Flower arrangement is an art that brings beauty to our environment. It can add a touch of class to any room or office space. Although it may seem easy, arranging flowers is a skill that has to be practiced before you can do it right. Adorning your home with flower arrangements can bring harmony to any house.

Just like other mediums of art, you need to put into consideration different elements such as proportion, color and balance. However, there is no hard and fast way for doing things because ultimately it will depend on the artists’ personal style. There are many people who love filling their home with different kinds of flowers. But if you have to order them from a florist it can be expensive. Why not do it yourself? Here are four flower arrangements you can do at home.

• Horizontal Arrangement. This is a simple style you can do at home. All you need is a shallow container and a huge flower to be used as the focal point. Low lying leaves or drooping branches are added to complement the focal point. This type of arrangement looks great on coffee tables and accent tables.
• Triangular Arrangement. This is a common type of flower arrangement that is often seen in many hotels and stores. As the name suggests, the whole thing is triangular in shape. You can achieve this effect by putting the tallest flowers in the center while smaller flowers are put on the sides maintain is triangular shape. This type of style has a more formal effect and is appropriate for formal occasions and parties at home.
• Vertical Arrangement. In this type of arrangement, tall flowers are used such as roses, tulips and carnations. They are placed inside a short jar and are complemented by shorter fillers to make it appear balanced. This type of arrangement looks good in kitchens and center tables, especially when used in combination with beautiful glass vases.
• Crescent Arrangement. This type of style follows the shape of the crescent moon. It’s a bit more challenging to create, compared to the previous three mentioned. To achieve the curved effect, flowers that have a natural curve are used.

Take advantage of the natural beauty that flowers provide. Decorate your home with flowers today.

A few days ago a friend of mine asked me is she should take up her masters degree or fulfill her life long dream of seeing the world. Without hesitation I answered, “Travel!” I believe in the importance of travelling. Being a nomad at heart, I would jump at any chance to travel to a new place.

I don’t just travel for fun or to, as some people say, “burn money.” There are many reasons why I do so. Let me give you five reasons why you should travel.

First, you get to see the world. This is my most basic reason why I travel…So I can see the world! I want to explore countryside other than my own and experience different cultures. I want to see London, China, Egypt and Bali. You can always log on to the internet to see pictures of these places. But wouldn’t it be better to see for yourself?

Second, meet new friends. There is a saying that goes, “Strangers are friends you haven’t met yet.” When you travel, you get to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life. Just by conversing with these people you can already learn so much. Plus, it’s great to meet new friends. You can expand your network and widen your inner circle. Don’t limit yourself with the friends you have at home. Go out there and make new friends.

Third, expand your mind. Travelling can really change your way of thinking. It can transform your very perception of life. Once you have gone to different countries you’ll see that the world isn’t so big after all and that we are all connected in some way. This way of thinking can teach you to value life and the people that you meet.

Fourth, learn new things. Travelling allows you to experience things that you wouldn’t have been able to experience in your own country. Since each country has their own culture and norms, you will be able to learn many new things.

Fifth, have fun! Travelling allows you to have fun! Imagine being in an exotic city filled with interesting people and delicious food. The possibilities for having fun are endless. You can relax and unwind and experience the joy that life is.

Life is good when you are having fun. Time is fleeting. Spend it wisely by making good memories.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  Aside from being an avid reader, she also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing accent tables and candle lanterns.

When it comes to art and being creative, there are no rules. Here are 6 things that every creative person must know about.

1. Aim to be different.

You can either aim to be “better” than all the other artists out there or you can aim to be “different”. Stop comparing yourself to other people. There will always be things that they can do better than you. Likewise, there are also things that you can do better than anybody else. You are in a class of your own. Embrace your uniqueness. Dare to be different. Look at Lady Gaga. When she was in grade school everyone would laugh at her for being weird. For being different. But it is because she has embraced her uniqueness that she has become the best selling artist she is today.

