A Quick Look At The Value Of Art

For a good number of people, it is rather difficult to determine the value of art without understanding exactly what it is or stands for. In simple terms, it is important to note that the true net worth of anything can only be comprehended by those who appreciate and acknowledge the in depth role that the item or work depicts.

This is to say that a single piece could have different evaluations from different perspectives depending on the circumstances or the person evaluating it. Since it is basically a means of passing some information or communicating a message to the general public regardless of tribal or social affiliations since art is a universal language that can be comprehended by all.

While some artwork are very highly valued, it is also crucial to understand that many items are basically evaluated and valued according to human perception. This is no different from the so called forces of demand and supply dictating the cost of most commodities in the market at any given time.

If it is truly about perceptions, then we can say that artwork will always be valued according to the perception of those possessing it or those who are interested in taking over it. It is these two groups that can sit down and confer so as to determine how much they are willing to exchange in order to change or transfer ownership.

For some people, it is always assumed that any artwork can be evaluated by the effort that went into the creation of the piece, this is a wrong approach to the matter since some pieces may be curved out of wood or even stones that can actually be obtained free of charge from the forest or down the road but the creativity and the message that the piece may represent is an entirely different aspect that many people are always unable to quantify so as to determine the exact worth of the same.

Besides looking at the value of art in terms of the effort that goes into making it as well as the raw materials, it is important to also further note that the practicability of an artwork should never be overlooked and the significance of the same piece considering that many of the same pieces remain relevant for ages to come and their impact or influence in the lives of those who may come into contact with the same work over the many years ahead should all be subject to evaluation.

Another important factor that we must not forget is the fact that such work often appreciates or depreciates in worth depending on the prevailing attitude or perception of the people on the work as time go by. While there are a number of artworks that cannot even be accurately valued due to their significance in the communities in which they exist.Take an example of national symbols or countries which are artistic in nature. It would be difficult to accurately value such pieces since whatever they symbolize cannot even be quantified and this only makes it more complicated to find the value of art in totality.

David Tatham has been working in the art world for over twenty five years and. His website contains a wealth of information, also many signed, limited edition prints and original paintings by world renowned artists, eg. The conservationist and wildlife artist, David Shepherd.

http://www.davidshepherd.com/.

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Evolution of Juried Art Exhibitions in a Digital Age

The Juried Art process that we know today was morphed over thousands of years, with its roots deep in the great civilizations of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. The medium du jour was focused on sculpture, architecture and, to a lesser degree, painting. A tincture of time would provide for the development of a sophisticated process that would eventually create an atmosphere for inclusion and exclusion of art works and even the artists that created them. The system would create an aura of reputation that artists would come to depend on to generate sales and justify prices they would garner from sales resulting from the exhibitions.

Art exhibitions have purpose. They provide a display of the style and technique of contributing artists and the trends the arts are taking. Over years they helped define the general periods in art form that have been measured in history. The types of exhibition are:

• Open Exhibitions
• Invitational Exhibitions
• Juried Exhibitions

The come one come all format of an Open Exhibit was filled with many art forms and varying degrees of artistic talent. An Invitational Exhibit found fewer works and attendees but frequently a more critical consumer. A Juried Exhibit allowed only those artists or works that were approved for the exhibit by an expert individual or group of expert "jurors". All exhibition formats play a distinct part in the world of art and have proved beneficial to artists and to the viewing and buying public.

It was during the 18th and 19th Centuries that art exhibitions came to full bloom. Primarily in France and England art exhibitions were found to be thriving in Salons, Academies and Museums. This fashionable and aristocratic environment continued into the U.S. in the early 20th Century. The exhibitions of the arts were to become embedded in modern society and now were a significant source of revenue for artists, collectors and art traders.

The logistical challenges of getting to the art were, at the time, enormous. Soon to become the salvation of this dilemma was the advancing technology in modern photography. What became of the art of photography was now the photography of the art. Photos of art work were a relatively fast and efficient way to view art around the world. The quality in the photographic process was such that exhibits could be seen without the need of traveling to them. By the late 20th Century digital photography and personal computing had taken the art exhibition even a step further. Digitization of photographs of art works allows presentation to be manually manipulated to achieve perfection in appearance.

Online art exhibitions come in many different formats and venues, from the viewing of the classics to online marketplaces abounding with the arts and crafts of entrepreneurial artists and artisans. It is here that the quality and presentation are critical. In a world teeming with art, art products and visual arts it is apparent that we have drawn a crowd. A very large crowd.

This is the order of the digital age. Best estimates are that over 100 billion live websites are out there, so finding a quality artisan marketplace may require a degree of resourcefulness on the part of art critics and consumers. And then to find the right art product...good luck!

So, how do the artists and crafters find their way to market? A perfect example is the Online Handmade Industry where there are a number of notable and shoppable sites to explore. The ease in presentation on the web has made it relatively simple to place art works and crafts before the consuming public and hence to the cash register. Electronic advances and the accessibility of the internet have attracted millions of buyers, many who shop exclusively on the WWW. Plus the attraction of the Online Handmade Industry (OHI) depends on art works and crafts to be handmade, thereby guaranteeing a "one of a kind" inventory mentality.

