Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
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The Art of Visual Comfort: Combating Artistic Burnout through Nature The vast greenery and historic buildings initially captured my attention in middle Tennessee. Many people have their ideas of paradise; some mention the beaches of Florida or the perfect weather of California. However, with the population at an all-time high, open space is my paradise. Hearing the wind through the trees and observing nature - it speaks in signs. To understand its language, we must first notice what’s around us. This becomes challenging in city life where n...
Collage, as an art form and technique, involves assembling individual pieces or materials into a new body of artwork with a predominantly two-dimensional character. An authentic collage artist uses photographs from books and magazines as found material, deconstructing and reconstructing them using paint as a visual method to create systematic artwork on paper. In the early twentieth century, collage as an artistic technique emerged primarily by Cubism’s greatest masters, Pablo Picasso & Georges Braque. Picasso’s “Still Life with Chair Canin...
Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s almost that time - Valentine’s Day. The card isle is filled with people picking up and putting down cards,(some smiling or furrowed brows) searching for the perfect words to convey love. Before the mad rush for the perfect card and gifts, before the vibrant reds and pinks adorned the aisles, there was St. Valentine. Saint Valentine, officially known as Saint Valentine of Rome, is a third-century Roman saint widely celebrated on February 14 and commonly associated with “courtly love.” Although not much of St. Valenti...
Snow harbors a certain beauty all by itself and one way artistically to reimagine snow, is through the art of ice and snow sculpting. Ice sculptures stand as ephemeral masterpieces, captivating audiences with their beauty carved in frozen elegance. These unique creations, meticulously crafted from blocks of ice, showcasing the delicate dance between the artist’s vision and the unforgiving nature of their chosen medium. The art of sculpting ice dates back centuries, originating in regions with colder climates where winter’s icy grasp pro...
As the chilly winds sweep in, ushering in the season's first snowfall, there's an undeniable allure to huddle up, hunker down, and create a haven within the warmth of our homes. In these moments, the fireplace roars to life, casting a comforting glow, and a soft blanket becomes the perfect companion. This week's weather predictions hint at a serene landscape covered in snow, inviting us to turn inward, contemplate our thoughts, or indulge in the artful escape of reading an interesting book. The...
As the new year unfolds with calendars, goals, and agendas, the pursuit of joy extends to various forms of entertainment. The latest Golden Globe Awards underscores an ongoing list of new entertainment to watch. However, beyond movies, TV series, watch lists, and the top-selling books, the world of podcasts emerges as a captivating avenue worth exploring. Previously known from the 1980’s as “autoblogs”, podcasting as we know it now with internet and portable digital audio devices took hold in late 2004. Podcasting in its current state, has s...
The resurgence of quilted jackets and coats is a trend transformed from humble family heirlooms adorning beds and sofas to mainstream fashion statements. This trend gained a lot of traction in 2023 and it still strong for 2024 morphing from once quirky to now tailored and refined in its construction. The roots of quilted jackets run deep, originating from the familial warmth of homemade treasures. Tracing their historical evolution, these cozy textiles have transcended their domestic origins to become coveted fashion items, gracing the racks...
A dynamic shift is underway in 2024, signaling a departure from the stark minimalism and monochromatic palettes that have defined the past decade. Emerging trends suggest a resurgence of opulence, with a particular emphasis on the infusion of jewel-toned colors. This transformative movement encourages individuals to break away from the restrained aesthetic of recent years and embrace the lavish allure of colors like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep burgundy. Don’t worry if you adore the mono-chromatic whites, creams and browns there is no...
There are many quotes about entertaining guests for more than a few days, warning that if you make it too comfortable for them, they will not want to leave. Benjamin Franklin famously quipped that a house guest is like a fish: Each begins to stink after three days. This may seem a bit harsh, especially since the holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and, for many, the gathering of family and friends. As a host, adopting an approach that treats guests as if your home were a comfortable bed and breakfast can create a memorable...
This particular time of year has always struck me as odd, especially mid-December. It’s a time filled with the hustle of finishing decorations and Christmas shopping, yet there’s also the waiting period for Christmas Day to arrive. This season is marked by a mix of anxiety and excitement, a limbo waiting period for both Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year. It’s easy to get lost in the uproar, forgetting the dreams and aspirations that fuel our passions. To-do lists and computer screen time dominate our attention, but in the backgroun...
Calligraphy, the ancient art of beautiful writing, originates from the Greek words “Kallos” and “Graphe.” It resides not only in the elegance of its decorative strokes but also in the wide array of pens and tools that artists can explore to bring their unique style to life. One of the essential tools in calligraphy is the nib pen. Nib pens come in various shapes and sizes, enabling artists to experiment with different line thicknesses and styles. For example, the pointed nib is perfect for creating intricate details, while the broad-edged nib p...
Beyond the anticipation of what lies within, the presentation itself has become an art form. From ancient traditions to the modern evolution of gift wrapping, it’s all in the details of creativity, culture, and expression. Gift wrapping, in its essence, is a practice that dates back centuries. In ancient cultures, the act of presenting a gift was often accompanied by elaborate rituals and symbolic wrappings. In Japan, the art of Furoshiki emerged, employing intricately folded cloth to encase and adorn presents, embodying a harmonious blend o...
November marks the beginning of a season of gratitude and holiday celebrations. It commences with November 1st, the observance of All Saints’ Day, cherished by Catholics and Anglican Christians alike. This is succeeded by All Souls’ Day, or Dia de los Muertos, a cherished Mexican tradition. All Saints’ Day is a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring all the saints of the church who have ascended to heaven. Various customs are observed to pay homage to these saints, known and unknown. These include the lighting of candles, attending church servi...
