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Larry Oskin : Beauty Savant

by Deborah E on April 11, 2012

In learning about Mr. Oskin, and his art, I am fascinated by how he has studied art, and different aspects of art, and has grown in his art (including fine art photography), as a result of this study of creativity. And, yet, he is not limited by mere knowledge of the craft, but is able to express himself and interpret and seek out the beauty around him and present it to us, in his own brand of expression of art.

Come, let's learn about Mr. Larry Oskin, and his art...

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?

I always loved art, "coloring," drawing, and painting. I actually wanted to become an artist from a very young age. With the encouragement of family and mentorship from my second grade art teacher, I had my first one-man show when I was only seven years old in the hallways of the George Washington Elementary School in Kenmore, New York. I always excelled in my creative art and writing classes. I studied drawing, painting, and design in junior and senior high school, where I was able to major in commercial art. I pursued as many extracurricular art courses as possible through high school, during college, and after graduating from college. I was often recognized as the lead artist at school and community events. My artwork was often shown at local shopping malls and art galleries. From a young child throughout college, my artwork was often published in the local newspapers.

What was your first art creation?

I always loved coloring in kids' coloring books and on blank sketch pads. With encouragement, crayons, papers and coloring books from my mother, I feverishly started my own first art creations. I even faked being sick at times, knowing my rewards would be new crayons, coloring books and art supplies. With childhood birthday and holiday presents came oil paints, canvas, brushes and pencils which started me on a long path of portrait and landscape oil paintings.

What was your first memorable art piece?

My first major memorable art piece was a large tempera painting of a cityscape that I created in 9th grade. This piece won first place honors with numerous community art show prizes. My second major art creation was when, with the approval of my high school art teacher, I tore down a huge linen window shade to frame and make a large painting canvas – bigger than anything that was available in the art stores. This became my first notable non-objective abstract expressionism study, which really led me to begin to study color and field theory throughout high school and college.

I studied realism, objective abstract expressionism, non-objective abstract expressionism, commercial and fine art photography as well as color and field theories. I created endless oil paintings at a young age, moved on to a series of tempera, oil and acrylic paintings in high school and college. I then worked very hard at, studying fine art ceramics, abstract sculpture, commercial graphic design, serigraphy, drawing, and fine art photography, while maintaining a very similar "style," look, feel, and image to all of my works since the early college years.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Larry Oskin, Artist Extraordinaire."

Today, I remain endlessly inspired to create new fine art photography and artwork. I carry around a camera whenever possible, especially on weekends, vacations, and special business trips … always looking to capture something new and exciting. I am not a coffee drinker, yet I wake up by 5:30 AM to begin my daily work by about 6 AM each day. I regularly set up studio and location photography session with models, since I love to celebrate the beauty of women, landscapes, flowers, animals, and life. I do love to watch sunrises and sunsets – as two of my most favorite things! I also hold down a full-time career position as president of my own marketing, advertising, and PR agency, which specializes in the beauty, salon, spa and medical industries. So, as a daily work practice and in any free time, I strive to find beautiful objects, people, cities and sights to inspire my new artistic creations. I dedicate full days and weeks to special projects – whether photographing spring flowers, animals, or beautiful women in glamorous poses. I truly do remain extremely inspired to help women look and feel better about themselves through my artwork.

What do you do with your art?

I have recently launched Art Beautique as a virtual art gallery. I share my artwork at art galleries and special events, where I have been honored as the "featured artist." I currently sell my artwork through community art galleries and at special charitable events. I have donated plenty of artwork to help raise money for worthy causes. I give away more artwork than I sell, since I sincerely love the pleasure and rewards of having others enjoy my artwork.

What are your plans in the future?

