Study Contemporary Literature

Contemporary literature, categorized as literature written after 1945 or 1950, is taught as part of the curriculum in many colleges and high schools. Contemporary authors include beat writers like Jack Kerouac and novelists like Kurt Vonnegut ("Slaughterhouse Five") and James Dickey ("Deliverance").

Instructions

1. Start an informal book discussion group. Browse the net for Yahoo groups dedicated to contemporary literature. Many writers' sites also offer articles about contemporary books and authors. Social networking sites like Craigslist.org and MySpace offer opportunities for online and in-person book discussion groups as well.

2. Study contemporary literature as part of a degree program. Whether you're studying for a MFA or a bachelor's degree in English, contemporary literature courses will enter the curriculum. Concentrate on writing papers about your favorite books or authors, or study their style and assimilate it into your own writing.

3. Obtain a master's degree in literature. Engage in extensive study of structure, plot, characterization and themes of great works including the presentation of sexuality, politics and gender in books like J.G. Ballard's "Crash" and Thomas Pychon's "Gravity's Rainbow."

4. Read and analyze great contemporary authors. Study books like "Play It as It Lays" by Joan Didion, "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac and "Pinball" by Jerzy Kosinkski. Ask your local librarian or literature professor to recommend a list of American, British and European novels from the end of World War II to the present.

5. Add books of interest each year. Don Delillo's books, including "Libra" and "Underworld," have been hailed as fine contemporary literature as well as Martin Amis's "Heavy Water" and Haruki Murakami's "Dance, Dance, Dance." J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books may compose the most popular literary series of all time.

How Did The Musical "Annie" Become

How Did the Musical "Annie" Come to Be?

One of Broadway's most popular musicals, "Annie," has a long history. With its origins rooted to the Great Depression, a number of different formats of the story existed over the decades. From comic strips, music and a book, the musical itself eventually developed in the late 1970s and ran for a number of years. It also has the honor of being revived on and off Broadway periodically to great fanfare.

Comic Strip

Cartoonist Harold Gray created a weekly comic strip for the Chicago Tribune in 1924. Called "Little Orphan Annie," the strip featured a tough red-headed orphan who went on adventures fighting crooked politicians, gangsters and even Nazis.

The Project

"Annie" was established as a viable Broadway project in the early 1970s. Lyricist Marting Charnin teamed with playwright Thomas Meehan and composer Charles Strouse to write and coordinate the musical.

Opening

"Annie" opened on April 21, 1977, in New York's Alvin Theatre. It ran for 2,377 performances and went on tour throughout the United States, Mexico, Australia and Japan.

Success

Much of the success of "Annie" stemmed from the character herself, played by a young spunky girl, and the music that has become associated with the production. The two most successful songs are "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard-Knock Life."

Revival

Spurred on by the success of numerous film adaptations, a sequel to "Annie" was produced in 1989 and bombed. The original musical was revived in 1997 and toured multiple times over the next decade.

How Know If My Vehicle Title Includes A Lien

How Can I Tell If My Car Title Has a Lien?

You're in for a real nightmare if your car title has a lien that you're not aware of. A lien means that a financial institution still owns the vehicle, and the loan from the institution must be paid off before the car is rightfully yours. Confirm that your car is free of any liens in order to avoid potential legal issues, and to have peace of mind.

Check for a Car Lien

Order a vehicle history report from a company such as AutoCheck or CarFax. A vehicle history report will outline your vehicle's entire history, including when it was originally purchased, when and with whom a lien was active, tickets and other vehicle violations, and any reported accidents and claims.

Contact your local department of motor vehicle services to find out if your county or state offers a lien check. If available, the service may be free of charge, or there may be a service fee assessed per search. You will need the vehicle's serial number or vehicle identification number in order to search for active liens.

If you live in the United States, your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office will be able to check and see if your vehicle is free of any active liens.

If you do not have the car title in your possession, are an unable to acquire a copy of the title from your local DMV, your vehicle most likely has an active lien on it, and the financial institution is holding the title. Contact your local DMV to find out who is the lien holder of your vehicle.

Tips

Do not purchase a used vehicle from a private seller or dealership without first verifying that all financial obligations have been taken care of. If the seller or dealership cannot produce a title, request a vehicle history report so that you can independently confirm that there are no active liens.

Project A Stage Acting Voice

Projecting your voice is extremely important when you are performing on stage. Actually, if you do not know properly project your voice, you may actually damage your vocal chords. These steps will show you easily project your voice when acting on the stage so you can easily be heard by the entire audience and still protect your voice.

Instructions

Projecting Your Voice for Stage Acting

1. Practice using the two different ways you can project your voice. Like singing, you can either speak with your chest (or throat) or with your diaphragm. Pay attention to how you create your voice when talking with your friends at dinner. You will be drawing the sound from your chest/throat area, which is the normal way of talking. However, when you are on stage, if you speak like this, the audience will have a difficult time understanding you.

2. Exercise your voice on a daily basis by using this following technique, which will show you use your diaphragm. Place your hands on your stomach, right where the center of your ribs meets your stomach. When you breathe in through your diaphragm, your chest should never move, but rather this area in your stomach should be doing all the work.

3. Take a deep, low breath and with a “Ha” sound use your diaphragm to release the air and sound. An example of this exercise is to breathe in through your diaphragm and then release each sound as follows, “Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.” The sound should be short and powerful, but with no strain.

