Chinese Teaware
Yixing pottery refers to the unique traditional stoneware made in Yixing, China. They are made from the reddish clay (zisha) found in Yixing area, usually unglazed to display the beauty of the shiny color of the clay. Most of them are teawares (called zisha teapots). The history of Yixing pottery went way back at early Song and Ming dynasty (A.D. 960 -1505). The change in the way by which the tea is made in Ming dynasty introduced a fundamental revolution in the art of tea-tasting in China. People started to drink tea which is similar to the modern tea made from young leaves from tea trees. Because unglazed zisha teapots can keep the color and the fresh of the tea better and longer, also the rustic elegance in the shape and the natural shine in the colors is in accordance with the search for ideal of the beauty of the nature among scholars, zisha teapots has since experienced a rapid development and gained recognition in Chinese ceramics.
Barcelona, Home Of Picasso
It's easy to be confused by the many Picasso Museums in Europe - in Malaga, Barcelona, Paris and Antibes. A brief study of the influential Spanish artist's life explains all. Born in Malaga; raised in Barcelona; lived in Paris and holidayed in Antibes. It's a surprise only in one sense that Malaga, the Andalusian city of Picasso's birth, has devoted a fine museum to one its most famous sons - Picasso had a lifelong loathing of the city and rarely went back to Malaga as an adult, despite living there to the age of ten and enjoying, it seems, a happy childhood. It's thought the disdain many Catalans have for the south - and many of Picasso's friends were Catalan - may have turned him against Malaga.
The Process Of Enamel Inlay Over Silver
Russian culture is full of colors, in everything they do architecturally in their homes, in their churches, and also within their smaller artistic creations of their everyday living. Not only were their inner and outer surroundings painted with colorful variations, but they were also decorated with enamels that were brilliantly translucent. Many of these jewels like enamels of the 19th Century were made by the court enameler, Ovchinikov, during the reign of Tzar Aleksandr III. It was during the reigns of the Tzar's of Aleksandr II, Aleksandr III, and Tzar Nikolai II that there was an explosion of creative beauty within the artistic world of Russian enamel and silver.
The Key A Fairytale - Chapter 4 - Nothing Left To Lose Part 4
"So, you are ready to renounce everything, " a John said. Then he smiled and added, "Words are spoken with ease, my good friend, compared to the actual experience of this discipline, although there are some key seekers who live in the forest quite comfortably. Some live without irritation; not desiring the touch of a woman or the taste of exquisite foods, the security of a home or the comfort of a bed. They are fortunate, for their interest in these things fell away naturally due to the simple practice of their inner work. They were not obligated to painfully give these things up. Disinterest in worldly enticements is a measure of progress in the quest for the key, which is one's ever-closer approach to Reality.
How To Make Origami Balls
Origami's history was created in China somewhere around 100AD. Origami is the Japanese word for "paper folding". Japan was in the heavy habit of adopting interesting parts of the Chinese culture, and took up the art around 600AD. It is Japanese origami that has become a world famous cultural emblem. As in many societies, paper was a luxury item created by hand, and used only for important long lasting purposes. When origami was first introduced to Japan on the rich were able to practice the art of folding paper into exquisite shapes and designs. The creation and designs were a special was of adding meaning, which was held in the paper.
Stop It!
I know it's not easy; believe me I know as an artist you're always wanting to create and run with an idea. I don't know about you but for me it gets even more so when I have a creative block and I'm trying to get a spark going but take it from me, the name of this article fits perfectly for such situations- STOP IT! When you run into a creative block, stop what you're doing and take a break; go for a walk or play a game or go running or whatever you enjoy doing this is the time to do it. If you are in the midst of a creation you've envisioned but are getting stuck or feeling like you have to push the idea further-STOP IT!
The Key A Fairytale - Chapter 4 - Nothing Left To Lose Part 3
Just then a villager walked out from behind a tree with the long, heavy blade of a razor sharp coconut cutter loosely hanging in his hand. One of the soldiers laughed and drew his sword. Behind him, two other villagers, a boy and a woman, emerged with their blades, and the other warrior drew his sword, with the two soldiers standing back to back. The first villager then whistled, and within moments, there was a flurry of activity in the bush, as ten other villagers ran out, crouched low with their blades ready. It wasn't the sharp, long knives that were so intimidating, or the villagers' strong, taut bodies;
Nature Photography - Technology Or Art?
Nature photography has been around since cameras were invented, but in the past 20 years it has achieved new-found credibility as an art form. Before that, it had been largely relegated to the tourist industry, where second-rate nature photography was mass marketed on postcards and calendars. You certainly would not expect to find nature photography featured in galleries and on the walls of the well-heeled and tasteful. Over the years, postcards and calendars began to improve in quality as nature photographers with real talent entered the industry. High quality posters of whales, wolves, elephants and spectacular landscapes from around the world were suddenly worthy of framing.
Am I Alone?
Did you know there are some folks out there that do not eat while watching a movie? Yeah, it's true. We had the in-laws over for dinner last weekend and after the usual amenities of staying in touch regarding his post skeletal replacements with alloy and my never ending bouts with the joints (I told ya I'm old). I heard that he went fishing the day before and thought I would ask did he catch anything. A normal question for those who do that sort of thing but it led to movies and food. How did we get there? I don't know. OK, I remember, My Mary was bringing in spaghetti and garlic bread (good stuff).
11:11 - Coincidence Or Destiny?
It was about four years ago that I first noticed the amber glowing 11:11 on my digital cable box. No biggie, it was just eleven minutes after eleven o' clock, right? Then it happened again that evening, I was not thinking about what time it was, I just happened to look at the cable box at that exact moment. I didn't think too much about it, the way most people would react I suppose, until it happened again the next day while I was preoccupied with the usual morning routine. At this time, I'm scoffing and shaking my head in amusement, "Three times in a row, hmmm." but the grinning stopped when it occurred yet again, that same evening.