The Cleveland Museum of Art - A World-Class Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art is the only major art museum in the U.S. that still offers free general admission. Entry fees are charged for a few special exhibitions. First built in 1913, it is located in the University Circle area, a section of town home to several other Cleveland, OH museums and places of interest. The museum's permanent collection boasts more than 43,000 items created in different mediums including paintings, textiles, sculptures, photographs, and drawings. It is well-respected for its impressive collection of medieval European Art, Pre-Columbian Art, and Asian and Indian Art. Its paintings collection includes works by artists such as El Greco, Dali, Renoir, Matisse, Warhol, Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, and more. Many museum visitors enjoy viewing the Armor Court exhibit, a collection of medieval and Renaissance armor considered to be one of the most impressive in the U.S.

The museum provides valuable educational programs to the community, namely art classes for children and adults, lectures, group tours, school field trips, and more. Performing arts events such as organ recitals and chamber music are also offered by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Throughout the year, it provides entertaining festivals, namely the Chalk Festival, Parade the Circle, and the Winter Lights Lantern Festival. Families are encouraged to come to periodic Family Events where they can participate in hands-on art activities designed for people of all ages. Are you a movie buff? You'll be happy to know that the museum boasts film series throughout the year where movie lovers can see a variety of films from different genres and eras. If you're the studious type, you may want to check out the Ingalls Library. Housed within the museum, it provides a pleasant research area for museum staff, college students and faculty associated with the Art History and Museum Studies program of CMA, and the public.

Those who love to shop will want to stroll through The Museum Store, a gift shop offering items such as art books, jewelry, educational toys, and more. Hungry museum visitors will want to head down to the Museum Café where they can sample light sandwiches, soups, desserts, and other delicacies.

The museum's operating hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesdays and Fridays they're open 10 a.m to 9 p.m. It's closed on Mondays. The museum is accessible for the disabled, providing ramps and elevators at the north entrance. Wheelchairs are available for those who require this service. Listening devices are provided to the hearing impaired in the lecture and recital halls.

Source : Ezinearticles

Lovely Animal Baby Shower Supplies For a Colorful Animal Themed Baby Shower

Are you throwing a baby shower? Make sure you have the right party supplies. Luckily that's easy thanks to the many delightful choices available today.

If you're looking for an animal themed baby shower, Animal Mobile would be just the right baby shower theme to decorate your shower. Start your party planning off right by using the Animal Mobile Invitations. They set a cheerful mood that will make guests want to rush to the party.

Make your party chores easy by getting the basics out of the way first thing with the Animal Mobile Baby Shower Box. This package includes plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery for 8 guests. It also holds a tablecover, balloons, and more animal baby shower supplies to decorate your party room. This animals baby shower theme generates images of a mobile hanging above the baby's crib, something you'll be seeing a lot in the near future.

When it comes time to serve some tasty cake, continue the theme by using a Baby Cake Pan. The aluminum Wilton cake pan is shaped like a baby stroller, making it the perfect kitchen aid. This mold produces the ideal platform for your creative frosting design. Use an Animal Mobile Centerpiece on your table and your guests will enjoy that delicious cake even more.

For a lovely variation, try a Duck Cake Pan, or the Stork Cake pan. They all look great topped with special candles, like the Baby Candles shaped like a baby bottle, a pacifier, booties, and a rattle. Or, go for the Duck Candles, a six pack that tops off your cake in true ducky style.

Use that same duck design in your game room by selecting a Duck Mini Pinata. To match the Baby Cake Pan, try a Baby Carriage Pinata. Whichever you select, fill it with Baby Party Sweets. Each package holds 50 creamy buttermints that are also highly decorative. Mix in a few packages of Jordan Almonds, filled with 100 pieces in multiple colors. Use the packages as is or open them and pour them into a Blue Favor bag drawstring cachet.

Stumped for a game? Try the Baby Shower Bingo Game. The package holds 24 cards ready to play everyone's favorite classic party game. The cards also feature delightful baby-themed illustrations and phrases. Each card holds 30 call-outs.

Take lots of photos at the celebration and make sure you have a great place to store them. The 12-page Baby Shower Photo Album makes that easy and beautiful, thanks to the same delightful colors used in the Animal Mobile items. It's the perfect keepsake to give to the mommy to be.

You can express your gratitude for all the fine gifts and wonderful company after the party with a set of Animal Mobile Thank You Notes. The design will remind everyone of the joyful decorations and you can even make them unique with a few personal thoughts of thanks.

Source : Ezinearticles

Internet Marketing Tips - The Power Of Photos And Captions

Way too many Internet marketers fail to see the value of photos and captions on their sales page. The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words didn't come from a hole in the wall. There is a lot of truth to it. This article is going to try to paint a few pictures for you so that you'll understand the power of photos and captions on your sales page. Hopefully, after reading this, you'll be digging your digital camera out of the closet.

Let's start off with this example. You're promoting a brand new book in karate. You want to really show people how powerful this art is. Sure you can tell people in words how they can crush objects with their feet if they want, but what if you showed them a simple photo of one of your students with the following caption?