4. Rehearse talking from your diaphragm while going over your lines, which will help train you to use your diaphragm without having to think about it. Just like if you were singing, every breath should be supported by your diaphragm and thus when you speak loudly, you will be able to carry your voice across the entire auditorium.

5. Place your hands on your stomach, and while you are talking, you should feel your stomach moving inwards to support your voice. If not, then you need to continue practicing diaphragm breathing and speaking.

How Sell A Reprint Of The Picasso Painting

Art holds high cultural value in our society.

Art is valued in our society for its ability to elicit an immediate response in the viewer. Great art can speak without words, stimulate the senses and encourage emotion. Renowned artists such as Picasso were masters of their trade, and their work is highly prized today. Most people cannot afford an original work of art. Buying reprints is an affordable alternative that allows the buyer to enjoy and display artwork without the million-dollar price tag. There are several ways to sell your Picasso reprint, resulting in cash for your pocket and satisfaction for the buyer.

Instructions

1. Look online for websites that specialize in buying and selling art. Choose a site that sells reproductions in addition to original art. Follow the seller's links to find information about the company and their requirements.

2. Post a detailed description of the reprint on Craigslist or eBay. Include artist's name, title of the painting, date of the original painting, size of reprint and asking price. If the reprint is framed, include a description of the frame. Upload a clear closeup photo of the entire painting. Make sure the contact information you provided the website is current and correct. Unless you include your phone number in the post, check your email for responses. Add the website you are advertising on to your contact list so emails from interested people won't wind up in the junk-mail folder.

3. Submit the reprint to a consignment shop. A shop that specializes in art and art reprints is ideal, but other types of consignment shops may accept your reprint as well. Find consignment shops in the yellow pages or online. Call the shop, ask to speak with a manager and set up a good time to visit the establishment. Make sure the reprint is clean and undamaged and bring it to the shop at the appointed time. Staff at the shop should be able to help you decide on a suitable price for the fastest resale. When selling through consignment, the seller typically receives between 50 and 70 percent of the selling price. The shop keeps the rest.

4. Post the reprint on your favorite social-networking site. Include a photo and full description, along with asking price.

Decorate An Outdoor Porch In French Country

The rustic charm of French country style works well for a backyard patio space.

The French country style is a favorite of interior designers around the globe. The rustic touches, flea market finds and iron accessories help create a charming atmosphere that is as casual and homey as it is elegant and inviting. Warm colors and one-of-a-kind pieces help bring French country spaces together. French country design is durable and weather-resistant, which makes it ideal for a backyard porch. For the budget-conscious, this style is also affordable and easy to obtain.

Instructions

1. Add vibrant and saturated colors into your backyard porch. Incorporate colors with furniture, wall paint and flooring. Some popular colors in French country style are rich reds, gold, French blue and shades of green. Anchor and accent these colors with black and neutral tans and creams for a strong contrast.

2. Incorporate ironwork into your furniture, lighting and accessories. Flea markets, thrift stores, yard stores, vintage shops and online classifieds are great places to find one-of-a-kind iron pieces for your backyard porch. Aged and weather-worn pieces are ideal for a French porch, so do not be afraid to select pieces that have rust and other minor imperfections.

3. Use fabrics for shade, seat cushions, awnings or window treatments in traditional French fabrics. Large floral prints and striped prints with contrasting shades are popular in French country style. As is toile, which is a traditional French print that features repeating hand-drawn pastoral images.

4. Choose durable and rustic flooring options. Simple concrete slabs work nicely for an outdoor space, especially if they are stained and sealed. Ceramic and stone tiling are also strong ways to anchor the French country style on a backyard porch.

5. Include accessories and plants that will help bring the space to life. Iron or wire roosters or other farm animals will hint back to French country life. Because the French countryside is known for its wine, include accessories that feature grapes, wine bottles or even cork. Edible and fragrant plants such as basil and lavender in terra-cotta planters are ideal for this backyard space.

Gags To Experience On Buddies

Cell phones and other technology can be manipulated for surprising gags.

Gags or practical jokes can be a funny and intimate way for friends to interact. Initiating a gag by creating a surprising or embarrassing situation can result in a playful war between friends. Keep several simple, classic gags in your repertoire, and always be prepared for retaliation.

Food Gags

Switching salt and sugar or salt and pepper containers is a classic way of surprising your friend's taste buds, but there are many other potential food-related pranks. If your friend is drinking a soda, distract them from their drink and drop a few M&Ms into the cup or bottle, which will start to foam mysteriously, surprising your friend with their next sip. For another food gag, fill a cereal bowl with water and freeze it for a couple of hours. Then put milk and cereal over the ice and offer it to your friend for breakfast. Their spoon will meet with a confusing solid surface.

Time-Related Gags

Clocks and alarms are perfect tools for confusing and surprising your friends. Set one or more alarms for various times when you know your friend will be at home, and hide them throughout their living room or bedroom, creating a series of annoying surprises that your friend will struggle to deactivate. Resetting your friend's watch or car clock can also lead to funny situations, as your friend rushes to make an event only to find that it's far too early.

Quick Shocker Gags

Some of the most effective and memorable gags are those that shock a friend's senses with a major surprise. Classic examples include wrapping a layer of plastic wrap over the toilet seat and taping down the spray head on the sink to soak whoever turns on the faucet. Other possibilities include inserting a bouillon cube into the shower head to soak your victim in soup broth or sprinkling a bath towel with powdered food coloring to dye the victim who attempts to dry off.

