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Fine art portraits are very popular, as in Jan Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, especially in vogue since the release of the film of the same name. Pre-Raphaelite paintings are also available as art posters, such as the Lady of Shallot by Waterhouse. For more modern tastes, there is Gustav Klimt and Roy Lichtenstein. Religious pictures form some of the most popular images. Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment are very powerful. Raphael is also for sale, with various depictions of the Madonna.  Admirers of Still Life can buy art posters in differing styles, from Paul Cézanne to Pablo Picasso.

Full article at Art Posters

I have to admit that I’m not very big on interior design or home decorating. I mean, I don’t have the most expensive furniture, my fabrics and colors aren’t coordinated, and I don’t make the best use of space. I think it’s safe to say you won’t be seeing any pictures of my place in a “Better Homes & Garden” photo shoot anytime soon! Nevertheless, I believe that I do one thing well: my walls. To me, there’s nothing more depressing than a home with bare walls, so I go out of my way to make sure that mine are covered with interesting things to look at. Some of my favorite wall hangings are the framed fine art posters that I’ve purchased over the years.

Read More About Fine Art Posters

One of the biggest icons of African American art is Kadir Nelson. This accomplished artist started drawing when he was only three years old.

His early interest in the creative process grew as he did until he reached adulthood. Now Kadir Nelson is a driving force in the African American art scene today.

Read more about African American Art

Art is actively encouraged here and there are many galleries, wall murals and public space sculptures. There are theatres too and Shakespeare in the Park performances. The Senator Theatre is a 1,500 seat venue for music and it’s a very attractive building, originating from 1927 when it began as a vaudeville theatre. Chico California has several museums, including the Chico Museum, which has permanent and traveling exhibits about the local history of the county. There are displays of photographs and artifacts, including items from the Chinese Tao Temple, a result of the city’s large Chinese population at the beginning of the 20th century. Science too is represented here with the Chico Community Observatory, a planetarium that puts on shows with real time images from their telescopes.

Full article at Chico California - City Of Roses, City Of Trees

At this page you will experience the model I chose this week as the featured model. I hope you enjoy viewing her fashion picture and will make your feelings known on the MBMB.

Thought I’d give you a change of flavor this time. I really  liked the natural beauty this model presents. Yarelis says she is from Puerto Rico and Carolina so I’m upset that I haven’t had a chance to shoot with her yet… Maybe soon??

See the pictures at .. Model from Puerto Rico - Yarelis

The stories have taken other forms apart from the books. They were set to music and the Royal Ballet company put on animal costumes and told  the tales thru dance. Called The Tales of Beatrix Potter, the Company performed the production on stage and on film. Hollywood has taken an interest too, and a movie about the life of Beatrix Potter is set for release in 2006 or 2007…..read more at The Tales Of Beatrix Potter Musical

When was the last time you went to see a movie?  The blockbuster movie is what keeps the major studios going. Big budget entertainment for the masses is their lifeblood. The multi screen cinema complexes also need them. It’s what keeps the popcorn popping.

Big budget means high risk and a blockbuster movie box office failure could even bring a studio to it’s knees. Failures are pretty rare though, as studios and directors have a good grasp of what the audiences want. The consensus is that if $200 million worth of tickets are sold in the US, then you can define a film as a blockbuster movie.

The particular style of applique quilts arose as a new dimension in quilting in the 1840’s, the brainchild of American women looking for a clever and imaginative way to expand their art. The usual fabrics used were cotton, cambric or fine linen, similar enough in weave to piece together tightly and smoothly. In the early days, green and red motifs, appliqued on a white or light colored background were very popular, perhaps because of the high color contrast. Soon, embroidery was added to the applique motifs as an even higher form of the art.

Full article at Textile Arts - Quilting With Applique Quilt Patterns

Early art concerned itself with immediate surroundings; paintings of hunting parties and everyday life. Later, religious paintings dominated, with depictions of the great Bible stories and the crucifixion of Christ. The great Renaissance artists, such as da Vinci, Michelangelo and Bernini were commissioned by the religious leaders of the day and we are left with a glorious legacy of their work.

Full article at History Of Art

My choice this time for featured model is Bailee from Lewisburg Ohio and I hope you will enjoy viewing her photo.