I am always very inspired by beauty! I have plans to shoot a few new series celebrating music, glamour, romance and spa couples this year and next year. I will be the featured artist at two Fairfax Virginia Art Galleries in May this year. I will participate in monthly art exhibits and special events sponsored by the Fairfax Art League as well as several other Washington DC area art leagues. I will exhibit my works again in Hawai'i in January 2013. I hope to someday be represented by an art agent as well as to have my artwork sold in national art gallery chains and on cruise ships. I am now making myself available to create customized artwork for homes and businesses. I will photograph you, your facility, your special services and models while turning each photography session into original frameable artwork to decorate your walls.

The newest Art Beautique Images Collections celebrate the beauty of women, flowers, cityscapes, salon and beautycare services. Through a special photo impressionism technique, Art Beautique images actually look like impressionistic paintings, using bright, bold and vivid colors. My Art Beautique work is very stylized. I believe that professional fine art photography remains one of our best artistic forms of creative media and visual expression. Through the fine art of photography, we are able to share what we can see, sense and feel, yet not touch! With photography, we can share the instant of a beautiful sunrise, sunset and cloud, which may only otherwise be a mere quick memory. With fine art photography, we are able to enjoy the memory of smiles, happiness, sorrow, love, warmth, friendship, beauty and spirit as well as to remember the unique joy we may have experienced from a complete array of emotions. A picture may only be worth 1000 words, while little else will compare when you are able to capture any special moment in time!

In Mr. Oskin's own words, from his main, "My Art Beautique artwork is very stylized. I believe that photography remains one of our best artistic forms of creative media and visual expression. Through the fine art of photography, we are able to share what we can see, sense and feel, yet not touch! "
Connecting with Larry Oskin.
Artist Website :	www.ArtBeautique.com
Gallery :	larry-oskin.artistwebsites.com/galleries.html
FB Page :	facebook.com/ArtBeautique

Are you an artist who would like to be featured? Contact me!

Until next time.
hugs,
Deborah
P.S. Have you hugged 5 times today?

Deborah E

Deborah E is a smooth and sultry summer night on Bourbon Street… Classy with a dash of sass… Proof that the jazz greats have not been sacrificed to processed pop. ladyD.info. For more information, including other blogs, visit her main site at deborah.info.

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How to Dress With Sophistication Without Spending Too Much

by GuestAuthor on April 7, 2012

Looking sophisticated is the perfect way to look different to your next party. If you don’t have the right clothes to look more sophisticated, then you will just look like your ordinary self. There are certain dresses and clothes that look best for looking this way, but it can still be tough to find out what the right clothes are. Below, I will outline just a few of the ways to get you wearing a dress that is sophisticated and different. Of course, it can be hard to buy the most expensive items, and that is why you really need to consider the tips below, as they will help cut the overall costs down.

How to Dress With Sophistication Without Spending Too Much

Minimalistic Pieces

It is important to get plenty of dresses that don’t have too much pieces showing. Usually we can focus too much on getting dresses that add too many pieces, but the only thing that this does is add a lot of immaturity in your clothing. The dress should have very few pieces, as that can help a lot with adding the mature look of sophistication without doing too much work. Remember, too much can be quite bad, so try to take your time when finding a nice and clear looking dress.

Basic Tones Are a Great Picture

Looking for a nice dress that is clean and basic, along with a very basic tone is a great idea. Basic tones are important to look for because they are never going to be out of style. The basic trends are always going to look no matter how fashionable other trends become. As long as your dress has even the slightest of class, it surely is going to stand out compared to those other people who wear overly done clothing. Usually the basic ones aren’t even that expensive, so this is a very good thing to consider.

Dresses With The Right Length

If you pay very close attention to your dress, make sure that it does not become too long by reaching the floor. It should only reach a maximum of past your knees. These dresses are wonderful and look quite different, and you will find the investment to be very worth it once the dress isn’t too long. These dresses add a lot of beauty to your overall look, and you will find a shorter elegant dress to be great to wear.

Casual Fabric

The design of the dress should not only be casual and elegant, but so should the fabric itself. The fabric should be a bit casual, and even though it is a bit casual, you will find that the casuality is going to help in making you look good. That dress of yours needs to be very casual with the right fabric that is casual as well.