High-Tech Gags

Tampering with your friends' electronic devices can alter their everyday routine with baffling and amusing situations. Switch several of the numbers in a friend's phone and see how long it takes them to make an unintended call. Take a screen shot of the desktop and then set this image file as the computer's background. Then hide the existing desktop icons in a folder so they no longer appear on the desktop. Your friend will try in vain to click icons that are simply an image. Finally, a simple layer of transparent tape on the bottom of your friends mouse will keep the device from functioning. See how long it takes for them to figure it out.

Write A Tv Script For Any Drama Series

A lot of people dream of writing for television. The pay is great, your work will be seen by millions and it could be the start of a profitable career. But the competition is intense, and to get started you'll need to write a "spec" script to get yourself noticed.

Instructions

1. Approach your first script as a calling card that will sell producers or agents on your abilities. Even if your spec script (called because it's written on "speculation," with no commitment to buy) is never produced, it could lead to work if someone in Hollywood likes it.

2. Write your spec script for a show you love and know well. To be hired, you have to prove you can write to fit the format, style and characters the audience tunes in every week.

3. Pick a show that suits your talents and goals. If you want to write for a teen-oriented show, write a spec script for Gossip Girl. If you have a flair for mysteries, consider a script for Bones.

4. Study books or websites that will tell you the script format. That includes the physical script format (cover page, title page, pages typed on one side only) and formatting for time, writing a script that runs an hour less commercials, with dramatic act breaks right before each commercial pause.

5. Submit your script to an agent. If she turns it down, submit to another and keep going until you find an agent who's willing to show it to producers.

I Am Unable To Find My Photos In Iphoto

Sometimes photos imported to iPhoto from your camera may end up misplaced or even deleted by mistake.

iPhoto is photo management software that is available for Mac computers. The program allows you to sort, browse and import your pictures from your digital camera. You may run into a problem where you may not be able to find your imported photos with the program. When this happens, there is a possibility that the photos have either been accidentally deleted or misplaced. There are a few things that you can do to find these photos.

Instructions

1. Rebuild the iPhoto database. Close iPhoto and hold down the Command and Option keys. Open iPhoto again, and continue holding the keys held down until you see a "Rebuild Photo Library" window appear. There will be several rebuild options. Check the options that you would like to rebuild, then click the "Rebuild" button.

2. Browse and search through the iPhoto Library. You can browse photos by either Event, Date, Faces, or Places by clicking on them in the source list on the left side. You can also search through your library by clicking "Search" on the bottom right. Click the small down arrow next to the magnifying glass on the left side of the search field and choose to search for text, date, rating, or keyword. iPhoto will display your results. Browse through them and see if the missing photos show up.

3. Check your iPhoto trash bin. Click the iPhoto trash bin located in the source list on the left under "Recent." If your missing photos are in this folder they may be restored by selecting the photos you want to restore and going to "Photos," then clicking "Restore to Photo Library." The missing files should now show up in your library.

4. Try importing the photos again if you are still having trouble finding them. Plug your camera into your computer with a USB cable. Turn the camera on, and open iPhoto. You will see iPhoto in import view. You can select the photos that you would like to re-import by holding the "Command Key" and clicking the photos. When you have the photos selected, click "Import Selected." You photos will now be re-imported to your iPhoto Library. When the photos are done being imported, turn off your camera, then go to your camera listed under "Devices" and disconnect it by clicking the small "Eject" icon.

Write Descriptive Poetry

Descriptive poems tickle your senses, send smells up your nostrils, clap noises in your eardrums, run texture over your fingertips and paint settings before your eyes. Purveying that setting and those tactile elements through words requires active voice, concise vocabulary and coherent semantics. Writing descriptive poetry requires you to understand your topic. You must know how it feels to stand knee deep on the beach as wet sand gushes between your toes in order to compose it in a poem. Poems that capture sensory elements stick in a reader's mind and flow easily across the page as the reader scans your words.

Instructions

1. Writing a descriptive poem requires that you have a subject to write about. Once you have that subject, start the poem. Keep the words simple. Don't over-complicate the poem by trying to make it sound like a poem. The best poetry is easy to understand. You're not crafting a riddle or a puzzle. Don't make your reader search for meaning.

2. Now that you have your subject, decide what you want to describe. Is the setting the important element? Is it the way the rain strikes the narrator's head like little pebbles? Is it the short skirt on the woman sitting across from you in the subway? Pick the element that needs describing and work it into the poem, describing every aspect necessary. Use multiple sentences to describe the way that skirt slides up her thighs as she looks over her shoulder or the way the rain drops run down the narrator's back like ants.

3. Now that you have your subject and the descriptive element, close the poem. Stick with one descriptive element and one subject to practice this style. Bringing in too many descriptive elements can cloud the reader's vision. Even if there are 32 people on the subway next to her and each one is important to the story, she is the main element worth describing. Don't waste words on other passengers' clothing or mannerisms.

4. Edit; proofread; cut. Go back and cut out any words and sentences that are not absolutely necessary. Be judicious. Though you are describing the icy rain in your poem, if it's not the subject of the poem, don't let the description overpower the subject. Your poem can be a reflection on a love affair and the narrator just happens to be standing in the rain. Next time a reader stands in the rain, if you describe it truthfully they may very well think about your poem because it was so clear, so real.

5. Set the poem aside for a few weeks. Then return to it with a fresh perspective. You are your best editor. As you write a poem, you are more attached to the words because you just thought of them. And in your head, everything you wrote makes sense. But when you return and read it again in a new frame of mind (which is how all readers read your poems) you will see the holes or inconsistencies that previously made sense.

