Tag: Paintings

by David Burgess on May 26, 2018 0

An In expensive Display Board For A Leisure Painter’s Group

Why Does An Art Group Need Display Boards.

Do you belong to an art group looking for inexpensive and usable exhibition venues?
Have you thought about making your own display boards to help ease your problems with hanging paintings or craft pieces?
Your own display board can really help to solve the problem of where, and how, a group can hold exhibitions. The greater the choice of venue, the more choice there is for dates and arranging things becomes so much easier. This in turn can lead to saving money, important but especially so for a small group of leisure painters.

The Knowle Art Group is just such a group, we had been running into difficulties deciding where to hold our exhibitions.
The usual local libraries, etc, were getting to be too expensive. The less expensive halls to hire usually meant that there was no where to hang our paintings. They did not cater for groups like ours, wanting to hold an art exhibition. It was possible to hire display boards but again the cost was prohibitive.

The solution was going to be do-it-yourself display boards which we could stand on available tables. The idea came to us after exhibiting in an old Manor House where of course we couldn’t knock anything into the walls and the combined cost renting the room and hiring display boards was too much for us. The original idea was to construct a framework out of rough wooden poles. It worked well in the ancient property but couldn’t be used in other locations. After some thought the idea behind the display boards was arrived at. here is how the boards were made.

The Basic Idea

For Our Display Boards

The display boards were to be used by standing them on tables, which are always available at any hall or room for hire. This meant that they did not have to be large ( heavy and expensive) and waste the bottom two thirds of the available area. the tables could be covered with paper banqueting roll to give a professional appearance. We have since made some white table cloths as one of our members is a seamstress and this gets over the problem of the paper ripping at the slightest provocation.

The idea was quite simple, a board with two hinged side panels would be used to increase the available area for hanging the paintings. In other words we got 50 % extra space compared to the length of the tables. This also had the benefit of giving us a stable configuration. The board was held in place by slotting into two wooden battens ( runners) which were provided with carefully placed slots. A final touch was to hold the rear of the board to the rear runner by using a single screw. This prevented the board from bowing out and again increased the stability.

The Display Boards Are Made From Three Simple Components

The Hinged Back And Two Battens
Here is a photo of the hinged back. The sides are half the width of the center portion so that when it is folded up they do not interfere with each other. Of course the board is stored and moved in the folded condition. The whole thing is painted white, which we felt was appropriate for an art exhibition.

This photo shows the two battens positioned roughly on the table, waiting for the board to be placed in the slots. The paintings around the wall are waiting to be hung. We always have a practice before the day we set up the exhibition so that we can arrange the paintings most efficiently and effectively. This photo was taken at one of these practice sessions which is why there is no tablecloth.

You can see the slots, in this detail photo. We did not have a jig for the ten boards that we made but simply placed the board on the battens and marked the position of the slots which was cut with a saw and widened with a file. The slots are cut about two thirds of the way into the batten to allow the small bolt at the rear to go through the board and through the batten.

The measurements of the boards were to suit , but I will be creating an outline sketch of the three components which will be added to the lens very shortly

A Few More Paintings Waiting Their Turn

This is the first step in arranging the paintings, we put out ten tables (one for each board) and roughly decide which paintings will go on which board. We tend to theme each board; water, mountains, figure, animals, boats,etc. Not really necessary but it gives a great show for the public.

Hanging The Paintings On The Boards

Another Little Secret, Sschhh!!
The way we hang paintnigs on the boards is quite simple. We use brass hooks over the top of the board which support brass chains. For larger paintings, a pair of hooks/chains makes a very stable combination.

Having roughly positioned the paintings on the tables, we can then carefully hang them on the display boards.

The paintings are of course numbered for the catalogue and this identification is used to position them easily on the morning of the actual exhibition opening. And voila, a very professional display at a very inexpensive rate. Once made the boards can be used year after year, with just a new coat of paint.

The Final Outcome

One of Our Exhibitions
Here you can see how the boards can be arranged, and how we also press into service our painting easels for the very large paintings or to get a few more paintings on show.

The Boards Used In A Different Configuration

We Found A New Venue This Year
A view of the hall from above…. showing the boards arranged to take advantage of the natural lighting in the new venue. They also ensure that the visitor has to walk back around the paintings to get a second to the exit which means they get a second look.

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by David Burgess on May 26, 2018 0

Deluxe Art Set

Do you know what art is? , If so, are you interested in art?

Visual Art is a great way to increase your creativity skills; one of the best. Generally Art has to do with expressing your emotions. Visual art is one of the most important portions of art in which emotions, thoughts, messages are converted in to visual graphics. Graphics is basically using points, lines, planes and textures to express an idea. In other words, one or more of technologies and findings of human beings are released through art. All these technologies were just an idea in the mind of their inventors.