Oh boy, this is just the cutest kid I’ve ever seen! When I first saw this picture it screamed; “young Jody Foster”! Do you see any resemblence?

Take a look at this Model from Lewisburg, Ohio - Bailee

The Antiques Road Show is more than mildly entertaining. Many may think of looking at a bunch of old things would be comparable to watching paint dry but the host of this show is really charming and downright funny. His quirky character makes the Antiques Road Show a real pleasure to watch and his knowledge of the various items is outstanding.

Full article at Antiques Road Show

The featured model this week is Jessica from North Carolina and I believe you will enjoy viewing this sexy photo of her. The background is all green and really brings out her best assets.

Every once in a while I shoot with a model who has everything: the look; the personality; a level head on her shoulders. I just described the fashion model Jessica from North Carolina.

Jessica is a natural in front of the camera and it shows in her portfolio. With a few more photos added to her model portfolio she will be ready to take on the world of modeling.

View the image >>> Fashion Model from North Carolina - Jessica

This reports tells how easy it is to get caught up in the model agency scams going on around the country and I hope it will give you some insight on things to watch for when pursuing a modeling career.

Talent Agency Scams and Red Flags

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about modeling scams and tricks, here is your opportunity.

Watch out for scams! This is something everyone on this planet should know about and be wary of. Our world is overflowing with scam artists and crooks.

Read Model Confessions: How I was Scammed by a Model Agency!!!

With the recent sale of the 1.6 billion youtube videosite the doors for many of the little guys and there sites are getting better and better daily . The video tube is one place you may want to check out for a bit of video clip entertainment.

Click here for more on The Video Tube

A friend pointed me to this site: Buchdesign München. I discovered the book designs of Mathias Vietmeier. Wow - I love his expressive style. Specially I like the titles for Ullstein and Random House. Check it out!

The most important period of history for us is the one in which we live,the present; it is also the most difficult to know. Superficially we know it well through our daily work, our conversations, our moving about and looking around. But we can know only a very small part of the life of our time through personal experience. We are too close to the small detail of everyday, and too busy with particular problems, to gain a general view of our time. The artists of the present are busy drawing the portrait of our time through which our descendants will know us. Art, then, is a kind of looking-glass in which we may find ourselves.

This featured model on the Mind-Blogging Model Blog is Kristen from Texas and I believe you will enjoy viewing and commenting on her photos.

Photographers Name: Renata

Stats for Kristen:

Height: 5′ 9″ Weight: 112 Bust: 33 Waist: 23 Hips: 33 

Note from Kristen:

I have done several photo shoots and runway shows. I have had professional runway classes and I am very comfortable in front of the camera…

View Kristen’s pictures and make your comments on her pose, photos, etc.  at >>

 San Antonio Kristen - Fashion Model from Texas

It is sometimes said that Australia doesn’t have any culture. This is very unfair and untrue, given the number of Australian artists who have contributed greatly to the art world. They have the best of both worlds, being able to absorb influences from the outside but also being gloriously isolated in view of their position on the map. The result is a distinctive tradition of its own with its own cultural references. The landscape of Australia is unique and its inhabitants feel a strong sense of personal identity. From the Aboriginal art of the past through to the contemporary works of today, these artists have a lot to offer.

Full Article: Australian Artists

I actually stopped buying lighthouse pictures the day that I went out to the ocean. One of my friend was going to the beach, and she thought that she could do me some good by getting me out of the house for a few hours. She lured me out there with the promise of a lighthouse, but when I looked at it it was old and decrepit. Although there were lighthouse pictures in the gift shop, they showed the lighthouse at an earlier age.

Full article at Lighthouse Pictures

Ansel Adams was a virtual magician in bringing the moment of a just-blooming flower or a leaf floating on still water to life. Ansel Adams brought the beauty of the wilderness to the attention and appreciation of hundreds of thousands of Americans long before environmental awareness became a coined phrase.

Full article at Ansel Adams - The Beauty Of The Wilderness

The paintings are noted for their sense of reality, done with soft color and the Emily James style. The landscapes include the Florida Everglades, Venetian canals, French vineyards and the rolling hills of Tuscany. She is fond of flaura and fauna and has captured the delicacy of orchids and water lilies in a pond. Different weather conditions are evoked in red sunsets, misty dawns and Mediterranean sunshine. Emily James often paints coastal scenes of boats tied up in a harbor, lighthouses and the ocean lapping onto the beach.