1. Challenges are what push you to be better.

No one likes having problems. But instead of thinking of them as problems why not think of them as challenges? Every time you are challenged you are pushed to become a better artist. Why? Because it is when you step out of your comfort zone that you learn and grow. There is more to art than what you already know. Be willing to discover new horizons.

1. Trust your gut.

We artists have gut feels. We know instinctively whether a piece of art needs something more or is just “right”. Yes, we should listen to what other people have to say. But in the end we should trust our instincts.

1. Simplicity is beauty.

A piece of art does not have to be complicated in order to be beautiful. More often than not, simplicity is the key to beauty. Remove distractions. Get rid of clutter. Decide what your main subject is and let everything revolve around that.

1. Make mistakes.

Making mistakes are the fastest way to learn. Don’t be afraid to go wrong. Make mistakes and learn from them. Avoiding failure is pointless. Sooner or later we’ll trip up. After all we are only human. Instead avoiding failure, learn to look at it from another perspective. Look at each “failure” as a learning experience.

1. Real artists create.

There are many kinds of artists. But the bottom line is real artists create their own stuff. Sure you can get inspired by the work of other artists. But don’t copy it. Make your own. Create your own mark. Try new stuff. Use old materials in different ways.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming solar fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

Who hasn’t heared of the famous show by Disney, Art Attack? It’s a show about art that is watched by children all over the world. When I was a kid I remember never missing an episode of Art Attack. I would always be amazed at the different materials that were used to create art – materials that weren’t commonly used. It’s no wonder why it was the longest running show in ITV. It was on air for almost 20 years. It was originally presented by Neil Buchanan. On June 2011 it was relaunched, this time with a new host – Jassa Ahluwalia. The show is still fun to watch and you can learn many things by watching it. The main difference was that Jassa does not make the art himself. He only does a voice over of the step by step process showing an artist doing the art. I liked the way Neil Buchanan did things because he would create everything on his own. The art that Buchanan created was usually different. It wasn’t always clean and pretty. Most of the time it was unconventional and even messy. They had Splat Attack’s wherein eggs filled with paint would be dropped on paper or cottonballs dipped in paint would be squashed on a blank canvass. At first Buchanan would do a small version. After he would then recreate everything on a larger scale.

The big art attacks were one of the reasons for the show’s success. He would use all kinds of material for creating all types of art work. As a self acclaimed artist I really enjoy watching this show. Watching something like this inspires me. I thought that art did not come cheap. There are materials to consider – some of which can really be expensive. But watching this show made me realize that you dont have to buy expensive stuff to create art. You can be resourceful and use materials you regularly see around you everyday. Art Attack stimulates creativity. When you regularly watch something that is related to art then the side effect of that is that your creativity is going to be stimulated. You will start coming up with your own way of doing things.

Art is not just about paintings and sculptures. It can be present in normal and everyday things. It all depends on how creative you are in using the things you see around.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming Solar Fountains
and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

If there was a substance that you could use to mold and shape according to your liking it would be Play-Doh. Because of its flexibility and versatility it has become a popular medium for many people to play around with. One of the best things about Play -Doh is that it is especially made safe for children. Although it was first manufactured as wallpaper cleaner it quickly became a popular modeling compound when a group of children began playing with it. Play-Doh is non-staining, non-toxic, pliable and reusable. It’s perfect for inquisitive children who are about to explore the world of art.

Although Play-Doh is a great tool for kids to experiment around with, it is not only for children. It is for anyone who wants to have fun and play around. It can also enhance your creativity. The beauty of Play-Doh is that it is formless and pliable. You can do anything you want with it. It enhances creativity by giving us the opportunity to mold and style it into any shape that we want. Through this we can let our imagination break free. When playing with clay you don’t even have to think. Just let your emotions and imagination guide you.

I believe that in playing with Play-Doh all children need is a lump of Play-Doh. There is no need to add cutters and other devices. If you add in too many gadgets this may actually stint children’s creativity because instead of coming up with something on their own, they run to cookie cutters and molds. If you want your children to step out of their comfort zones and grow as artists then give them the opportunity to be creative.