Produce A Typographic Portrait

Photography used to be all about cameras and darkrooms, but with the development of specialized software for editing the images produced by digital cameras, photo retouching has become common. The effects that a graphic artist can add to an image can be simple and subtle, such as making someone look a bit thinner or changing the color of a person's eyes, or it can be more extensive, totally altering the appearance of the image. One example of this would be the effect of making a photo of a person look like it is made entirely of typed letters.

Instructions

1. Start Photoshop/Photoshop Elements/GIMP. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open." In the dialog, locate and open the image you want to edit.

2. Go to the bottom of the "Layers" panel and click on the "New Layer" button. Use the "Paintbucket" tool to fill this new layer with black.

3. Select the "Text" tool from the toolbar and drag a text box that covers the entire image. Type or paste in some text.

4. Select the "Text" layer and then click on the "Layer Mask" button. Go to the "Background Layer" and click "CTRL + A" to select the entire layer. Select "Edit" and choose "Copy."

5. Hold down the "ALT" key and select the mask preview to the right in the top layer. Paste in the image you copied. Then hold down the "ALT" key and click the mask again. Save your work.

How An Air-soft Gun Works

Loading

Make sure the safety is on. Airsoft guns fire small diameter plastic BBs known as airsoft ammunition. Because of the various designs and manufacturers of airsoft rifles and handguns, there may be slight variations in loading procedures. However, typically you will need to fill a removable clip, magazine or chamber within the gun. You also need to remove a small cover or slide it to the side in order to pour in the BBs. Using a specially designed speed loader will help the loading process. This container features a funnel-type opening, which effectively directs the BBs for loading. Close the cover or replace the clip or magazine into the airsoft gun.

Preparing to Fire

Depending on the type of gun, cocking or chambering a BB may differ. Airsoft guns use spring action, green gas and battery power to propel airsoft BBs. Most modern airsoft guns feature a hop-up system, which forces a BB into the chamber for firing. With spring guns especially, you'll need to cock the gun before each firing. This also allows a BB to enter the chamber. Gas and battery-powered guns may feature blow-back action, which automatically opens the chamber, seats a BB and cocks the gun for firing. Refer to the manufacturer's directions for more information on specific guns.

Firing

Firing an airsoft rifle or shotgun requires positioning the gun against the shoulder, lining up the target in the sights on top of the barrel, releasing the safety and squeezing the trigger to fire the gun. You typically hold handguns with two hands extended forward at arms length. You aim a pistol at a target using the sights on top of the barrel. Remove the safety and fire the handgun by squeezing the trigger.

Write An Individual Bio For Auditions

Auditions sometimes require a personal biography from auditioners.

If you're a dedicated performer (especially an actor), you will probably go to your fair share of auditions over time. Auditions are all different from one to the next, but there are certain things that are universal. Most auditions, for instance, require that you bring a resume and an up-to-date headshot. Less commonly, you will be asked to supply a biography of yourself so that casting directors can get a sense of your personality.

Instructions

1. Avoid listing all your theatre and film roles, as these should already be outlined in your resume. Listing them again in your biography is redundant.

2. Focus on the facts. Standard biographical information to include in an actor bio might include where you were born, where you currently reside, where you did your acting training and any other artistic involvement not listed on your resume.

3. Add a "hook," which is an interesting piece of information about you that will engage anyone reading your bio. A hook can be anything from a unique non-performance-related hobby you have to a crazy anecdote that demonstrates something amusing or different about you as a person.

4. Avoid getting too personal or deep. Your bio is not the place to tell tales of personal struggle, give shout-outs to friends and family or reveal your fondest ambitions. Keep your bio light in tone, and keep the content relatively shallow.

5. Keep it short. A paragraph is all you need to touch on some basic biographical information and include a hook or two.

6. Write in third person. Don't say, "I played Hamlet in college." Instead, try, "In college, John was cast as Hamlet."

Get Texture In Abstract Works of art

Getting texture in your abstract paintings requires the use of mediums.

Mediums are anything you add to paint to change the texture or the viscosity of the paint. You'll find mediums for oil and acrylic paints at any art supply store or hobby store. These mediums can make the paint flow like a liquid, or thicken it into a putty. In addition, some mediums contain pieces of rock, plastic or other materials. You can paint some mediums in layers to build up texture and depth, and then coat them in paint. However, the traditional way to use mediums is to mix them with the paint and use the viscosity of the mixture to create texture.

Instructions

1. Purchase a pre-gessoed canvas, or apply three to four coats of artist gesso to a stretched canvas until smooth. Allow to dry for several hours, or until dry to the touch.

2. Scoop modeling paste or another medium onto your palette. Start with a mixture of one part paint to every four parts modeling paste. Mix with a palette knife. If the hue is not dark enough, slowly mix in more paint until you are happy with the results.

3. Apply the textured paint to the canvas using a stiff brush, and shape it using the brush or a painting knife. It will hold stiff peaks, and can be sculpted into various shapes and textures.

4. Allow each layer of molding paste to dry to the touch before adding the next layer. Not allowing the paste to fully dry may cause caking or cracking.

Natural Home Remedies To Clean Stained Teeth

People associate a bright smile with youth and health.

Our smiles are one of the first things the world notices about us. People associate a bright smile with youth and good health. While teeth were never meant to be totally white, they tend to darken with age. Cracks in the enamel and loss of density inside the tooth allow the absorption of food colors. According to AllBusiness.com, Americans spend $1 billion a year on everything from bleaching to veneers, all in an effort to have whiter teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can help us to regain our bright smiles.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix baking soda with a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to create a toothpaste-like consistency. Be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide as it can cause your gums to burn. Use the mixture as you would your usual toothpaste.