"John Lee kicks through 7 bricks instantly"

Do you not think that a photo with that caption will have more impact on your reader than anything else you could possibly say? After all, they're seeing somebody actually kick through seven bricks with their feet. It's hard to deny such incredible visual evidence that your book might just allow the buyer to do the same.

Let's take another example.

You're selling a book on acne treatment. Your book just happens to teach about a natural cure for acne. You have three photos on your page. The first photo is one of a person with terrible acne. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe before using XYZ acne treatment"

It's a pretty ugly site and will certainly get the message across.

The second photo is one of John Doe actually putting on the acne treatment. It's a photo of him in his bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror and applying the treatment. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe applying XYZ acne treatment in under 2 minutes"

Finally, the third photo is one last shot of John Doe after he has applied the treatment. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe after applying XYZ acne treatment."

You see a photo of a person with absolutely clear skin.

There is absolutely nothing more powerful than this.

The tactic even works for non action niches such as Internet marketing. Imagine having a photo of yourself holding a check that you received for your marketing efforts in the sum of $5,000. You don't think a photo like that is going to bring some credibility to your business? The caption could read something like this...

Source : Ezinearticles

Influence of Art in Fashion

Sometimes the most ordinary of things that we take for granted, inspire a designer collection. Stories have been told about designers being creatively inspired by something as mundane as falling leaves or different cloud shapes. Most designers view their work as being art itself, which explains why some of the designs that are seen on the runaway might appear weird and not fit to be worn in society.

Art similarly draws its inspiration from life as we know it. Some of the best selling pictures have been made on the most ordinary of subjects- take Van Gogh's Sunflowers for example, which is after all a painting of a vase with sunflowers. So it is not unusual for both these mediums of creativity to walk hand in hand and influence each other. While paintings have been made on models, certain poses, or even fashion shows, art and certain styles related to artistic movements are reflected time and again on the runaway.

Such is the relation between art and fashion that critics have wryly commented on both forms being lovers rather than a couple. Cubist motifs, minimalist expressions, lines, patterns, cubes, avant garde art, even impressionist shades have all surfaced in fashion at some point or the other. To the extent that fashion critics claim that strong political views, changes in society or other history changing events which can be seen in art are also reflected in fashion from time to time. Cubism in particular seems to have been very popular in the fashion world.

The artists belief that everything in nature could be reduced to cylinders, spheres and cones, has greatly show up in designs on the runaway. Garments with geometric details, dresses with paintings on them and pants with lines on them are some popular looks that have done well. Sometimes, a certain style goes beyond just fashion and becomes a look in itself. Take Goth for example- not only was it an influence on architecture and art but in fashion as well. Today, the look of silver jewelery, black nail polish, heavy black eye shadow and lipstick, all symbolize the Goth look. T-shirts with paintings on them, squiggles, or other art work, are some of the best selling garments which can be found in nearly everybody's wardrobe.

Last year, color blocking typical of the Piet Mondrian style, surfaced on the runaway of a designer like Jonathan Saunders. Soft, painted floral designs which reminded viewers of fields of flowers, were the key highlight in collections of designers like Balenciaga. This year however, designs as realistic as photographs were featured on the runaway too in a very unusual manner. For instance Branquinho had his silk dresses feature prints of landscapes. Large scale photo prints also showed up in t shirts with sunsets and dresses with the landscape of a desert. Accessories such as scarves too have latched on to the trend. Markus Lupfer's scarf which had prints of faces, is one example.

Source : Ezinearticles

How To Draw 3D Cartoons Quickly And Easily

Drawing cartoons is not the most difficult thing in the world but it isn't very easy either. You need time, imagination and sense of proportions to produce vivid characters and make your drawings look three-dimensional.

Colors and shades have a decisive role in the business but the lines and curves you use for the contour constitute the basic element. The art of adding shadows can be learned by studying objects in different places of your room if you can count on natural light. Otherwise, a lamp may be used to detect the difference that light makes in the appearance of an object. Grab a funny toy that you have in the house and a little lamp and start learning. Move the lamp around the toy and above it and make a visual note of what happens each time.

Now take a pencil and a piece of paper and try putting down your toy-character. Draw the contour and when you think it looks like your toy you may use a black color pencil to add firmness to the contour. Next step: color your character without thinking of shadows; they will come soon. As soon as you have filled the contour you will have to find the appropriate color pencil to make shadows with. Use a darker shade of whatever color your character is. Don't use gray or black, they will make your drawing look artificial.

With animal cartoon characters, the expression of the eyes and the proper shading are the basic elements that make them 'live'. The only thing to keep in mind is the head, which must be bigger for a baby animal. Yet, when you want to create people, proportions are a lot more important than colors. When we watch a film we usually concentrate on the face of an adult human character, but the general appearance can be easily noticed by the way it moves. Looking at a photo of yours or at your 6-year-old brother playing about the room will not help. There is nothing funny in real-life proportions. What you should do is exaggerate more or less in order to make your cartoon character amusing. A kid character will have a body about the same height as the head, while an adult character will look perfect with the body twice the height of the head.