So, how is an idea is transformed into a product?

This is probably an important equation that you should ask. The first thing is that you have an idea to create a new product; it can be a new crazy house which is constructed out of living plants or paper. This may be quite crazy to think or seems unrealistic. But if you can manage to express and experiment your ideas in graphics, you can realize whatever you can think of. Graphics helps you to find out if something works or not. This is very critical in fields like Architecture and Mechanical Engineering.

Have you ever looked for a complete set of Artists tools?
Darice 80-Piece Deluxe Art Set is made to meet all your desires as an artist. The set is more than enough for a serious artist to make many great water colors, awesome paintings using the included HQ oil paints. The pack is also full of a set of tools including water color, oil paint, sketch pencils, several brushes and many other accessories.

Darice 80-Piece Deluxe Art Set Best qualities
Darice 80-piece deluxe art set- is perfect for a student like me which is interested in Art. This set is an ideal pack for an artist to express his emotions in the way he likes. The type of art an artist can do using this set is a lot. One can just make pencil sketches or comic cartoons only using the color pencils provided. Others prefer to make oil or water paints.

Make your art come alive. Use the right supplies.

Enjoy Art Express your emotions in Art!!

Darice Art set in Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTRIbnVg_pQ

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by David Burgess on May 26, 2018 0

How to Choose the Best Watercolor Paint Sets

How to Choose Watercolor Paint Sets

What are the best Watercolour Paint Sets for you to use? And why? If you are a Professional, Student or even a Kid there are great paint sets to suit you. Knowing which one can help your art.

Each one has it’s advantages and disadvantages in cost, quality and use.

Types of Watercolor Paint Sets

Watercolor paint comes in different levels and types.

1. Kids
2. Students
3. Pros

It also comes in

1. Pans &
2. Tubes
3. Pencils

Choosing Students Watercolor Paint Sets

Types of Watercolor Paints Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd0PgwA55gs

Students Watercolor Paint Sets

Choosing Students Watercolor Paint Sets can be a tough one. Do you go for students quality or artists quality colors? Students paints are best for students right? Not necessarily so here’s why.

Students range from complete beginner to advanced.
Paints vary in quality and price therefore a more advanced student may want a better quality paint.
Even newbies may not want their art affected by inferior paints.
Not everyone can afford the more expensive paints. (or brushes for that matter)
And everyone has an opinion and most of those are different!

So where do you go from here? Decide on where you fit in to the mix. Also decide what you can afford. Then buy the best watercolor paints you can afford, either a well known student paint or an artists one.

When starting out getting a set can be the easiest way as you have a good starting range to begin with, then you can add individual pans, pencils or tubes later. This lens will be covering the pros and cons of each type of set too.

Artists & Professional Watercolor Paint Sets

Artists & Professional Watercolor Paint Sets are the better quality paints and therefore carry a higher price, but they have better pigments and last longer than student ranges.

Kids Watercolor Paint Sets

Kids Watercolor Paint Sets quality has improved over the years, but they are still basic.

My niece used to paint sheet after sheet of pictures. Each one looking like a single colored ink blob. The paintings went on fridges and walls and doors and eventually when then next batch of blob paintings came along in the trash. At this stage it just isn’t worth spending out on fancy expensive paints. Kids art gear isn’t too expensive, some isn’t too bad a quality whilst others are rubbish.

Now my niece is 9 and my sister despairs of the large range of art stuff she has. Watercolor paints and pencils, normal pencils, pens etc. As you child grows the paint quality needs to improve. It is no good them having paints that don’t work well this will just ruin their interest. So stick to kid’s paint as they are safer but get something increasingly better quality.

7 reasons why watercolor paints are great for kids.

Here are 7 reasons why watercolor paints are great for kids.

1. Kids love them
2. They are cheap
3. Parents can get the off the walls and clothes easier than oil or acrylic.
4. They are designed for kids so aren’t toxic if they go on the fingers then in the mouth.
5. They are easy to use.
7. They encourage creativity in kids which stimulates the mind and improves thinking.

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by David Burgess on May 25, 2018

What Are Artists Trading Cards, An Introduction

My Personal Introduction to Artist Trading Cards

I was introduced to Artist trading cards or their equivalent ACEO’s by Ebay. Not knowing about artist trading cards, I was browsing around in the art categories on Ebay and kept seeing reference to ACEO.

I had to find out what it was. It is actually an art format, sized the same as the ubiquitous Trading Cards so beloved by kids of all ages. That is 2.5 X 3.5 inches exactly. The acronym stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. It could be in any media at all and had been started on Ebay around 1996.

