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Issue 183 - 5/2/05
YOUR CHILD IS AN ARTIST - SHOW OFF THEIR MASTERPIECE BOOSTS CONFIDENCE The best decorating is personal, refl ecting the people who actually live in the home. And for families who want to applaud their children’s achievements, turning them into a decorative element in the home works wonders. Your local custom picture framer can help you create one-ofa-kind decorative pieces that celebrate the best efforts of your children. It adds colorful character to your home and boosts your child’s confidence. A PLACE OF HONOR Children’s art is so pure and kids are just delighted when you show them how important their achievements are by turning them into framed art. What your child has worked hard at deserves a place of honor on your wall. Professional framers today can frame anything from a young athlete’s t-shirt to a young ballerina’s toe shoes. Consider these fun ideas:
Kids are always happy when a framed collage about their achievements is hung in their room. But they are even more delighted when you hang it somewhere else in the home, like the family room, the breakfast nook, or even in a hallway grouping. That shows how proud you really are of them. Issue 184 - 5/9/05
BARGAIN SHOPPING When we travel, we often like to bring home a special piece that reminds us of the trip and the good time we had. You also may see something and fall in love. Either way, learning the rules of the shopping game can be extremely helpful. When traveling overseas, shopping can create some unique difficulties. Bargaining is a normal practice in most countries. This creates a special challenge for most Americans. Most vendors in other countries have artificially high prices on their items so that they can still make a profit even after bargaining. Bargaining is not easy for most of us, but it is a way of life for the rest of the world. And if you are at a market or a street stall, bargaining is essential. Bargaining tips:
Have a great trip! Issue 185 - 5/16/05
RICHARD PANKRATZ TO BE FEATURED ARTIST Richard Pankratz To Be Featured Artist At 1st Monument Art Hop At Pankratz GALLERY Richard Pankratz, an accomplished and wellknown artist nationwide will be the featured artist at the fi rst Monument Art Hop on May 19 at Pankratz Gallery. Pankratz’s show, Transitions, will feature his newest bronze sculpture, Angel of Abundance. The 17 inch tall angel sculpture fulfills art lovers who thirst for a piece that embodies beauty and spirituality. Pankratz has also created small 6 inch bronze angels that he has delicately ensconced in 36” tall ceremonial vessels made of clay and bronze. Pankratz was inspired to create the bronze angel sculptures from the existence of angel images, although obscure, in his celebrated bronze fountains. The opening reception for Richard will be Thursday, May 19 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Pankratz Gallery, 366 Second Street in Monument. Pankratz uses the Lost Wax method of casting his bronze angels. The Bronze Age technology began in approximately 3500 BC and the old tradition of art bronze casting continues today while utilizing twentieth century advances in technology. The Lost Wax casting method is a time consuming 10 step process. Pankratz started by creating the angel out of clay. The clay model was then coated in rubber and again with plaster to create a mold. The plaster mold is used to hold the rubber mold together during the wax phase of the process. Coating the rubber mold with wax is only Step 3 of the 10 step process. After seven additional steps and many months later Pankratz’s “Angel of Abundance” is ready for display. “Transitions” also encompasses the changes completed at Pankratz Gallery Center over the past 18 months. The Center has been remodeled to create two additional retail spaces (Bella Art & Frame and Pacifi c Rim Interiors) and the recently opened Herb Garden Bistro restaurant in addition to the existing Pankratz Gallery. Richard Pankratz has been sculpting and mastering the art of clay for the last 28 years from his studio in Monument. He is now focused primarily on bronze sculptures. He and his wife and business partner, Linda, own the Pankratz Gallery, well known not only for Pankratz’s designs but also for featuring unique and eclectic pieces in various mediums from local and national artists. Pankratz’s sculptures and also shown in galleries in Sedona, AZ, Palm Desert, CA, and Charleston, SC. Issue 186 - 5/23/05
GROUPINGS The arranging of objects into a picturesque grouping on a table can be much like telling a story in which the cast of characters is composed of articles that relate to your own history and interests. The grouping on the table also can provide a thematic focus for a “destination” in your home. Create destinations, large or small, in your home. Make spaces in your home that draw people in either visually or emotionally. Accessories typically reveal the character of the owners of the home more than almost any other aspect of an interior. Accessories by virtue of their vast variety in size, color, scale and content, are the easiest of all design elements to play with freely. With some objects, the place to display them will be the logical setting, such as a clock on the mantel or a basket next to the hearth. As long as you remain sensitive to the color, texture, scale and quality of your objects, you will find great latitude in the mixing and positioning of accessories. Accessories can be grouped in formal, symmetrical arrangements or in informal random arrangements depending on the character of the room and the furniture layout. Be sure to mix scales, heights and shapes to create interest. Composing unrelated subject matter, but visually compatible objects into vignettes, can be intriguing. You can also arrange classical objects informally to create an amazing effect. Color can be an effective means for organizing accessories. A collection of cobalt glass bottles makes a far stronger statement when the pieces are grouped together rather than scattered across the room. And a collection of unrelated objects in the same color can make a strong visual statement. In order to bring personal interest to your home, you can use a bookcase full of personal items to create your family history or a wall of wonderfully and uniquely framed photos and memorabilia. If you have a collection, consider displaying it in a unique way. Remember that there is power in numbers yet abundance can be overwhelming. It is generally advisable to display a few rather than many. And in general, massing similar objects is preferable to scattering them throughout the rooms. Enjoy yourself and remember you can always rearrange! Issue 187 - 5/30/05
