Choose for quality

An excellent place to buy high quality ink for low prices online is at www.toner24.co.uk where there is a vast array of inks and toners to choose from. Like most things in life, you generally get what you pay for, and if you’ve ever bought substandard ink then you’ll know what can happen to your prints, they can end up being of patchy quality, with faded sections and unpleasant blots. However, it’s possible to buy high quality ink for low prices online at www.toner24.co.uk. This means that it’s possible to get the very best of both worlds – an excellent product without having to break the bank.

You don’t have to worry about the price

It’s worth thinking about, because having free access to the printer can unleash your children’s creativity (not to mention yours) so they’ll feel less stressed about running off draft prints. This means that they can revise their homework and improve the quality. The same goes for the adults in the house; they can run off several drafts of letters, assignments, work projects and revise the drafts to make sure the finished article is perfect. It’s much easier to do when the price of ink isn’t pressing on everyone’s conscience. Because you can now buy high quality ink for low prices online at www.toner24.co.uk it might be worth considering whether to install further printers in the house. It can be convenient for each household member to have their own printer. For example, the kids might appreciate a colour printer for their homework, while adults might like something with crisp black ink for work projects.

Img.: Westa Zikas – Fotolia

Conceptual Art

Conceptual art represents an artist’s ideas. This differs from classical art in that the art work itself isn’t the focus. The major point proves to be the concepts that are represented. This form of 21st century art often uses objects for art expression rather than simply a painting. Conceptual artists sometimes use pictures, clay, or everyday objects to create their art work. There is basically no limit on items that can be used for this genre of art expression.

Contemporary Art

The technical definition of contemporary art is any art work produced since World War 2. However, modern 21st century artists use contemporary art to create a statement about present day culture. One might argue that any art created in our lifetime is contemporary art. Oftentimes, contemporary art deals with one particular subject or uses one art medium to express its message

Digital Art

Digital art is truly a reflection of our present culture. Computers have spawned an entire new art field, using digital programs and other mediums. Another definition of digital art defines conceptual art as any art form that uses digital representation. If you hear the words net art or multimedia art, you are probably dealing with digital art. Some artists categorize digital art into the genre of contemporary art.

Land Art

With the emergence of green environmental groups, artists look to the earth itself to express art ideas. Land artists sometimes use natural earth features to create their art work. Other times, they create modern artistic expressions that blend into the environment. Think of Mount Rushmore and you have a land art project ahead of its time. The number one rule is that land art must blend into the environment. The major items used to create land art are natural stone and trees native to the particular area.

Pic from: Henner Damke – Fotolia.com

Keith Coventry

Born in Great Britain, Mr Coventry’s art work specializes in abstract paintings and art work that speaks of today’s society and issues. Whether using paint or photographs, some of his work is controversial. He was awarded the 2010 John Moore Painting Prize for his piece named “Spectrum Jesus.”

Christo and Jean-Claude

This married couple, both interested in art, married and combined to create some of the most famous contemporary European art. In 1994, the couple decided it was easier to market their work under just one name, that of Christo. In addition to aesthetic paintings, the couple is also known for abstract art using everyday objects. One of their most famous ventures included their exhibit, “The Umbrellas”. The couple created 2 transcontinental exhibits- one in Japan and one in California. Japan hosted the blue exhibit while California showed the yellow version.

Mircea Cantor

This Romanian born artist’s first art expressions were traditional art forms on canvas. Cantor expanded his art work to include sculptures and modern art displays using everyday items. He was recently awarded the Marcel Duchamp Prize for his art work entitled “Fishing Flies.”

Martin Boyce

A Scottish born artist, Mr Boyce specialized in contemporary sculpture, before expanding to other art mediums. His art work is often abstract in nature, using wood, glass, metal and other objects. His piece, ” Do Words Have Voices” won the 2011 Turner Prize. This award is given to British artists under the age of 50 who have made a contribution to European art.

Katherine Morling

When one thinks new art forms have been exhausted, along comes a contemporary British artist, Katherine Morling. Her art medium of choice is ceramic. Concentration on household items represented in surreal ceramic art expressions proves to be her specialty. One of her most famous works thus far is named “Poison Pen.”

Img. darknightsky – Fotolia.com

The Importance of Art Education

Researchers and psychologists point to art’s creative expression and its ability to expand thought processes and help students in other subjects. Many students prefer to express themselves through hands on activities and art proves perfect for these tactile and kinesthetic children. This type of education also serves as an expressive outlet for anger and depression, allowing a student a venue for catharsis.

