Soap Stone Art

Making stone art is fun

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Tried my hand at a soapstone art deco cat!

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Been doing some more stone work and I really enjoyed it.

Art is the coolest way to create the life we’d like to experience.

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Finding a form of art that you enjoy participating in can be extremely liberating. There are no limits on the volume or variety with which a passion can be indulged. The work is its own reward. If you have found a technique that appeals to a deep part of your psyche and you start to believe that maybe you are doing too many or much of the same thing, remember that there are billions of people on this planet. All of us, the same, is true of art. When there is love behind the creation of anything, it blossoms all of its own accord. Never stop bringing art into existence. The world needs every kind of beauty that is available.

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New Ideas This is the latest work. I came up with the idea to use two colours for the background. Then did my thing with the rest. Sometimes, thinking outside the box can be a scary thing. Never let that stop you from taking a chance. Something beautiful may be hiding in the unknown. I tried it and I like the effect. What do you think?

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The Art Of Hedge Mazes Topiary is the art of cutting and shaping trees, shrubs or hedges. The practise has been around for centuries and the art form is a sort of living sculpture, as the plants that are used continue to grow and are in constant need of clipping and snipping. Creating a maze out of hedges is a brilliant idea which encompasses gardens being puzzles and the mystery of the great outdoors. All of it incorporated into the surroundings as a live canvas, as it were. There are two kinds of mazes multicursal and unicursal. Multicursal includes blind alley’s whereas unicursal does not. The maze is an intricate network of winding pathways. People from all over the world enjoy having a go at finding their way into the middle (hopefully) and out again. Not always as easy as it sounds. Especially, with the walls of the shrubs or hedges being taller than most of the general public. Having spent some time (more than I intended) in the maze at Hampton Court Palace in the UK. I can safely recommend them as fun. So long as you do not mind the sensation of being totally perplexed, baffled and bewildered. Luckily, that is not too far from my normal state of being. Mazes are amazing!

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Behold Art Abstract sculptures can be a lesson in impractical, gravity-defying, balancing acts. There are shapes, curves and angles that should never exist in certain material. Yet with a work of art anything is possible. That is the beauty of the medium. Art should be about the non-conventional. Abstract art epitomizes the unusual and makes it aesthetically pleasing. Even the works that may be considered hideous can contain a symmetrical appeal that one will have to agree with despite a lack of understanding. Art is one of those things that does not have to be fully comprehended in order to have the workmanship appreciated. One either likes it or not. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

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An Abundance Of Art They say, you get what you focus on in life. Most people will only see the things in front of them like war and natural disasters. Or nutters ploughing into people down a busy street for no apparent reason as seen on the news. All of these violent scenes are a reality, of course, and despite the negative connotations there is still joy in the world if it is sought out. When an artist has created a work, it brings harmony into the forefront of the world at large. This, in turn, affects all those who are touched by the splendour. It is so much more productive and beneficial to mankind to be a harbinger of positive aesthetics. Throughout our busy lives the wonderful sights that are all around us, may be missed simply due to a lack of observation. We can take heart as there is an abundance of art to be enjoyed. It is up to the individual to take the time to appreciate all the excellence that has been lovingly made by the hands of master practitioners. Art and beauty is everywhere. Find it and be grateful for the richness it metes out.

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A Blank Canvas

There is nothing so daunting or exhilarating as an empty page. The possibilities are endless. Yet, some people are filled with fear when faced with the openness to create anything that comes to mind.

Demanding a work be flawless will strangle any resourceful flow that is needed to start. Luckily, not everyone is burdened with the expectations of perfection. It is not achievable. Finding beauty in ‘faults’ is far more reasonable and productive.

Never be frightened of a fresh piece of paper. Change is the cohort of all artists. One can always alter a piece of work until they are satisfied.

The best way to go about creating your masterpiece is to begin with that first stroke of paint and go from there. A blank canvas is total freedom.

Take a deep breath and splash some colour about.

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Never Give Up.

Do not let anyone stop you from doing the things you enjoy. Creating art should be about bringing into being the work that stems from inside you.

Others may make off-hand remarks that ends up stifling the flow. Please … continue to follow your heart! It is not for anyone else to decide what your passion should be.

