Sketching the Days by Sharon Himes
For each of the past three or four years Julia Hysom of Palmyra, Virginia, has filled a unique datebook illustrating her life. She began with a free datebook calendar from an advertiser and each page opens to reveal a month with weeks on each row. At first Julia wrote short [...]

A Closer Look at Four Renaissance Madonnas
by Sharon Himes
The Renaissance was a time of rebirth and rediscovery that took place in Europe between the 14th through 16th centuries. It was more a time of gradual changes than a single art movement. The Church and patrons commissioned artists to paint religious works, and the Madonna and [...]

Giovanni Antonio Canal was born in Venice in 1697. His father was a theatrical scene painter. The young Canal learned perspective by assisting in painting the large backdrops with fanciful arches and other architectural details that were popular at the time. The son, called Canaletto to distinguish him from his father, traveled to Rome to [...]

Oil Painting Demonstration By Stella Violano
“Afternoon Nap” Oil on Canvas 30 x 40
This painting started out as a desire to capture a rich room interior with lighting reminiscent of the paintings of John Singer Sargent and Anders Zorn. In keeping with my style a dog had to be present. I did several thumbnail sketches to [...]

Though their popularity has grown in the last decade, the roots of ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) can be found in miniature portraits and the “business cards” used by the Impressionists. The purpose of these small works of art was to help create community among artists. Hence the name and main requirement that the cards are [...]

The Art of Masks by Sharon Himes
Masks are a nearly universal art form; an ornamental face covering used for religion, ritual, theater performance or art. A mask hides the wearer behind a formal disguise and the actor wearing one takes on the identity of the character he portrays. In religious ceremonies a mask might be [...]