You can also use Play-Doh to create mini-models of your favorite superheroes, cartoon characters or even food. It doesn’t have to be an exact replica. You can embellish or mold it according to your taste. Play-Doh is the perfect medium for budding sculptors. Children can play around with it and just create anything. There are many ways to stimulate creativity. And one of the best ways is by using Play-Doh.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming solar fountains
and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

When it comes to being creative there is no right or wrong, black or white. It is not bound by rules or rigid policies. Many people think that only artists can be creative. But the truth is anyone can have a creative streak. All it takes is a little imagination and unconventional thinking. Here are some of the benefits of being creative.

Provides an outlet for our emotions. In life there will be times when we are confronted with all sorts of trials and problems. Being creative gives us an avenue for self expression. It can act as a catharsis for negative emotions.

Stimulates neural activity. Our brain is like a muscle. In order for it create new cells it has to be used often. Situations that call for creativity forces us to think. Thinking stimulates neural activity which in turn enhances brain power.

Helps us develop a positive mindset. Creative people are usually positive people. Those who are too structured and bookish will find it hard to solve problems they are not familiar with. But creative people are not bounded by what is normal. They think out of the box. They are willing to try new things, to step out of their comfort zones.

Enhances sense of self. Being creative allows us to explore many aspects of our personality. We can learn things about ourselves and discover new talents that we didn’t know about before. It can reinforce what we do know about ourselves. This process can enhance our sense of self and increase our level of confidence.

The beauty of enhancing our creativity is that we can learn to look at the world in a different perspective. Being creative is not only about art or music. It’s the way we approach life. It also boils down to attitude. Adults have the tendency to become too structured. Life can do that to us sometimes. As we grow older let us always remember to keep on being creative and to continually challenge ourselves to grow and become better.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming solar fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

When it comes to food, all most people think about is eating it. We can’t really blame them either. Food tastes good and eating is an extremely pleasurable activity. Look at all the obese people around. But did you know that there is such a thing as food art? Food art is the method of using food to create works of art. With food art your dish won’t only taste good it will look good as well. Here are 5 reasons why you should get creative with food art.

• Eye candy. There is no doubt about it. Getting creative with food will make your dish look good. Food art is eye candy. It’s nice to look at. Sometime when I serve food art to my friends they take a while admiring it. At least they not only get to enjoy the taste, they get to appreciate the presentation as well.
• Its fun to do. Creating food art is a fun activity to do during your free time. It becomes even more fun if you do it with a friend or two.
• Stimulates creativity. Playing around with food stimulates creativity. As an artist I find it an interesting change from my oil paints and charcoal pencil. It has become a way for me to get creative in a different avenue.
• Provides bonding time with your children. Kids love food. And normally we tell them not to play with their food. But in this case, food art provides them with the perfect excuse to do so. Of course you still have to maintain parental guidance to make sure that they don’t end up wasting food.
• Entice your kids to eat healthy. Food art is one way to entice your kids to eat healthy. Children these days prefer fast food and junk food over vegetables and fruits. But if your dishes look interesting and taste good, even if it’s a vegetable dish they will barely notice. They will be so preoccupied with how it looks that they will want to consume everything.

When it comes to art there are no rules because art is where you see it. Art is not only about sculptures or paintings. It can also be about food. It may not last but it is also one way of providing beauty to the world.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes art and employs this in testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming solar fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

There are times when even the best artists get stumped. I suppose this is equivalent to “writers block” with writers. There are times when we just don’t feel very creative. When we feel so uninspired.  Whenever I start feeling like this I turn to nature. Have you ever noticed how being close to nature has a way of making you feel more calm and at ease with yourself? You don’t have to go mountain climbing or river trekking to be closer to nature. You can simple take a walk in the park or go the beach.