Anyway, I had always prepared for my painting by doing several small sketches to get right the composition / colour / etc and found that this size format was a natural for me. I tentatively put the first listing of an ACEO painting on Ebay and WOW it sold!!! Fantastic!!! I had soon sold around 50 of these little miniatures and felt great.

That first aceo painting was a scene from Portmeirion in Wales where the exterior scenes for the TV programme The Prisoner was filmed. Remember Patrick McGoohan, Prisoner Number 6. This was the rear of his circular house in the village. (see picture above).You can see more of my art on my blogs Painting With John and Artyfax, the trials and tribulations of a leisure artist.

I hope to give an account of the history and potential of these wonderful little works of art, they are a great way for anybody to start their very own art collection. They are fun, affordable and a real insight into the work of any artist that you like. Further to this I will talk about the making, collecting and selling of ACEO’s.My own personal collection of works by other artists is several hundred, but I think that this will grow substantially in the future. Why not try it out?

I originally wrote this lens specifically to cover art cards which were made for selling and so the term ACEO is used throughout the lens. However, I now recognise the similarity between these and art cards traded and indeed the only difference is that one is sold ( ACEO) and one is only ever traded (ATC). Therefore it should be taken as read, that whenever the term ACEO is mentioned in this page, it refers to either form of artist trading cards. I will gradually rewrite this anomaly out of the lens as it is modified.

please note the copyright of all images is the property of the original artist, unless otherwise stated all art and photographs are by Artyfax

What is an ACEO?

The ACEO format

abstract building the cityACEO (artist trading cards) are a particular art format which is defined by its size. The acronym stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. This reflects the idea that they are sometimes made as part of a series or may be made as numbered editions, usually limited editions. These miniature works are only 2.5 X 3.5 inches. This incidentally, and not by accident, is the size of the ubiquitous Trading Cards beloved by kids of all ages and sizes. This means that there are many products available for storing and displaying the art work, from simple plastic wallets to A4 loose leaf pages with multiple pockets, and whole display books. The miniature aceo art works can of course be framed for display either singly or as multiples.

Collectors often come up with their own devices or simply use a favourite box ( of the right size of course) and I have even heard of them being used as dolls’ house art.

It is a format that started back in 1996, and soon grew into a very popular collectible area. A search on Ebay.com for ACEO can bring up 3-4000 items (rather less in the UK as you might imagine being a much smaller market, but we are getting there) with aceo’s available in so many different media it soon becomes confusing. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, pencil, collage, photographic images, computer generated images….. the list goes on.

ACEO’s are a really inexpensive and fun way of starting your own original art collection.

Alternatively, for those with an artistic bent, art cards can be traded with other artists, almost always as originals or “one-of-a-kind” (OOAK). This was thte original means of dispersal when the format was introduced, see a short history below. When traded they are called ATC’s , short for artist trading card.

My ACEO’s on You Tube

A Portfolio of ACEO paintings by myself on YouTube

This video to be found on YouTube was an experiment for me. A selection of some of my ACEO paintings, backed by my own soundtrack, hope you like it.

Some of my favourite artists’ sites on Ebay

I have at least one work by most of these guys in my own collection of ACEO’s

There are many, many really great artists selling ACEO’s on Ebay. Some are selling simply to attract attention to their larger works, others sell ACEO’s as their main line. If you are interested, then give them a quick once over. I did not intend this lens to be a commercial, but hey! we all need to make bread, so please forgive the intrusion.

I am not selling on Ebay at the moment, and have given up my Ebay shop, please watch this space for news of developments on Etsy.

ARENA-CREATIONS
Immortalising Dreams, Moments and Memories……….. Artist, Gaynor Lewis shows her endless inspiration and expression through her artwork. Bringing extra to your life through art – Original artwork, prints, greeting cards, gift tags and commissions.
Aartless ACEO Gallery
ACEO Originals, Limited Edition ACEO Prints, Postcard and other Small Format Art by JAN VALLANCE. Direct from the artist. Cats, Portraits, Landscapes, all in Jan’s instantly recognisable and individual style.
Naj – My Depictions
Internationally selling UK based artist. Sells promotional samples of small format art, undertakes commissions for art work such as portraits, pet portraits and other custom art commissions, including canal art.
Round the Cauldron
I was raised in California but I now call Scotland my home. My two biggest inspirations are my children and my love of nature. I have been an artist for as long as I’ve been able to hold a pencil, working mainly in Graphite and Watercolour.
Mareens Art Gallery
*Contemporary Art* This Gallery is all about the art created by Mareen Haschke. Purchase ACEOs (Art Trading Cards), Fine Art Prints, and Originals such as pastel drawings and acrylic paintings directly from the artist.

ACEO Links On The Web

just a small selection to wet your apetite…

Here I have tried to provide links to sites with articles about the subject rather than artist sites, I will be adding more regularly.

