Chinese prehistoric traditional painting

Traditional Chinese painting dates back to the Neolithic period about 6,000 years ago. The excavated colored pottery with painted human faces, fish, deer and frogs indicates that the Chinese began painting as far back as the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the growth of Chinese painting unavoidably reflected the change of time and social conditions.

In its earliest stage, Chinese prehistoric paintings were closely associated to other primitive crafts, such as pottery, bronzeware, carved jade and lacquer.

Following the introduction of Buddhism to China during the first century from India, and the carvings on grottoes and temple building that ensue, the art of painting religious murals slowly gained prominence.

China plunged into a situation of divided states from the third to the sixth century, where incessant wars and succession of dynasties sharpened the thinking of Chinese artists which, in turn, promoted the development of art. Grotto murals, stone carvings, wall murals in tomb chambers, brick carvings and lacquer paintings flourished in a period deemed very important to the development of traditional Chinese painting.

Paint Off in Mill Valley draws excited crowd

Painter Deanne Kraus is applying paint to her canvas which has been positioned on--of all things-- the ground.

It is quite windy as we stand in the middle of the Book Depot plaza on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by artists, easels and onlookers. Thirty-five artists are all challenging in the 19th annual Mill Valley Art Commission Paint Off.

The Paint Off pits artist against artist, as they quickly create their masterpiece in the allotted four-hour time limit. The artists just set up their easel at 10:30 a.m., and work in their favorite standard--oil, acrylic, pastel or watercolor--to capture the downtown scene until 2:30 p.m. when time is called.

After the artists are asked to put down their brushes, the public gets to stroll around and mark their "People's Choice" for the most excellent painting. Then, the artists choose their favorites for "Artists Choice" for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. There is also the "Jack Beck Choice", given by the guy--Jack Beck--who formed the Paint off competition in 1990.

Iran exhibit Zarshenas paintings in Amol

Iran's northern city of Amol has mounted an exhibition of artistic creation by the veteran Iranian painter Fariborz Zarshenas.

The weeklong event display 40 paintings created by Zarshenas during his 40-year artistic career.

“The paintings are figurative, practical and abstract representations of natural scenes and parental figures,” Fariborz Zarshenas told Mehr News Agency.

Known as one of the most renowned painters of Iran and the northern Mazandaran Province, Zarshenas has also planned the first exhibition of street painting for children and young adults in Amol.

Chennai: Wider canvas for wall paintings plan

Following an encouraging good response from residents to wall paintings on a small stretch of Anna Salai at Nandanam, as part of its city beautification plan, the Chennai Corporation has proposed to extend the project to the other parts of the city. The colorful paintings depict the State’s rich cultural heritage.

The civic body planned to replicate the paintings in subways and flyovers, once the ban on wall posters and graffiti in subways and flyovers comes into effect on August 1.

A senior Corporation official of the Saidapet zone said that they had been receiving good response from the public. The perimeter of the golf course at Nandanam has given a wider canvas to showcase the rich heritage of the State.

The variety of images there included a painting of the golf sport, which was done on request. To add color, the civic body has installed figurines showcasing the State’s martial and folk arts in eight places in the city, including Sterling Road, Gemini Flyover, Valluvar Kottam and near Connemara Library.

Painting exhibition to marks Mother Teresa's 100th year

A painting exhibition to mark 100 years of Mother Teresa was opened by Archbishop Bernard Moras in Bangalore, India.

Mother Teresa, born on 27 August in the year 1910. In 1979, she was award the Nobel Prize for Peace.

The exhibition was organized by Renaissance Gallery and will showcase the art of acclaimed Indian painter Ritu Singh. The event began on July 21 and will end on July 25.

Ritu Singh is said to be an ardent admirer of Mother Teresa and has also earlier received an invitation by the Vatican to attend the beatification ceremony of the humanitarian icon.

Opening the exhibition, Archbishop Moras hailed the paintings and also expressed appreciation to Ritu Singh for communicates her love for Mother Teresa through her God-given talent.

While many of the paintings have appeared on BBC, some even were seen in the document films on Mother Teresa aired at Cannes.

Enjoy with healthy painting

Today, we can enjoy all the benefits of updating the interior paint of our houses without the need to endure the onslaught of toxic petrochemicals. No-VOC paints are each bit as colorful, durable and easy to use as their VOC-filled counterparts. Nearly every paint manufacturer makes its own line of no- and/or low-VOC paints from which to prefer. In almost each and every case, the line has any color imaginable and, if the right product is chosen, the paint can be applied in two coats or fewer.

Today, there are also wide selections of natural-based paints obtainable. These paints are made from a large variety of raw, natural ingredients such as milk, soybeans, citrus peels, corn, beeswax and clay. These paints naturally have few or no VOCs, but often require more experience to apply effectively.

