Temperature as Color Theory

photo 1:

http://www.monetalia.com/paintings/large/monet-poplars-on-the-epte.jpg

photo2:http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/poplars-epte/monet.poplars-epte.jpg

Impressionists in art came about in the late 1700’s and created a new medium of art. The use of color in painting is key and in the impressionist era color when was dispersed in a beautiful yet unique way. This medium was explored a by a great deal of artists including one of the greatest artists of the impressionist period: Claude Monet. Monet entered the color world, creating works that challenged the human eye and created a new way to look at paint and color.

Just as on a television screen small pigments of basic colors make up the “bigger picture” so did the tiny blobs of paint and brush strokes, which were the staples of impressionist art. Monet used this new concept of impressionism to create works such as Poplars, and Poplars on the Epte. His use of this technique challenged color theories of his time, especially in the works listed above. He helped to develop the theory of temperature in color and conveyed how very different a feeling can be communicated or felt within color. While the first has a very warm temperature, the later has a cool temperature, although the paintings seem to be very similar.

It is amazing the new meanings a painting can take on with the slightest element being changed. Color certainly can change the feel of a piece of art, and is a strong force within most. So the next time you look at a painting, quickly or without thought, stop and think again about the impact the piece had on you and why.

Eloise at the Plaza and in the World of High Culture

When one thinks of cartoons or animation it is often that they also associate them with children. The art of cartoons is taken to be something of child’s play not taken seriously in the world of high fashion and culture, or at least not until recently. With animated films/shows such as Shrek, Team America, and Family guy, it seems that a new respect for cartooning and animation is born. While adults now can enjoy cartoons featuring adult humor and themes, one cartoon has taken the juvenile world of cartoons, and turned it into an icon of high class and society. The cartoon Eloise at the Plaza created by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Night in 1954.

The simple elements that make up Eloise, truly show the modern need for simplicity today, as she combines elegant clothes (at times dawning Dior) with spunky hair and an attitude to match. Her illustration is simple, mostly consisting of two colors pink and yellow, which give a girly impression and a classy feel. She is outlined with black lining creating an elegant simplicity that can only be captured by a little girl who lives at The Plaza in New York. Although she is six she has the culture of a woman of much more experience and the mischievous manner of a child, which together could only be combined in this one of a kind girl.

Recently a young actress, Sofia Vassilieva, has taken on the role of Eloise capturing the essence of a young lady with poise, and the roguish behavior of a six your old creating this icon of high class. Vanity Fair magazine featured an article on Eloise naming it a pastime worthy of the world of high culture. And indeed it has grown to be so. Now this cartoon is no longer considered on the level of a juvinile level, but and icon to children across the world, and societies finest. This is so far so that a fashion line inspired by Eloise has been recently put on the market by the designer Betsey Johnson.

So the next time that you think about cartoons and the effects it can place of society, think of Eloise and I think you will “rawther” find cartoons to be shed in a new light.

Eloise Photo 1:

http://thelifevicarious.typepad.com/the_life_vicarious/2008/12/nightmares-of-russian-wives-and-viennese-pastries-at-the-plaza.html

Eloise photo 2:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaiyHOv3keCiB9_SkR9Ino-qX7uFmt9LzCerzoZtGupzbWVLjE5V9TRg7IjX7Hq16gryYKgNfGXy6ZJ2Cfk3kmtkUwImhK38fDzfE9i0eSZyBx86S4Qoiu_VZOTQwB2nVSqEEn3sYvSE/s400/hht2_s.jpg

Photo 3:

http://www.littleboxofideas.com/images/blog/cartooncharacters/meeloise.jpg

Sustainability Is Not Always Green

Think green photo:

http://sundaysenergy.org/files/suit_kedit.gif

"Green is the new.." photo:http://site.babygirlboutique.com/squidoo/boho/green-new-black-tee.jpg

Tote Photo: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=11338915

Green is every where, it is on the reusable grocery totes we carry to the market, on bumper stickers we read while in traffic, and on the minds of people every where. But what is it about this fascination with green? With the environment in shoddy shape, green is the new icon for cleaning up our world. Many companies are now using green to help sell products that are environmentally safe, but one expert says this is the wrong technique entirely. Nathan Shedroff the author of The Power of Design: Sustainable Innovation.

