Color the Fourth of July with Red, White, and Blue Crafts

America’s founding fathers faced the tough task of establishing a country and creating a symbol to represent its beliefs. Since start, the American flag has been positioned to embody the nation’s mission and relay its values to others. In its course of existence, the flag has been adopted by new generations and become a beacon of hope to many.

More so, the American flag is a point of pride for the United States. If you are an American, how much do you know about the symbol that represents your country’s patriotism? And for all readers, have you ever wondered why the American flag is red, white, and blue? Or how the concept evolved into this organized design?

A Brief History of the American Flag

The American flag came into being after the Continental Congress authorized a committee to create an official seal for the developing nation. The design needed to reflect the beliefs and values that the founding fathers laid out in the Declaration of Independence.

The colors and symbols used in the seal were chosen to serve a purpose. Eventually these colors were transferred to the flag, which has gone through many variations to become the symbol of freedom that is recognized and cherished today.

The Symbolism of the American Flag’s Colors and Design

• Vertical stripes (white)- purity and innocence
• Red stripes- hardiness and valor
• Blue- vigilance, perseverance, and justice
• Stars- heavenly/divine goals
• Stripes- rays of light

Celebrate the Fourth of July with Arts and Craft

If you want to celebrate the festiveness of Independence Day and carry on the historic symbolism seen in the American flag, learn more about these arts and craft ideas:

1)      Help your kids decorate their rooms or the backyard with “Cascading Stars” – http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stars/cascadeofstars/

2)      Line your yard with “Patriotic Pinwheels,” or bring them along to a parade – http://crafts.kaboose.com/patriotic-pinwheel.html

3)      If you are up for a challenge, try making your own “Festive Window Swag” – http://www.marthastewart.com/909615/festive-window-swag

The American Flag is a symbol of patriotism, hope, and respect throughout the United States. It is also a representation of history that calls citizens to remember the nation’s founding fathers.

When you see American flags, what positive thoughts come to mind? Do you think of purity and innocence, valor and vigilance, perseverance, justice, divine goals, and rays of light? If not, what can you do to participate in America’s original mission and represent these characteristics to all people?

Also, Segmation is interested to know, if you could make a flag to describe yourself, what colors would you use and why?

Read more Segmation blog posts about the Fourth of July:

Happy President’s Day!

United States Presidents Were Skilled Musicians

Do you have a Memorial Day Quote?

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Piero della Francesca – Early Renaissance Artist

Piero della Francesca – Early Renaissance Artist Pattern Set for SegPlay® PC released (see more details here)

There are still mysteries to uncover about the Italian Renaissance artist, Piero della Francesca. In fact, scholars have not yet come to a unanimous conclusion about when Piero was born, nor do they agree on whether or not he had gone blind prior to his death in 1492. Though he was painting during the same time period as many other famous and well known painters, Piero’s work has not found its way to the spot light until recently.

The reason for the lack of information surrounding Piero’s work, as well as his recent popularity, is largely due to the fact that many of his paintings, and many of the buildings he painted in, have been destroyed. What is known about Piero della Francesca is that he was not only a talented painter, but a man deeply interested in mathematics. It is this love of mathematics and its influence on his painting that sets Piero apart as one of the greatest Early Renaissance artists.

Piero della Francesca was born in modern day Tuscany, then known as San Sepolcro. His father was a tradesman and his mother’s family was part of the Florentine and Tuscan Franceschi noble family. Throughout his life, Piero was always tied to San Sepolcro. However, much of his life was spent traveling and he spent time working in Rimini, Arezzo, Ferrara and Rome.

Around 1439 Piero traveled to Florence to assist Domenico Veneziano in painting the chapel of Santa Egidio. It was here that he most likely came in contact with other well known painters and it is also probable that Florence was responsible for his deep interest in achieving accurate perspective in his painting. Florence would have afforded Piero the opportunity to study light and color in the work of other painters; lessons that became foundational to Piero’s style of painting.

Florence might also have been responsible for Piero’s interest in mathematics as well as other forms of art such as, architecture and sculpting. Many scholars believe that Piero was deeply interested in how other fields of study might influence his painting. Whether or not Florence was where this interest was sparked, it appears that Piero spent his life studying mathematics, light, color, architecture and sculpture, all in the effort to bring the proper perspective to his painting. This love of learning for the sake of perspective in his work is evident in all of his paintings.

Piero mainly painted religious works that are noted for their tranquility and precision. His paintings are characteristically full of bright colors and light. In addition, Piero made a habit of painting both architecture and sculptures.