Incorporating Art into Core Subject Lesson Plans

With the importance of a teacher’s lesson plans, creating an expressive addition to a core subject lesson, adds interest for students and provides another venue for learning. While adding art into a lesson plan might prove challenging, it guarantees that every style of learning it addressed. With a bit of creativity, almost any subject can use art expression as part of a lesson. For example, a lesson on European countries might include an art contest for designing a modern day stamp, representative of the country’s current culture.

Incorporating an Art’s Program in Modern School Education

With a struggling economy, many countries and school districts are cutting funds for art education. A teacher needs out of the box thinking when trying to implement an art program. The first step is to petition administration and to create an excellent argument for arts education. If administrators and principals know the program will cost little if anything, they might approve such a program. This is where parents and volunteers come in handy. Contact parents and community resources to verify if they are willing to donate either time or art materials. A parent with an expertise in art might even volunteer to help with the art education. Writing art companies for donated supplies is another option. Also, apply for grants that provide funding to schools for art education programs.

Picture: imipolex – Fotolia.com

History Of Modern Art

Those that stretch the term Modern Art to cover as many years as possible, look at the start of the art form as being in the 1860′s with the birth of Impressionism. This Modern Art form began in France and concentrated on art work created with a broken brush stroke. Through the years of Modern Art history, new versions of art work appeared and the definition of what was considered Modern Art expanded. The end of Modern Art as a genre occurred after Pop Art and Minimalism became the fad.

Best Known Styles of Modern Art

Some art experts state that there have been 19 different types of Modern Art. Styles that sound familiar include Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and Pop Art. Impressionism created an art form that used paint brushes in new ways, such as using shorter brush strokes and creating effects such as dabbing paint. The purpose of the new genre was to create paintings that used colour and light as an impression of the world itself. Cubism concentrated on representing the world in three D formations. The object itself became the focus of art work. African art proves a large influence. Surrealism created art works that looked as if they had no purpose or were other worldly. At times the work was recognizable and at others a viewer was left pondering the purpose of the piece. Objects being painted were often distorted or painted in odd settings. Pop Art became well known to the world in the late 1950s. Pop Art concentrated on making a statement about present day society using logos, political figures, stars or everyday items. Loud colours, murals and silhouettes were often used as expressions in the art form. Many pieces were either political or made a statement about modern day society.

Most Famous Modern Artists

Each style of art is associated with a number of artists. However, one name rises to the top with each style. When mentioning Impressionism, Claude Monet comes to mind. The father of Cubism is Pablo Picasso. Surrealism is often attributed to Salvador Dali. Say Pop Art and everyone knows Andy Warhol. All of these styles of Modern Art contribute to the history of present day art and formulate what art is today.

Image: bittedankeschön – Fotolia.com

A Definition of Pop Art

Some may argue about the definition of Pop Art. Others have no disagreement at all. Pop Art first appeared in Britain in the 1950s, and soon after in the United States. This art form turned the art community upside down, using means of expression not generally used. Artists began to focus on popular trends in society when creating this art form. Subjects for art projects often included current modern everyday objects, familiar public faces or current trendy topics. The art displays began to use other mediums besides canvas and paint. It was not unusual to find everyday objects used as a venue for art expression. The mediums with modern art are endless. Loud and expressive colours become popular in Pop Art. The purpose of the art expression centered around making a statement about present day culture.

Famous Pop Artists

Perhaps the most famous Pop artist is Andy Warhol. He was one of the first Pop artists who used current marketing logos. One of his most famous pieces of art work, “Campbell’s Soup Cans”, is still known today. Although probably the most famous, Andy Warhol was not the first artist to use the term Pop Art. The term was first used with artist Richard Hamilton, with his 1956 piece called “Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?” Hamilton took every day iconic figures and modern home accessories to make a statement about the modern day home. Roy Liechtenstein used the medium of comic strips to make a statement about popular culture. He use cartoon images and word bubbles in his work. One of his best known pieces, “Drowning Girl” is on display at the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Styles of Pop Art

Other names for Pop Art include Retro Art, Lowbrow, Grunge and Op Art. While some are simply an alternative name, others are distinct forms within the Pop Art genre. For example, Retro Art concentrates on using graphics. Plop Art often shows up in public venues as sculptures or abstract art projects. Pop Art continues to be a relevant expression of society, speaking to both our ever changing lifestyles and political environment.

Photo: Karl-Heinz Spremberg: Fotolia