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Celebrate America's rich artistic heritage with
ARTinaClick.com.
We feature over two centuries of artists and major art movements which influenced
the history of art throughout the world, from the Hudson River School of
Impressionism,
Illustration and the decorative arts, American
folk art, Abstract Expressionism and
Pop Art.
Thomas Cole was the founder of the Hudson River School which adopted
the English landscape painters emphasis on nature and infused it with local
American color. Other artists in the movement include
Albert Bierstadt and
Frederic Church. The American Impressionists, which include, among
others,
Childe Hassam,
Mary Cassatt and
William Merritt Chase, were inspired by nature and light as were
the French Impressionists,
Claude Monet and
Pierre Auguste Renoir.William Merritt Chase, an American painter and influential
teacher, inspired generations of artists such as
Georgia O'Keeffe. Louis Comfort Tiffany created an empire in the decorative arts with
his famous studio that produced stained glass lamps, vases and windows in techniques
that cannot be imitated. In the 1950's, a new generation of painters were giving
birth to a new art, which shifted the emphasis of the art world from Paris to
New York.
Abstract Expressionist artist
Jackson Pollock's drip paintings liberated future generations of
artists and encouraged the viewer to have a purely emotional response to an
image. Pop Art of the 1960's was a direct reaction to Abstract Expressionism.
Artist involved with this movement sought to create more concrete images and
to respond to the social condition.
Andy Warhol,
Roy Lichtenstein and
Jasper Johns produced images that bridged the gap between low art
and high art with their paintings of commercial images such as soup cans, comic
strips, flags and targets
Each piece of solid wood furniture is an original, the result of nature's handiwork. Every item has its own grain pattern and color, according to the character of the wood. Light and dark areas blend during the finishing process to produce the uniquely attractive look of real wood furniture.
While you can paint, varnish or finish your furniture in other ways, one of the most commonly used finishing processes is staining and topcoating. To get the best results, here are Pop's Furniture's tips to help you finish your furniture using this method.
Preparing the surface
Most unfinished pieces need additional fine sanding before finishing to avoid surface fuzz or roughness that will show when the stain is applied.
Always sand in the direction of the grain.
Pine, Alder and Parawood should be sanded with medium sandpaper, generally no finer than 180-grit.
If wood fill has been used to cover nicks or holes, be sure the residue has been sanded well. If not, the area around the fill will not stain properly and may have a blotchy look.
Staining
Stains contain colored pigments that often settle to the bottom of the can and must be thoroughly mixed before application. It may take as much as five minutes to thoroughly dissolve the "mud" so that the color remains consistent as the contents are used up.
To apply stain, Pop’s recommends using Foam Brushes or a HandiPainter. You can use almost any type of rag (cotton works best) cut approximately 10 inches square (larger ones sometimes get in the way). Stain can be applied in any direction, usually cross-grain first.
Read and follow the directions on each container. The manufacturer knows its products and will tell you how to get the best results.
Do a test "doodle" on the piece first on the back, bottom or other inconspicuous area check the stain color before proceeding. If the stain looks evenly coated and you like the look, one coat staining is adequate. If the stain is too light or uneven, a second coat of stain may be needed before the topcoat is applied.
Stain one surface at a time, and do the corners and uneven areas first. Do these areas when the applicator has the most stain on it so you can get full penetration. You can then spread the rest on the flat areas.
As you stain each area, wipe with the grain to remove excess stain, then move to another area. As you finish, go back over the entire piece with a clean rag to pick up all excess stain and wipe the surface dry.
The Topcoat and Sanding
Most clear topcoats are designed to be wiped on. Pop’s recommends using a Foam Brush, HandiPainter or small roller. Be sure to apply at least three coats of clear finish to all seen areas. Apply at least one coat of clear finish to all unseen surfaces to prevent cracking as the piece continues to dry out over the years.
Allow coating to dry. The surface will feel gummy if not fully dry, and drying time will vary depending on weather conditions and product.
Sand the second dried coating with very fine #400 or #600 wet/dry sandpaper to remove any fuzz. Wipe sanded piece with a tack cloth
Feel the piece with your hands and sand any areas that still seem fuzzy.
Fuzz and dust must be removed before applying final coat. It will not go away until you take care of it.
You are looking for a consistent sheen. If after three coats you have it, and if water protection is not a major concern, the job is done. If you have uneven sheen, apply additional coats, sanding lightly and wiping with a tack cloth between each application. If water resistance is a goal, we recommend four coats of finish on the surface area of concern, usually the top.
Congratulations!
You have a beautifully finished piece of furniture you will be proud of for years to come. For a selection of unfinished furniture products click here.
The World Is Tuning In to the Ancient Art of Yoga
Whether on Oprah, the cover of Time magazine, or at your
local gym, yoga is flowing into the mainstream. More than just a trend, however,
it appears that yoga is here to stay. It's not surprising, considering that
yoga is over five thousand years old-and a science in and of itself. The main
reason why more and more people are buying yoga
books and videos and rushing off to yoga studios is because yoga actually
works. Yoga not only strengthens and sculpts the body, but it has also been
shown to benefit internal organs like the heart, kidneys, and lungs and systems
like digestion, circulation, and metabolism. Practitioners are reporting that
whether they start doing yoga to look better or to feel better, they are seeing
both results.
Another aspect of yoga that puts it a cut above other forms of exercise-and may explain why it has such staying power-is the effect it can have on the mind. Studies show that yoga can greatly reduce levels of stress and anxiety, especially if you meditate afterward. In fact, many practitioners claim to feel "blissed out" after an invigorating yoga session.
Wai Lana, world-renowned yoga teacher and host of the internationally aired TV series Wai Lana Yoga, says, "By helping your mind and senses detach from the things that agitate them, yoga and meditation can help you achieve a real sense of peace. These days, people usually start doing yoga to get into shape, but they keep doing it because it makes them feel good."
Information provided by www.wailana.com.
Wai Lana is the foremost authority on yoga, hosting the world's most-watched
show, Wai Lana Yoga, which airs on five continents, including nationally in
the U.S. on PBS, cable and satellite.