His most famous work is “Story of the True Cross” which is a series of frescos he painted for the Bacci Family in Arezzo around 1457. These frescos demonstrate that Piero was a master at manipulating light in his paintings. As in many of his other paintings, these frescos appear three- dimensional because Piero combined shadow and shade to create depth.

“The Flagellation of Christ,” painted during the 1460’s in Urbino, is evidence of Piero’s love of architecture, but is also another example of how he utilized light in his paintings. In this painting Christ is essentially in the background yet, Piero manages to draw the eye towards Christ by manipulating the light and colors within the painting.

The “Baptism of Christ” offers an excellent example of Piero’s love of geometry. Each figure in the painting serves to balance the whole. Here again, light and color are used to draw the eye, as well as balance the painting.
Piero also painted portraits that are marked by their realism and sophistication. The background scenes of these portraits are often intricately detailed. Yet, as with all of Piero’s work, these details serve to draw the eye to the subject of the piece rather than overshadow. His paintings are known for the detailed backgrounds; for the care he showed towards aspects of paintings that the eye might never be drawn to.

In 1492, Piero della Francesca died in his home in San Sepolcro. He left his mark on the world in the form of paintings full of light and color and work infused by his knowledge of mathematics. He also left behind a series of treatise that mathematicians still recognize today. For this, Piero della Francesca will remain one of the most appreciated Early Renaissance artists.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piero_della_Francesca

If you liked this Segmation blog post, we know you’ll enjoy:

–Travel Like an Artist

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— Make Artist Famous with Hole-Punch Portraits

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Have fun and relax with beautiful online painting art. So fun and easy to use with no mess but just a mouse!
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Beautiful Moonglow

 

Pattern Set for SegPlayPC released (see more details here)

The moon’s surface has been studied by telescope since Galileo first observed it in 1609 and firsthand by a total of 12 U.S. astronauts during the six successful lunar landing missions of the US Apollo program. The Moon’s small size and low mean density result in surface gravity that is too low to hold a permanent atmosphere, and therefore it was to be expected that lunar surface characteristics would be very different from those of Earth. The moon is the most ‘human’ of the heavenly bodies, since its phases and the shadows on its surface give it a face, encouraging the popular lore about the ‘Man in the Moon’.

Because the moon rotates in step with the Earth, we can only see about 59% of the moon’s surface. The dark and featureless plains we see on the near side of the moon are called maria, a Latin term for seas.

Bram Stoker who’s 165th birthday is November 8, 2012 also enjoyed Moon!

In our set of Moonglow patterns we showcase photographed images of landscapes, which are lit or dominated with the visible moon. In some patterns, the moon is depicted by itself, while in others, the moon is shown reflecting over calm waters, lighthouses, beaches, bare trees, cloudy skies, rocky coastlines, wheat fields, and mountain ranges.

This set contains 21 paintable patterns.

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Color Blocking Makes for Artful Fashion

Art’s influence on fashion is practically undeniable, especially when you consider particular trends in the clothing industry. For example, color blocking is among the most popular current fashion trends. Color blocking is nothing more than art adapted to fit the human body in the form of certain clothing/color combinations.

Color blocking in fashion is simply the practice of wearing blocks of color. These colors are typically very bold and bright, and oftentimes clashing. While this may sound distasteful, it has been seen on the runway in recent fashion shows and can be quite attractive. So how does someone color block his or her clothing practically?

Guidelines for Fashionable Color Blocking

Clash on Purpose – We are told throughout our lives to wear colors that compliment one another and do not clash. With color blocking, those rules get utterly thrown out the window. When you color block, you are encouraged to wear shades that are traditionally unacceptable, such as red and pink. In fact, the more clash you can achieve with your outfit, the more fashionable you will appear.

Opt for Basic Accessories – If you are going to color block your clothing, do not do the same with your accessories. Shoes, jewelry, handbags, and the like should be restricted to neutral tones. Remember, you can’t go wrong with grey, the current top trend in neutral shades.

Be Bold – Do not shy away from bold, loud colors. Such tones are at the heart of color blocking, so let yourself be free in your choices of these shades.

Wear No More than Three Tones – One of the only unofficial restrictions you have in color blocking is the number of tones you can appropriately wear at one time. A good rule of thumb is to combine only two or three colors per outfit. That way, you will be fashionable but not overwhelming.

