Author: NAVAL LANGA

The word ‘abstract’ literally means ‘to consider as a general quality or characteristic apart from specific objects or instances’.

Each artists has different views of the world. Instead considering the physical appearance of objects, the abstract artists emphasize on lines, colours and geometrical forms of the objects. While dealing with interrelationship of these aspects, an abstract painter keeps exploring until he or she succeeds in extracting the characteristics of a particular subject. For an example these artists would investigate about the objects regarding several core issues, say the anger or joy visible on a face of a man or a woman.

The artworks of abstract artists are called as ‘non-representational art’, too. While working under this style of painting, an artist becomes more adventurous in using colours and lines. They define differently the shapes of objects being painted.

The subjects of painting in abstract style of painting remain same as in the other styles. Abstract artists chose subjects like still life, landscapes and figures, buildings and flowers. But here the artists create difference while interpreting these subjects in relationship of their colours and shapes. In the case of using media there is no difference. These artists use all the means available in the field of art of painting, like watercolour, oil, pastel, gouache acrylic and collage.

After using all the techniques in the above forms and manners, the abstract artists create delightful world through the stunning images they conceive in their minds and transliterate on canvases. Some of the artists have tried painting female and male nudes, too, using the abstract style of painting.

For seeing similar articles with images, you can visit the following links.

ABSTRACT PAINTERS EXPLORING SUBJECTS

NUDE PAINTINGS OF FEMALES

About the Author:

I write short stories and articles about the paintings.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Abstract Painting – Artists Exploring Characteristics of Subjects

by Victor Epand

What can more special than creating your own flower arrangement for an upcoming holiday or birthday? You will make the gift special and impress your friends and loved ones. The idea may be overwhelming. This is natural when trying something new and you are unsure it will turn out right. If you are creative and have a strong affinity for flowers, than you can do it. It is a lot easier than you think. This article contains suggestions that the pros use when they make those fantastic flower arrangements. By the end of this article, you will be flower arranging like the pros.

The first step is picking the right flowers. Try to pick colors and shapes of flowers that will work well together. Place them next to one another and judge how they look. There are occasions that you will want to use the same flower or color of flowers. Sometimes different colors of the same flower might work well together.

Roses, carnations, zinnias, tulips or lilies, usually are the central focus of arrangements. This is because they are single bloom flowers. Think about adding flowers with large stems to make up the back of the arrangement. This helps balance the arrangement out and give it depth. Think about using delphinium, gladiolus, and snapdragons to accomplish this effect. Small buds and multiple buds give an n arrangement fullness and density. Babys breath is a good example of this type flower.

The next item that you need to choose is the vase or container that you plan to use. Again, consider the size, shape, and color of the vase. Does it match or clash with your flower choices? Think about the width of the container. Will it bee to big or small to hold the number of flowers you have chosen. A good rule of thumb is your container should be about one-third to one-half the size of your flower arrangement. If you pick a short vase, consider you will have to cut the stems of flowers so that they will fit. With some flowers this will not work. If you have short flowers, they may not reach the water below in the vase.

Once you have your vase and container you are ready to make your arrangement. Begin by cutting each flower stem diagonally about one inch from the bottom. Do this while holding the end of the stem under warm water. This cut will ensure that each stem will be able to absorb water moisture and nutrients efficiently. Fill your vase half way with water. As you cut each flower put them into the container so that they will be in water. You are not arranging them yet.

After you have cut all the flowers, fill your actual vase two thirds of the way with warm water. Look at the vase and make sure that it is not leaking. Begin your arrangement by placing your blossom flowers in the vase. Step away and see how it looks. If you judge that the stems are too long you will need to cut them. You may run into the flowers being too short. You may need to change the container if this is the case. You can also add stones or marbles into the bottom of the vase.

Continue to add flowers and cut them as you need to change the proportions and look to your arrangement. As you add more flowers, they will stay in position better.

Once you have completed your arrangement, make sure that you pick the perfect place to display your work of art. It should be in a cool place that is not too drafty. Change the water on a regular basis. If you have trouble getting inspired, look in magazines and websites that have flower displays. Print them out and try to duplicate them on your own. You may even improve on it. Your friends and family will be impressed.
About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for flower arranging. When shopping for flowers and gifts, we recommend you shop only at the best online stores that specialize in weddings, love, romance, gift baskets, flowering plants, roses, rubies, diamonds, and pearls.

