Positive Art 2011 - 01 - New Year's by video

I am posting the first of the New Year's positive Art entries! I've always enjoyed the art of New Year's celebrations. From Australia's spectacular fireworks, Auckland, Taipei and Hong Kong and also London's big ben big fireworks to New York's Times Square to Arizona's Pine Cone drop in Flagstaff to Seattle's Space Needle.

I hunted and hunted and finally found some videos to mark the occassions for Australia and some of the zones across the country:

Australia, Auckland, Taipei, Hong Kong :




London last year 2010:



London - this year 2011!!!!!!




Eastern Time Zone - New York - New York Times Square drop of the ball





Mountain Time Zone - Tennessee - Nashville Guitar Drop





Central Time Zone - Arizona - Flagstaff drop of the Pine Cone



Pacific Time Zone - Seattle Washington..
New post COMING SOON....

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Positive Art 2010 - 33 - Harp Art

What is Harp Art? It is art that goes on a harp, of course! My harp was so beautiful but it was missing something...take a look:



So I asked my sister to help me decorate it with something to make it fill in the missing something...she designed a beautiful icon for my harp's name: Aurora. It is a hidden design that you can see only if you look at it and know that it is there....look closely:



I loved it and had a decal made for the two sides of my harp:



Then, I also wanted something more colorful, with flowers...so I decided on red roses for the sound board front:



All together now!



Now, all that's left is to keep practicing!!!!!



This is just one example of harp art. A visual example. The harp also is a source of music art. Beautiful music......

Cheers and good tidings for the New Year!

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Positive Art 2010 - 32 - Coca Cola Commercials

I majored in Marketing in college but ended up in Accounting during my career times. However, I've always loved commercials and ads. I know it sounds crazy. Lots of people hate them. But I've always looked at them as modern art and creative wonderments of our age. Some are good and some not so good. I especially like the ones that make me laugh, be happy, or are touching. These two creative ads from Coca-Cola are about people being happy and how to be happier...now that's positive Art in my humble opinion!

The first one shows people's reactions to getting something nice they weren't expecting...the second video is pretty cool because it suggests some things that a Coca-Cola researcher tells us we can to do which tends to make people happy.

(PS: You might want to pause any sound if the music is turned on..see bottom of my blog)









What were those four things people can do that tend to make them happy?

Did you get them?..ok..here they are in short form with my comments in paranthesis for easier reference later, but it's worth watching the short video to get the expert scoop....

1) Getting together with Friends and family for meals and fun (comfort, joy)
2) Exercise, jump (This gets your endorphins going)
3) Give your self a treat (Especially if you take time to really enjoy it)
4) Smile at someone (Maybe they will smile back and that can make you happy)

Thanks, Coca Cola.

Positive Art 2010-31 - Christmas Tree Art

The art of the Christmas tree is never the same at our house each year. It changes every year. Mostly we get a real tree nowadays, they smell so good. This year we have the Angel on top and multiple colored lights and ornaments with a cold shiny garland wound around it. I found my little wooden clothespin soldiers and jeweled southern lady ornaments that I have had for at least 30 years. Way back when I made the clothespin soldiers and they are holding up fairly well. They were an idea I saw at a Church Bazaar and decided to make one year early in my marriage. I wanted something homemade for a tradition. Back then we used to make these hungarian candy ornaments with fringed tissue paper and aluminum covering a chocolate covered peanut. They were a lot of work...haven't made any lately but still have one left from years past...I think there is paper inside...I found it this year and hung it in the tree. ...if you look closely you will see (those who are looking and have read this far) a little photo ornament of my daughter which she made in school when she was around 6 years old. I love these little sentimental glimpses into the past. They get me to stop and think about how thankful I am for this life. So the art of the Christmas tree surrounds us all who decide to decorate one each year. It's a positive art we participate in for sure. It reminds us of a time of year when all is new and hopeful. Of a spiritual occassion for the many Christians in the world. It reminds of the giving and jolly Santa Claus and his reindeer and elves at the North Pole. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus....Norman Rockwell was inspired to make a wonderful painting of him.

Positive Art 2010 - 30 - playing the Paraguayan harp

Yes, I am actually getting more and more into playing my harp. ok..this isn't really me... but it's fun to imagine.

Now I have to say that I have now found a particular type of harp that I have fallen in love with over the weekend. I attended a harp symposium at the Dusty Strings facility in the Fremont district in Seattle. It was amazing. Learned lots. Played best I could and then I saw the Paraguayan harp played by a wonderful latin rhythm harp player named Nicolas Carter. It was amazing...and this was just the lesson. Notice the beautiful decorations. This style of harp is actually played with the fingernails.

You can find Nicolas Carter - harp player on Facebook.

Here is a little jpeg of a more classic harp version ..I was hoping to post it in animation. But I can't find the file at the moment...maybe I'l post something in another entry later when I can find the animation I made...or just remake it. The classic harp style is more traditional and played with the pads of your fingers. Usually seen at weddings and churches here in the USA.

Yes, I will post me playing the harp too...even though I am a rank beginner. I figure I'll get better if I try to perform here and there. Mostly want to play the harp because I love it and want to share it with others. Now I just need to get those nerves in shape so I can play without too many faux pas. (that would be misteps...wrong moves...)

In the mean time....I will be practicing up on my holiday songs.....

Positive Art - 29 - Wedding Art again

This is probably one of the coolest pics I've ever seen. Someone else took it at my daughter's wedding. Looks like a magazine shot to me. :)

Positive Art - 2010 -28 - 2nd Wedding in a Month

It think Weddings are art. I had the privilege of seeing a 2nd wedding within a month. My neice got married in a very beautiful setting in her mom's back yard on Hood Canal. Wow, it was amazing. Here is the happy couple.



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