Whenever I need to inspire myself I take a walk on the beach. The sun, the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind on my face has a wonderful effect on me. My favorite time of the day is the sunset. Whenever I feel like painting but lack the inspiration to do so I pack up my painting gear, go to the beach and wait for the sunset. The myriad of blues, reds, oranges and pinks never fail to take my breath away.

Other times I go camping. I take my tent and sketch pad and go up the mountains. There is this trail I follow which ends up in a small clearing. And that is where is set up tent. Of course in going camping be sure that you know the place or you might get lost. Or worse – you could get attacked by wild animals. I’ve been camping in that particular spot ever since I was a kid and I know the place pretty well. At times I go alone. Other times I take a few friends with me.

I have found that being close to nature has a rejuvenating effect on my art. The natural beauty I see when on a nature trek never ceases to amaze me. It is when I appreciate the greatest artist of all – our Creator. It is because of Him that we know how to appreciate beauty. It is because Him that we recognize art when we see it.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes painting and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

There are some people who think that art is unnecessary, that it is just a waste of time. Such people are too busy making a living to appreciate the finer things in life. But no matter how busy you may be you should learn to take a step back and smell the roses. After all we only live once. We’ve got to make it count. One way to live life to the fullest is by learning to appreciate art.

Here are some reasons why you need art in your life.

Expression. Art is one way of expressing yourself. For some people they say through art what they can’t express through words. There are different kinds of art. Some say it through dance, through music or through a painting. When we keep our emotions to ourselves they can build up and eventually end up destroying us. Don’t let this happen. Express yourself. If you can’t do it through words then say it with your art.

Imagination. Indulging in art can broaden your imagination. It teaches us to take a more creative approach to solving problems. Sometimes taking a cognitive approach to solving things can be limiting. This is because this focuses on the rational and sensible way to do so. But when it comes to spatial thinking there are no rules. You can be as creative as you want.

Stress buster. Dabbling in art is a very effective way to combat stress. When you look at a painting you don’t think about your problems. Instead you focus on the well drawn lines, the texture…You focus on appreciating it. Creating your own art is even better. Because through it you can express the things that you are feeling. Instead of having those feelings bottled up inside you, you get the opportunity to let it all out.

We don’t have to be artistic to reap the benefits that art provides. We all need art in our lives and these are just a few reasons why. Art comes in different forms. It is up to you to find what fits you best.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

A lot of people ask, what is the point of art? Is it only for beauty and to give people something nice to look at? According to psychologists the benefits of art go far beyond aesthetic purposes. It does much more than just give beauty to a room. It also has cognitive and psychological benefits. Art is said to be able to help the brain achieve its full potential.

Studies suggest that art stimulates our brains creative side – the part that can be expressed non-verbally. The part of our brain that triggers our intuitive and spatial side. Art induces our brain to think in new ways. Sometimes logical thinking won’t do the trick. In order to solve some problems we have to think differently. This requires the use of our creative side which can be brought out by art.

Exposing children to art at a young age teaches them to understand novel concepts more easily. Thus it helps them achieve better grades, generate solutions to problems and even get along better with others. Art is not just the property of artists. It is for everyone. Another benefit of art is that it opens your mind. This is why artists are usually open minded people. They think of people in the same way they regard art. There are different kinds of art. Each one is not necessarily better than the other because it all depends on how the viewer sees it. I guess you could say that in many ways, art has helped make the world a better place.

Many studies have been conducted regarding art and its relationship to the brain. According to a neurobiology professor, Semir Zeki, art expands our brain function. It is the key to understanding ourselves. For this reason, art can be used in different areas. Psychologists use art therapy to help their clients understand themselves and relieve stress. Teachers can use it to help their students improve their capabilities in the classroom. Parents can employ art to help their children become more creative and open minded.

Indeed, art serves a bigger purpose in our lives that what we normally give it credit for. What about you? When was the last time you took the time to appreciate the benefits of art? Learn to see art in through different eyes and reap its many rewards.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”