By : Ian Spellfield

Many people may wonder: What makes a good landscape photo? The answer to this question is not that simple. Personally I believe that simple photos are the best. Still, you don’t want them to be so simple that they’re boring. On the other hand, you don’t want so much going on that the audience has no idea what they’re looking at. You have to strike a balance between being too plain and being too complex. I think the main thing to keep in mind is balancing the background vs. the foreground.

A lot of your standard landscape shots are taken with a large depth of field, so you want the aperture to be smaller (using a larger F value). This way, you have objects close to the lens in focus as well as objects far away from the lens. As with any rule, there are exceptions. In case you want to get the blurred effect of some objects in the foreground, but with the background in focus, you wouldn’t use a small aperture but a larger one. For example if you’re taking a shot of a mountain through a field of flowers, you might want to experiment with how it looks using a large aperture which can be used to blur the flowers in the background and keep the mountains in focus (or vice versa), or you can try keeping the aperture small to keep the entire shot (foreground and background) in focus instead.

Don’t Forget about the Foreground

Something many people looking to improve their landscape photos should do is to use a proper foreground. Of course, you can take a beautiful ocean or sunset and I’m sure it looks lovely. Still, it likely looks just any other ocean or landscape photo that millions of other people have taken. You should try being a little more unique. Like a ninja, use the surrounding objects to your advantage. If you’re on a beach, see if you can stand near a cool rock formation, jetty or dock and place that in the foreground. Remember, you don’t want to overpower the main subject of the ocean or sunset with these foreground objects, but instead you want them to complement the main subject and enhance the way it looks.

You might also consider using trees, flowers or other natural objects in front on your main subject as foregrounds. Additionally, man made structures oftentimes provide a great contrast to beautiful nature landscape shots in the background. If you’re shooting from the top of a building, try including other buildings in the shot as well. At sunset, if you place objects directly between the sun and your shot, you can often get hard-line black silhouettes which can have a neat effect at times. To add a personal touch to your photos, add some silhouettes of interesting and anonymous people or objects in the foreground.

I hope this gave you a few more ideas on how you can improve your landscape and nature photography. Keep on shooting!
Author Resource:- Ian Spellfield is a professional photographer who specializes in landscape photography. He does his best to help others out by teaching them how to take nature and landscape photos.

Article From Article Emporium

by Suzanne VanDeGrift

Still life photography is a great way to hone your photography skills and develop some new techniques. Since there’s no movement involved, you don’t have to rush your shot. Research the best location for lighting, which is one of the key elements in getting a good still life image, along with good balance and framing.

We’re surrounded by a wealth of good (and some not so good) still life photographs. The supermarket shelves are lined with magazines that are full of still-lifes. That monthly magazine with the luscious recipe followed by the picture that convinces you that you just have to make that dish. Or, the flower arranging article that gives beginning to end instructions with the “end” showing a beautiful floral arrangement. Look at as many different still-lifes as you can find. Study them. See what makes them work, or what you might change about them. Then, grab your camera bag and get ready to make your own creations.

Gather some of your beautiful treasures and begin putting them together in ways that is pleasing to your eye. A good still-life can take a lot of time to set up so don’t be in a hurry. Take your time and enjoy the process. Use colors that work together, along with shapes and lines that create your desired result. Look through your camera lens from different angles and adjust the collection until you have the image you’re looking for, then start photographing.

Don’t clutter the picture. Keep the background plain. You can get this affect by using a product called seamless, which is a professional backdrop paper or by using a simple piece of fabric in a color which compliments the still-life you are going to set up. If you’re taking your still-life outdoors, consider nature”s backdrops. Pack your favorite camera bag and head out to the local marina. A beautiful sailboat captured against a clear blue sky produces an impressive still-life image.

Whenever possible, natural light is preferred over the camera flash. The goal is normally to achieve a feeling of tranquility and peaceful beauty. This can be difficult to accomplish with the glaring light that comes from the built-in camera flash. If you’re photographing indoors, you can position your items to take advantage of the soft light streaming in a window, which will create some awesome shading. You could also use lamps or recessed lighting to provide your atmosphere.

