Color Burn

Car Art

Edward — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:00:49 +0000

The history of the automobile can be seen, reflected in almost every area of popular culture. One can trace the growth of the auto industry, as well as the local cultural perceptions and values, in looking at cinema and television. Although musically speaking it might seem as though there was a peak of car love in the 1950s, there are a surprising amount of songs being written today if one begins to consider how many times the Escalade (or the G6) show up on the radio. And in visual art, cars have been represented from well before the time of Toulouse-Latrec.

There are those who are particularly captured by the artistry that has gone into auto manufacturing in certain times and places, and there are also those who find an artistry in car culture. Like anything in the art world, there are those who distinguish between the highbrow and the lowbrow. The ones who are willing to cross these boundaries, and often intentionally, are often the ones doing the most interesting work. So while the artistic value of a ’57 Chevy is fairly easy for anyone to see, those who can make the more every day car into an art work are the sparks in the fire. It’s one thing to research Saturn manuals online to figure out how to fix something, but quite another to learn the insides of a car in order to make it into something else.

The advent of the art car may be something that happened a generation ago, but it seems likely that it hasn’t quite happened yet. There are some cities where the art cars are more prominent, often smaller cities with a sizable part of the population committed to culture, but they can be found anywhere with a creative class. It definitely doesn’t hurt to have a fairly open and tolerant citizenry, because there are places in the world where fierce self-expression is not entirely welcome. Almost any decorated car will remind someone of the way volkswagons became objects of expression in the 60s and 70s, so there is a certain overt or subtle allegiance to these subcultures whenever one is making their car into an art car. The very good news is that one doesn’t need an unusual canvas to make an unusual art object. Taking the most common shape and size can be a good way to create startling results, because the canvas is usual. So a budding artist could, in fact, find the Honda repair manual online that works for their car, learn some of the basics of its skeleton, and start to create an object that is, in effect, an expression of self as well as an object for the benefit of the community.

Car Art is a post from: Color Burn

Investing in Art

Edward — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:05:51 +0000

When someone starts out learning how to invest in art for the very first time, there is a very peculiar learning curve that is perhaps an anomaly in the world of investing in general. For all of the unstable forces that guide the markets in the world, the art market could very well be the most unstable. That is because the contemporary art world is controlled by a series of very unstable factors, and the artists often seem to be the most stable of these. For anyone who has spent time with artists, this does make the game seem like a rather absurd proposition. Anyone who’s looked into market trends, financial video, and general economic projections knows that minimizing risk is important for anyone investing with the intention of making profit from it. While critics and thinkers like David Hickey might seem to be arguing against investing in art in the first place, their arguments are equally compelling for investing in the world art marketplace.

But one of the first myths that would need dispelling is that there is no such entity, really. A world art marketplace may include the great and recognized works of art, but it may also include the realm of art celebrities, as well as sudden successes from relative unknowns. Things can shift very suddenly when an investor has the power and the connections to make someone instantly famous, and it’s up to the rest of the art world to sort out their value. However, no one really holds a stable place in that world, where balances of power can shift very quickly from the weight being on the opinions of high academics to the more populist notions of a larger, and equally unstable, public.

This doesn’t mean that someone looking for new investments shouldn’t look into art. There isn’t a time when taking a fast cash loan from www.MoneyMutualTV.com wouldn’t be somehow rewarding when there’s an opportunity to acquire a new world of art for the home. Art is pleasing, or it should be, and that kind of value is its own reward. With a little bit of savvy, and some knowledge of how the art world works, it is possible to start putting together a valuable collection, but it won’t be worth anything if it doesn’t give the collector some amount of pleasure.

There are, of course, other ways of investing in art than buying work by artists. There are art investment funds, as well as ways of sponsoring someone you believe could be very important sometime in the future. Either way, it is something that is rewarding as long as it grows out of love for the subject. The objects themselves are always risky, but that is only because they can occasionally trade for enormous sums of money. It may be that investing in art is much less statistically measurable than gambling, but the thrill is the same, although the pleasure is much more enduring, and can be passed down to another generation.

Investing in Art is a post from: Color Burn

The Artist’s Eye: Vision and Nothingness

Edward — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:02:58 +0000

It might be well-argued that every art form is about seeing. In photography and video, or any visual arts for that matter, the connection to sight is obvious. The photograph is the medium and the message, containing the objects that the artist chose to see, as well as reflecting the inner vision that guided the impulse to frame the objects. Other art forms contain these elements as well, where the writer is engaged in a process of painting a very selective version of reality, where what is contained is as essential as what is left out.