A painting a day
From Shanti’s world of watercolour, A painting a day seems like a wonderful target. A great way of building up a real expertise. Why don’t I do it?
all you need to know
Probably the first and last link about ACEO’s you should need.
Entry in Wiki
A highly debated offshoot of artist trading cards are the “art card, editions and originals” (ACEO). ACEOs originated when some artists began to create cards to sell on eBay, in addition to trading among themselves. The selling of these cards is a sore point with some ATC purists; however the practice is not unprecedented: trading cards in other areas such as sports have also been traded and sold.
Art in your pocket
Basics of ATC’s ( Art Trading Cards)which are the equivalent of ACEO’s but are traded rather than sold. And importantly, many different ways of making them. Materials and techniques.

More ACEO Artists on the web

another list of links to fantastic artists

It never ceases to amaze me how how much can be contained in one little 2.5 X 3.5 inch painting. Here are some more of my favourite artists aceo’s:-

Affordable art – Ken Gillam
Ken Gillam is a Marine and Landscape Artist based in the South of England working in Watercolour and Acrylic. This site features some of his Miniature Paintings.
Original ACEO art for sale
About the artist, Jim Read

As a scholar I was taken to The British Museum and there saw my first nude, a sculpture.

I was entranced by the perfection of the form and the ever changing lines as I moved around it. I never lost the sense of awe I felt then and it is only now in later life that I feel able to commit my fascination to paper.

ACEO’s from the ACEO UK, Ebay group

a small selection from some fine artists

The Ebay user group ACEO UK has recently started to take notice of ths exciting development and list art videos (aka showreels) on You Tube. This is a group endeavour.

Artist Trading Cards In The News

Artists are creative people and like to keep up with new ideas.

Who is writing about these new ideas and what do they have to say? Find out here:-
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History of ACEO’s

What and Why

jester aceo atcWe have seen above two variations of the artist trading card, ATC and ACEO. And how they only differ in that one is sold and the other is only ever traded. How did this come about?

Artists have always painted miniatures for patrons but in September 1996, Swiss artist M Vanci Stirnemann formally identified the concept and format of artist trading cards now known as ATC’s. I have also shown above that ATC’s are not limited to any particular media but can be created in almost any way that can be envisaged. I have listed and given examples in my lens Making Artist Trading Cards. The original idea was that ATC’s should be exchanged between artists and never sold or indeed should not involve the art establishments selling art. However the internet was taking off at this time and this helped to create a popular demand for this format. It very soon became established around the world particularly in the USA thanks to the involvement via the internet.

For more information see:-

Time line for ATC’s
ATC Quarterly

Collecting ACEO’s

As Opposed To Trading ATC’s

flower garden abstract atc aceoSome time after the introduction of the concept of the ATC an artist selling her work on Ebay (ID Bone-Diva, real name Lisa Luree) put some artwork in this format up for auction. This caused consternation amongst many supporters of the format and Lisa formed a breakaway group which came up with the name ACEO ( Art Cards Editions and Originals) as an acronym for art cards which were sold. This represents the fact that art cards are produced as originals, in series or as editions (open or limited edition prints). Ebay and other sites sell quite large numbers of ACEO’s to artists and collectors looking to start their own art collection at reasonable prices. Many are sold very cheaply by amateurs by auction but established artists with a strong following can command premium prices as you would imagine. Prices in the latter case can be relatively inexpensive but still command prices of $4-500.

For more information on the controversy see, ATC’s vs ACEO’s The Real Story

Selling Your ACEO’s On Ebay

A Quick Introduction

Collecting, selling and trading ACEO art (Art Cards Editions and Originals) is as easy as buying and selling anything on eBay — and it has the advantage of a specialized market. Here’s how to turn drawing miniature artworks the size of trading cards (2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″) into some added income to help you add to your collection!

This image is of one of my early watercolour ACEO’s sold on Ebay. A good price is difficult but they are fairly quick to complete and if it sells short it is no great loss. take it on the chin and try again with another. There are other on-line sites and I will add some of these very soon to the lens on Selling ACEO’s; the next in this series. For now check out the recommended links on the side bar.

read this lens for more detailed informationHow to sell ACEOs on Ebay

Some Featured Items From Google News

Sometimes the items discovered by the Google News module are the sort that you don’t want to lose. For example the first in the list below is about hhow a school is using trading cards to overcome the lack of an art tteacher and structured art lessons. How great that this hobby (or passion even) can be used to help school kids in this way. I decided to keep track of some of the more relevant and interesting items for reference.

Art Cards In School
How the use of art trading cards is helping school pupils
trading with a difference
A different take on the trading of artist trading cards

Reader Feedback
I look forward to hearing any feedback!