Strawberries

Strawberries contain natural teeth whitening agents. Either rub the strawberry against your teeth, mash it up to be used like a regular toothpaste, or mash it up and add a little baking soda. Because strawberries contain sugar and acids, brush with regular toothpaste immediately after using the strawberry scrub.

Wood Ash

Beautytipsonline.com recommends brushing teeth with wood ash because it contains potassium hydroxide, a bleaching compound. Apply it directly to your toothbrush or mix with a little toothpaste. However, do not use it often as wood ash can wear down tooth enamel.

Lemon Juice and Salt

Mix the juice from a freshly cut lemon with a pinch of salt. Apply mixture to teeth and allow it to sit for 15 minutes for a brighter smile.

Bay Leaf and Orange Peel

Grind dried orange peels to a powder and mix with powdered dry bay leaves. Rub the mixture on your teeth.

Foods That Whiten Teeth

Celery, carrots, apples and pears trigger saliva, which scrubs away stains on your teeth, according to WebMD.com. Saliva is also known to neutralize the acid that causes tooth decay, an added bonus.

Sugar Free Gum

While we might not associate sugar free gum with whiter teeth, chewing it does help remove small pieces of food while producing the saliva that neutralizes the acid that causes tooth decay.

Floss

Floss on a daily basis to rid your smile of stain-causing substances that get caught between your teeth.

Where Buy Copic Markers

Prized by designers and artists around the world, COPIC markers are refillable, double-ended markers with replaceable tips. The markers are available in 322 colors. Choose Original (for calligraphy, tone control, blending and painting), Ciao (smaller and good for beginners and kids) or Sketch (recommended for cartoon and fashion illustration) styles. An airbrush attachment is available for the Original and Sketch models. COPIC markers are available through many web vendors. Slightly cheaper prices are found on eBay, although selection there is more limited than on dedicated art supplies sites.

The Art Store

The Art Store gives up to a 32 percent discount on selected individual markers and sets. A basic set of 36 Originals is available for $186.91 ($233.64 retail). The 72 Original marker set is $327 ($467.28 retail). Individual markers are $4.99 to 6.49. Orders over $100 ship free. (See Resources.)

ICOPIC.com

This site discounts the entire selection of COPIC markers. A set of 36 Originals sells for $175.23.(retail $233.64) and individual markers range from $4.87 to $6.49. The 72 Original set sells for $327.10 (retail $467.20). Orders over $75 ship free. (See Resources.)

COPICmarkers.com

Here you can customize your own set as well as buy pre-assembled sets. A 36 marker Original set lists for $175.23 and single markers are $4.87. A 72 Original marker set sells for $327.10 (no comparative prices listed). Accessories are available, including nibs ($4.75), refill boosters ($2.25) and blender refills ($9.75). Airbrush sets range from $59 to $225. (See Resources.)

eBay.com

Most of the COPIC sets available on eBay range from 12 to 72 markers. At time of writing, there was a set of 36 Original markers under a "Buy it Now" price of $169.99 with free shipping. Sets of 72 Originals were selling for $327, with free shipping. Some individual markers and accessories were also listed. (See Resources.)

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Homeschool Graduation Party Designing Ideas

Graduating should be a big celebration.

Homeschooling is a lot of work and the graduation party should be a big celebration of a job well done. Since many homeschoolers are working with a tight budget, planning a party can be stressful. Aside from the obvious confetti, balloons and streamers, here are some simple and inexpensive ways to add some fun to your graduation decorations.

Sign-In Area

Many graduation parties will have a book where guests can sign in and leave comments so the graduate has a reminder of who came to celebrate the big day. Spice up your guest book by adding pictures of the graduate throughout its pages. A fun alternative to a book is a picture of that special grad with a large, matted border where guests can sign or leave comments, creating a fun memory to hang on the wall once the celebration is over.

Table Decorations

Framed pictures of the graduate make a fun table centerpiece and keep your grad at the center of it all. These look great by themselves or placed around some flowers, balloons, or even graduation caps. Many party supply stores sell inexpensive plates, cups, napkins, etc. with a graduation theme; a simple way to add some spice to your tables.

School Memorabilia

Displaying memorabilia can be a fun way to commemorate all the hard work and time put into a successful homeschooling experience. This can include pictures of activities, completed projects, field trip souvenirs and other reminders of the hard work and good times your grad endured. A television playing a slide show or video highlighting your child provides great entertainment and conversation, and is something your child will treasure long after the big event is over.

Draw Realistic Mountain tops

Using a grid will help you draw the mountain in proper proportion.

Mountains represent a favorite subject among artists who like to draw landscapes. With their majestic peaks reaching into the sky and their feet dipping into valleys and lakes, mountains have many interesting facets to offer the landscape artist. However, for all their advantages, they provide the artist with a number of challenges as well, such as the artist's ability to capture the mountains in proper proportion. Many artists drawing landscapes opt to use a grid, a common artist's tool that ensures everything on the picture plane winds up in its proper place

Instructions

1. Gather photos of mountains. Look for pictures that come in sizes larger than 8-inches by 10-inches and feature mountains with interesting looking peaks as well as plain areas that include objects like rivers, fences or wildlife. Choose one as your reference photo.