Full article at Emily James - Art Of Seascapes And Landscapes

In 2001, Mary Engelbreit achieved a lifelong ambition when her first illustrated children’s book was published. This had been her dream from being a child and she has now illustrated many books, in her hand drawn style. Her drawings evoke a nostalgic past and are rich in warm color. The many books on various themes include the children’s book, A Merry Little Christmas.

Full article at Mary Engelbreit - A Graphic Artist And Childrens Book Illustrator

A Texas vacation wouldn’t be the same without rodeo, it’s big business and it’s always entertaining. The cities of Texas are all worth a visit. Dallas and Houston are well known for their skyline with impressive skyscrapers and both cities have interesting museums and culture. Houston has its own Grand Opera Company, Ballet Company, Symphony Orchestra and a drama venue called The Alley Theatre. There is also the ArtCar Museum with a collection of custom cars and the Museum of Natural Science. Dallas museums include the Age of Steam Railroad Museum and the African American Museum. Other cities of note are San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso and the state capital, Austin.

Full article at Texas Vacation

This article shows how and where to look for a model or talent agency and I hope it will help in your modeling career no matter if you are interested in fashion, glamour, figure, runway or commercial acting.

The United States alone boasts 1,000’s of modeling agents not to mention foreign countries. So, where do you start?

This first depends upon your look and physical charateristics. If you meet the physical requirements listed at … 

Read Looking for a Model Agency to Contact?

Do you love cartoons and animated films? Well, I do and they are my favorite means of entertainment. When I was young, I would always rush home from school to see my favorite animation character on TV. In this modern day and age, animation is much more sophisticated. The painstakingly hand drawings of the last decade has been replaced by computer aided images. Nevertheless, I still like everything whether is the lush colors of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves or the latest state of the art Pixar creation. The creative invention of the animation character is the important thing for me. I like characters that are presented well with good characterization and story.

Read more about Animation Character

Now that you have decided to learn how to draw, you’ll need the proper equipment. When you’re just beginning, its best to use inexpensive materials, and equipment that is easiest to use.  Pencil is the medium of choice for the beginning artist, because mistakes can easily be erased, and lead is not costly. A plain number two pencil will accommodate your needs, while a mechanical pencil will provide a constant stream of even lines, and never requires sharpening. If you do choose a traditional pencil, make sure that you also get a quality pencil sharpener.

Full article at Learn How To Draw

The eye of the photographer is so very important if the picture is to be truly a work of art, and not just another boring photo. When you look into Ansel Adams photographs, you can see what a great eye he had. The man was just obsessed with all of the beauty of nature, and Ansel Adams photographs show that better than anything else that I know of.

Full article at Ansel Adams Photographs

Oil based paint can be difficult but you can do much more with it than you can with regular paints. Watercolor is no match for the depth of color that oil painting landscape projects will produce. You can create lovely light images with watercolor but it is very difficult to build layers to create a realistic scene. You can also use the tricky medium to build texture in the deep oil painting landscape.

Full article at Oil Painting Landscape

About half of the antique dealers in my area have other things in their stores as well. The one I used to work for has a large variety of what are called retro or vintage items. Antiques are items that are over one hundred years old. Everything else falls under the vintage category. These items can be anything, and I notice that some of the most popular items for these antique dealers seem to be items from the fifties and the sixties. There are some things from other decades but they don’t do quite as well as those from the mid 1900s.

Full article at Antique Dealers

Sidney Nolan is probably the most well known, in international terms, of all the Australian artists. He had a very long career and lived from 1917-1992. He was one of the most distinguished members of the influential Heide Circle, a group of painters who promoted the modernist movement. He was also involved in an organization devoted to surrealism and expressionism called The Angry Penguins.