The OHI is not without problems. The handmade aspect in some cases is without warrant and there have been reports of "Re-Sellers" making their way into handmade marketplaces. This practice involves an "artist/seller" purchasing an item elsewhere and then presenting it as handmade, which it is not, on an unsuspecting website. So big is this problem is that a large number of legitimate handmade artists have given up on some of the "Open Exhibition" sites in favor of "Juried" sites. A Juried site, like a Juried Exhibition, maintain a degree of exclusivity by a jury of experts previewing art works by particular artist before they are allowed to place works on the site.

The practice of juried art is beneficial to both the artist and the consumer. The artists benefit by the site maintaining the integrity of the handmade concept and the inherent quality provided by the process, plus the sheer numbers of competing works are restricted by the exclusive design of a juried site. Consumers benefit by knowing the artists they shop have been pre-screened.

The nature and scope of the internet is such that what may be a relevant search result is difficult for the buyer to achieve. Understanding how the search engines work is important but the reality is the average buyer just wants to see what they are looking for. Presence on a Juried site helps accomplish this. Another way to look at this is what I call "Culling the Herd". This is the process of weeding out less desirable elements in whatever your "Herd" consists of.

Juried sites are both inclusive and exclusive. Artisans seek to be included in an exclusive environment, and they do so consciously. A Juried marketplace will send a message of quality and unique value of art products and visual arts. The ultimate benefit is being a part of something special and that will result in increased consumer loyalty and return frequency.

The old cliché "There's safety in numbers" is not always the case. The successful artist/artisan markets to their market in a manner that is exclusive by design. The bottom line...

Don't run with the pack!

By Dennis Speer

Dennis Speer is the Founder of Across The Earth Emporium by Artisans (http://www.ateea.com/)

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10 Fancy Dress Birthday Party Themes

If you're hosting a birthday party - either for yourself or on behalf of a friend or relative - and you're keen to do something a little different, you may want to give some thought to fancy dress. Not only is it great fun, but it's a great way to be creative and make sure your party lives long in the memory.

Here are 10 ideas for birthday party themes that could help create a fantastic event for you and all your friends.

1. 60s, 70s or 80s - The era-based birthday party theme is always popular, as it gives guests a broad base from which to find and choose a costume. The most common era-based birthday party themes tend to be 60s, 70s or 80s, especially for generations who grew up during one of those decades.

2. Open fancy dress - Of course, you may want to stop at fancy dress itself, so your guests can choose absolutely anything for their costume. If your birthday party is close to Halloween or New Year's Eve, when costumes tend to be in high demand, it could be ideal to open the net as wide as possible.

3. Hawaiian - From hula skirts and brightly coloured Hawaiian shirts to leis and pina coladas, this birthday party theme is great for creating a summery feel for your party. You may want to combine the party with a cocktail masterclass for your party guests.

4. Superheros - There's something within all of us that wishes we had super-human powers, so the opportunity to pretend to be our favourite superhero can be great fun. From Superman and Wonder Woman to Thor and The Incredible Hulk, there are loads of characters to choose from and lots of fun to be had.

5. Childhood heroes - Growing up, the role of the hero is something that really resonates with us. Whether it's someone from a cartoon, a sport or a film, dressing up as them for the night could be a great birthday party theme.

6. Based on a letter - It's always good to be creative when deciding on a fancy dress birthday party theme, as you want guests to give some proper thought to their costume. One way to do this is by asking everyone to choose their fancy dress based on a letter (Sesame Street style) or even your first initial - eg 'G'.

7. Gangster and molls - This is an old favourite, but always a winner. It's an easy one for your guests, which means there'll be little resistance to the idea, but everyone will look fantastic.

8. Movies - Films are a great source of inspiration for fancy dress costumes and you're bound to get a broad range of characters captured on the night. It's a fairly open birthday party theme, but it's one that should get everyone thinking.

9. Fairytale - Fairytales are enduringly popular and provide a broad array of costume ideas, from Alice in Wonderland to Robin Hood, there'll be lots of fun to be had when choosing what to wear.

10. Sporting icons - If your guests are largely all sports fans, asking them to choose an icon that means something to them could be a great option. Even those who aren't massively into sport may find it fun to do a little research and find an amusing costume.

Once you decided which birthday party theme is right for your do, you'll need to think about private party venues.

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Lovely Personalized Graduation Cards

The graduation anthem plays distinctly as the graduates babble amongst themselves in an excited manner eagerly awaiting the announcement for the graduates to come inside the stadium. The aura of people wearing togas is a combination of excitement and at the same time a feeling of liberation. Everywhere you turn, a mother is inspecting her daughter's graduation outfit. Fathers wait casually while holding a young toddler waiting for the moment when it really is graduation time.

The sad part is, you're not there.

But don't let that emotion hinder your desire to express your sublime pride. You have in your hands the ability to profess your joy and delight in knowing that a friend or a loved one will transition from one part of her life to another. You could help send that message, even from a continent away with the use of splendidly designed and personalized graduation cards.

It's More Than a Card, it's a Memory

Memories are the most potent distinction that sets humans apart from the animal kingdom. The strongest of emotions mark these memories as paint would a blank canvass. Considering this, you know that one part of the memory during the graduation would be missing, and that would be you.

