're keen to advance your eyeliner technique, then a small angled liner brush would also be a wise purchase. This is used for softening harsh lines, applying wet or dry eyeliner and for blending eye pencil. Eyeshadow can be instrumental in helping to create a feminine image. By mastering the technique, you can easily create a look to suit your mood. Daytime, dramatic, sophisticated or sexy - the choice is yours!

For more information on male to female makeup and some great tips and advice on creating the perfect feminine appearance, visit http://www.Cross-Dressing-Secrets.com.

What You Can Do to Learn How to Paint

There was a time in some European countries when it was a must to learn how to paint. This wasn't just a sign of an elevated social position but also an indication of good breeding and education. Even to this day, these may still be good reasons to take up the brush.

Aspiring modern artists can have less elevated reasons for wanting to render scenes the way art masters do. Some just want to become good painters because they want to appear sophisticated. This can be a good way to impress other people especially potential dates. There are however, still some other individuals who want to discover art because they want to express themselves constructively especially if they are unable to do so through other acceptable means. Also when you learn painting, you give yourself a great opportunity to simply unwind and relax from the stresses of the daily grind.

There is one obvious way to discover how to wield the brush. You can learn from a master. In days gone by, this meant becoming an apprentice of an expert painter. Today, you don't have to do the same thing. You can instead enroll in art classes which can just about produce the same results. Of course, this would mean having to spend a fair amount of cash.

If you can't afford to go to school, the next best option is to learn by yourself. If you have an eye for detail and perhaps you are also a little blessed with natural talent, you can copy masterpieces first. Once you are confident that you can learn how to paint on your own, you can start producing your own works.

There are some individuals who might not be able to manage by copying. This doesn't mean self education isn't possible. If you find it hard to work entirely on your own, you can invest in a couple of informative DVDs or e-books. Depending on the instructional material that you pick, you can quickly get a grasp of basic concepts through illustrations, explanations and demonstrations.

If you don't have any prior experience or knowledge with colors and brushes, it makes a lot of sense to look for help. Regardless of whether you get a real teacher or learn painting with a book, it is important that you discover certain basic ideas first. Among the important points that great resources will teach you is choosing exact water or oil colors, understating color relationships, adding light and shadow, painting with tools other than brushes and proper brush handling.

When deciding who or where to go to for help, you need to evaluate yourself first. Find out if you are a self starter or if you can't manage without step by step instruction. Once you find out which kind of person you are, you can pick the most appropriate learning materials for best results.

It's not impossible to learn how to paint well even if you don't think you have natural talent. With the right instructions, you can become an expert painter. You just need to find out which learning methods are ideal for you.

Want To Make Your Own Art Projects?
Learn How At http://www.diyartprojects.com.

Top Children's Book Authors

Jean De Brunhoff / Babar Series

This children's book series originated in France in 1931 and has been a huge success through the years. Babar is an elephant who ventures away from the jungle when his mother was killed by a Hunter. Babar finds himself in Paris and learning about civilization. Upon his return, he is crowned king of an African country and has his own children. The premise of the stories has Babar taking lessons that he learned while in Paris and teaching his children right and wrong. There are over 50 books in the Babar series and DVDs from the television version that aired briefly in the early 1990's.

Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) / Dr. Seuss Books

Theodor Geisel started out as a political cartoonist, but soon found his passion in writing and illustrating children's books. Starting in the early 1950's, he wrote and illustrated "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street". Dr. Seuss books are known for their rhyme patterns, i.e. "The Cat in The Hat", "Green Eggs and Ham", and their imaginative characters that have kooky names, ie. "The Sneeches". Theodor Geisel died in 1991 and by that time he had written and illustrated 44 children's books and influenced countless children's bedtime stories. Dr. Seuss stuffed animals, DVD, games and countless other items can be found just about anywhere you go.

Ludwig Bemelmans / Madeline Series

The Madeline series began in 1934 when Ludwig Bemelmans named his character after his wife and modeled it after his 8-year old daughter. The premise of these children's books is based on Madeline's daily activities in her life. The Madeline series teaches children the basics of life such as, brushing their teeth and going to bed on time. Madeline dolls and DVDs can be found in addition to the book series.

Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was a man of many talents. Silverstein was a playwright, songwriter, composer, illustrator, poet and author. His children's books are filled with stories full of imagination and emotion. Silverstein is best known for "The Giving Tree" and "A Light in The Attic", however all of his books are masterpieces that not only teach important lessons, but touch on children's emotions so they understand what is happening in the story or poem. Silverstein is a must for every child, and for that matter, adult bookshelf.

Judy Blume

Judy Blume is a writer of books for children and teenagers. Blume's books address issues that it might be hard for children to talk to their parents about such as low self-esteem, bullies, racism, divorce and puberty. "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret" is perhaps her most famous book touching on the subject of a teenage girl going through puberty. Judy Blume's books help children understand important issues that could be happening in their own lives.

Brothers Grimm

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were perhaps the best fairy/folk tale writers in the past 500 years. The Brothers Grimm were born into 18th century Germany and after their father's death lived with their mother and struggled to make ends meet, just like many kids do today (even as it's increasingly popular to donate clothes to non-profit organizations). Children will learn that "Snow White", "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty" were all adapted by Walt Disney, but were originally Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The complete collection includes over 200 tales and all are written to stimulate children's imaginations and transport them to another time and place. Many of the tales can be found on DVD also.

Marty Craigs has been reading to his kids from when they were toddlers. He highly supports providing relief to children around the globe who are less fortunate. Follow his example and donate new children's clothes to KIDS -- http://kidsdonations.org/pd_wtd_cc.htm -- a non-profit children's charity.