If you started out shooting your still-lifes using the traditional fruits, vegetables and flowers, once you feel comfortable, start being a little more daring. Gather items that make a statement about you. If you love to fish, put together a still-life of fishing poles, lures, and an old creel. If you love photography, set up your camera bag with some accessories and a couple favorite pictures you’ve taken. Let your imagination work for you. Consider doing some still-lifes in black and white for a dramatic affect. Experiment and enjoy!
About the Author
Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.COM, manufacturer of highly functional camera bags with an incredible array of user-friendly features.

by ROBIN OBRIEN

One of my earliest childhood memories is learning to knit from my grandmother. Being one of four girls in my family of six children, I was the only who took any interest in it. To do this day, I believe my grandmother and I had a special connection because of our common love of knitting. My grandmother was a gifted knitter. She was also a very talented at crochet, needlework and was a part-time seamstress. My earliest and most vivid memories of her was when she was doing some sort of needlework. Not only was she a brilliant practitioner of knitting but she was also a great teacher. She possessed what any good teacher has: patience. I am left handed and she was right. How she kept calm, when thinking backwards and trying to teach a child, I’ll never know.

I was about eight years old when she taught me the basic chain stitch. During that summer I crocheted a chain that went around the entire outside of my house two times! It was quite the talk of the neighborhood. My mother helped me measure it, though I can’t remember how long it was exactly.

I soon progressed to knitting. My most prized possession is my grandmother’s collection of needles all wrapped up in a silk needle holder. It was originally given to her by my grandfather as a birthday present. My mother gave them to me some years ago – after my grandfather’s death – almost twenty years after the death of my grandmother.

My passion for it lasted into my early twenties but marriage and the early years of raising my own children put a moratorium on it. However, I never gave up needle work entirely, and found myself learning new skills like cross stitching, quilt making and rug hooking.

Then a friend introduced me to hand dyed yarns. I just loved the texture and color of these yarns and I soon began knitting again. I made everything, from scarves and sweaters to felted purses and hats. I now knit constantly, making clothing for friends and family.

It was at the time I rediscovered knitting that my father became very ill. My mother was a keen practitioner during my childhood and I suggested that she take it up again. I thought it would help her to find peace while sitting with my father in the hospital for months. She also discovered the joy of working with hand dyed yarn from companies like Twisted Sisters Yarn and Rio De La Plata Yarn.

I’m sure my father found peace in my mother sitting quietly knitting while he lay there in that hospital bed. I still remember that final day with the family all around his bedside, waiting for him to pass. Waiting for his passing, my mother and I pulled out our needles and yarn and managed to found solace in doing this familiar activity during such a sad time in our lives!

Every Friday night my mother now comes over to my house for supper. She always brings her wool and needles with and we do our projects together. For the most part we sit there in silence, though we are somehow connected – like two balls of wool.

She says that I’m plain nuts when it comes to knitting; she laughs when we take my children to the movies and I have to sit under a dim light so I can do my knitting through the movie!

I’m so happy to have this craft back in my life – it’s like a reunion of long lost friends. It brings me such tranquility and calm in this busy world I find myself in. Just as I felt I had a special bond with my grandmother through knitting, I feel I have a stronger bond with my mother because of our love of it. I’m pleased to say that my daughter and one of my sons have even learned.

Follow the links for more information about hand dyed yarn like K1C2 Yarn as well as other beautiful yarns like Sirdar Yarn

by NICHOLAS TAN

Fishing is a fun and tranquil sport that lets you spend quiet time with your friends, family and with Mother Nature. Fresh water fishing is a sport involving the catching of fish in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of acquired skill over time. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids.

To start, you have to check your State’s fishing requirements and make sure if a license is needed for you to fish. If it is required, you must acquire one by checking with a sporting goods store. They will help you how to get it, and some will even provide it for you.

During the time that you are in your favorite sporting goods store, you can look around and buy the right fishing equipment that you will be need for your trip. Considering that you are a beginner, make sure that you budget well the cost and your spending on the equipment, not deciding on expensive equipments; buy only the basic things you will need.

When in doubt as to what is needed, ask the help of the store keeper, but do keep in mind that you need to stick to a budget. Take your time and don’t hesitate to ask how to use each piece of equipment that is offered to you. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your back yard.