Personalized and handmade graduation cards may well stand in lieu of your presence. But do send them with the utmost consideration. Sending a card that you purchased just from any store would merely disappoint. The goal of sending the card is to delight and to remind the person that though you may be far away, you still have them in your thoughts and in your memories.

Creating Your Own

If pictures are worth a thousand words then personalized graduation cards are worth millions. The act of using one's hands to create something of profound meaning introduces the element of importance and value in the act of giving. All you would need is a template or a blank canvass of sorts, then you could express that meaning with the use of your own words.

Let the artists craft that template to your liking and utilize the wonders of technology to make your thoughts become written. Everything is possible and you have full discretion as to the manner on how your words should be written. Whether it's at the front, on the left hand side or the right, it's up to you.

Personalized Memories Fast

The significance of time is further elucidated with the tools at your disposal. Like every missing piece of a puzzle, you only need to seek in order to find. Complacency may have constrained your ability to create a more meaningful item. That's precisely the gist of services that understands that you need to send not just any card but meaningful and personalized graduation cards. Fulfillment is a necessary accomplice to every desire and that's precisely what card making services can do.

==> Expressing your deepest joy need not be a time consuming affair or a tremendous undertaking. You can still articulate the exceptional feeling that you have through the use of specially handcrafted cards that can be tailor made according to your wishes. Browsing over the selections of lotusartstudio.co.uk, you'll most likely find the one that will be perfect for the occasion. Simply go to lotusartstudio.co.uk

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Jewish Art Always Makes the Best Gift

Some people dread any occasion that requires them to purchase a present. They go from store to store searching for something, anything that will please the recipient. And if you're not close to the person, it can be even more of a challenge. Most likely, you end up with a gift card to a store or even a generic Visa or Amex gift card if you're desperate. However, I enjoy the time it takes to find that one special gift. In the days leading up to the event, I'm overflowing with anticipation because I know the person will love it.

When it comes to gift giving, I know you can never go wrong with beautiful Jewish art. Art in general is loved by most, but Jewish art truly is held dear by all. It is a representation of one's culture, one's spiritual beliefs and that's why it is difficult not to fall in love with something that represents your way of life. Illuminated manuscripts and other pieces of artwork can fit any occasion. The most popular and common piece of artwork is the ketubah, a gift given to newlyweds. It is a sacred marriage contract that every Jewish couple should have in their home. It's a far better gift than a check stuck in a card!

But Jewish art is also excellent for other special events like a Bar Mitzvah, a birthday, or a housewarming. You might be thinking that you don't know the first thing about art or how to design it. That is why you choose skilled artists who can take your ideas and turn them into something monumental. It's not your job to know how to design them after all. Simply speak with the artist and inform him what the occasion is and he'd be more than willing to come up with a piece both you and the recipient will enjoy.

Judaica art is a gift that requires thought and effort. First you have to find an artist and then think about colors, patterns, and blessings that you know the person will love. You can't just walk into a shop and grab a piece off the shelf! But that little bit of effort will go a long way. The recipient will be grateful you didn't opt for the boring gift card. You sought out artwork and made his home a more inviting and beautiful place.

Whether it be for Father's Day or for Chanukah, anyone would be honored and blessed to receive Jewish art as a gift.

http://www.chaimbernath.com/ features high quality Jewish art, offering a wide selection of ketubahs and other Judaica Art pieces.

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Clay Beads - Party Favors

There are many great uses for clay beads but one of the best is using them as party favors. This may seem a little out of the ordinary, and maybe it is, but trust me this is a wonderful idea. For your friends who are beaders this will be a great blessing as they will have more inventory to work with. For your friends who have not yet delved into this realm of arts and crafts it will still be great as it might be the catalyst for them to get started. In this article I will discuss exactly how you can use these wonderful little creations to spice up your next party and give your guests something that they will remember for years to come.

I am sure you know that you need something to give your guests if you are throwing a party. This especially true if you are throwing a shower of some sort. Hopefully you also now realize that clay beads can be some of the best party favors. You may be confused about how though. I believe there are three ways you can make this work for you and your needs.

One is just to give a random sampling of beads. This way people can go home and what they wish with them. This is good for people who are more experienced in this realm of arts and crafts and are already working on their own projects from time to time. Another option is to pick out a specific pattern and basically give everyone a kit to make a certain piece of jewelry. You could even let them make that jewelry at your party. This can make for a fun activity and can be a great way to get others into jewelry making.

The other option is to look for custom made clay beads that have a specific message that matches your party. This will be a little more expensive but will make a great impact. It also will help connect something tangible with the memories people have of your party so that the occasion will be that much more memorable.

I hope this helps you as you plan your next party and figure out what to give your guests. The goal of party favors is for your guests to feel appreciated and walk away with a lasting memory. Hopefully you now see that clay beads can more than admirably meet your needs on both of these fronts.

Find other great information on clay beads.

Drop by our site http://beadsfeed.com/

Christi Shobert is a wife, mother, and clay beads enthusiast. She is passionate about providing jewelry makers with all the supplies they need and changing the world around her.

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Clay Beads - What Kinds Are There?