This is more apparent in the work of some artists than it is in others. Some filmmakers, like Godard and the French New Wave, were entirely conscious of how the camera selects and negates, where the film is a relic of everything and nothing all at the same time. Likewise, photographers like Diane Arbus force the viewer to consider why this particular reality is being considered above all others. Well-constructed works of art always cause a shift in the vision of the viewer, where the world beyond the moviehouse or the gallery can’t be seen in the same way, not quite, at least for a little while.

Giacometti was one of the great modernist artists, who opened up the notion of seeing in an entirely new way. His haunting sculptures of lean figures suggest an imminent mortality, depicting human beings in the middle of a precarious journey. These figures, although they certainly bear resemblance to images of people in the midst of the greatest sufferings of the 20^th century, are not meant to comment on the events of the time. He was engaged in trying to depict things as they were seen, and focused his obsessive gaze on the act of seeing. Their thinness, then, comes as a result of his capture of their movements as caught by a mortal eye, and in these acts, they become immortal.

The act of seeing, then, is always something that approaches the sublime. At a purely anatomical level, it is simply the reflection of light and color playing against the muscles of the eye. On a deeper level, however, there is always something else present. The root of vision is connected to sight just as much as it is connected to knowing. This means that the artist capturing the object, whether on film, or in words, or in a movement, is engaged with something they know, or something that makes them curious, and the art object is a remnant of this process, inviting the viewer to see, and to know, in the same way.

The Artist’s Eye: Vision and Nothingness is a post from: Color Burn

Art and Copyrighting

Edward — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:09:11 +0000

    Sometimes amateur artists neglect to copyright their artistic work. This neglect can lead to copyright lawsuits. Amateur artists, who believe, their artwork may have been copied can contact a law firm in Denver. The legal and remunerative benefits of copyrighted artwork should not be overlooked. Every artist should copyright their artwork. Copyright protects artists’ creative ideas. Copyright increases the value of the artwork. Copyright protects the artists’ clientele from purchasing fraudulent artwork. Artists should copyright their artwork to protect their creative ideas and thoughts, increase the value of these creative ideas, and prevent funds from being diverted to fraudulent art dealers.
   Copyright protects artists’ creative ideas. Artwork that is placed on the World Wide Web cannot be shared, if the artist has taken steps to copyright it. Art differs from music in this instance. Copyrighted music can be shared on home computers. A copyrighted painting cannot be copied, then hung in different rooms. Copyrighted artwork cannot be altered in any form. The artist may intend this rule to include a painting’s mat and frame. Copycat artists cannot reverse an image or take words from a sentence, if that image or sentence is copyrighted, and claim it for their own artwork. Copyright protects artists’ creative ideas from being shared, altered, or copied by copycat artists.
   Copyright increases the value of the artwork. Copyrighted artwork cannot be reproduced without the artist’s written consent and without remuneration. Artists may pro-rate the cost of their artwork, from originals to Giclees, by copyrighting their artwork. Pro-rated work increases an artist’s clientele and revenue, as not all art buyers can afford an original. Copyright allows artists the ability to pursue new creative ideas and art forms. Copyright increases the value of artwork by allowing artists to limit reproduction, pro-rate their artwork, and pursue new creative ideas.
   Copyright protects buyers from fraudulent art purchases. Copyrighted artwork displays the artist’s name on either the front of their work or on the back. It places a number on each artwork or the word, “original”, on it. The date the artwork was created is also placed on the artwork, to better monitor its increase in value over time. Copyrighted artwork protects buyers from fraudulent art purchases, because it assists buyers to identify original work cues: the artist’s name, its unique number and the number of prints in circulation, and the date the artwork was created.
Every artist, amateur or not, should copyright their artwork. Copyrighted artwork protects artists’ creativity, it increases the artwork’s value, and it protects the artist’s clientele from purchasing fraudulent pieces. Vikki Reed is an example of an artist who copyrights her artwork.

Art and Copyrighting is a post from: Color Burn

Rat Finks and Hot Rod Artists

Edward — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:42:26 +0000

Making a bridge between highbrow and lowbrow might be the biggest challenge in contemporary culture. It’s one of those impossible feats, and something many gallery owners still attempt, because the failures can be more spectacular than the near successes. Trying to find the place where intellectuals merge with populists is tricky, and usually it’s made trickier when that place is subject to change at any given moment. Pop culture does depend on the tastes of a radically volatile audience, one that is even more temperamental than the critics who write about it.

