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Donovan Gauvreau ⁽⁹²⁷⁾ Canada

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Art Deco Designs Set for a Bold Comeback

Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 (5 days 11 hours ago.) Viewed 4 times.

Art Deco designs permeated nearly everything in the 20's and 30's. Their purpose was solely decorative. They were included in architecture, jewellery, pottery, silverware, and furniture, and were instantly adopted by movie makers. Considering the film industry's powerful influence on the public, movies may have been where art deco had the greatest pull. People typically associated the art deco style with the high contrast lighting used in the production of ‘film noir'. Over time, the two art forms became almost synonymous.

The art deco style is a mixture of several movements: Modernism, Art Nouveau, Futurism, Constructivism, Cubism and Neoclassical. It is a combination of color and shape - eye-catching geometry offset by swirls and curves.

Is Art Deco Ancient History?

Some say that the art deco movement began at the international exposition of modern industrial and decorative arts show in Paris in 1925, while others believe that it was already happening around 1910. Of even greater interest is that a number of arthistorians argue that King Tutan Khamun's tomb displays art deco designs. King Tut was truly ahead of his time.

Art Deco and Interior Design

As the popularity of art deco designs grew, architects began to incorporate them into their work. We can appreciate the strong influence of this style in structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge. With train stations, skyscrapers and building facades demonstrating art deco designs, it was only a matter of time before art deco made its way into the interior of homes.

Art Deco interior decorating was a combination of polished wood, colorful glass and lustrous plastic. The goal was to create a sleek, glamorous effect. People who had suffered hard years of deprivation during the great depression were looking to indulge themselves in an atmosphere of dazzling luxury. Bold colors in a room were meant to produce a high contrast with the surroundings. Metallic paint was often used to add a shiny finish to one of the walls, and sometimes a different color was chosen for each wall, with the ceilings painted black.

Art Deco carried many motifs in the form of erotic nudes, artistic representations of animals, and imaginative interpretations of cars, cruise liners and skyscrapers. Photo-realism was not the idea of the day.

Art Deco Portraiture

The art deco era produced influential portraiture by avant-garde artists such as Tamara De Lempicka, who became famous for her unique style. Tamara's piece "Portrait of a Young Girl in a Green Dress" shows high color contrast. The young woman wearing white gloves holds onto the black brim of her hat, which covers wisps of blond hair. She has bright red lips. Sharpness was created with the use of black lines delineating shape and color.

Edward Lucie-Smith, art critic and historian, expressed his view on art deco portraiture with this comment: "It can be argued that the Art Deco spirit expressed itself more naturally through portraiture than through any other kind of painting. The quintessential Art Deco portraitist is undoubtedly Tamara de Lempicka. Fashionable society of the 1920s and 30s is now perceived very largely through her eyes"

According to many, Paris was the core of Art Deco due to the artistic creations of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Jean-Jacques Rateau, Edgar Brandt, Jean Dunand, René Lalique, Maurice Marinot, and Cartier.

Today's Art Deco House

An Art Deco style home has tall and thin windows. Shiny, ornamental pieces of colored glass, chrome, ivory and jade are plentiful in the living room. A print of one of Lempicka's art deco portraits in the hallway would add a nostalgic touch. Lighting, produced by decorative table lamps featuring art deco designs of animals or female figures, is typically attractive. Kitchens and bathrooms have highly-polished black and white checkerboard patterns or abstract tile designs. The carpets are bold in colour and show a geometric pattern. Dressers and wardrobes are simple in shape and of pale veneer wood in order to offset the vibrant colors of the bedroom's walls. As a whole, an art deco style home produces an atmosphere of affluence and undeniable nostalgia.

Art Deco Furniture

One of the leading names in art deco furniture is Eileen Gray, a pioneer in the field of innovative home furnishings. Her most famous pieces include the Pirouge daybed, a boat-shaped fantasy bed, the Blocs screen with panels that swivel, and the Bidendum, a contoured leather chair on metal tubular legs. These opulent pieces have lots of curves and display prominent color against a shiny structure.

Are art deco designs here to stay? Their strong comeback in stores and their obvious popularity among many homeowners are promising signs of permanence.

Donovan Gauvreau

Art Historian, Donovan Gauvreau lectures about art therapy with a focus on creativity development. He believes we can learn from the great masters in art to communicate ideas and feelings through painting. He provides content for www.AaronArtPrints.org to educate and inspire people to take a glimpse into an artist's life to better understand the meaning behind their work.

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Comic Book Art

Posted Friday, September 18, 2009 (64 days 11 hours ago.) Viewed 18 times.

The very first comic book was born in the United States and is often said to have been officially launched by ‘Famous Funnies' in 1934. What followed was mass production of a wide assortment of comic books that eventually led comic book historians to categorize them according to their birthday. They are either part of the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, or Modern Age.

Today, comic books are still very popular and their acclamation is due, in great part, to the talented comic book artists who create them. The amazing imagery found in the pages of a comic book triggers the reader's imagination, where fantasy worlds exist.

How is a Comic Book Made?

Comic book art is not easy. Much detail is required to create a good comic book that will attract readers, especially in our modern world of movies, DVD's, televisions and computers.

Before any of the characters or imagery can be drawn, the artist must put his or her head together with the writer. The first thing on the agenda is to discuss and develop a story line that will captivate readers. Next, characters are created, situations are devised, and scenery is established, so on, so forth. The writer's script must be meticulously followed by the artist in order to please everyone involved.