TOP TEN LIST FOR CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING When should you invest in custom picture framing? When a piece is precious to you! ANYTHING CAN BE ART Most of us know that valuable original art or limited edition prints should be custom framed, but today’s professional framers can frame just about anything from priceless art to a special t-shirt to a baseball mitt. Even Grandma’s antique jewelry or Grandpa’s favorite golf club! VALUE IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER People forget that value is not just about money. If you have something you want to preserve, you should invest in custom framing. Special pictures by your children become lifelong treasures. A story about your son’s soccer triumph in the local paper will have real meaning for you after he’s grown. Portraits of your kids can never be re-shot. And as for a college diploma, you paid thousands and thousands of dollars to get it! Doesn’t it deserve a good frame? Here are the Top 10 Items to get custom framed:
Issue 188 - 6/6/05
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS We’ve all heard it and probably even said it. This statement has more merit than you may think. No matter the decorating need or desire, it is still your home and still where your heart is and your family’s heart is. Trusting yourself is one of the keys to decorating. Think back to the first time you decorated your room. You may have decorated it with stuffed animals or planes; you may have used all your favorite colors or you may have decided that everything needed to be green. You may have been still at home or in your first place, either way my guess is that you felt your choices were the absolute best and that no one could have done better. It was truly your room or corner and you were happy while in your own space. You have good taste. You may not be skilled in layout or color selection, but fundamentally you know what you like. You know that because you have seen rooms, homes, and designs that you like. You have seen these in magazines and in your life, so you know that your taste is at least on the same lines as others who have good taste. The trick is using what you have seen as a building block. Take note when you are in a home, hotel or restaurant that pleases you. What are the elements that work for you? Take notes or pictures if you need to. Play. When you have time and are feeling good, take time to remove all the decorative items from several rooms and experiment with putting different items together. We tend to like groupings of three or five. Symmetry can also be wonderful when used sparingly. Remember that items can be moved and moved again. Closets can fit more than clothes, put things away according to seasons or moods. Add color in a dark spot with a silk piece or a brightly colored vase. Plants or cut flowers add life and spirit to a room. Put on some music and have fun while you are coming up with ideas. Enjoy yourself and your creativity. Remember back to the confidence you had with your first space, trust yourself. If you have trouble getting started, come in for a visit with a few pieces and we can play with some of my things as well. Issue 189 - 6/13/05
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF KILN FORMED GLASS Fusing and kiln forming is the oldest from of glass manipulation. Most scholars date the beginnings to the Mesopotamians in 2000 B.C. The Egyptians developed the art form further, with many of their pieces in museums around the world. The Greeks and Romans continued working with glass in kilns until the Romans learned how to manipulate the glass after it came from the kiln or furnace, and the art of glassblowing was created. Fusing or kiln forming was forgotten until the nineteenth century, when glass craftsmen began to experiment with the age-old craft, but with newer heat sources and technology. In the twenty-first century, fused and kiln formed glass are general terms used to describe glass that has been formed, manipulated and shaped in a glass kiln. Fused glass is similar to baking glass. Glass pieces are cut and arranged by hand, then slowly heated in a kiln over a period of several hours. At temperatures between 1400 and 1500 degrees F, the glass softens to a honey-like consistency and the separate pieces of glass liquefy and fuse together into a single sheet of glass. When the glass has reached the state desired by the artist, the kiln is shut off and annealing begins. Annealing is the slow cooling of the glass to prevent the presence of internal stress ( which can lead to bubbles, cracks, or fractures). Once the glass has returned to room temperature, slumping is begun. Slumping is the shaping of flat planes of glass into various forms. The glass is suspended over a prepared mold made of stainless steel or stoneware and slowly heated. As the glass reaches internal temperatures in the 1200 to 1350 degree F range, the glass becomes soft, similar in consistence to taffy. The glass stretches and sags , taking the shape of the mold. As it reaches its desired shape, the kiln is shut down and annealing begins. Today’s fusing and kiln forming craftsmen have the luxury of being able to create their art in kilns that are electric and have computerized controllers to carefully monitor the temperature and speed of heating and annealing. Heating too fast and cooling too fast result in air bubbles, cracks, or internal stress in the piece, resulting in breakage. Today’s artists also have a huge selections of glass , in every form, color and texture, available to them. New technologies in other fields, such as dichroic coatings on glass, have moved into the kiln forming field and promise to make this century exciting for the continual development of the art. Issue 190 - 6/20/05
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT? GET IT OUT OF THE SHOE BOX AND INTO A FRAME If you have two, it’s a pair; if you have three, it’s a collection. And according to the Art & Framing Council, if you have your collection professionally framed, it becomes highly original and very personal art for your home. You’d be amazed at what can be framed! Professional framers create custom frames to hold an extraordinary variety of object whether it’s a collection of antique tools, old coins, or even high button shoes. They can put virtually anything into a frame and one of their special skills is arranging the objects to create an intriguing, one-of-a-kind art. Traditional collections can be framed in a traditional manner (for example, a collection of coins or stamps displayed in straight lines), but framers often create more collage-like groupings. Such settings draw the eye to the objects in a new way and yield a rather contemporary piece of art. Get crazy and have some fun with arranging your collectibles! People collect everything from bottle caps to baseball cards to rare gems. Display your collections for everyone to enjoy – it personalizes the décor of our home! Top 10 Collection Ideas that can be framed:
Come Explore the Possibilities Issue 191 - 6/27/05
A GARDEN PARTY! There are many ways to create an atmosphere of fun, using colors, settings and the wonderful out of doors. Here are just a few simple ideas to help you set up an outdoor area that you and your guests can enjoy. Candles create mood outdoors as well as indoors. There are many inexpensive ways to have candlelight outside.