Clay beads in themselves are a subcategory of beads. But did you know that there are even more subcategories of these unique kinds of beads? In this article I want to show you just some the ways you can categorize these little works of art in the hopes of making your shopping and beading experience a little easier.

When you first begin this hobby you need to build a framework in your mind so you have a better idea of what you need to buy and how you need to plan what you will create. Knowing the way things are categorized is a great step in this process. When it comes to clay beads there are many categories but there are three basic ones.

1. Color- When it comes to any type of beads this is usually the first way things are categorized. This is also the way that I like to organize things in my personal inventory. It makes it easier for me to visually see what I have and get an idea of what it is that I want to make.

2. Shape- When you think about these little handcrafted works of art you may not have given much though to their shape. But each little bead has a unique shape to it and these shapes can help you categorize your personal inventory. This is a great way to visually see what you have, much like organizing things by color, but also having things organized by shape gives you an extra subcategory as you plan your patterns and styles. Using different shapes can give your jewelry and extra added flare and having things organized by shape will make your work go quicker and easier.

3. Texture- Clay beads have unique textures. The two main textures are smooth and rough. Smooth versions of these beads have that traditional, finished ceramic look. The rough ones look more like a natural stone. Both of them are beautiful though and can make wonderful jewelry when used in the right situation.

As you begin this new hobby you will realize there is a lot going on and a lot to learn. Your inventory will grow quickly and you will want to stay organized so you can fully enjoy this new hobby. If you do not get organized then this hobby will not be nearly enjoyable as it could be. Hopefully these categories will help you as you begin the organization process.

Find more great information on clay beads.

Drop by our site http://beadsfeed.com/

Christi Shobert is a wife, mother, and official supplier of Kazuri Beads in Texas. She is passionate about serving her community and helping bead enthusiasts get all the clay beads that they need.

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2011's 3D Developments And Trends

Now that we're some way through 2011 and we have a number of important shows under our belt, we can begin to see more clearly what's happening within the 3D marketplace this year.

3D broadcast and pro gear

This year's NAB show in Las Vegas saw the tools available to programme makers and pro users become both more advanced and more affordable. While many programme makers have been using twin cameras mounted on a rig, manufacturers are now making pro-grade 3D videocameras available.

While these are primarily aimed at pro rather than broadcast use, cameras such as the Panasonic AG-3DA1 are even now being used for applications such as hand-held shots at sporting events.

As these kind of cameras become capable of better quality images and provide the full range of adjustments currently offered by twin-camera rigs, programme makers will be able to shoot 3D in a wider range of environments on smaller budgets, which should lead to more and broader 3D programming.

3D TV take-off

In early May, Laurent Abadie, Panasonic Europe's Chairman, said that he expected 3D TV to break through to the mass market this year. His remarks echoed findings from research by IHS iSuppli, which predicted 23.4 million 3D TVs will be shipped throughout the world this year. This would be a 463 per cent growth over 2010. It also predicts three-digit growth in 2012, with sales passing 100 million by 2014.

These predictions are based on new and improved promotional strategies, falling hardware costs and greater availability of 3D programming.

3D consumer cameras

More 3D-capable point-and-shoot cameras are becoming available at lower price points. We will start seeing people's holiday snaps in 3D. Consumer 3D camcorders are starting to come onstream, but at current high prices, the market will probably not expand until cheaper models become available. Possibly a trend for 2012, rather than 2011.

3D Gaming

The Nintendo 3DS is the watershed in 3D gaming, moving from tricked-out high-end PCs to a compact go-anywhere console. Nintendo's 3D gaming device has been very well received, as have some of the games launched on the new platform. The 3DS doesn't require 3D glasses for its 3D games, and is a pointer to 3D games on 3D smartphones.

3D mobile

This year, 3D is going to make it on to your smart phone and into your pocket or bag. In May, LG and Wikitude announced that the world's first 3D AR (augmented reality) browser will be bundled with the LG Optimus 3D smartphone. In AR, detailed information is overlaid on the user's surroundings, including graphics and audio, captured by smartphone cameras and other devices.

The companies claim that the 3D browser will enable smartphone users to interact and engage better with real-time environments - in practice this means users can find out information about the environment around them and also access Wikipedia and Twitter. LG and Wikitude claim that the Wikitude 3D browser includes information in 12 languages about 100 million locations worldwide. The LG Optimus 3D is due to be launched in Summer 2011 in Europe, followed by other markets.

With so many media and marketplaces going 3D in 2011, consumer acceptance and take-up is starting to snowball. For 2012 and 2013, 3D will be demanded by consumers.

Roger Thornton is Head of Publicity at Quantel. The company develops innovative, world-leading content creation systems for broadcast, post and DI. Quantel products deliver at SD, HD, 2K, 4K and 3D Stereo. Learn more about choosing the right 3d tool for your editing.

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For Those Who Think They Cannot: How to Become an Artist

Bottled up within all of us is a part of our soul that needs to be expressed creatively. Have you wished you could do art? I'm here to tell you, that you are and can become an artist. It's a matter of finding something that you find fulfillment, appreciation and most importantly, something that is enjoyable. Now is the time to abandon your pity party and unleash your talent.

Below is five steps on how to free yourself from doubt and becoming the artist you've dreamt of becoming!