Jeans With Skirt

This style has grown to become quite popular among young teens, but it is nice because it works well for adults as well. Just make sure that the jeans are nicely worn with a matching skirt that goes well with the overall dress.

The Overall Look

Everything from the jewelry to the shoes, all of them come together to build that older and more professional look. Too much bling is not recommended at all, especially if you want to create the strong and beautiful look. Basically, the jewelry shouldn’t be over done, and the entire set should go well with the dress. Make sure that your shoes are nicely crafted as well. A different color of shoes is fine, but matching the shoes with your entire dress is even better. Try to match everything, but don’t overdo it either.

Look sophisticated is all about delivering a whole new look. Many people tend to wear too much and try to achieve too much, but that doesn’t really help. Make sure that your entire dress fits well and is designed good too. Matching is the key to making the casual sophisticated style work. Even if you wear casual clothes, if you don’t match the shoes and the jewelry, it won’t look as good as you thought.

Amy Stuart

Amy Stuart is a fashion designer, fashion shopping consultant and writer for her favorite magazines and publications on the web. She writes about everything from food to “vakarkleitas”, fashion to family and spends most her free time on the beach with her husband and 3 kids.

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Natalia Kadish : Experiential Expression

by Deborah E on April 4, 2012

nataliakadish_mirium-stood-from-afar-to-see-what-would-happen

In learning about Ms. Kadish, I am struck by what a student of life she is and how much she not only observes life around her, but takes it in, experiences it, interprets it, and expresses it out to the world around her, for the rest of us to enjoy as a part of our life's experiences.

Come, meet Ms. Natalia Kadish...

What was your first art creation?

I do not remember my first drawing or painting. However, my first medium was creating thoughts with in my mind! I remember my first memory of life. This pretty much sums up the experience I have through creating art. My first memory was moving day to the house I grew up in, my parents' house, and now the place I teach classes in. There were big French doors they were so towering. They were open to the elements outside. There was a big summer storm a-brewing!! I looked at those strong doors knocking around in the wind and thought, “Awesome!” I was ready to explore life and experience every moment with inspiration to live.

What was your first memorable art piece?

Every piece of art work has a story. Every piece of art is a story. Choose one and ask about the story behind it! Choose @ NataliaKadish.com.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Natalia Kadish, Artist Extraordinaire."

I wake up with the sunrise and Thank G-d that my soul was restored to my body! I wash up and my husband comes in with my coffee! Thank G-d. I say blessings Thanking G-d for Life! Then we eat breakfast and learn Torah! He goes out to teach and I start creating. Sometimes my rabbi teaches a class in the morning that I go to. Then around noon, I teach a very talented sweet 85 year young woman. I come home, thank G-d, and create more! Teaching classes here and there!

What do you do with your art?

With Art I praise G-d! The life force flowing through all things, animating life! Clients of all kinds come to me with great ideas, dreams or concepts, or lessons in Torah, and ask me to illustrate their ideas. They design the picture. I create an original piece of artwork that hangs on their wall so it’s personal, and touches their hearts. This is the way G-d allows me to make a living! Thank G-d! It’s so much better for a client to just design their own piece of art then have to go to a gallery and invest in a picture that is “almost” what they like. Art is a very personal, spiritual thing. Sometimes the client does not know what they want, so I come up with many ideas until they are satisfied. Sometimes they say they want blueish colors and I come up with the rest! ☺ Its fun! Thank G-d!

What are your plans in the future?

I’m in the process of publishing two art books! Thank G-d!

"My first medium was creating thoughts with in my mind! I remember my first memory of life. This pretty much sums up the experience I have through creating art!"

In Ms. Kadish's own words, from her website, "...a Surrealist artist inspired by the joy received from learning Torah and contemplating the infinite. She received a BA in Illustration from School of Visual Arts. Her art has been displayed in several concerts including Irving Plaza in NYC."
Connecting with Natalia Kadish.
Artist Website :	www.nataliakadish.com

Are you an artist who would like to be featured? Contact me!