There is no doubt that art and fashion go hand in hand – just ask the designers who are creating this season’s array of color-blocked ensembles. Don’t be afraid to unleash your inner artist as you color block your way into late summer. What shades will you choose?

http://fashiondujourdaily.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/color-blocking-101-what-how/

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Beautiful Colorful Botanicals

Kenneth Greene has spent the past 35 years doing photographic studies in contrasts, lines, colors and glimpses of life in a moment of time. When Kenneth photographs people, he captures a feeling for that one moment that really matters in their lives.

He may not know what happened just prior to the photo, and he almost certainly won’t know what their lives will be like after that instant he memorializes. He captures that moment in time alone, but it somehow tells their entire life story in a second. I’m looking for the instant the tide recedes and washes over the rocks; the moment a diver propels herself upwards and her feet leave the diving board; or when a couple embraces…just before the waves crash down upon them. These are the moments in life when you hold your breath, wondering what comes next.

The former child protective services professional recently retired from San Diego County after working for almost two decades with victims and families of child abuse and violence. Now it is time to pursue my passion full time for art and design. The act of creating nurtures my soul.

I love taking photographs and I love to draw and paint. Kenneth’s whimsical drawings appear in a line of coloring books and note cards entitled, Pictures From My Mind. Geared to young children, teenagers, and adults, these images can be colored, will spark new ideas with readers, or can just be enjoyed as they are. His newest collection is called Havana @ 1/500th of a second.

It is a memorable experience of the people and countryside of Cuba, portraying a land stuck in time with a nation yearning to leap into the 21st century. More information about Kenneth, his collections, and his work is available at http://kennethgreene.smugmug.com/

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London – A Town for Art Lovers

Each year visitors from all over the world travel to London to see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Covent Garden, The London Eye, and Piccadilly Circus. But did you know that London is full of amazing artwork as well as landmarks? It’s true. In fact, art lovers are some of the main people who make their way to London each year. Here are just a few of the most famous pieces of art that are located in London:

Sunflowers, by Vincent Van Gogh

Located in the National Gallery, Sunflowers was painted in 1888. Sunflowers is a still life, oil on canvas painting that was created in Arles. Vincent Van Gogh reportedly painted Sunflowers with the intention of using it to decorate Gauguin’s rented home in the South of France. The National Gallery, Sunflowers’ home, also shelters other pieces of famous artwork from the 13^th – 19^th Century.  One of the best things about the National Gallery is that its artwork is free for viewing.

The Lady of Shalott, by John William Waterhouse

The Lady of Shalott was created by the masterful hands of John William Waterhouse in 1888. The painting is a depiction of Tennyson’s poem entitled The Lady of Shalott. The woman representing the Lady of Shalott in Waterhouse’s painting was, reportedly, his wife. This naturalistic painting is located at Tate Britain, which houses British art made in the past 500 years or so. Contemporary and international modern art can also be found at Tate Britain.

The Raphael Cartoons, by Raphael

Commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X, The Raphael Cartoons are said to be “among the greatest treasures of the High Renaissance.” Created by Raphael and his “assistants,” The Raphael Cartoons were used as tapestry designs for the Vatican. The paintings feature St. Paul and St. Peter. The Raphael Cartoons are currently housed at the Victoria and Albert museum, which is home to 4.5 million pieces of art, clothing, jewelry, ironwork, and much more.

English poet Samuel Johnson said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Indeed, one of the finest things that life affords is art, and that can be found in abundance in London.

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Thomas Eakins – America’s Master of Realism Painter

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Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins (1844-1916) was an American painter who is best known for his realistic depictions of the male body. Eakins’s quest for realism led him to study anatomy and apply his research to creating works with dark lighting and realistic depictions. He endured much public scorn in his early years for his obsession with the male figure, however was recognized as a great master towards the end of his life. Our pattern set includes a self portrait, several sculling and wrestling scenes. His most recognized works including “The Swimming Hole”, “The Gross Clinic”, “Baby at Play”, and “The Agnew Clinic” are also included. There are also many portraits included such as “Miss Amelia Van Buren”, “Portrait of Maud Cook”, “Maybelle”, “Lucy Lewis”, “Weda Cook”, “Alice Kurtz”, and “Walt Whitman”.

This set contains 42 paintable patterns. How exciting and fun!

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Garden Art Knows No Limits

Is there a limit to what can be considered art? It is very likely that there will never be a consensus on that question. Every person has his or her own opinion of what constitutes art. For Pearl Fryar, art doesn’t merely exist in the form of oil paints on a canvas or chalk pastels on paper, it exists in a most unusual place: His garden.