With the holidays around the corner, what is considered too early to start Christmas decorating? For a select few, celebrating Christmas once a year is not enough. Some time ago, I stumbled upon a visual tour of Frank Bianco (aka Frankie Christmas) Manhattan apartment, which stays decorated immediately after Labor Day until April. That’s eight months of loving and celebrating all things Christmas, not to mention a ton of labored hours of decorating. Heather Shane out of St. Louis has dedicated part of her home and basement to year-round C...
One element most often overlooked in home design, yet undeniably significant, is the mailbox. It stands as the first impression, greeting us and our guests as we approach the driveway. This humble servant entrusted with our most vital correspondence, is visited nearly every day, sometimes barely held together by little more than plastic, wood, and nails. The question arises: can we elevate our mailbox to a piece of functional art that leaves a striking impression daily and seasonally? While my focus primarily leans toward free-standing...
As the summer heat begins to wane and leaves start their color transformation, the world outside undergoes a spectacular metamorphosis. The transition from the vibrant greens of summer to the warm, earthy hues of fall brings about an awe-inspiring display of colors, crisp air, and front porches displaying seasonal decorations. All of this is just a few of the perks of living in a state with a distinct change of seasons! From the fiery red, yellow, and orange mums for sale along the roadside, to the deep earthy golds and rusty reds of the...
This past week was a difficult one for our family as one of our two beloved Siberian Huskies passed away. She was a red husky with light blue eyes and at 16 years old, she had lived a very robust life. Nevertheless, it’s not an easy thing. My husband requested that I do a portrait of her for him in her memory. Animal paintings are really not my wheelhouse (since I’m more of an Abstract Expressionist painter.) However, I wanted to give this heartfelt endeavor a go. In a previous article, I wrote about the importance of art journals and I rem...
Recently, I was asked, “How long should it take to finish a painting?” Unless you work for someone where you are under a distribution timeline, then the simple answer to the question is: whenever you, the artist, think it’s done. Instead of approaching a painting with predefined expectations of when it should be finished, we should trust our intuition and let the painting tell us when it’s a completed work. I know this may sound Hippie Dippy, but our real glory as artists is our imagination, and this is one area where time, schedules, deadlin...
In the mind of an artist, an endless stream of ideas circulates—a library of colors, themes, and projects all calling for expression. Amidst this creative disorder, one invaluable tool emerges as the keystone of the artistic process—the pocket sketchbook or notebook. It serves as a diary for these developing concepts before taking form on canvas, sculpture, or any type of art project. This unassuming companion, often the only semblance of order in the tornado of ideas, is the lifeblood of artistic creation. The sketchbook is more than just a r...
Fall Style Our day begins with a simple yet essential ritual: selecting our attire. Even for those not into fashion per say, this daily choice speaks volumes about our identity, mood, and style. As September initiates the fall season, this years fashion outlook undergoes a transformation characterized by a color palette, featuring burnt sienna, deep chocolate hues, ivory, and taupe. These shades grace the pages of fashion magazines and the aisles of designer stores. Notable brands like Michael Kors, Max Mara, Brunello Cucinelli, Ralph Lauren,...
Various types of art have the capacity to bring forth many types of emotions. Mobile art, in particular, can be described as happy, fun and magical. It suits all ages but its quite plausible that the initial image could be that of a mobile positioned over a babies crib, perhaps symbolizes ones earliest exposure to art itself. In the genre of art, where stagnant creations often dominate, Alexander Calder stands as a pioneer who challenged conventionality by introducing movement and dynamism into his sculptures. Renowned for his innovative...
Returning to Los Angeles for a visit after residing in a small town is akin to plunging into an icy bath – simultaneously shocking, invigorating, and slightly stinging. It’s arguable that big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago each possess their pros and cons. However, in this article, we’ll focus on the positive aspects of Los Angeles. For some reason, I’ve always found beauty amid the grit. Genuine graffiti, not the stylized graffiti art of today, has captivated me due to its layered stories and the fact that they can be obliter...
At first glance, cardboard boxes may appear rather mundane and unremarkable. Often seen as utilitarian products primarily used for shipping and storing, these brown corrugated paper pulp creations have, in fact, evolved into a perfect medium for sculpture. The utilization of cardboard as an artistic medium dates back to the early 1900s. With its textured surface, varying thicknesses, shapes, and accessibility, cardboard proves to be an incredibly versatile material, particularly when combined with acrylic paint and spray cans. Crafters and...
The fascinating aspect of the art of botanical design is that it is an art which can be done without the need for botanical expertise or intricate classification; instead, it thrives on the interplay of balance, composition, and aesthetics. The simple resourcefulness found in nature, flowers growing by a roadside or even in ones own garden or yard can offer a unique outlet for creativity and self-expression. The art of flower arranging doesn’t call out for perfection as each blossom and bloom is unique, adding a tangle of pliable twigs a...
Photography: The Fountain of Youth in Pictographic Communication Photography is one of the most literal 2-D forms of art, distinct from painting or drawing, as it enables the viewer to see through the eyes of the photographer. It captures an image, seen and remembered exactly as the photographer intends. This contemporary communication method helps develop a photographer’s style and individual photographic voice. Since its birth over 200 years ago (the first photo taken by Joseph Nicephore in 1822), photography has undergone many p...