Taking Action:
1. Believe in Yourself.

Firstly, you must believe in yourself. You are your toughest critic, if you believe you cannot, this will manifest into just that. Plain and simple. Your confidence will translate into your art work. People are like stained glass windows, they shine when light hits them, but it is only when darkness sets in that you have to find the light within.

2.Ask yourself what do you love doing?

What feeds your soul? I once came across an artist who took pictures of toilets (he must have just really loved toilets). This can include anything; from painting, sculpting, scrap-booking to taking pictures of toilets! In essence, dance to the beat of your own drum.

3. Become a mental warrior.

I don't mean grabbing your machete and going off into battle. What I mean by this is accepting that sometimes things will come out crappy. Allowing yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. This warrior mentality (Oorah!) will enable you to be this much closer (If I could show you how close I would!) to becoming a mental warrior. Disappointment is inevitable, but only temporary.

4. Accepting Criticism.

This can be one of the hardest things to becoming an artist. Criticism will remain constant throughout your career. Sometimes it is hard to not be disappointed in yourself. However, remember that art is subjective. Harsh critics will be lurking everywhere, multiplying like gremlins in water. Criticism can be beneficial in some cases. For instance, maybe your technique could use some polishing. So take criticism with a grain of salt.

5. Patience.

Art comes easier to some more than others. On the other hand, working towards something while failing along the way will only make reaching the cake that much more delicious. Allow yourself to grow while using your mistakes as a learning tool.

In essence, you are the gatekeeper when it comes to becoming an artist. Believe in yourself and you will probably blow yourself way at your progress and talent! To view my art thus so far stop by at http://www.gkcart.blogspot.com.

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The Story of Adam, Eve, the Garden, the Serpent, and ALL That!

In the beginning there was just one person living on the earth and he was named Adam. He was a very happy and well-adjusted fellow because there was no one around to say otherwise and also because he never had to contend with any traumatic childhood memories whatsoever. In fact, he never even had a childhood, but rather began life as a fully functioning adult. Even so, he began with more childlike wonder than anyone who has ever lived, just as surely as he was forced to carry a great deal more regret than the worst villain in any story. Such is the stuff of which fascinating tales are made, however, and it's about time someone got this particular story straight once and for all.

Now as the first human, Adam was designed and then brought into existence by Creator, who has over time acquired more different names than anyone could ever need. It might be best if we just stick with Creator here, I think.

Creator, as the name implies, really, really, really enjoys making things. And while the things he makes seem simple enough from a distance, nearly everything Creator creates is very precise and extremely complicated. So complicated, in fact, that the smartest people who have ever lived with the help of the biggest computers ever built and using some of the coolest machines ever manufactured still cannot figure out how and why Creator's creation works the way it does. So even though much of creation (that's what we call Creator's designed and finished product - "creation") is simple enough for most people to understand, some parts will apparently always remain just beyond human ability to really explain to anyone's lasting satisfaction. Gravity, bumblebees and wave-particle duality come to mind here.

To keep Adam safe and occupied with making healthy life choices, Creator gave his very first human a lovely green garden in which to live. It was stocked with mostly friendly animals, scenic vistas and plenty of vegetation, much of which was delicious to eat year round. Creator was overly generous and even let Adam name all of the animals absolutely anything he wanted ("gnu," in case you were wondering, is an acronym). However, and this part is rather integral to the story, Adam was instructed that he could eat just about anything that grew in the garden except for the fruit of one particular tree called "the tree of good and evil." That was the one exclusive part of the rather sizable garden area where Creator told Adam to stay away. You will quickly observe that the garden was a pretty simple setup for the first man. Enjoy yourself and your surroundings every day you are here, but whatever you do, do not eat from that one tree over there in the corner. What could possibly go wrong?

I'm joking, of course, but wouldn't you think the name of the forbidden tree alone would have been enough to put just about anyone off eating from it? I mean, if your lunch menu choices are hamburger, hot dog, pizza, or the sandwich of good and evil, it is pretty obvious that the proprietor of that eating establishment doesn't want you to select that last item. And let's face it, when the waiter conspicuously smirks at an inquiry regarding whether the G&E sandwich comes with fries, well, most of us would probably just go with the burger.

Adam lived the good life, stayed away from the you-know-what tree, and everything went well for him for a nice long stretch of time. It is not clear exactly how long that was, but there is not even one animal today without a moniker of some kind, so do the math and calculate how long it would have taken to tag them all with a different name.

Early on, Adam made no stupid choices, had plenty of fun locating and naming all the animals (buffalo were originally called boffalu, by the way, although the reason for the change isn't really all that interesting) and in the cool of the evening when things settled down a bit, Creator would show up mostly just to hang out with Adam and give him some instructional information and positive reinforcement. Every day he would patiently explain to Adam how everything worked the way it did and sometimes would let Adam in on some of the secrets of creation that even the angels couldn't figure out.