An inexpensive fishing rod and reel will be enough along with a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. A polarized sunglass is also essential, as it will help to see clearly through the water and lessen the glare.

Then if you don’t know the good locations to fish, ask about local “hot” spots, or check your State’s fishing regulations for information about fishing locations around your State.

The time will surely come when you will be a better fisherman; then you may decide on upgrading your equipment. In the meantime, keep things simple. It is always advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help.

It is wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Aim your cast in shady or rocky areas where the water is deep, as this is where the fish is expected to be found. Keep in mind that this is all practice first.

As your skill level develops and increases, you can then attempt into deeper waters. But before going, take the time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your rod and your reel.

What better place to practice than your back yard. To do so, mark off an area using a rope and use this as your guide in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you. Bear in mind, cast with your wrist, and not with your arm.

Fishing hooks are very sharp and needed to be handled with care to avoid injury. Before casting, it is important that you should look around you and stay unobstructed to avoid hurting other people with your hook. When the right time has come and you go fishing for real, keep in mind to cast your line always ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish will see well at a close point, but cannot see behind.

If your casts are going in a disorganized manner, move closer to the water so you can gain better accuracy.

Watch the bobber closely for any movement. If and when a fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. Don’t get too excited. Remain calm.

Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. Place the net near and use it to bring the fish out. Remove the hook from the fish with great care. If you got an undersized fish (as noted in the state’s regulation book), quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it and return it to the water. Releasing the fish will supply the water with more fish, giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.

Lastly, look around you and feel the calm, restful and serene view of the river.

Have fun!

By Michael Rasco

Wild bird feeding is a very stimulating and educational pastime that millions of people already enjoy, with thousands more joining them every year. Bird feeders are available in so many varieties that it can be difficult for a new birdwatcher to decide which type is best. Are tube style bird feeders better than platform bird feeders? Or do the bird feeders with big seed hoppers take the cake? Let’s explore the topic.

The first thing to consider when choosing a wild bird feeder is what type of birds you would like to attract. Different styles of bird feeders bring different birds.

Tube Style Bird Feeders

You have probably noticed this type of bird feeder hanging from trees in the neighborhood, or in the backyards of friends and family. They are quite common; nonetheless, they are very effective at attracting small songbirds, and are therefore very enjoyable. They consist of a plastic or glass tube with two, four, or sometimes more holes in it. Usually a small perch is attached just below each hole, which is called a seed port. Both ends are fitted with a metal or plastic cap. The top cap opens by flipping, sliding, or unscrewing, depending on the brand and model of the wild bird feeder. This makes it easy to refill with seed or to clean.

Many people call the American goldfinch their favorite bird, which makes the decision to buy a tube style bird feeder an easy one. They will attract many other small birds like sparrows and grosbeaks.

Platform Bird Feeders

These wild bird feeders are just trays of seed on a pedestal. They may be placed as low as a foot above the ground up to several feet. Keep in mind that the whole point is to be able to watch the birds, so placing a platform feeder fifteen feet high might be a bit absurd. Please also note that platform bird feeders are designed with the intention of attracting birds that normally feed on the ground, so one to four feet is the optimum height. A platform bird feeder attracts birds by making food more visible to them, and at the same time providing them with a good vantage point to help them keep an eye out for pesky predators. (By the way, try to keep your pets away from wild bird feeders so they don’t fall into that category!) Among the many birds that will visit a platform bird feeder are robins, grackles, and occasionally cardinals.

Hopper Bird Feeders

A hopper style wild bird feeder has a large reservoir that dispenses seed onto a tray or into a feeding slot. This type of bird feeder is popular because it attracts a very wide variety of birds. They are often aesthetically pleasing as well, complementing virtually any yard or garden. They are not the hands-down winners of the Battle of the Bird Feeders; they are not as selective towards particular birds, and they can sometimes be a bit more difficult to keep clean (though that is not always the case).

In the end, the best wild bird feeder is the one that most appeals to you. Remember to keep them clean and filled with seed. Birds need the most help in the cold winter months, but it is okay to keep bird feeders stocked year-round. Pick a bird feeder, fill it, and enjoy the birds. Be prepared, because there is a very high probability that you will end up purchasing another wild bird feeder before long!