For those who have great chemical sensitivities it may be necessary to test several different brands or types of no-VOC paints because each manufacturer uses different binders, solvents and additives to achieve a top quality no-VOC paint. Because of these variations, one may react more favorably with one brand or type verses another depending on the exact sensitivity. It is sensible for you to elicit the assistance of a trained professional who is very familiar with several different lines and types of paint and who has the skill and expertise to choose and apply the paints properly.

Sequence of madonnas in Raphael paintings

Raphael painted a succession of Madonnas that took the Renaissance world by storm. It is believed their composition was influenced by the workings of Leonardo da Vinci, whom he met when he moved to Florence. Let’s take a look at the little Cowper Madonna its soft and gentle contours and perfection of balance. It has frequently been noted to resemble some of Leonardo’s paintings of the subject.

Madonna of the Chair was painted more than ten years later, but also reflects the sweetness and harmony that are identified with Raphael’s style, although we can definitely see delicate changes in the facial composition. This exacting work is considered the most popular of all Raphael’s Madonnas and was probably painted for Pope Leo X, or a member of the powerful Medici family.

Creativity, Experience makes painting beautiful

Creativity, the energy of life, flows through all of us, but we learn to label it something special, unusual, requiring rarified glorified skills, harnessed to precise rules and regulations. We begin to believe that creativity is for those with talent; its goal, to produce something perfects enough to be called “art.” We basically define the term talent by an ordinary person’s inability to have it. Everyone has a longing to create. That desire is itself the essence of creativity.

The painting of process can be your vehicle for exploration. Through painting, you can give yourself more experience with this forgotten passion. When you put yourself in front of a piece of blank paper, you can express your willingness to explore. Can you imagine painting something risky - a strong color, a body, an image you dislike? The risk might shake you up, but its part of an exhilarating ride. Soon, the ride becomes more important than the end. The adventure is so exciting that you want to keep exploring, taking risks, again and again.

Process painting is a easy and simple for direct way to experience your unique creative voice. The satisfaction you can find in connecting with that voice will keep you returning to the process again and again, to continue your own creative journey.

Florentine painting in 15th century

In Florentine male portraits painted during the approximate period 1440-1490, the man generally appears in three quarter view, strong, virile, taking up nearly the entire canvas space.

Now, looking at female portraits from the same position and time period, today's viewer will note first of all that the woman is in profile. Her gazes, instead of turned outward toward the world, and is averted. Her facial look is docile and simplistic. There is no emotion or feeling in the still quiet face.

Interestingly, this trend has received very few attentions by art historians. Basically, Florentine female portraiture during 1440-1490 was little more than an idealization of the female condition, as determined solely by the masculine contingent of the day.

Development trends of environmental paint

With growing concerns over health and environmental protection, market demand for environmental paint is on the increase. The so-called "green paint" refers to energy saving, low conservative materials such as water-based paint, high solid content paint, powder paint and radiation curable paint and so on. Certain kinds of paint are picking up to develop into the preferable coasting material for a variety of products like Solid solvent-borne paint, Water-based paint, Dust paint, Liquid solvent-free paint.

- Solid solvent-borne paint: High-solids solvent is in order to meet the increasingly stringent environmental protection necessities.

- Water-based paint: The vast popular of water is different from the characteristics of organic solvents in its non-toxic odorless and non-flammable form.

- Dust paint: Paint dust is a more superior paint. Paint dust theory is absolute zero VOC paint, and with their unique advantages, in the future, dust coating paint may become one of the most significant development directions.

- Liquid solvent-free paint: There are two kinds of organic solvent-free liquid paint, such as the energy beam curing type.

Materials used for water color paintings

Water color painting is the medium in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in water soluble vehicles.

Materials:

• colorant, normally pigment (an insoluble inorganic compound or metal oxide crystal, or an organic dye fused to an insoluble metal oxide crystal);

• binder, the material that holds the pigment in suspension and fixes the pigment to the painting surface;

• additives, substances that change the viscosity, hiding, durability or color of the pigment and vehicle mixture; and

• Solvent, the substance used to thin or dilute the paint for application and that evaporate when the paint hardens or dries.

The traditional and most ordinary support for watercolor paintings is paper; other supports include papyrus, bark papers, plastics, vellum or leather, wood, fabric, and canvas. A brush consists of three types: the tuft, the ferrule and the handle. A watercolor paper comes in three basic finishes: hot pressed, cold press, and rough.

Watercolor artist Fran Fink's show runs through July

Fran Fink, living in Michigan. She started painting seriously when she was 30 years old. When she moved to Florida 11 years ago, however, she decided to move to watercolors.

Fink, who has been painting for more than 40 years, has a one-woman explain at the Englewood Art Center's Mitchell Gallery. The show runs through the end of this month.

Fink grew up in Saginaw and later she moved to Flint. She began taking art classes at the Flint Institute of Art, where she was learned some of the basic techniques of working in oils. For example, she is now starting to include some of the fine brush strokes that once characterized her oil paintings into her watercolors.