2. Mark the photo with a grid. Use a marker with a sharp point. Make the squares at least 1-inch by 1-inch.

3. Create a similar grid on your illustration board. Include the same number of squares and dimensions. Draw the lines with pencil.

4. Search the photo until you find the top point of the mountains. Count the squares until you know which one houses that point on the mountain. For instance, the top peak is four squares from the top of the picture and five squares in from the right-hand side.

5. Look on your gridded board and locate the corresponding square.

6. Draw what you see in the photo's grid square in the square on the illustration board. Recreate the lines exactly as you see them. Notice how they curve and angle within the grid square. Observe how they interplay with one another as well as the walls of the square. The better you can replicate how the lines of the mountain look in the picture, the more accurate and realistic your mountains will look.

7. Complete the rest of the drawing of the mountains using the grid in exactly the same way you did to create the first square. Work on areas like the lines that create the appearance of craggy peaks, the line of a pond at the foot of the mountain and animals such as horses in a pasture. With elements like animals, don't get overwhelmed. Draw the lines that create these and other pictorial elements in your photo in the same way you did to draw the mountains. Basic drawings start with basic lines. Draw what you see.

8. Erase the grid on the illustration board.

9. Shade the mountains using the side of your pencil's lead. Observe how the lights and darks play on the mountain peaks, in the valleys and on the shadows that are cast on the ground. Fill in these spots by laying down a light layer of shading over the whole drawing first. Once you have these spots mapped out, go back and darken the places that need it. Build up the shaded areas by moving your hand in a side-by-side or circular motion.

Homemade Waterbased Drawing Fluid For Silk Screen Printing

A lot of silk for silk-screening these days is really nylon.

Drawing fluid is a commercial product that artists use when creating silk screens. Silk screens operate like stencils, allowing ink to pass through a design and blocking it from passing through elsewhere. Drawing fluid serves as a resist to block the ink. The artist uses a brush to paint it on a silk or nylon screen all around his design. Homemade drawing fluid may be made from white glue, acrylic or any other viscous liquid that hardens over time.

Commercial Drawing Fluid

Commercial drawing fluid is available from select craft stores that sell screen printing supplies. It's a blue or green liquid that the artist paints onto her screen using a standard brush. A skilled artist can achieve a significant amount of detail using drawing fluid, but the result is not quite as exact as using emulsion.

White Glue

White craft glue is one of the most commonly used substitutes for drawing fluid. It operates in much the same manner. The artist paints it over the screen using a brush and allows it to dry before using the screen for printing. Because of the craft glue's coloring, it is a good idea to add a dye or a little bit of paint to easily distinguish areas that have been painted.

Acrylic Paint

Water soluble and brightly colored, acrylic paint hardens into a plastic-like veneer when painted on silk. Acrylic paint works well because of the rich colors that are available, allowing the artist to tell where he has painted the screen more easily. Painting a screen with acrylic may require several coats to adequately block it off, particularly if it has been thinned with water.

Wax

It is also possible to use melted wax as a resist. Although not often used for silk-screening, it has a long history of use with batik designs. In batik, wax separates areas of painted color on textiles before being melted away. The drawback to using wax is that it requires heat and it may be hard to achieve significant detail. However, it works well for stylistic, faux batik screen printing.

Drawing Fluid Versus Emulsion

One of the other screen-making methods is the use of a photosensitive emulsion. The artist coats the silk screen with it and places the design on top. Then the emulsion is exposed to light. When washed, the emulsion blocked from the light by the design is removed. Emulsion can achieve exacting detail, but it is much trickier to work with than drawing fluid and requires more time and trial and error.

Homemade Stretcher Bars

Making your own stretcher bars for canvas paintings will not only save you money in your artistic endeavors but also enable you to create the perfectly sized frame for your artwork. With just a few basic tools this woodworking project can be put together quickly, so that you can start stretching the canvas and preparing the surface for painting.

Instructions

Putting the stretcher bar together

1. Cut four pieces of 2-by-2's to length. When finished, you should have two pairs of cut pieces with square ends and each pair should be of equal length.

2. Line up the four pieces to make sure that they create the overall size that you desire.

3. Lay the the four pieces on a flat surface and begin the assembly by drilling a hole through the side of one piece and into the end of the adjoining piece.

4. Insert a 2 1/2 inch wood screw into the hole using the electric screw gun.

5. Add another screw by repeating steps 3 and 4. This will make the corner stronger

6. Repeat the last three steps until each corner has two long screw holding the two pieces together.

7. Nail one metal cleat into each corner to add strength to the unit.

8. Stretch your canvas onto your frame.

Braces and Cross Pieces on Large Stretchers

9. Build a frame in the same manner as in section one.

10. Cut four pieces of your 2-by-2 stock to equal length.

11. Make a 45 degree cut on each end of the one foot piece, as if you were cutting window trim. (Steps 2 and 3 can be combined thus eliminating two cuts).

12. Attach each brace to an inside corner with the 2 1/2 inch wood screws. Be sure to pre-drill each hole first.

13. Insert two screws into each brace from the outside of the frame. First pre-drill a hole from the outside edge of the frame until it enters the end of the diagonal brace. Then place the screw with the electric screw gun.

14. Cut a cross piece to length. Make sure it has square ends.

15. Fit the cross piece into place and insert two screws from the outside edge into each end.

16. Add a T-plate or place on top of each end of the cross piece for extra strength.

Develop A Scene Flat For Theater

Whether you’re building the sets for community theater or a pageant, you’ll need to build convincing representations of the settings depicted in the play. Set designers have used scene flats for hundreds of years because they can be moved, and can look realistic, so long as you can paint well. Scene flats are large, flat pieces of wood that stand upright, serving as scenery behind the characters in the play. They can be different sizes and shapes; the limit is your imagination and the needs of the story.