Teaching Children Healthy Dental Habits

Perhaps the most important part of a parent's job is teaching one's children effective and healthy habits to last a lifetime. While parents often have a large amount of control of very young children's diets and dental routines, children will gain more independence as they age. If they have been taught basic oral health skills and why they are important, they will hopefully continue to follow a healthy regimen even without parents looking over their shoulders.

One of the most basic skills any child should know is how to brush teeth. Just as important, children should understand why this process is necessary. The effects of inadequate brushing can take years to show, so kids do not always grasp why they need to clean their teeth every night and morning.

In order to encourage this important habit, you may try making it a game. Have your child "follow" a certain character around his or her mouth to make sure the entire mouth is being cleaned. Your child may enjoy chasing plaque "bugs," or trailing a character he or she likes from books or movies. Small rewards can also help; receiving stickers to place on a chart is a common motivator.

To help your child understand why this no-fun process is necessary, you may choose one of a wide variety of children's videos and books illustrating this concept. You may also want to show your child pictures of tooth decay that are not too graphic to illustrate what can happen. A good dentist will also be able to explain the importance of this habit, and demonstrate how to do it correctly.

Of course, brushing is not the only aspect of dental health. Following a good diet can also contribute to strong teeth in addition to overall physical health. In general, children who have been taught to eat healthily from a young age will find it much easier to do so as adults.

 For example, try to use healthy foods as treats and rewards, rather than overly sugary snacks. This can help teach kids to enjoy fruits and vegetables, rather than seeing them as something dreary that their parents force them to eat. Keeping glucose and caffeine to a minimum can greatly reduce a child's risk of forming cavities, and may even contribute to improved behavior.

Teaching a child good habits is not easy. Many parents have to try a variety of tips and techniques before they find something that works well. The important thing is to not become too discouraged and to keep focusing on children's health.

For more children's oral health advice, contact Chicago family dentist Dr. Bagai.

Joseph Devine

Workshop: Food Van Showdown, Round 1

Vectortuts+ loves Illustration and discovering new talent, so today we are proud to be showcasing Round 1 of the Vectortuts+ Food Van Showdown . The best thing is, you can be a part of it! Find out how to get involved, at the jump.

The designs are posted in no particular order, but we thought it would be fun to kick things off with a sweet sweets van! Great work everyone, it’s been fun to see what you’ve come up with.

Submissions are open for another week! Get your entries in before Monday 14th of June 2012 for a chance to be in Showcase 2!

Joris van Teeffelen
Hey! I’m a graphic design student and I got a craving for candy.

Dave Plint
"Classic, hot food and even hotter lap times!"

Brian Birir
"Hi. My name is Brian and I’m a freelance graphics designer based in Kenya. portfolio.thekenyangeek.com"

Richard Harrison
"Tongue wanting food! zombiestatedesign.blogspot.co.uk zombiestatedesign.deviantart.com"

Andrei Marincas
Hello! I’m Andrei Marincas, a freelance graphic designer and photographer. I design for web, print, identity and branding. You can follow me on twitter.com/#!/genezic | facebook.com/Genezic or visit my website www.genezic.com

Steven Vanderschaeve
“Not a professional student or designer, just as a hobby!”

Philip Savarirayan
Illustration for candy/sweets/liquorice theme truck.
networkstudio360.com

Graf Kaberne

Would you like to participate in the Vectortuts+ Food Van Showdown? It’s easy, all you need to do is Download the Template, join the Vectortuts+ Facebook Group and get creative!

Download the Design TemplateDraw your image onto the template, you can be as creative as you like, feel free to alter any or all of the illustration. We want to see creative and fun projects so go crazy!Upload (or tag) your design to the Vectortuts+ Facebook Group with a short description of your style or theme.Artwork can be any style or theme as long as it’s vector and 100% your own work. You don’t have to spend hours and hours on your piece, the project’s aim is to be fun, fast and individual.You may submit more than one designWhen you publish your work on Facebook, please include one or two paragraphs about yourself and/or your work and a link to your website / online portfolio.Have Fun!

View the original article here

Character Design Tuts+ Premium Course Launched

New to character design? Do you have a passion for characters that you’d like to enhance? Follow Ian Yates as he walks beginning character designers through the sketching and character brainstorming process (with camera video view of sketching process). Learn how to refine your character ideas, add more personality and create powerful, memorable characters. Check out the new course from Tuts+ Premium course: on Character Design.

Quick, name a character! Memorable characters are part of our culture–from the Simpsons to Mickey Mouse, creating a unique and likable personality is a powerful way to make your work memorable. But creating good characters isn’t easy! In this information-packed 13 lesson course, Ian Yates walks you through the basics of designing a memorable character illustration and the important steps of a character project.

Character Design Course

You’ll need to become a Tuts+ Premium member to access the full course.

Free preview lessons:

The recently re-launched Tuts+ Premium is a service that provides top-tier training in a variety of creative fields. Whether you prefer books, video training, or in depth tutorials, we have you covered.

While we unfortunately can’t afford to provide the service for free, it’s only $19 a month – less than you’d spend on dinner.

But the best part is that, every month, we’re adding as many as five new in depth courses on the skills that you want to learn. What’s on the near horizon? Photoshop Techniques for Web Designers, an Intro to Motion Graphics, JavaScript Testing with Jasmine, Advanced Digital Painting, and countless more.

I hope you’ll consider checking it out! In addition to learning a huge variety of new skills, it’s also a fantastic way to say thank you to Vectortuts+.

View the original article here