Village art league celebrates 20th anniversary with summer painting festival

Twenty years ago, The Villages Art League started out in the arts and craft room at Paradise Recreation Center with a small number of people. Now, the art leagues meet Mondays at Saddlebrook Recreation Center, Thursdays at Mulberry Grove Recreation Center, and Saturdays at Paradise Recreation Center.

The art league soon decided it required to display the works of its artists, so the group held an event at La Hacienda Center. Finally, the artists took over all of the rooms in the building, which led to the Artists’ Showcase, which is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the banquet rooms at Savannah Center.

Then, three years ago, the idea of adding an art show during the summer came up. Festivalgoer’s can enter to succeed several door prizes, and they can take part in a few chance drawings. Several artists have donated their works to be given away as prizes, including international artists Tom Jones and Yolanda Mayhall.

Michael Jackson Painting has to Be Auctioned

With the pass of time, things come to an end, but it's the remembrance that remains; indeed hard to fade away. With the demise of the king of pop, Michael Jackson, millions should have shed their tears. And now, his ardent fans, are trying their most excellent to preserve every kind of memorabilia that the artist had.

The latest to this is the Michael Jackson's painting formed by King of Pop Art Andy Warhol in 1984. The painting has been below the hammer at the Vered Gallery of East Hampton. The picture depicts a smiling King of Pop in his red military uniform from his hit album 'Thriller'.

Ruth Vered, who owns the gallery, said that the 30-by-26-inch, synthetic polymer painting on canvas could be expected to fetch millions of dollars at the auction, which ends on July 12.

Christie’s Auction Sells $32.7 Million of Art as marketplace shrink

A London auction ended with the sale of 20.3 million pounds ($32.7 million) of art last night as the market for traditional paintings continuous to shrink.

Christie’s International’s first evening auction of its new category of Old Masters & 19th Century Art open a week of tests of demand. Today, its rival Sotheby’s starts selling 200 artworks belongs to Barbara Piasecka Johnson, that may make at least 5.7 million pounds.

The two most extremely valued paintings in the auction were both expected to fetch between 2 million pounds and 3 million pounds. Both sold for below-estimate hammer prices of 1.9 million pounds, equate to 2.2 million pounds with fees.

As ever, 17th century Dutch paintings that were new to the market and in unrestored condition were in demand.

Estimated at 300,000 pounds to 500,000 pounds, the painting had lain undamaged in a European private collection for more than 60 years.

Natural Painting stolen in Florida, recovered in New Hampshire

Even though the painting was worth up to $20,000 by a few estimates, John McCulloch was offering the one-of-a-kind Douglas Van Howd work for $1,000 on the Web site Craigslist, police said.

Police learned that the painting, "Nuyakuk Falls Rainbow" by wildlife artist Douglas Van Howd, was taken from a house in Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla. They received a tip that the personality with the painting was living Salem.

Investigators said a detective posed as an art buyer and negotiated a price with John McCulloch, 25, who was finally taken into custody.

Announcing street painting winners

TEMECULA - Winners of the ninth annual Temecula Street Painting festival and the second annual Ralph Love Plein Air Art Festival, held in Old Town last weekend, has been announced.

In the street painting competition, Best of Show honors went to Jesus Gutierrez of Murrieta for his "Aztec" painting. Gutierrez wins same honor in 2006. He has received a $500 prize and will be invited back to the 2010 festival as the featured artist.

The 2009 People's Choice Award went to Lee Rupp of Wildomar for his "Fly Girl," a painting of a pin-up girl.

Taking the Best of Show/Purchase Award in the plain air festival was Temecula artist Shawn McKelvey for his work "Old & New." Artists in this contest painted scenes of Old Town Temecula.

Painting award winners confirm promise, surprise

An exhibit of the work of the eight finalists in the annual Bethesda Painting Awards competition is on display at the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda through July 4. The winners of the liberal awards, funded by the Trawick Foundation, were announced at the opening earlier this month.

As in the past, the competition was open to artists of all levels from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Of the record 240-plus submissions received, 38 were selected as semi-finalists. The jurors included John Winslow, painter and Catholic University emeritus professor, whose proclivities are fairly evident in the assortment of finalists. The extra two jurors, also painting professors, were Patrice Kehoe, University of Maryland, and Ruth Bolduan, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Perhaps most interesting about the consequences of the judging is the relative homogeneity of the selections, with one glaring exception. On one hand is a group of abstract works, all of them connecting linear patterning and layering of forms. The rest are realists, apart from for the top prize winner, Camilo Sanin, who works in a style that might be called Neo-Color Field. Sanin's striped paintings are evocative of the work of 1960s Washington Color Field painters Gene Davis and Howard Mehring, but on a much smaller scale.