In case you didn't know it already, angels are beings just like people only they don't have bodies, which sort of makes them nothing at all like people, I guess. But they surely are like us in that they can choose to do things however they decide on their own and it must be said that far too many of them chose rather poorly. Now these bad choosing angels saw that Adam was receiving special treatment from Creator and they became very jealous. Plus, they all agreed that the name "serpent" was stupid and insulting. They spent much of their time trying to figure out how to bring unhappiness to Adam. Their leader, a particularly unlikable fellow called Lucifer, kept saying they needed "just the right angle" to overcome Adam's obvious love and respect for Creator, but the other angels were a bit dim and thought he was really meaning "just the right angel." Needless to say, they weren't much help and Lucifer was forced to come up with a plan for Adam's downfall mostly on his own. Alas.

One morning Creator realized that Adam needed someone to live with who was more like himself because all of his other sentient creations had mates, while poor Adam was the only human in existence. Sure, he was happy enough, but Creator knew he could be even happier still if he had a little companionship. Also, Creator had some minor improvements and modifications on his whole human design concept and he was quite eager to try them out! Enter Eve.

Eve was beautiful. Eve was smart. Eve was decisive. Eve was soft and cuddly. But mostly, Eve was someone with whom Adam could have a meaningful relationship. That is, the monkeys (temporarily referred to as "banana biters" early on) were great fun for Adam to run and swing with, but Creator had made Adam - and then Eve also - using something he referred to as his "likeness." This meant that anyone in the creation called by the name of human would always be more interested in trying to learn about the true meaning of things than they would in the far simpler approach of taking things as they readily appeared to be. So while the more spontaneous and less judgmental monkeys rarely feel the need to add much additional thought to the world that greets them each morning, humans always want to ask why.

Our story turns sad now, I'm afraid.

Remember that unappealing angel named Lucifer? Well, he had the nerve to show up in the body of a serpent and somehow was able to get Eve (some say he tricked her into it, but that's not really accurate) to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil. And then she in turn got Adam to eat some also. Can you believe it? Adam and Eve had it made living there in that lovely green garden and they threw it all away on a piece of fruit that probably didn't even taste that good at the time they were eating it.

Today everyone now knows that Creator is the sort who says what he means and then means what he says. Not just sometimes, but all the time! So Adam and Eve had to leave the garden and live with their newfound knowledge of good and evil. Bad news for them and even worse news for their offspring. The truly sad part of this story is that such hard won insight into "good and evil" never served any real value to them or to any of their billions of children. In fact, all that most people have ever done through the years since is to argue over what exactly is good and precisely what is evil. How ironic is that?

Naturally, there is more to the story of Adam and Eve. How they had two sons and one kills the other, thus wiping out 25% of the world's population. How they had to work so hard just to live. How their own attempts to create others like themselves is necessarily accompanied by a whole lot of pain, suffering, blood, sweat and tears. The list of harsh things coming out of their one really poor jointly made decision is far too lengthy to review now, that's for sure.

Still, the story of the first two humans isn't all completely bad, although to be fair, it's surely more bad than good. Creator did leave some real joy for humans to experience during their lives, so that helps some. There never seems to be quite enough of it to go around, which is a difficult distraction for many humans, but this joy we children of Adam and Eve can still possess comes from that "likeness" ingredient consistently used in creating all of the people who have ever been created, including you and me.

Essentially, this means that the story of Creator and man isn't officially over yet and that there may well be good reason to presume it has an acceptably nice ending. As it did with Adam and Eve, however, the ending very much depends on whom we choose to believe.

Of course, that last thought is for the most part a completely different story, so that means that this one which I am telling you now must have come to....

THE END.

David Douglas Ford is an author of books, plays and essays and has long been preoccupied with the story of Adam and Eve. Ford has written a play and a novel starring the first human couple and this obsession (as well as some of his less troublesome behavior) can be further explored at http://www.daviddouglasford.com/

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Top 5 Highest Paid Female Celebrities

The highest paid celebrities list for the year 2010 was recently released by Forbes. Though male celebrities mostly dominated the list but there were quite a few female celebrities too. The top 5 female celebrities as per the Forbes list are:

1. Oprah Winfrey: American television host, actress, producer, and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey is the highest paid female celebrity yet again. She was the highest paid celebrity including both male and female with a massive pay of $290M as per Forbes. However, the 57 year old Oprah lost her top spot in the "Powerful Celebrities List" to pop sensation Lady Gaga. Oprah's net worth as of March 2011 is assumed to be 2.7 billion and she is ranked 420 on the world's richest list and 135th richest in the United States. Oprah Winfrey is best known for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. Her rise from abject poverty to the richest African American has touched the hearts of millions of Americans and people around the world. She was not only a celebrity but a way of life according to many and it was not a surprised that Barack Obama, by one estimate, is said to have received over a million votes in the close 2008 Democratic primary race due to Oprah's support. However, the series finale of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" aired on May 25, 2011 and Americans are still struggling to come to terms with the end of an era.

2. Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga is second highest paid female celebrity with a pay of $90 M in 2010. Though she ranks behind Oprah in Money rank and TV/Radio rank but she tops the celebrity list in new age media ranks such as web rank and social rank. Lady Gaga also ranked no.2 in press rank and she has replaced talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey as the most powerful celebrity in this year's Forbes list. The 25 year old was also involved in a lot of controversies in the last year too which seems to have worked in her favor and increased her popularity even further.