When there is a serious connect, however, like in the case of Rat Fink, it becomes a matter of curiosity to find some possible connections so that the experiment can be repeated. Of course, like anything that is popular and critically relevant, repetition is impossible. Ed Roth’s work can speak to those who are in the market for Rothko prints as well as those looking for rims and tires, and the intersections are fascinating even though they are impossible to replicate. Here, the art does not come as a response to a growing hot rod culture, but is an absolutely organic product of it, growing out of it in the same way that racing and speed work together. That is to say, it’s not a representation or a reflection, but an expression. Here, in the realm of direct, empirical experience, a trend begins when the desire to express and be part of the expression meet with a critical mass (and interestingly, this happens with or without the permission of the critics). The artists of the hot rod world have to be messianic figures, then, as well as children of the streets, being both in and above and also of the worlds that they doodle and paint.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons for the art world, then, has to do with trends. While “Big Daddy” Roth also spawned another generation of artists, like Jeff DeGrandis, and helped his contemporaries, like Pete Millar, any inorganic attempts to piggyback onto a trend fall flat fairly quickly. These artists were part of the same culture as Roth, or at least the share the same roots in concrete and steel. Any serious consumer of mickey thompson tires would know the difference between a poseur and an authentic enthusiast in a heartbeat. These street instincts are based on immediate impressions, and experience is what proves their viability. The art world would certainly benefit with a taste of the same combination of intelligence and instinct.

(This image was originally posted to Flickr by noego at http://www.flickr.com/photos/noego/165266701/. It was reviewed on 9 December 2006 by the FlickreviewR robot and confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.)

Rat Finks and Hot Rod Artists is a post from: Color Burn

Understanding DUI

Edward — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:36:36 +0000

DUI stands for ‘driving under the influence’ which in a nutshell is drunk driving. In other words DUI involves getting into a motor vehicle with alcohol levels in your blood above the legal limit. This is a criminal offense in the United States. You do not have to be driving for this to be an offense. Merely sitting in the vehicle while intoxicated can lead to a conviction. You may also get arrested for having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle. DUI applies to both alcohol and other drugs as well. Conviction of driving under the influence can lead to fines and/or a prison sentence.

The usual test for DUI relates to the blood alcohol content which is the percentage of alcohol in the blood. In the US it is against the law to drive a vehicle with blood alcohol content that is 0.08% or greater. For commercial drivers the limits are stricter – 0.04%.

For a DUI investigation to take place there must be one of the following observed by the police officer. Either erratic driving (driving too slow, acceleration, weaving) by the operator of the vehicle suggesting alcohol or drug impairment, or a suspicion when stopped at a police checkpoint.

Police officers do various tests to determine if a driver is intoxicated. These include observation of the vehicle, and field tests such as smell, walking, standing and conversation. Basically its up the officer to observe and determine if he thinks that the driver is showing signs of being intoxicated. A portable breath analyzer can be used to show the blood alcohol content.

In the US police officers use 3 field sobriety tests to evaluate the driver and establish probable cause for arrest. Usually the tests have to be administered within two hours of being stopped.

DUI is generally a misdemeanor with punishments ranging up to a year in jail. It can be a felony is it involves serious injury, death or extensive property damage. This is also the case if the driver has had previous DUIs within a certain time period.

If you are planning to drink alcohol then you should plan not to drive a vehicle. Therefore appoint a non drinker as a designated driver for the evening, or find accommodation near to the function you will be attending, or plan to use public transportation or a taxi.

Brought to you by Mecklenburg DUI Attorney. Mecklenburg County is located in the state of North Carolina. Its largest city is Charlotte.

Understanding DUI is a post from: Color Burn

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Maps are a Form of Artwork

Edward — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:55:15 +0000

Maps are truly fascinating. They are incredibly multi-faceted; they analyze data and put it into a readable format, they document history, they are used for decoration and are also pieces of artwork.

Most people don’t traditionally associate maps with artwork simply because maps are typically seen as something that tells you where to go. Maps are quite unique though, and originally cartography, or map making, was seen as an art. To be able to draw a map was a skill, and if you look at some of the antique maps, the detailing not only of the coordinate plane but also the bordering along the map is a form of artwork itself.