An artist always craves attention, we prefer to be told how great or original we are BUT I am a realist, let me know what you think and if you don’t like it … well I will just use the input to improve on my next piece – thanks

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by David Burgess on May 25, 2018 0

Norman Rockwell Paintings| Norman Rockwell Posters

Norman Rockwell: painter of American Life

When you think of a painter who paints the idealized “American” Lifestyle only one name can come to mind: Norman Rockwell.

Norman Rockwell was a very popular American artist and the reason why is very clear. He painted gorgeous and clear paintings, but that is not the important point. His paintings symbolized everything that was good about the about America.

He painted innocent boys, family life, sports, abiding love and the American way of life. Basically his painting have always represented everything that is best about America and Americana. Sometimes it may be an idealized view of an America that no longer exists, but that is even more a reason to hold it up as an example of what would and could be.

Rockwell’s portraits can give us spirit and encouragement. They show us what is and what can be. So get inspired and check out a few of the Norman Rockwell Posters below.

All of these pictures are linked to a site where you can buy where Norman Rockwell posters, if you desire. SO check them out, find a good one you like and get a slice of American for your own home. Enjoy!

Norman Rockwell Posters:

Norman Rockwell Paintings of young kids
One of the reasons that Norman Rockwell Pictures are so beloved is that they show a picture of a bucolic and happy life. One of his most famous themes, that he goes back to again and again, are young boys getting into innocent trouble.

With scenes reminiscent of Tom Sawyer, these are often gangly kids who get into just a little bit of mischief.

You can see a sampling of these great Norman Rockwell boys posters below:

Norman Rockwell Navy Wallpaper

Being a “Navy” guy myself this has always been one of my favorites

Rockwells Paintings: Romance and Love

Romance and emotion is not really Norman Rockwells strong suit. AT least not passionate romance. Rockwell’s romance pictures are more of an abiding and happy scenes. They are pictures of caring and love, and a romance that will last the test of time. Filled with real caring and emotion, not a quick and fleeting passion.

See some of Norman Rockwell’s Romance pictures below:

Norman Rockwell Paints the American woman

Great Norman Rockwell Paintings of Women
While Rockwell painted a lot of pictures of boys and boyhood, often seemingly pictures of his own idyllic boyhood, he also had many strong women, both as children and adults that would take center stage.

Take a look at some of Norman Rockwell’s pictures of women:

Norman Rockwell and Sports Pictures

Norman Rockwell obviously cherished sports and sporting events because he also painted many of the iconic pictures of many sports. These are not hard bitten sports pictures showing how “tough” these sports are but showing the innocence , joy and fun of these great sports he enjoyed.

Check out some Norman Rockwell Sports Pictures:

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by David Burgess on May 24, 2018 0

Big Eyes Keane Paintings

The Story of Margret Keane

Sad Eyed Children, Big Eyed Art, Doe Eyed Orphans or Sorrowful, wide-eyed waifs, whatever name you used to describe them, there’s one thing for sure, with no grey areas, you either loved them or you hated them.

Artist Margaret Keane was born in 1927, by the 60’s she was a pop art sensation. Margaret was married to Walter Keane for ten years, from 1955 to 1965. A film about her life is being made called “BIG EYES”. Tim Burton, a fan of Margaret’s work, will co-produce the film. Early rumours had Ryan Reynolds and Reese Witherspoon in the staring rolls. The latest to be put up for the lead roles are Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams.

The script was penned by Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander and Tim Burton will direct the movie said to be released in August 2014.

The film will start just before Margaret and Walter meet up, and ends in a spectacular court scene where Margaret gets her day in court.

Margaret now lives in Napa County, California.

Personally I can’t wait until the film comes out. Now I have to go and find all those paintings my sister had hanging up on her anaglypta-wallpapered bedroom walls in the seventies, as they should skyrocket in price after the film.

The script

BIG EYES by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski

At the beginning of the script the year is 1955 and Margaret with her eight-year old daughter Jane, leaves her first husband, and lands in the wild and cool beatnik epicenter of San Francisco. The place is foreign and strange, yet she gets a sense that this would be a great place to settle as an artist.

Margaret runs into Walter Keane whilst sketching tourists for a few dollars at Fisherman’s Wharf. Walter made an impression on her dressed like a Parisian Artist in a turtle neck and black beret flogging his Paris street scenes with the gusto of a fairground sideshow boss. As soon as Walter meets Margaret he foreshadows his future actions by criticizing her for selling herself and her artwork too short.

It’s not long before they pitch their easels next to each other in the park and start a courtship. Jane, Margaret’s daughter notices that Walter’s canvas is always blank. We learn that Walter is really a commercial realtor. They soon get married and honeymoon in Hawaii. in this script version, they decide not to delve in length into the reason why they get married so hastily, just a letter from Margaret’s ex-husband accusing her of being an unfit mother.