3. Bethenny Frankel: The third female celebrity in the highest paid list is the American natural foods chef, television personality and author Bethenny Frankel. She makes her entry into the list this year with a bang as she is ranked as the 3rd richest female celebrity as per Forbes with a pay of $55 M in the last year. She might not as big as Oprah or Lady Gaga or even Gisele in terms of overall popularity but nonetheless she has manages her money rank is comparable to many top celebrities. She is on the rise both in terms of popularity as well as earning and in April 2011, Frankel sold her Skinnygirl cocktail line to Fortune Brands' Beam Global for an estimated $120 million. On June 10, 2010, her series "Bethenny Ever After..." became the highest rated series premiere in the Bravo network's history.

4. Gisele Bündchen: Gisele Bündchen is the fourth highest paid female celebrity and it is not at all surprising as she has been the highest-paid model in the world since 2004. According to Forbes, the 30 year old Brazilian supermodel earned $45 million in the last year though modeling and product endorsements.Her earnings climbed $20 million over the previous year and according to an April 2011 report Proctor & Gamble's Pantene shampoo sales exploded 40% in Latin America after Bündchen started endorsing it.

5. Ellen DeGeneres: American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress Ellen DeGeneres is the fourth highest paid female celebrity as per Forbes. The 53 year old talk show host is best known for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and has also earned $45 million in the last year as per Forbes. She has also hosted both the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmys and was a judge on American Idol for one year too.

It might be a big surprising that none of the top Hollywood actresses make it to the top 5 highest paid female celebrity list. It is quite notable that most of female celebrities in the above list have built a sort of brand around themselves resulting in more earnings and popularity compared to Hollywood actresses who are lagging behind in that field.

The author is an expert on topics such as Celebrity Wallpapers and Bollywood Wallpapers.

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History of the Soul Train Music Awards

Soul Train began in 1971, as the first African American music variety show in the history of American television, with a format including a dance club ambiance playing the day's most popular urban music, complete with dancing men and women throughout the show, dressed to impress, along with hosts and performances from among major figures in Black entertainment. Though it initially aired in only the seven cities of Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, the show met with a successful start. Within seven months, the show had achieved its goal of airing in syndication in 25 major cities. The show had been the dream of Don Cornelius, the program's founder, producer, and host. His mission had been to establish a vehicle to offer recognition to Black artists who, in the 60's and 70's, did not receive much television air time on other programs that featured music.

The Soul Train Music Awards began in 1987 as a program for honoring each year's greatest achievements in Black music, and to generate more exposure and recognition for the overlooked artists and performers supported by Soul Train's mission. The first year, the award show's hosts included R&B legends Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Dionne Warwick, with performances from Run DMC, Whitney Houston, and LL Cool J. Deriving its name from the show from which it sprang, the awards ceremony broadcast includes two hours of live performances by popular R&B, hip hop, and gospel artists. Winners are determined by a voting committee composed of active professionals within various fields of the music industry, including radio programming, music retail, music management, and notable recording artists (as determined by whether their records have reached approved music charts during the past year).

Since the very first year of the awards show, winners have not received traditional crystal awards, but trophies designed as African ceremonial masks, in representation of the heritage and culture from which Black music has derived. Janet Jackson has received more Soul Train Music Awards than any other artist in the history of the awards, with eight, and is tied with R. Kelly for the record for most nominations, with nineteen. Categories honor best albums and singles of the year separately within the genres of R&B/Soul, Gospel, Jazz, and Rap, along with Best New Artist and a category called The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video. A category called The Sprite Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut was introduced in 2005 and retired in 2007, with its only three winners being for the videos Yeah by Usher, Lose Control by Missy Elliot, and Chicken Noodle Soup by Young B & Webstar. Special awards categories include the Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement, Heritage Award for Career Achievement, Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Achievements in Song Writing, Artist of the Decade Award for Extraordinary Music Achievements, and the Humanitarian Award.

After the show did not air for two years, in 2007 and 2008, in the aftermath of Don Cornelius' sale of his ownership over the Soul Train company to MadVision Entertainment, the show's return in the year 2009 marked the first time that the awards show took place outside of Los Angeles, held in Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center that year.

The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.

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Using a Compressor During Home Music Mixing

Any DJ will say that a compressor is his or her key to success as a musician. Synth sample packs work to make music livelier, dynamic, and exciting. Imagine walking into the hottest nightclub in town and hearing the beats all night long. The DJ at this nightclub is likely using a compressor to make pop music sound just a bit different. A compressor works to change an instrument's level and the vocals in a song.

Using a compressor for the purpose of gain riding is common. Gain riding is a technique that involves setting the levels of particular sounds in a song or mix. One problem many home DJ's face is avoiding an image shift in the sound stage. If the right and left channels are not compressed the same, an image shift will be created. The compressor will not work effectively if there is an image shift in the sound stage.

A compressor should not be used to process everything in a song. One is not trying to achieve a full-on effect with a compressor but rather the processing of specific parts of a song. Compressing everything within a song will make the song sound flat and boring. A compressor works best when it is used on sounds that are not constant in level. Unique sounds like a bass, vocals, guitar, or drums are examples of sounds that can and should be used with a compressor.