Be bold! Pursue your own path and let the chips fall where they may. You will have fun in the process.

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Passion For Stone I have no idea why stone is so appealing to me? There is something primal about working with this material. People have been doing it for thousands of years. From Easter Island and Stonehenge, going as far back as the pyramids of Egypt. Throughout most of the past, right up to the modern day artists have chipped away at rocks to create the beauty that is hiding within. The hours of patient filing and polishing is truly a labour of love. With the end result being a work of art that will be left out in the elements (most times) for erosion to take its toll. Maybe the fact that these monuments, buildings and sculptures will outlast the artist, for future generations to ponder and enjoy has something to do with their attraction? Bringing history and the present crashing together for the beauty found in simple stone. All of it is endlessly interesting.

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Never Give Up. Do not let anyone stop you from doing the things you enjoy. Creating art should be about bringing into being the work that stems from inside you. Others may make off-hand remarks that ends up stifling the flow. Please . . . continue to follow your heart! It is not for anyone else to decide what your passion should be. Be bold! Pursue your own path and let the chips fall where they may. You will have fun in the process.

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Been trying a new method of painting. It is the kind of thing one sees and says to themselves, ‘I can do that!’ It looks like there is no thought that goes into it. After all, it is just paint splattered on a canvas. Having completed a couple now, more contemplation and judgement is used than one would expect. Never the less, I enjoy this procedure and will continue to experiment to my heart’s content. Art; you got to love it!

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The simple, clean shapes of the Art Deco style appeal to one’s sense of the streamlined look. It is, now, approximately 100 years old. Developing into a major style after the First World War, it came into the public eye following the 1925 International Expo in Paris. Art Deco sparked movements in many different industries. Architecture, furniture and fashion all benefited and had their own distinct looks from this time. All were influenced by the luxurious movement. The geometric designs worked well within all of these varied trades. There is an elegance about the period that survives and thrives to this day.

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Progression Of An Artist

Never thought about an artist’s entire body of work before. Nor how the creations advance and mature. The development of any particular artist techniques, styles and various methods, can be taken into consideration and explored for a more in depth look.

Does it make their work any more enjoyable? Probably, not. But to examine the progress can explain why some pieces hit the mark and others do not.

It is a matter of person preference anyway. As with all art, whatever speaks to the individual is the important thing. Yes, it is interesting to compare past and present but most artist’s will tell you their next project is the most important one.

All you artists out there, look to the future and keep pushing the limits!

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Make Art The thing about art, is that one can choose what appeals and finds interesting one day only to be replaced by a whole other aspect the next. It is an ever evolving field whose appeal is in constant flow. The vast array of methodologies are there to explore whenever the fancy takes. There is as much beauty in the freedom to pick and choose, as there is in the pieces of art themselves. Learning about art will open up avenues that may, otherwise, have been closed off. The subject allows for the weird and unusual to be put on display and admired. Andy Warhol said, ‘Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art’. Fabulous words to live by. Whether making or admiring it, art enriches all our lives.

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Unusual Methods Ever wondered how some artists come up with the unconventional ways with which they create work? The approaches can be as varied as the people developing them. The beautiful thing about art is that it can originate in any form. No one person has the only formula for inventive techniques of design. Each work can and should be judged on its own merit. From uniform patterns to total abstract use of paints and colours, all styles are viable. In the same way that a wide assortment of materials can be manipulated into exquisite pieces, one can only appreciate the works that appeal to the individual. How an artist performs can be fascinating. The end result and its effect on others will determine whether or not a work is a success. Thinking outside the box and trying different procedures may lead to an effective, yet unusual, method to create art. It’s all good.

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C & I Creativity and imagination go hand in hand. They fuel each other. In order to create, one must have imaginative thoughts. There are no two ways about it. Now, some think this is childish behaviour. Yet, the world would, still, be stuck in the dark ages if the inventiveness of adults was not allowed to flourish. Call it 'research and developement'. Call it 'the department for new products'. The business terms do not change the fact that it needs creative types to push forth a better future. The planet would be a sadder place without those who use their imagination for good. So, instead of these traits being foolish endeavours that are looked down on, encourage those who feel the need to create. We, will, all benefit from it.