Walter’s artwork is shunned by a Gallery owner which motivates him to rent wall-space in the hungry I, a hugely popular and hip jazz club, and he exhibits his and wife Margaret’s work. At this time they both sign their works as Keane and Walter is soon credited with the sad-eyed-girls, hungry for sales he takes credit for the works. The Jazz club is further instrumental in their success when the club owner and Walter come to blows and are caught on camera; this catapults both the club and the paintings to overnight popularity and Walter deeper and deeper into his lie, a lie that eventually becomes real to him.

The paintings start shifting even though art critics snubbed them, one critic suggested they were “the very definition of tasteless hack work”. The layman loved them, and Walter found they had to start printing off posters and framed prints to keep up with demand.

There’s not doubt Walter had a flair for marketing, he opens up a gallery across from the first gallery that shunned him and started giving paintings away to famous and influential people including, Natalie wood, Jerry Lewis and Kim Novak also sending one of John Jr. and Caroline Kennedy to the White House.

Walter Keane churned out work, sausage factory style, well before Warhol and his helpers. Walter’s sweat shop consisted of Margaret only, whilst she grafted he wallowed in his self-promotion, and the secret was kept even from Margaret’s daughter.

Margaret becomes more and more depressed, which reflects in her artwork, almost self-portraits, which makes it more difficult for Walter to explain his inspiration.

The script heads towards the climax, where Margaret gets her day in court after remaining silent for years. A radio interview in 1970 prompted Margaret to admit she and she alone painted the wide-eyed waifs, and at this time challenged Walter to a public painting contest, Walter was a no show.

A couple of years go by and Walter surfaces suggesting to USA Today that Margaret thought that he was dead and that’s why she was making her claims. This led to a slander suit from Margaret.

When they both walked into the Honolulu federal court, 20 years had passed since either one had seen each other. Walter was 70 and Margaret 58, the whole trial lasted for 3½-week with plenty of sparks. According to Margaret the only reason she was obsequies and gave into Walter’s wishes was because she feared for her and her daughter’s lives.

Margaret brought into court paintings from her childhood, and clinched it when she painted a boy’s face in fifty three minutes, showing obviously that she is in fact the creator of Big Eyes. Walter was challenged to pick up a paint brush but declined clutching his should, saying he was taking medication and declined the challenge. The court awarded Margaret $4 million for damaged reputation and emotional distress at the hand of Walter’s false statements.

At the end of the Script a reporter asks Margaret if she feels vindicated by the high award, she replies that it was never about the money and anyway she doesn’t think that Walter would pay up. Margaret adds that she just wanted rightful credit for her work and to get her art back, my prayers are answered.

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by David Burgess on May 9, 2018 0

The Artists of the Old West

Capturing the Wildlife (and Scenery) of the Old West (Recent West, Too!)

When explorers started their journey from the Eastern United States to discover the Western United States, they encountered Native American cultures and communities and wildlife they may have never imagined.

They encountered various Native American groups such as the Lakota Sioux and Blackfoot, the Comanches of the Western plains and mountains, and the Apaches, Navajo, Pueblo tribes of the American desert Southwest, to the groups of Pacific Northwest tribes such as the Bella Coola, the Haida, and the Kwakiuts. Most of the time, their encounters were friendly… although many times misunderstandings caused later conflict.

The explorers also encountered the numerous critters of the Wild West–grizzley bears, wolverines, timber wolves, antelope, moose, elk, deer, skunks, porcupines, great horned owls, flying squirrels, bald eagles, turkey vultures, and other critters.

In those days, photography wasn’t yet well developed (sorry… bad pun)… so those in their exploratory groups who had any art skills wound up drawing a lot of what they saw in their journals. Some of these artsts came to more fame because their art was so realistic and dramatic. And many more modern artists came into the field to further this capture of images from the wild west.

This Squidoo lens explores some of these artists and provides links and resources to more information on these amazing folks.

Charles M. Russell by the Bay…. eBay, That Is

I was born in Montana — and my adopted Grandpa, who normally worked as a logger in the deep forests of the Montana Northwest (near Kalispell and Flathead Lake), was also a wilderness guide for hunters. My Grandpa had some wild stories about his adventures in the Montana boonies–many of his stories were unbelievable.

One of his wilderness guide “clients” when Grandpa was younger was an artist named Charles M. Russell. And he had an original painting by Charles M. Russell in his living room that illustrated aspects of some of these adventures (the painting he had depicted some Native Americans going after a grizzley bear). (Grandpa Lloyd also had a huge bear rug on the floor of his living room–I used to play on it when I was a toddler and still remember it.) He also had some paintings by other western artists decorating his walls in other rooms of the house. His house was a veritable museum of animal trophies (most of the animal had been used for meat) and western art and other decorations. Maybe it helped that Grandma was a member of the Flathead Indian Tribe–Grandpa had an “in” with the backwoods of Montana.