When we use the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle, we are talking about more than just saving the environment. We easily overlook the different areas of sustainability when considering this phrase. Not only does it sustainability refer to our limited environmental resources and the effect of our consumerism on the environment, but also the financial and social category of sustainability. When the term “Green” is applied to sustainability, the social and financial categories are then alienated. Green refers to the effects of consumerism on the environment, and turns off to the financial and social responsibilities of sustaining.

The term green is not easily applied to capital, although we may sometimes call our paper money “green”, but sustaining our money through budgeting, and cutting back is an important aspect of reducing. We want to reduce the amount of capital being thrown away with products, which are virtually unsustainable and bad for our environment. We have to consider the financial aspect of our consumerism, not only for ourselves, but for the future generations.

The generations to come seem to be at risk just as much as the environment. This is where the social side of sustainability comes in. With the rate of degradation to the environment and the financial situations currently at hand in the world, we have to consider the effect that the future generations will have to live with. Not only are they affected by living in a world depleted of resources, but they will also have to live with the depletion of financial resources as well.

Considering these other categories of sustainability, the word green seems to no longer fit the cause. While “green” is a good way to remind us of the effects of our consumerism, we have to also take into consideration the other aspects of sustainability instead of merely isolating the environmental aspect. So the next time you use the word “green” remember also to think about your financial and social responsibility.

To learn more about Nathan Shedroff’s theories, visit his website at:

www.nathan.com/thoughts

Kandee Creations By You!

Social media has taken the world by storm with the power to make people famous. Today with a username and a password, anyone can post virtually anything on the internet ranging from products, pictures, political views, and even productions. This opportunity has opened up the door for the Average Joe/Jane to market themselves and their skills to anyone who will listen. The phenomenon has created a way for people to express themselves and seek fame whether intentional or not. One such person who has marketed her skills is Kandee Johnson: a true artist.

Kandee has taken the world of YouTube by storm, streaming video tutorials of beauty design, reaching out to men and women (and some children!) alike. She has taken her skill of cosmetology to the next level as she teaches step by step beauty technique through hair, nail, and make-up design. Her make-up videos range from regular make-up basics, to real Hollywood costume makeup. This creates an opportunity for the non-makeup artist to be able to create professional looks that one would otherwise not be able to create without the help of a make-up artist.

Her accessible videos have created an opportunity for anyone to have star worthy looks on a daily basis. Kandee is a great example of how social media is taking the world by storm (and in her case), one face at a time. So the next time you have a special event, costume party, or just wanting a fresh new look, consider your resources, and you just might find you too may have the skill of a make-up artist.

To find out more on Kandee Johnson go to her blog: http://kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com/

Or subscribe to her videos on YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/user/kandeejohnson

Lights, Camera, Set Design: What you’re really missing

When you watch a movie, play or T.V. it is not often that you may think about the design that a production involves. So many things go into making a production successful including, hair, make-up, and costume design, however, one part of design which is seldom thought of is set and lighting design. While set and lighting design may seem at first thought to be unimportant, with a bit more consideration you may realize that set and lighting design really make up the whole audience experience. Can you imagine watching a play with no lights to highlight actors, or sets to create an atmosphere for the viewer. To even imagine this seems quite absurd, so it is odd that we do not normally think of these important details.

Such an important detail, requires an important job for a crew of people. Lighting and set design are two separate entities in the production of television, movies, and plays, yet they must be able to work together to create the desired feeling for a production. One thing that is very important in the working together of designs is the colors. Lighting must be harmonious with colors used on the set, and also be able to work efficiently. This fact leaves a big job for lighting technicians and set designers to work together to find the perfect balance.

While set designers do a lot of research to create the right time period and feeling in a set the lighting technicians must work equally as hard to create the right lighting. Meticulous planning must take place in order to have a successful set that works for the given productions needs. Set designers have to have a vision as well as be able to have a “designer-client” relationship with the producer, taking into consideration the directors needs. Not only must the set designer be able to collaborate with others but, must also be very consistent in all the planning stages. Models must be drawn up and then constructed starting in small scale, which in turn has to be constructed into a full scale.