In 1984, Pearl Fryar wanted to win the “Yard of the Month” title in his community. In an effort to do that, he began creating a garden that would one day become what it is today: a three acre topiary wonder. Possessing only desire and no training, Fryar set out to purchase plants for his garden. He took home the raw materials of his soon-to-be feast for the senses as well as a three-minute lesson in topiaries. From those basic resources, Fryar created a garden that is as true an art form as one can find.

Years after he had started crafting his garden, people began to tell Pearl Fryar that he had broken the rules of horticulture in the creation of his art. By that time, he had cultivated a masterpiece that was drawing major attention.

There is something about art that intrinsically draws people to the divine and eternal. The art that resides in Pearl Fryar’s garden is no different. Each week 300-500 people flock to his garden with all the fervor of those pursuing a weekly service at a church or temple. Fryar commented that he considers his garden as much a ministry as any place of worship.

Bente Borsum said, “Art knows no limit, and the artist will never achieve perfection.” How true that statement has proven itself in the life of Pearl Fryar. His garden art has outgrown the limits of what is considered a “traditional” art form, and even proceeded to touch the human spirit. As far as achieving perfection in his craft, Fryar seems to know that he never will, and he is not concerned; that is not his goal.

What is Fryar’s goal for his garden art? In his own words, “The idea is to leave this garden with a message, to feel differently than you did when you started.” Pearl Fryar wants those who come into contact with his art to be changed; isn’t that the desire of all true artists?

http://www.scetv.org/index.php/etv_sumter/entry/pearl_fryars/

http://quote.robertgenn.com/getquotes.php?catid=176

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Travel Like an Artist

Sansepolcro, Italy, will not likely be pursued as a travel destination for food lovers, architecture buffs, or history professors. It is not well-known for its topography or sought after for its museums. But for an artist, Sansepolcro might be considered heaven on earth. Why? Because it was the birthplace and hometown of Piero della Francesca, painter of the Resurrection. The Resurrection is located in Sansepolcro, making this small town a potentially big draw for artists searching for a travel destination.

The Resurrection is known as a “special masterpiece,” therefore it and its creator are mainly familiar to art historians. Still, Sansepolcro is a destination that would probably be very much appreciated by any artist, especially after he or she learned more about Piero della Francesca.

Born sometime near 1415, artist Piero della Francesca authored geometry and mathematics books. His did not leave a vast amount of artwork, but what he did leave is remarkable. Flagellation of Christ, Pregnant Madonna, Resurrection, and Legend of the True Cross were all crafted by Francesca. Each is captivating in its own way.

The Resurrection was probably painted by Piero della Francesca in the 1460s. Susan Spano, writer for the Los Angeles Times, explained the Resurrection in these words: “It depicts Christ climbing out of his tomb on Easter morning, eyes fixed on something beyond, still morbidly pallid but strong, in the very process of changing from mortal to god.” With a description like this, it is little wonder that the Resurrection is a jewel in Sansepolcro’s crown.

Every year in September, Sansepolcro’s citizens celebrate Piero della Francesca in elaborate festivals that feature flag-waving and medieval crossbows. (The flag and crossbow-bearing partakers wear costumes similar to clothing depicted in Francesca’s paintings.) These festivals draw tourists and are a nod to the legacy that Francesca left for his hometown.

Many creators of art glean untold inspiration and creative capacity from traveling. In fact, some individuals would argue that travel is not a privilege, but a necessity for artists. If you are an artist or even a lover of art, perhaps Sansepolcro would be an excellent travel destination for you.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-piero-20120610,0,3644415.story

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Art Making from Unconventional Objects

Contemporary artists are constantly stretching the boundaries of art by using unconventional materials to craft their artwork. Way back when, “true art” consisted of things like realistic oil paintings and finely carved marble statues. These days, even things you find in your kitchen, office or trash bin can be turned into respectable art.

Perhaps it started in 1917 with Marcel Duchamp’s submission of a urinal that he signed “R. Mutt” to an art show in which purportedly “all submissions” would be accepted. In the end, the urinal was not placed on display, but Duchamp’s impish act revolutionized the art world.

Thanks to YouTube and various social-networking websites, unorthodox works of art are now reaching a wide, and very appreciative, audience. Artists who create portraits of Elvis out of Cheetos or detailed architectural renderings on an Etch-a-Sketch are now celebrated as innovative and amusing contributors to our contemporary pop culture.

Next time you sift through your junk drawer or finish a bag of chips, think about how those everyday things could be turned into a work of art!

Are you a person that makes are from unconventional object? If so, have you ever considered painting them for yourself? Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, you can be one today – see more details here).

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