You may find your own Charlie Russell artwork here for your own western-themed office, den, home, or cubicle!

The early wilderness and explorer artists created their work in a rough way…

Sometimes they had to make their own tools, inks, and surfaces…
The Mountains of the American West – Aspens and PinesCarrying art materials on the long journeys in the early days wasn’t easy… and having the right tools for drawing sometimes meant having to make them on the spot. Some charcoal from a campfire or the carbon from a lamp was used to create a drawing tool or ink. A tanned hide of a deer, elk, or antelope may have been used to make a flexible, foldable surface for the artwork. Pigments from the wildflowers, tree barks, and different mineral-content clays may have been used to create the various inks and paints. But most of the travelers most likely also carried their journals…. handing books of blank pages on which they could capture their notes as well as their impressions of the striking scenery, events, animals, and people they were seeing.

Athough some of the first wilderness old-west artists were Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington, later artists carried on their tradition of capturing the adventure of the American Wild West.

Elmer Sprunger by the Bay… eBay, That Is…

After World War II, Elmer Sprunger came to Bigfork, Montana to live and work. His experiences with the wildlife of Montana became the theme of his drawings and paintings. And since my folks and I also lived in Bigfork, Montana for a while, we got to know Mr. Sprunger and his family. My Mom and Dad were teachers in Bigfork–and probably got to know Mr. Sprunger through his kids at the Bigfork school.

No matter how they met Mr. Sprunger, my folks developed a friendship with him such that they were able to acquire some of his paintings. Mr. Sprunger passed away in 2007– but he has left his legacy of beautiful wildlife paintings and drawings for others to enjoy.

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by David Burgess on May 8, 2018 0

Cottage Paintings

Cottage Paintings and Cottage Art for Your Home

My husband is Richard Burns, painter extraordinaire. When people see his cottage paintings for the first time they invariably say that his artwork looks like that of Thomas Kinkade. I might be biased, but I think Rich’s are better. Mr. Kinkade actually had other artists paint for him and then he would add the finishing touches and sign them. I’m not bashing him; many artists do this. But he also added extra and unrealistic light and perspective to create artificial effects. Just a little contrived for my taste. Well now Thomas is gone from us, so no more cottage paintings will be available from him.

But Richard Burns still paints cottages all the time, a new one every Christmas for all those Christmas cards and calendars put out every Christmas, and a few for galleries and clients. Here I am showcasing some of the more famous ones, which are available as prints, and in puzzles. Lots of people like to do puzzles and then frame them as art, and many of Rich’s paintings are available as puzzles. We also have many originals available so if you are interested in any original cottage paintings by Richard Burns, contact me on my bio page for pictures and prices.

Meanwhile, enjoy some beautiful cottage paintings here, by him and others!

Image: Christmas Cottage, 2012, © Richard Burns, Please do not copy. You can buy Richard Burns’ art at Amazon.com, Allposters.com, Art.com, Fine Art America, many galleries, and directly from us. Just contact me on my bio page for more information.

Richard Burns Cottages

Serenity Cottages II

Serenity Cottage by Richard Burns

Cottage in the Country

Cottage Lighthouse by Richard Burns

Lighthouse by the Sea

Serenity Cottage III

Richard Burns Cottage Painting

Cottage Oil Painting

Cottage in the Woods

Drake’s Cottage Richard Burns Puzzle

Cottage Puzzle for Kids and Adults

Richard Burns Lighthouse Art Puzzle

Cottage by the Sea Puzzle

Thomas Kinkade Cottage Puzzle

1000 Piece Thomas Kinkade Cottage Puzzle

Paint Your Own Cottage Painting

Easy to Paint by Numbers Cottage Painting

Learn to Paint Cottage Paintings

Your Own Cottage Paintings

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by David Burgess on April 27, 2018 0

Things to Do With Pictures

What Fun Stuff Can You Do with All of Those Pictures?

You’ve made the step and gone to digital photos. You can view them on your computer, e-mail them to friends, and take them to the store to get prints or maybe even print them at home. But after that you think, what can I do with these images that would be fun or interesting? How else can I enjoy them?

Well, let’s talk about that. There are a lot of great products, activities, services and more that will allow you to use those digital images in so many ways. Read on to learn more.

Photo Sharing Sites That Offer More

Photo sharing sites give you a place to keep your photos, a place to share them. However, some photo sharing sites offer more things to do with pictures. Shutterfly.com for instance also allows you to make a variety of things using your photos. Photo books, cards, calendars, coasters, tote bags, mouse pads, stickers, canvas prints, mugs, key rings, ornaments, puzzles, keepsake boxes, address labels, and notebooks are just some of the options.

