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.