Full article at Australian Artists: The Angry Penguins To The Antipodeans

Is there anyone who hasn’t at least heard of the famous Hope Diamond? Many people are surprised when they first learn that this famous stone isn’t a clear diamond, but instead is a brilliant blue stone, surrounded by white diamonds and suspended from a diamond necklace. It first appears in history in the mid 1600s when it was purchased by a merchant named Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who sold the stone to Louis XIV of France. Read full article on: Hope Diamond - More resources: Dresden green diamant

People use often use art to express themselves. This need for self expression may be the trait that separates us from other animals. We usually encounter art projects from elementary school. We learn about shape, texture and color in this period. Our parents would proudly put the fruits of our efforts on the wall or go into our school to see our achievements. These creations help to develop our imagination and build our confidence when we were young. We also learn about the world around us through art in our childhood. We can also learn the value of working in a team through working together on these projects.

Read more about Art Projects

To be honest, I’m not an expert when it comes to interior design or home decorating. When you visit my home, you will see that I don’t have the most expensive furniture, my fabrics and colors aren’t coordinated, and I don’t make the best use of space. You can be sure that you won’t be seeing any pictures of my place in a “Better Homes & Garden” photo shoot in the future.

Read more about Fine Art Posters

Here’s a video about an animated snowman. Enjoy the animation. It’s really funning, yet conveys a serious message.

See at: Share Video of Snowman

Do you love to read books? Well, I do but I have always had this problem with bookstores. My problem is that I can never keep my reading list in my head. I always forget which books I want to buy when I go to a bookstore. I usually remember them later, but by then it is always too late because I will be back at home. This is one of the reasons why I prefer to purchase books online instead of buying them on bookstores.

Read more about Purchase Books Online

Having an online art gallery that you run yourself can be alright, but it is much better to have one that is linked to other people’s art galleries. If you’re part of a scene or movement, people are much  more likely to buy from your online art gallery. It is a paradox, but one that anyone who is involved in art needs to be aware of. People want both originality and group membership. Your online art gallery has to have works that look unique, yet that are similar enough to what other people are doing to be respected. Only then will you make the sales that you want.

Full article at Setting Up Online Art Gallery

Other considerations are the flowers, for the arrangements at the venue and the bridal bouquets. Cars need to be booked to take the various parties to the ceremony. The food for the reception must be decided on, as well as the wedding cake. Exhausted yet for looking for the perfect couture wedding dress? The men need their morning suits, the ladies need their hats and the bride needs her wedding dress, (oh yes, the bridesmaids need their dresses too) It’s a satisfying feeling when you start to tick things off your wedding planning checklist, isn’t it?

Many people in all parts of the world believe in the power of magic. In fact, some even practice a certain kind of magic or witchcraft as a daily ritual. Now, you shouldn’t jump to any conclusions because things may not be as you assume. I think that far too many people make assumptions about things they don’t know and understand. We could do well with out this human quality. If people would have simply taken some time to investigate and understand things better, then many deaths could have been prevented in the past.

Read more about Book of Shadows

Are you familiar with Ansel Adams? He is a legendary figure in the world of photography and the consummate photographer of wilderness areas. He was born in 1902, and he spent his childhood steeped in the natural beauty of the area where he grew up. It was there that his photographic vision was born. Ansel Adams first visited Yosemite at the age of 14 and this experience defined his lifelong vocation. He took a custodial job at the Sierra Club Lodge in Yosemite Park when he was 17 because he wanted to live and work in the visual treasure chest of nature that he loved so much.

Read more about Ansel Adams

Grandma might be the one doing the whining, if you have just graduated but your happy pictures can only be found online. Printing out multiple copies of your digital images and then having to assort them, before you have to sit down to create a photo-album that included dates, nametags, and even exam notes, seems like a big hassle. But then again, sending only a couple of hard copies to your mom or best-friend for them to use and decorate their fridge area, will not bring smiles to that poor grandma who wants a chance to show how proud she is of your accomplishment and she also wants to feel special. So, if your graduation, bachelors, wedding, baby, birthday, summer, camping, pool, pictures are corny enough for you to share them with friends by uploading them online in distant servers, why not taking the same amount of time to electronically create a photo-album everyone will cherish for years to come?

It is about time we face it. Although the original idea of pressing some buttons to produce a clear copy of the digital images stored in a computer’s memory seemed extremely hassle-free at the beginning, the truth is that the more you use your digital picture the more digital pictures stay in that computer’s memory for a long time.

Read More at e-Photo Albums