Instructions

1. Decide what size and shape your flat needs to be. If you’re making an onstage cloud that will be displayed beside dancing kindergartners, you probably will not want to make a 10’ by 10’ flat. Make your own rough blueprints for drawing measurements. You need pieces of plywood that will be big enough for the size of flat you want to make in addition to two-by-fours.

2. Use a power saw to cut the plywood to the size and shape you want. Most flats are simple rectangles, but after you have some practice, you can make them in any shape. Sand the sides of the plywood to make sure people don’t get splinters when moving the flat.

3. Nail the plywood to the two-by-fours that will support your flats. You should ring the edges of the plywood and also nail a two-by-four in the center of the structure for more support. Nail a ‘V’ together out of two- or three-foot sections of wood. These will hold your flats upright.

4. Stand your flat on its side and nail one of the supports to the bottom of the flat. The other side of the support should reach about halfway up the flat, and the support should allow the flat to stand at a 90-degree angle.

5. Flip the flat so you can add an identical support on the other side. Nail that in securely and test the flat. Make sure it’s solid enough that you don’t need to worry about it falling down in the middle of a performance.

6. Paint the flat to the requirements of the play in which you’re using it. The great advantage of stage flats is their flexibility. Use glossy acrylic paints in bright colors for a psychedelic, surreal look. Use flat-finish paint in darker, muted colors for more realistic results. When the play is over, you can paint the flat for the next show.

Use Nikon Filters

A filter changes the quality of light entering the camera.

A Nikon filter is an accessory that can be attached to the front of a lens to change the qualities of the resulting image. These are most often used by professional photographers to achieve a certain creative effect or overcome some hardware flaws with the camera. Nikon produces several standard filters, but many more exist that produce distinct effects and can enhance your photographic ability.

Instructions

1. Gently press a filter to the camera lens and rotate it to attach it to the camera.

2. Use an ultraviolet filter to prevent UV light from reaching the camera sensor. While this will do little do enhance the image, most photographers use them as a layer of protection against accidental lens damage.

3. Use a polarizing filter to limit the angle of light wavelength entering the camera. This will enrich the colors of the photo and enhance contrast. Additionally, it will let you see through certain transparent objects, like water, without glare.

4. Use an ND filter to reduce the total amount of light entering the camera. An ND filter, which stands for neutral density, is useful for lowering the exposure on an image during a bright day without changing the camera's current speed or aperture settings.

5. Use a graduated filter to reduce an exposure at one area of a photo. These filters have an ND gradient that darkens one area while keeping the other normal. This is most often used to keep deep blue sky color without overly darkening the foreground.

6. Use colorized filters to change the hue of the image without photo software. The color of the adjustment depends on the filter's specified color.

7. Remove a filter by gently unscrewing it from the lens.

Create A Birthday Card

You have made a great card. Now what?

Creating birthday cards is a creative and rewarding experience. Once you have a marketable card idea, it can be confusing get your card published. There are many different ways to bring your card to market, from contacting already existing greeting card companies to creating your own business to sell the birthday cards yourself. There are many resources available to help you along the way. It is rewarding to see your card in stores available for sale to the public.

Instructions

1. Create the birthday card. Traditional birthday cards have a visual on the front of the card, such as a picture or drawing that might include text. The inside of the folded card has additional text. Cards can be humorous, sentimental or romantic.

2. Find your niche. The greeting card market is full of birthday card ideas. Your card must be able to fill a void that customers will buy, or it must expand an existing idea of birthday cards and make them better. A recent innovation in birthday cards is music playing when the card is opened or being able to record voice messages from the sender. Take a look at card stores, and see what is out there. Compare that to what you have produced to see if there is a place for your card in the marketplace.

3. Research greeting card companies. Each greeting card company has its own set of guidelines and requirements for freelancing artists and writers to submit their ideas. A few greeting card companies will even have job offers available to create cards for freelancers. Look at large and small companies as possibilities for submissions.

4. Submit your birthday card proposal. Some items that need to be included in your proposal include: What is the theme of your line of birthday cards? What makes them different from other cards? Who is going to buy your birthday cards? Do you have additional ideas to keep the publishing line moving forward with fresh ideas?

5. Self-publish your cards if you are unable to sell your cards to a traditional publisher. There are many websites that will help with the printing and selling of your creative works. Do a little research to find which website company offers the best pricing and services to meet your needs. Going on your own requires much more work on your part, including marketing and sales.

Homemade Photo taking Light Reflector

Photography is the capture of light by film or sensors that serve as the first step in creating a digital image. Enhancing or improving the light can be the difference between a good photograph and something that will be destroyed or deleted as a failure. Light is improved by many camera accessories, including flash units and reflectors. For budget-minded photographers a do-it-yourself photographic reflector can be the preferred tool in getting the picture.

Selecting a Reflector to Build

The simplest homemade reflector is a car-window reflector. These items are meant to be placed in the windshield of a parked car to keep the interior cool. They often have a collapsible wire frame for easy storage. Choose one with a silver finish on at least one side. Some models of auto shades can be divided into two parts to make a unit that is easier to handle.

Another homemade reflector is more rigid. Acquire a piece of foam board and cut to the size of reflector desired. Cover the foam board with crinkled tin foil taped in place. Balling up the foil creates a crinkled finish offering a softer reflected light.