Over time, maps have evolved, they were originally drawn by hand and as technology advanced were then printed, now, most all maps are electronic or are created using computers. Just like art styles or periods, certain styles of maps come into “popularity”. If you compare a map of the world from two different eras, the colors will be different, the writing will be different, and the style of map will be different. The idea behind maps is to document how the land is laid out and where places are in relation to each other. Just as there are all different types and styles of maps, there are all different types and styles of art.

Artists commonly use maps in their artwork, whether it is to prove a point or for aesthetic appeal, maps can be found in all types of artwork. Some of the more notable artists who have utilized maps are Vernon Fisher, Guillermo Kuitca, and Kathy Prendergast. Some artists will also take maps and incorporate pictures of symbols that are representative of that country or area onto the map, for example, a map of china might have the great wall of china on it or a chinese dragon.

Maps have been a form of artwork for years, although they are not traditionally seen that way. Maps seem to offer an organized feel, yet are able to evoke an emotional reaction. They are intriguing, aesthetically pleasing, and can offer new insight.

Maps are a Form of Artwork is a post from: Color Burn

Plumbing Problems Can Cause Water Damage

Edward — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Even minor plumbing problems can turn into household nightmares if they are not fixed properly and in a timely fashion. Anyone who has ever worked for companies cleaning up water damage San Diego can tell stories of how a leaky faucet left unattended can flood a room or an unaddressed plumbing problem will result in a pipe exploding. Either situation will leave water damage that must be addressed.

The first problem in any home flood situation is standing water. This can be the result of rainstorms, overflowing sinks, burst pipes or even flash flooding. In the later case, some of the water may recede on its own, but homeowners are going to need to pump, mop, or somehow remove the remaining water.

Then it is time to assess the damage. If the home is insured against flood and water damage, the insurance adjuster will need to inspect the premises before any cleanup begins. The length of the actual cleanup will depend on how much of the home was covered in water and how high that water rose. Floors, furniture, walls, appliances, cupboards, doors, mirrors, fixtures, electronics, clothing, linens, and personal belongings are all at risk from water damage. Papers, books, artwork, and photographs are especially susceptible to water damage of any kind. Most can be cleaned and restored, but the process will be extremely labor intensive and time consuming.

Plumbing Problems Can Cause Water Damage is a post from: Color Burn

Great Deals for Redecorating

Edward — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

If it Is cliche to say that women love to save money while shopping then it follows that if they can save money on large purchases, like redecorating their living room or bedroom, they would be over the moon. Finding ways to save money while getting to completely redecorate their home is the secret dream of many amateur designers — men as well as women. These people are constantly scouring the web for next day blinds coupons and warehouse sales on rugs or furniture.

The best way to save money when redecorating is to look for second hand items. Thrift stores and estate sales are great for this. A better option is to find the outlets and stores which periodically sell off floor models or warehouse overstock. These items are not new, strictly speaking, so they will be available for a fraction of the original cost.

Other than waiting around for the seasonal sales of every item needed for a home design project, savvy shoppers know how to find coupons, rebates, and other discounts online. They will hunt for a Next Day Blinds coupon on design websites and home improvement blogs. They will search for rebates on lighting fixtures or carpet installation on social media sites and forums where other home decorators exchange tips. They will join manufacturer and design mailing lists so that they get coupons sent directly to their email account. Any way they can think of to save money so that they can afford that design project.

Great Deals for Redecorating is a post from: Color Burn

Figuring Out Your Mortgage Payments

Edward — Thu, 19 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

You have picked out your dream home — or at least the best home you can find in your preferred neighborhood and price range. Your mortgage was pre-approved, but you still need to submit the details of the specific home in order to obtain the final approval and find out how much your monthly payments will be. You can also figure the payment out for yourself, by using an online Mortgage Payment Calculator .

These calculators can be found on real estate and financial sites across the web. A good calculator is going to allow you enter multiple factors, so that you get a more accurate picture of your monthly payments. Calculators that just consider loan amount, length, and mortgage rate are going to be less accurate.

The big three are important. The interest rate is applied to the loan amount and calculated over the term of the loan, usually ten, fifteen or thirty years but it can also be other lengths. This calculation will give you a ballpark idea of your monthly payment. However, the more factors that a calculator uses, the more accurate the estimate of your monthly payment will be. After all, lenders use these same types of calculators when drawing up your mortgage. Look for calculators that take into account variables like annual insurance and PMI as well as the home value and annual property taxes . Then you will have a much more reliable estimate of your monthly mortgage payments.

Figuring Out Your Mortgage Payments is a post from: Color Burn

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