Scrapbooking and collages are another creative way of dealing with your photos. Photomix, Google’s Picasa, Snapfish, and ScrapBlog are just a few that offer this ability.

Get Some Motion from Your Pictures

If you remember the little books you made as a kid by drawing a series of pictures in sequence, stapling them together, and then flipping through them to simulate motion, then you understand this concept.

This is another one of those fun things to do with pictures; make your own, more adult, version of these flip books. There are a number of sites that can produce some pretty nice flip books either from a series of digital photos or the still images grabbed from your camera’s video recordings. Flippies, Glitterfy, and FlipClips are just three of the options.

Of course there are also a number of tutorials out there to help you if you want to go it on your own. Two of the most useful that can be found are at a blog called The Curious and another called Short Courses.

If you’d like to make a 3-D movie from your images you can try Make3D but if you want to make a movie with some great music added you can try Animoto or even Google Picasa.

Wacky Things to Do With Pictures

Your pictures may be sentimental, they may be precious, but they should also be fun. At CaptionBubble you can make a joke of almost any picture by adding captions just like you see in cartoons.

There are a number of fun services at Flickr based BigHugeLabs. You can make a magazine cover, add captions, or make motivational posters among other things with your images.

If you want to really get silly, you can also use a number of sites to distort photos to create that “house of mirrors” effect. Sites like Gooifier allow you to do this without having to even download anything. Or perhaps you would rather insert your face, or the face of someone you know, into a well known picture, on the body of another person, or somewhere else where it doesn’t belong at FaceinHole. However, if you want a lifesized cutout of someone you’ll need to go to PhotoCutOuts or to get a caricature, visit osoq.

If you have kids, another kind of cool project can be found at FlattenMe where you can use your kids pictures to insert them into existing books. Suddenly your son or daughter can be the main character in the storyline.

Getting Artsy with Your Photos

There are a number of more artistic things to do with pictures. Various sites will allow you to change your favorite photos into works of art. PhotoWow can give you some great looking pop art of your favorites, while PhotoFiddle gives you even more options for the style of art you prefer; oil paintings, watercolor paintings, abstract collages, and so forth.

A site called ReColored allows you to colorize your black and white photos. On the other hand, if you just want a photo enlarged and placed on canvas to hang on the wall, you can try CanvasRUs.

For those who prefer a line drawing, there are a number of tools to help get the job done. Here is a Photoshop tutorial for doing just that.

Be Sure You Put Your Photos Best Face On

Digital photo frames have become more interesting and more affordable in the past few years. They offer larger screens with higher resolution in many instances, allowing you to enjoy your photos in their most vibrant splendor. These modern frames are capable of storing more images and can be set up to display slideshows so that you can enjoy more of your photos.

In addition, some frames offer filters for special effects, the ability to add music for a full presentation, and remote controls for convenience. Digital photo frames really are the best way to capitalize on the digital nature of your photos. Because fading won’t occur with the digital file and those images will always be at their best, this is one of the smart things to do with pictures.

Portable Digital Devices That Let You Enjoy Your Pictures Everywhere

A digital camera gives you that potential connection with the other modern devices you may own. Clearly, uploading those photos to a media player or other portable device allows you to take those images with you to share with others or to enjoy while you’re out and about.

On the other hand, some of the traditional ways of enjoying printed images aren’t lost just because you’ve gone digital. In fact many of these just got better because you can tote along more images with less bulk when your photos are in the digital format. For instance, an old picture wallet could hold a handful of 2×3 photos before it became an unwanted bulk. A digital photo wallet on the other hand allows you store many times more pictures and it’s size doesn’t change. Aside from true wallets, there are also wallet sized digital photo albums that are easy to take along; they’re definitely a much lighter load than a traditional photo album which is three or four times the size.

Another item to keep your pictures close at hand is a digital photo keychain. These are affordable little devices and they don’t require much technical knowledge to use. They do best in displaying up close, portrait type shots due to the small screen size but they’re definitely a fun little gadget.

Editing: Making Those Photos Look The Way You Want

Many of us don’t go out and buy the more sophisticated editing tools that are available but instead use whatever came with our camera. However, editing is among the best things to do with pictures if you want to enjoy them.

There are some sites out there than can help you do things with pictures that are a bit fun. Picnik is one of those sites. It allows you to do some editing, which includes adding interesting borders, effects, shapes, and fonts to spice up your images. Of course, one of the best things is that you don’t have to download anything to your computer or take a course to understand it.

Of course there are other online photo editing tools such as FotoFlexer and SplashUp.

Another possibility is to study up a bit and consider some photo editing software to really get the most from your pictures.

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