The ducking effect is a popular effect achieved by DJ's with a compressor. When a DJ begins talking on the radio, then the ducking effect occurs as the music drops. This effect is used when the bass clashes with the kick drum sound. Also, when a DJ wants to achieve a pumping sound in the music, then he will use the ducking effect.

Any DJ should remember a few basic principles about using a compressor. First, the more a DJ compresses a signal, then the higher the average energy level will be. Background noise will always be increased as a DJ uses a high gain reduction.

One of the greatest effects to achieve with vocals is the reverse compression. "New York compression," as it is commonly referred to, happens when a DJ mixes an uncompressed signal with a compressed signal. Many compressors have a special knob that allows a DJ to complete a "New York compression."

Basically, a DJ should remember not to use synth sample packs too much in mixing a song. Rather, a compressor should be used to illuminate, expand upon, and emphasize unique parts of a song.

Mike is a business consultant and has worked for several companies. In his spare time he enjoys experimenting with music and in particular synth sample packs. For more details on any issues raised in the article visit Dance Midi Samples.

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Learning About The Value Of Art

Investing in art typically takes up a great amount of money. Those who do have the money to buy various paintings and pieces will need to know a little bit about what to look for and what to buy. Knowing about the value of art is very important and those who are completely uneducated about this subject should look through this guide before they invest in any artists or pieces.

When the time comes to shop and invest, individuals will need to go with what they generally enjoy. Personal taste does play a very important role in this process and if the buyer cannot find something that they must have, then it will not look priceless when displayed in the space. Take some time to think about various styles and colours that may go well with the space in mind.

Researching various artists is never a bad step to take prior to checking into various galleries and museums for art works. Many dealers will feature the local artists that are trying to break into the scene and there are others that may carry a few select classics from famous artists who have been deceased for years. Study artists and their works and start looking around from there.

The value of art can be determined by the artist who created the piece as well as the materials that have been used. If the artist has created a painting, look into whether it was painted with acrylics or oils. Certain materials will give a different look and it will be up to the investor to determine what they want to have.

On top of looking into the materials that were used to construct the piece, it is also a good idea to look into the overall authenticity of the piece. It is very easy to get sucked into a scam, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the buying process as well as how to figure out the overall value of art pieces. Work with licensed dealers and never buy from an anonymous seller on the internet, this is the easiest way to get ripped off.

An appraiser is a great professional that will have the skills and the eye to look over a number of art pieces. These individuals will know exactly what to look for before authenticating a piece and giving the buyer its overall worth. Those who fail to take this step are going to end up paying more than they should so keep that fact in mind.

After the right piece of art has been purchased, it simply needs to be displayed somewhere. Most collectors like to have their pieces displayed within their home, while others will use their purchases for a new office to impress the clients. Professional installation may be required, depending on the piece so have a team on standby.

Determining the value of art is never an easy task. These works are usually one of a kind so it will be difficult to find an actual base. Buyers will need to ensure that they are working with professionals in order to make the right investment.

David Tatham has been working in the world of fine arts for over many years and. His website contains a wealth of information, also many signed, limited edition prints and original works of art by world famous artists,eg. The conservationist and wildlife artist, David Shepherd
http://www.davidshepherd.com/.

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Wonderful Alice in Wonderland Fancy Dress Costume Ideas

Alice in Wonderland is another one of those incredible stories that has been truly brought to a new generation of children by the recent movies by Tim Burton. An Alice fancy dress costume is a great treat for girls and women alike, and is something that you can share with your daughter.

Not to mention all the other amazing Alice in Wonderland costumes that you can choose from. If you dress up as any one of these timeless characters you can truly stand out at any fancy dress party as one of the most recognisable characters there. And it's very likely that your whole evening will take on a magical mood. Here are some great ideas you might want to try out:

1. Child's Alice costume
The image of innocence and prettiness, and child's Alice costume is a wonderful one, allowing your child to escape into a fantasy land and imagine she is going down the rabbit hole.

Any good Alice costume for a child must have the sky-blue dress with frilly white front and shoulders. With white stockings or socks and little black shoes. And of course the finishing touch - a black hair ribbon.

2. Adult Alice costume
An adult Alice fancy dress costume can have a little more to it, you can play around with the traditional Alice image and make it a lot sexier if you please. And there are many sexy Alice costumes out there to choose from. The most important thing is that it is recognizably Alice, with the blue and white colour-scheme.

But of course the rest is flexible. You can have a short, lacy skirt, or sexy white stockings, or even garters. With high-heeled black shoes. And of course a little black ribbon to finish the image.

3. Queen of Hearts costume
The true star of Tim Burton's new Alice in Wonderland movie was for many the Queen of Hearts, who wore an incredible costume of magnificent extravagance.

As with the Alice costume you can wear it impressive and regal, or small and sexy. Red and white, hearts everywhere, and of course plenty of black lace to boot. Black stockings with red leg ribbons are very popular and a black queen's hat to top it off.

And a big part of the character is really enjoying yourself - the whole idea of Alice in Wonderland is a complete escape to a magical world where none of the normal rules apply. So you can't become an Alice walking around with a serious expression on your face!

Check out some really gorgeous Alice fancy dress costume pictures and ideas here: Alice Fancy Dress. And if you're looking for something completely different, check out these army girl costume pictures and ideas: Army Girl Fancy Dress

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