Source : Ezinearticles

5 Important Reasons to Buy a Beautiful Work of Art

Express Yourself

What a great way to express yourself and show what your interests are. Whether you are a sophisticated world traveler, futurist, fun-loving homebody, animal lover, or a sports fan, there are works of art to compliment you and your interests. For example, Chagall, Picasso, Klimt, Renoir, Kahlo, Bouguereau, Rembrandt, Watteau, or Max, or whatever artist of your choice who speaks to you and captivates your admiration and expresses your fervor for life. Express yourself with a vibrant work of art. My personal favorite is "La Giaconda" (The Mona Lisa). I am completely enthralled by her beauty and mystery and the secret held captive with her smile.

Art Is A Great Décor Booster

It's time to get creative. Give your entrance hall or living room a fresh look or a seasonal ambiance! Think about complimenting the seasons with just the right painting in your home or office space. For summer, what about Raoul Dufy's "Interior with Open Windows," or for the winter months, what about Claude Monet's "The Magpie," or Willard Metcalf 's "The Veil." And for the spring, why not add Albert Bierstadt's "Yosemite Valley." And for the fall, Melchior D' Hondecoeter's "Cocks Hens and Chicks." Revitalize the look of your favorite room, with the added charm and color of a fabulous work of art.

Compliment Your Personal Style

Which school of art best compliments your lifestyle? The lavish Baroque period, or the Pre-Raphaelites? The Northern Renaissance or Italian Renaissance Masters? Modernists, Photo Realists, Dadaists, Abstractionists, Surrealists, or is it the nostalgia of pure Romanticism? Choose from centuries of the greatest art in the world to compliment your unique personal style.

Art Makes A Great Investment

Whether you are a serious collector, or buy art as an investment with the intention of selling your work of art at some future date, or just getting your feet wet and starting to collect art, one rule stands firm, "Buy what you like." Art will always reward you with its beauty, integrity and new sense of discovery every time you look at it. Bottom line, whether you buy an original work of art as an investment for thousands of dollars, or a reproduction for considerably less money, art is dynamic. It will pass on from one generation to the next and each generation will add its own legacy and imprint with that particular work of art and keep adding to its history.

Feel Like A Million Dollars

Surround yourself with the good feelings which beautiful and vibrant art can impart to you and your environment. Treat yourself well and imagine Van Gogh's radiant "Sunflowers" boosting your mood the first thing in the morning, or the quietude of Jan Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," or the calming effect of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," in your home or office. Whether you decide to purchase an original work of art, lithograph, serigraph, iris giclee print, or hand-painted oil on canvas reproduction, art will bring joy into your life. Fine art reproductions are affordable, so you don't have to spend a million dollars to feel like a million dollars. Unless of course you would like to spend a million dollars.

Source : Ezinearticles

Unique Gifts For Animal Lovers

The majority of people have at least a slight fondness for an animal of some shape, size or description. Even those who do not own pets or pursue animal related activities are more than likely to have a favourite animal, even if it is mainly caricatures of the species in question that they are drawn to. As a nation of animal lovers, the British are almost sure to be charmed by animal related gifts for all kinds of celebrations. Whether we need presents for family and friends at Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or another special occasion, and animal related gift is sure to please.

Almost all of us have an animal lover on our gift list. There are many unique items that would make a great animal lover gift. Those who have a fondness for wildlife and domestic pets are often very passionate about animal welfare and their overall interest in animals. They often love to show off their love of animals to family and friends. This is often done by decorating with animal themes. A unique animal lover gift can be fun, inspirational, stylish, and exciting.

Some unique gift ideas to consider are lamp shades, animal clocks, night lights, wall art, and mirrors. These are just a few ideas to get your mind rolling when thinking of the perfect animal lover gift.

These items come in such a variety that they are easy to personalise. You can find out the person's favourite animal. Maybe you can buy a plate with horses on or a clock with cats on. No matter what the animal, there are many unique gifts that have been made with them on it.

Sometimes the perfect animal lover gift is hand crafted. Figurines and statues can have such great detail. They can be brimful with personality and charm, and give an accurate portrayal of the nature of an animal as well as its physical features. This is a gift that will last for years to come.

Many of these exciting gifts are hand crafted, one of a kind or limited edition items that will make a real lasting impression. The craftsmanship put into these items are very impressive and they will last for many years. Any animal lover will be thrilled to receive a gift that is so thoughtful and one that reflects their individual style.

For those who own a pet or perhaps a working animal, an animal lover gift does not have to be solely for the enjoyment of the human recipient - many of the most appreciated present are intended for use by the recipient's favourite pet (or pets!). Today there is seemingly endless variety of toys for pets, from dogs and cats to rabbits and even hamsters. As well as tasty treats and decorative feeding bowls, there are a range of popular but less essential animal accessories, such as doggy clothing (although practical coats are recommended for some shorter haired breeds in cold months). In addition to this, the growing trend in personalised goods enables you to create an animal lover gift by printing images or text relating to their pet (or favourite animal) onto mugs, cushions, fridge magnets and much more besides.

Source : Ezinearticles