This may be the hardest job for a set designer. The small scale must be able to exactly replicate the full scale, including the most minute details such as paint color, furnishings, and architectural accuracy. The job of the set designer to create such accuracy is incredible in all its awe from start to finish. Knowing all the effort that is put into creating the perfect on set atmosphere, really changes the whole meaning of a production for many. So the next time you watch your favorite T.V. show pay attention to the details, the incredible work which surrounds the performers, and you’ll find that the actors are not the only artists in show biz.

photo at right: http://www.rfdesigns.org/graphics/amadeus3.jpg

photo at top left: http://www.clinton.k12.ky.us/revised/cchsrevision/Student%20Pages/Bway%20Rocks/assets/rent2.jpg

Use More Paper, Spend Less Paper

Sustainability is a topic which is everywhere today. The challenge for an artist/designer is to be able to create new things out of preexisting recyclable or reusable items. In accordance, color theorists believe that paper palettes are becoming the “new” paint palettes because of their inexpensive and reusable nature. Not only is a paper palette resourceful, but it makes consistency in work a lot easier for an artist. With a paper palette, artist need not worry about the challenge of light intensity and hue changes within a single work. This consistency makes pieces of art more fluid and beautifully composed (as some might argue).

One artist in particular who truly understood this idea was Henri Matisse. Henri was a French artist who had many talents and some of his most famous works were created from paper. Henri knew the importance of paper palettes and the unity that it can bring to a composition. His work has changed art and created a new form in this modern era. The paper palette has grown in popularity and has branched out with this new form of art.

Constructing artwork with paper has revolutionized palettes with it’s accessibility and is creating a cleaner easier way to create art. Paper cutouts require few tools and can be made from recycled materials ranging from old magazines, newspapers, and other post consumer packaging. With that in mind the quote is posed: “Design is more than just packaging”. While design may be more than just packaging, with the paper palette, design can be just packaging . So the next time you think about buying an array of paint, or even consider throwing out an old magazine, remember paper palettes can be an inexpensive, resourceful, and beautiful way to create something new, from something old.

Henri Matisse cutouts and photos from the book: Drawing With Scissors Vol. 2

For most, clothing is just like any other household item. When the milk goes bad you throw it out just like that skirt that went out of style with the spice girls. Today, the world is just beginning to realize the effects of our over materialistic nature is placing upon our resources. Now is the time to really take to heart the phrase: “reduce, reuse, recycle”. With all the concern for our planet’s well being and a suffering economy, it is no wonder that consignment stores are becoming more and more popular.

While the average American has taken pay cuts, furloughs, layoffs, and job losses, it seems people do not have a whole lot of extra money floating around. You may no longer be able to justify splurging on that Coach handbag that you just had to have, or that butter leather blazer calling your name. Although paying for groceries and the rent may be your first priority in these financially pressing times, you do not have to let your wardrobe (or your rent) be neglected. In face the most fashion savvy have a secret that is growing in popularity: Consignment store shopping.

Upscale consignment stores have been providing designer clothing and accessories at rock bottom prices for years. Consignment stores sell and buy designer clothing with two main goals: Recycle used clothing and accessories, and provide affordable designer labels. Although these upscale consignments stores have been around for a long time, it seems that in recent times consumers have turned to them in masses. Women and Men alike understand the importance of still dressing fashionably in financially straining times, and thus the consignment boom.

One particular store that has been in the business of Consignment clothing for years and years in the store Buffalo Exchange. Buffalo Exchange is a company that was started by foreigners in hopes of sustaining the resources of designer brands. Since 1974 this chain has been working to save our planet’s resources, and has recently branched out to other philanthropic work as well. It is companies such as Buffalo Exchange which is making a difference both in the world as a whole, and to the people of the world in teaching a very important lesson: “Reduce, reuse, recycle.”

So the next time you start dreaming about those oh-so-adorable boots you just have to have, remember the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” and do your part in sustaining your financial and environmental resources, and smile because you have made a difference.