The artist proceeds to draw a rough sketch in pencil of each comic book page, and uses these rough drafts as a guideline for his art work. At this stage of development, all the necessary comic book art elements, such as narrative, sound effects, and dialogue balloons, are included in a different shade from the main illustrations so that they are distinguishable.

At the time when the finished pencil art work is presented to the editor, it may be required that the artist make changes to the drawings to further ensure that the imagery matches the script. After the editor's final approval, the drawings are enlarged and sent to the inker, whose role is vital to comic book art.

The inker is responsible for introducing shadows, adding special effects, separating the foreground from the background, and carrying out several other tricky tasks. The final result will show the sound effects, dialogue, and narrative boxes as they should be, in their own unique fonts and style.

When the inker's work is done, the copy of the comic book is sent to the colorist whose job is to find the perfect shade of every color for every character, as well as every detail, in the comic book's imagery. A computer is used in order to save all the color data on file for future comic books of the same series. A proof copy of the finished product is printed and forwarded for final review.

Following approval, the comic book is sent to print. The pages are placed in the correct order, printed, cut, piled, folded, and stapled. Millions of copies can then be shipped out to comic book stores all over the world!

Comic Book Art and Popular Culture

Comic books have definitely made an enormous impact on popular culture in recent years. A significant number of comic book characters have jumped from the page to the big screen. Prominent figures such as the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Transformers, Watchmen, G.I. Joe, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and other superheroes, whose mission is to save the world, have delighted movie-lovers, young and old alike.

Many films portraying comic book characters have been incredibly successful at the box office, but it is important to acknowledge the comic book artists who originally created these memorable characters. Without them, the super heroes that people have grown to love would never have existed.

Lucky for us, skillful artists are still hard at work producing new comic book art that will entertain avid readers and movie-goers, who love to escape to an imaginary world.

Donovan Gauvreau

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Budget Artwork - Thinking Outside the Box

Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 (100 days 17 hours ago.) Viewed 12 times.

The economy may not be in great shape but that should not stop you from sprucing up your home or apartment and making it look like a million bucks. And, believe it or not, you can do it all on a meager budget.

When you think of redecorating, your first thought is: expensive. Well, redecorating on a budget is easy to do and accessible to everyone. Budget artwork is simple - you take things you already have or things that you find here andthere, and turn them into art. I will let you in on some great ideas and tips to embellish your home and make it look chic without breaking the bank.

So while times may be tough, it is time to bring out your inner Martha and start a home mini-makeover that will make family and friends envious.

First Things First

Before you get started, it is a good idea to pick a style that suits your taste. Whether you like colonial, contemporary, country, French provincial or traditional, opting for a particular style will make it easier for you to choose colors, subject matter, and frames for your artwork.

There are many ways to create your personal dcor and make use of your own creativity, and without spending a lot of money. Remember, you do not have to be a professional decorator to make your home look fabulous!

Tips on Budget Artwork

So if you're willing to roll up your sleeves and get down to it, here are some ideas and tips to get you started on your search for budget artwork.

The first places you will want to check out are garage or yard sales. Yes, people are getting rid of their stuff but you may find some gems hidden amongst the junk. A couple of things to look for are dishes and storage-type items. And, here is what you can do with them.
1. Out of old dishes, you can create a new kitchen or bathroom backsplash. All you have to do is put the dishes in a thick plastic bag and smash them into various, tile-size pieces with a hammer. Then, prepare the area for your new backsplash, arrange the newly-formed tiles in the desired pattern, let it dry and apply the grout. Voil!
2. When you find old trunks, hard-type suitcases, or barrels, bring them home, clean them up and use them as coffee tables, storage spaces for blankets or books, tables potted plants, or even extra seating, depending on the style you have in mind.

If garage or yard sales do not appeal to you, head outdoors anyway and take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer. Using a frame you had put aside or shadowbox, you can produce a masterpiece. You can make an arrangement with just about anything you find. Press some flowers and broad leaves to create a botanical print which can be changed with every season. Or, display shells that you may have collected on a trip little effort and no cost.

One of the easiest options for creating budget artwork is by utilizing photographs; you can either use old family photos, or you can take new pictures of your favorite things and design a beautiful collage. If you are not comfortable with your photography skills, ask a friend to help. Depending on the style of dcor you have chosen, you may want the pictures printed in black and white, sepia, or color. Try experimenting with the different settings on the camera for different effects.

Calendars usually have beautiful pictures of nature that can easily be framed and displayed on your wall. Surely you have some of those hanging around; but if you do not, use old postcards from past trips and showcase your travels.

Do not forget the kids room. Choose a few of their favorite, childrens books (the ones you read over and over again), remove their jackets and frame them. Another idea is to take a favorite board game and put it in a shadow box. To create a 2D effect, glue the game pieces and/or cards directly onto the game board.

Effortless budget artwork includes using stemware, upside down, as the base for a beautiful candle centerpiece that will add height to your table and ambiance to the room. Another idea is to take a wooden bowl or crystal vase and fill it with apples, lemons, oranges to create a color scheme that matches your decor.

Perhaps the simplest change of home scenery is to paint your white walls with color and strategically place bunches of candles here and there to give a cozy and warm feeling to the room
There are countless ways to create budget artwork for your home and it just takes a little time and creativity.

Art Historian, Donovan Gauvreau lectures about art therapy with a focus on creativity development. He believes we can learn from the great masters in art to communicate ideas and feelings through painting. He provides content for Aaron Art Prints to educate and inspire people to take a glimpse into an artist's life to better understand the meaning behind their work.

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