Music always helps to set a mood and create joy. If you can, think about outdoor speakers for your patio, they don’t have to be expensive but can focus the sound so that you need not blast sound from inside. Many of the local merchants have new ideas for the summer, so have some fun browsing and get inspired. Have fun creating your “Garden Party” setting and enjoy! Come in and see what’s available to help you create the mood you desire Issue 193 - 7/11/05
CRAZY COLORADO WEATHER COULD BE AFFECTING YOUR FRAMED ARTWORK! Has hot summer weather worked its havoc at your house? Do the hot and cold temperatures of Colorado make your woods swell and retract? If so, you’d better make sure it hasn’t affected your artwork. TEMPERATE TRAUMA “Americans all over the country have experienced the effects of weird weather --unprecedented rainfall, intense humidity, dramatic fl uctuations in temperature,” says the executive director of The Art & Framing Council. “We’re dealing with mildewed carpets and dank upholstery. We’re taking care of bubbled paint and leaky windows and mud underfoot. But we forget all about the artwork hanging on the wall. And it could be in trouble.” BRITTLE BATTLES Changes in light, heat, moisture and temperature can cause shrinking, fading, brittleness or mold growth, all potential dangers for artwork. The best way to find out? Take your artwork in to your local custom picture framer, and have the frame opened and the work checked out. Here is a checklist of possible problems homeowners can spot: * Are the inks or colors fading? * Are there tiny hairline cracks in either the paint or the paper itself? * Is there condensation inside the glass? * Do you see water lines or brownish spots starting to form on the paper? * Is the paper pulling away from the mat board? DAMAGE DEFENDER If you see any of these signs, the piece probably needs re-framing! Professional framers can tell you what’s going on and can recommend seeing a conservator if the work is badly damaged. If you need re-framing, it gives you an opportunity to update your frame, giving a brand new look to a cherished old friend. Viola, Artwork Makeover! Issue 194 - 7/18/05
MIX IT UP! We are so lucky living here in the US. We have access to products from around the world. When we go shopping, we are exposed to hundreds of items from almost every part of the world. We have been exposed to and adopted the styles of many other cultures into our homes. The result is a synthesis of decoration that has liberated interior decorators and us from strict formula therefore allowing us, as never before to mix ideas and cultures. This has freed us from the constraints of having to stick to a “style” for our whole house or even for one room! Accessories typically reveal the character of the inhabitants of a home more than almost any other aspect of the interior. Heirlooms and keepsakes can illustrate a family history. Art and collectibles reveal interest and tastes. Travel mementos and maps can suggest worldliness. Antiques can create a feeling of history and stability. Tribal objects may suggest mysticism while collections of dolls, perfume bottles or music boxes lend a sense of femininity. Regardless of their nature, accessories only make sense in a design scheme when they are truly reflections of your own tastes and style. Accessories bring ideas, shapes, colors, textures and feelings into a room. Their selection can make your home show that of genuine interest. When decorating your home, remember that it is yours and allow it to reflect who you are. Choose to have items around you that you love and say something about you. There are no longer strict rules regarding mixing styles. The world’s cultures are open for you to enjoy and experience. Have fun! Issue 196 - 8/1/05
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL Everyone knows how valuable mirrors can be in decorating. They add light and sparkle and extra space to any room. The problem, however, is often finding exactly the mirror you want in the exact size you need. We’ve done so many mirrors this year for bathrooms, entryways, and various home décor! How many of you hate the plastic clipped small mirror that came standard in your powder room? Ugly! The solution is no further away than Bella Art & Frame, your local custom picture framing shop. “People shop for months trying to fi nd the perfect mirror at department stores or in antique shops. Often, you find a frame you like but it doesn’t come in the size you need, or you find the size you need but you don’t like the frame. Most people don’t realize, however, that any professional picture framer can custom-make exactly the mirror you want,” said Kim Ahern, executive director of the Art & Framing Council. “Just bring in the measurements you want and select the frame you like best.” There are so many unique frame choices out there that it’s a shame to wait for just the right picture to put in them! You can use custom mirrors in a variety of ways:
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