Monday, January 31, 2011

Je T'aime - Love and Romance, Paris Style


Some romantic Paris-style items on ArtFire...



Monday, January 24, 2011

Valentine's Day Gifts

All kinds of hugs and kisses...just in time for Valentine's Day gifts!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

It's Tee Time!

Click on the picture to see some unique golf themed creations that I found on ArtFire.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706. He was a man of many talents and over his lifetime, he was a printer, writer, inventor and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

He had poor vision and needed glasses to read. Tired of constantly taking them off and putting them back on, he figured out a way to make his glasses let him see both near and far. He cut two spectacles in half and put half of each lens in a single frame. We call them bifocals.

Some of his other inventions and discoveries include:
  • A flexible urinary catheter that appears to have been the first one produced in America
  • The lightning rod to protect buildings and ships from lightning damage
  • An iron furnace stove that is called a Franklin stove. He also established the first fire company and the first fire insurance company to help people live more safely.
  • The simple odometer to keep track of distance
  • The long arm; a long wooden pole with a grasping claw at the end to help reach books (or other items) on high shelves. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Just Jazz

Whatever style you like: Bebop, Chicago, New Orleans, Dixieland, Swing, Fusion, Latin, Smooth or Cool - it's all good..."

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Spice Market - Saffron

This collection appeared on the ArtFire front page on January 9, 2011.

Saffron is a spice derived from the stigmas and stalks of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) flower. The stigmas are dried and have a reddish orange color. Saffron is used in cooking for seasoning and coloring in dishes such as paella and yellow rice and as a textile dying agent, imparting a golden yellow color. Saffron is considered the world's most expensive spice by weight; it takes 225,000 stigmas to make one pound.

Click on the picture below to see twelve artists' unique vision of 'saffron'. Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

New Orleans

When I hear 'New Orleans' I think of Mardi Gras, voodoo, good food, jazz, beignets, chicory coffee, secret courtyards, architecture...

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Goddess

What is the definition of a Goddess? There are many meanings...
  • A female being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by a people.
  • A female being believed to be the source of life and being and worshiped as the principal deity in various religions.
  • An image of a female supernatural being; an idol.
  • Something, such as fame or wealth, that is worshiped or idealized.
  • A woman of great beauty or grace.
Click on the picture to see twelve varying interpretations by ArtFire artists.

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", also known as "Wimoweh" and originally as "Mbube" (lion in Zulu) was a song recorded by Solomon Linda and his group, The Evening Birds, for a South African record company in 1939. It was covered internationally by many well known 1950s pop and folk revival artists, including Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, The Weavers, Miriam Makeba and the Kingston Trio. In 1961, it became a number one hit in the US as adapted by the doo wop group, The Tokens. It went on to earn at least $15 million in royalties from covers and film licensing. Then, in the mid-nineties, it was licensed to Walt Disney and used in the film "The Lion King", its spin off television series, and live musical, prompting a lawsuit on behalf of the impoverished descendants of Solomon Linda.