Black(eye) Friday

As the holidays rush by, you might too find yourself rushing to get things done. Rushing to get Halloween costumes, rushing to plan the perfect Thanksgiving meal, and rushing to get all the holiday gift shopping done. With that in mind, it seems Retail has just about the same schedule. Retail begins its big rush of hiring, grand dash of decoration, and even larger scale of selling than any other time of the year.

It is this time of year when companies finally come out of the red financially (deficit), and fall into the black (profiting). In fact most of the years profits are made in one day infamously known as “Black Friday”. Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving when stores slash prices, and customers are known to cut throats (not literally) in order to get the best deals of the season. In recent years deaths have even been associated with Black Friday, as crowds can get large and vicious.

You probably find yourself asking, what’s the big deal anyway. Black Friday is indeed a big deal as prices are cut about 20 to 25 percent on average in most stores, and it is for one day, and one day only. Some find that it is impossible to shop on this day as a result of all overcrowding, so if you are one of these people, online shopping is the best solution. The Internet creates haven from crowds and during the holidays you are sure to find free shipping. Discounts can be found online during the holidays, but most cannot compare with Black Friday in store prices. However, if you can stand crowded stores and long lines Black Friday is definitely both a good investment in time and money.

Warm Memories Through Quilting

Do you remember your first Halloween, or maybe that ratty old blanket you dragged with you everywhere as a child? What about your prom dress, or that expensive silk scarf that you wore once before it tore? What ever happened to that perfectly pink sweater that you grew out of or the pants that you shrunk in the dryer? Those items most likely ended up in the trash and in some cases burned (think that old blanky your mother loathed), but for some, these scraps of clothing have become very resourceful.

A good quilter is able to take pieces of old clothing/fabric, and put them to use in what can be a beautiful, but always-resourceful creation. Today you may think of a quil, as a store bought product made of beautiful complementary colors and patterns, but this notion is not a true representation of what a quilt really is. Quilts were once (and often still are) made of recycled fabrics in order to create an item that was useful in many ways. The quilt is a utility of warmth as well as a way to recycling and even holding onto memories of the past. In fact, often times quilts are used for this exact purpose: to (in a sense) “scrapbook” memories whether it is with the old fabric from the couch of your childhood, or that sparkly tutu you never took off.

In the Nelson Art Gallery on the UC Davis campus, one particular exhibit pays special tribute to these used scraps of cloth, commemorating a tradition that has been around for centuries. The exhibit showcases the works of African American quilters. Each quilt is unique in its own way, but one variable remains the same among all. Every quilt in the exhibit is an example of sustaining resources.

More elaborate quilts generally attract more attention because of the vibrant colors and striking patterns, while the simpler quilts at a glance can appear dull. It is easy for the viewer to make this assumption hastily, but with a more attentive eye, it is easy to be drawn to the quilts, which initially look dull. Each quilt has its own unique pattern varying in shapes, textures, and colors. While some quilts illustrate a history, others represent the essence of a quilt: Warmth.

One particular quilt, which stood out amongst the rest, was an amorphous shaped quilt. Its obvious was purpose was not to construct a masterpiece, but to create warmth. No particular pattern was applied to the work, but the way the bland colors collaborated seemed to create a unity in the amorphous variety. While the quilts general color scheme seemed to be neutral the varied fabrics seemed to create interest. While some of the quilt was made up of apparently old tablecloths, scuffed wool was also incorporated into the quilt creating an air of reminiscence of its past.

Can you remember the last time you cleaned out your closet, and how much clothes you threw out? Now think about your entire life’s worth of clothes thrown out of your closet. Remember the history of the jeans you wore during your first kiss, or the jumper you wore on the first day of school. The entire idea of a quilt is to capture these moments. It is amazing how a simple piece of needlework can take on so much meaning and express so much history.

2nd quilt middle top row: http://www.kathyscustomcreations.com/images/memory_quilt_four_kids_pix.jpg

1st quilt top left: http://www.quiltopiadesign.com/quilts/gallery/

3rd quilt bottom middle: nelsongallery.ucdavis.edu (part of African American Quilt Exhibit)