Michael Rasco is the owner of UtopiaBirdHouses.com, a website committed to providing high quality birdhouses, bird feeders, and wild bird information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Rasco

by Karen Neo

If you want your kids to be a part of the process it is very easy to make your birdhouse very simple. It is quite possible to use four or five pieces of wood and construct one with very little in the way of tools. Then there is the posture of a bird. Believe it or not, birds perch differently. For example, a Flycatcher perches vertically (straight up and down) when on a branch while a Vireo perches horizontally (almost lying down) when on the same branch.

Here’s one other practical feature that you will fall in love with; stainless steel bowls that are only accessible from outside the cage. This is a must have if your bird is a “biter”.

Even if you don’t need to break your cage all the way down, it’s handy to be able to pull a portion of the cage off to clean it without having to get out the tools. Good quality cages literally snap in & out of place without the need for any tools at all!

You may find that perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particular area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list of successfully viewed species �C we��ll call this tip number two and a half.

Birdwatching Seasons: A Showcase of Wonders Above

Birdwatching is most ideal if it is done during the best season for it. Though birds regularly fly above, it is still most enjoyable to see them in flocks. Indeed, in several countries, this has been a very common and popular activity.

Undoubtedly, spring is the most ideal season for birdwatching both in Europe and America. The bird species that you can see at this time are quite numerous. Thus, it will always help if you have a tour guide with you who is aware of the various sites for birdwatching. Make sure that you do not miss out on such a great spectacle by going to the wrong location. Before even going for birdwatching, you should at least arm yourself with some knowledge about the activity. Read up on how to best approach the birds and learn something about the place that you are going to. In most cases the type of location has an effect on how the birds behave.

Summer may also be good for birdwatching but several species at this time are still nesting or may be feeding their young. Thus, you may not be able to see and appreciate the various species visible during spring. Likewise, summer has an effect on their vocal activities which makes interaction with them more difficult.

The top two ways to give your bird stimulation on a daily basis are: toy hooks & playtops. There’s no need to explain why toy hooks are stimulating, they just are!

Basically, that’s all you have to do in making hummingbird feeders. It depends on you how many hummingbird feeders you want to make, but if you want to enjoy watching more than just one hummingbird, you can make a number of these feeders and tie them into a mobile and place them in your backyard. Most families immediately think that they can choose between getting a cat or a dog simply because those are the most popular pets to have. Before you run out and purchase the perfect kitten or puppy, consider choosing a bird to be your family pet instead.

As much as you love the sound of your new little bird, you probably don’t want to hear it at the crack of dawn. If your feathered friend’s morning song is interrupting your sleep, you might want to buy a bird cage cover.

Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identify birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a mediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it! Autumn, on the other hand, gives birdwatchers the opportunity to get a glimpse of the birds on their way to migration. If you are keen enough, you will see some of them passing quickly by. Birds, together with their prey, tend to transfer to another location at this time.

How do bird watchers strive to entice birds to their yards? Find out at http://www.bird-watch.info Birdwatching may not be that easy during winter but if you choose the proper location, you may be quite successful. Areas around lagoons, large lakes, and gulfs seem to be the best options. These areas promise a site of geese and other waterfowl.

Furthermore, if you are looking for more adventure with your birdwatching, you may include some mountain climbing with it. The mountains have been known to be great habitats for various species of birds. The early part of summer is most ideal for this kind of paired activity.

Although each of the seasons has an obvious effect on the behavior of the birds, what usually makes them more visible and people-friendly is the way humans approach them. If you treat them nicely, you can expect them to give you delight by flying by and sometimes coming near you. There really should be a give and take relationship. Okay, most people are not informed enough to make a good decision when buying a bird cage. That’s really not good, because if you’re buying a good quality cage it isn’t going to be cheap, and if you are paying a decent amount of money, you need to get the best product you can get for that money!

To draw more birds during bird watching, consider using a fountain bird bath. Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.

Buying a pet bird can be quite an investment. After spending money on your bird and its supplies, you might be looking to save a little on the cage. Luckily, discount bird cages are available. We may have the best intentions to let our bird spend most of his time out of the cage. But there will still be times when he needs to be in his cage.

After you have brought your bird bath home, find a place to set up the bath well within sight of your outdoor and indoor spaces.
About the AuthorHow do bird watchers strive to entice birds to their yards? Find out at http://www.bird-watch.info