Until next time.
hugs,
Deborah
P.S. Have you hugged 5 times today?

Deborah E

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The Art Lover and the Self-Expressing Artist

by Deborah E on March 28, 2012

The following is an article by Deborah E, ScatNStyle.com, published on Dangerous Lee.

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Deborah E

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Consuelo Okdie : Tantalizing Textures

by Deborah E on March 21, 2012

There is so much more to Ms. Consuelo Okdie and her art than what could possibly be articulated here. She is gifted in painting (and creating her own paints), as well as the sculpting and the combination of both. That's why I called this "Tantalizing Textures," because the color and the design and the art pull me in wanting more!

Come, let's get to know Ms. Okdie, in her own words...

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?

I honestly don't ever remember making a 'formal decision' to become an artist. I started drawing when I was about six years old and somehow it was just understood that that's what I'd be. I really believe I was born this way.

What was your first art creation?

The first art creation I can remember is making horses out of tin cans (for the bodies) and paper (for the head, legs, and tail). My Dad would make saddles for them using leather from old shoes.

consuelookdie_welcome-to-florida-aka-fred

What was your first memorable art piece?

My first memorable piece was an oil painting of a cat done on a canvas board. I had entered it in a elementary school art show and someone actually bought it!

Descriptions of Ms. Okdie's work shown on this page

"Princess" is one of my dog portraits. It is done on 9"x12" high quality Bristol Board using high end markers made specifically for artists.

"Welcome to Florida aka Fred" was done completely with white polymer clay on an 8"x10" gallery-wrapped canvas. Colors were done using custom made paint, alcohol inks, and mica powders. This is my signature piece.

"Tribute" was made entirely out of polymer clay over a wire armature wrapped with aluminum foil. The horse itself is elaborately decorated using many different Skinner blends and over 100 different Swarovski crystals.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Consuelo Okdie, Artist Extraordinaire."

I am definitely NOT a morning person. It takes a couple of cups of coffee just to get my heart started! I usually straighten up around the house, play with my cats and run errands, which takes until lunch time. Then, I start creating. (The only exception is when I have a deadline and then I'll start working in the morning.) I draw, paint, and/or sculpt every day. I have to - my art is as much a process of my existence as breathing is.

What do you do with your art?

I do a lot of different things with my art. I have an Etsy shop where I sell some of my work. I tend to get a lot of commissions for my dog portraits as well as custom Christmas ornaments (made from polymer clay). I am also a cartoonist and have been working on new cartoons that relate to the pc world for a new polymer art magazine. However, what I get the most satisfaction from is donating art for fundraisers supporting animal rescue/adoption and art education.

"Currently I am working on expanding the selection available in my Etsy shop. At the moment I'm working on a line of pendants which will use my pet portraits as transfers onto polymer clay. I'm really excited about how they are turning out and can't wait until I can start listing them. My big plan for the future is to be able to find an artist agent/rep and get some of my work licensed."

What are your plans in the future?

Currently I am working on expanding the selection available in my Etsy shop. At the moment I'm working on a line of pendants which will use my pet portraits as transfers onto polymer clay. I'm really excited about how they are turning out and can't wait until I can start listing them. My big plan for the future is to be able to find an artist agent/rep and get some of my work licensed.

In Ms. Okdie's own words, from her Facebook, "My polymer clay work has been featured in several craft publications including PolymerCAFE and Bead&Button. I've been a featured artist on HGTV, the DIY Network and PBS..."
Connecting with Consuelo Okdie.
Etsy :	etsy.com/shop/consuelookdie
FB Page :	facebook.com/pages/Consuelo-Okdie-Art/145463689006
FB Profile :	facebook.com/consuelookdie
LinkedIn :	linkedin.com/pub/consuelo-okdie/7/73b/a17