A third option is an aluminum-surfaced camping emergency blanket. This flexible material often has one surface that looks similar to aluminum foil, while the other side is often white. The blanket can be placed over a foam board frame or a homemade framework of pipe or heavy wire.

Advantages of Homemade Reflectors

Reflectors can be built to almost any size for special situations. Small reflectors are best for use in macro photography and in situations where portability is necessary.

Larger reflectors can be used to light large areas but are difficult to move from location to location.

Cost of these reflectors will be less than commercially purchased items. By keeping costs down, photographers can create several reflectors of various sizes for a variety of situations.

Slate In An Acting Audition

Be prepared and walk into your next audition knowing slate.

Slating at an audition is usually the first step when you enter a room to audition. Some casting directors can be annoyed if you aren't aware of do this simple technique. So, take a look at this article to learn slate at an audition.

Instructions

1. Slating means to state your name and the part you are reading for. So, once the casting director tells you where to stand in front of the camera, stand in that spot. This will usually be marked on the floor with an "X."

2. The casting director will usually tell you what to slate. For example, "slate your name," or "slate your name and the role you are playing." This simply means look into the camera and state your name and the role you are playing. If the casting director asks for additional information, state that as well. Speak clearly and enunciate. If you have to state your telephone number, say each number and don't rush through it.

3. The casting director usually asks for "profiles" after you slate. For this, all you need to do is turn to the left side and then to the other. This allows the to see how your profile looks on camera. They may pan the camera up and down for full body shots. If they do, stay still.

Visit Bob Hope'S Grave

Bob Hope, one of America's most loved comedians, is an American icon. His memorable career in television and movies spanned more than six decades. Born Leslie Townes Hope, he is most remembered for entertaining American troops in USO shows. He died when 100 years old and remains an entertainment legend. Pay tribute to Bob Hope when you visit his grave in Mission Hills, California.

Instructions

1. Plan a trip to Mission Hills, California. Find Bob Hope's grave at Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana which is also known as "The San Fernando Mission." The mission is adjacent to the San Fernando Mission Cemetery and is located at 15151 San Fernando Mission Boulevard, Mission Hills, California, 91345.

2. Pay admission to enter the Mission to see Bob Hope's grave. Enter the Mission once you pay the entrance fee. The fee pays for the upkeep of the centuries-old Mission and gardens on the grounds.

3. Visit the special garden beside the Mission's main chapel. Follow the stone path that leads from the main chapel to the garden. Bob Hope's garden contains a statue of "Our Lady Hope." Look at several bronze photo replicas of Bob Hope and see the mausoleum that entombs the legend.

4. Notice the graves of Bob Hope's other family members. The Bob Hope Gardens contain the graves of his wife and other family members.

Gifts To Have An Amateur Digital photographer

Subtly catalog the photographer's possessions before buying gear to avoid duplicates.

Gift-giving friends and relatives often zero in on a hobby as a theme for choosing a present. Amateur photographers can benefit from this inclination as photography lends itself well to gift suggestions. Even friends who have never been behind a camera can choose practical tools or inspirational resources with a little thought and research.

Picture-Taking Tools

While a photographer generally likes to purchase his own camera, he will be happy to receive other tools to help him take professional-looking pictures. Companions in the know may be able to select a specialty lens or flash that fits his camera. Inexpensive UV filters protect lenses from scratches without affecting the clarity of the picture. Even without knowing the ins and outs of the camera, you can pick an accessory that drastically improves his shots. A reflector kit allows the cameraman to direct light in his photos, while a remote shutter release gives him the freedom to take pictures while standing away from the camera. A full-size tripod or mini tripod makes steady shots and long exposure times possible.

Camera Accessories

If your camera geek prefers buying her own gadgets, you can instead focus on the fashionable side of photography. A camera bag or case allows a photographer to carry her gear in style, while offering protection from theft and the elements. Lanyards or neck straps are other gift options that hold the camera secure while expressing personal style. If your photographer loves to display her interests, you can find numerous T-shirts, bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets that highlight the hobby. Creative gifts include vintage photography equipment or novelty cameras.

Digital Gifts

Unless your gift recipient is a hardcore traditionalist, he likely uses some digital techniques to capture and edit photographs. You can provide extra storage space for large photos with a camera memory card or an external hard drive. A digital photo frame displays dozens of pictures in a compact, hassle-free manner. For photographers who tweak their pictures online, consider gifting photo-editing software.

Books and Manuals

Novice photographers may appreciate instruction manuals and books on technique that help hone their skills. Accompany new gadgets, such as a fish-eye lens, with information about use them effectively. Even accomplished photographers may learn from books about novel techniques, such as panoramic or night photography. All photographers appreciate the artistry behind a breathtaking picture. Inspire your photographer with a coffee table book of photography. Look in a bookstore for novels or memoirs about professional photographers.

Create Elf Ears

Create pointy elf ears for costumes or kids' crafts.

Elves are magical creatures that appear in many fictional stories such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Harry Potter series, and Santa Claus' workshop. Each of these elf types looks and acts differently. One thing they have in common, however, is pointy ears. When dressing up as an elf, no matter which kind, it's important not to bypass this defining characteristic. Creating your own elf ears is a fun craft for both kids and adults and requires only a few simple supplies.

Instructions

1. Draw a right and left elf ear on a piece of synthetic moleskin. Make sure the ears are at least as big as your own so they cover them entirely. Moleskin is a skin-colored, foam material available in most drugstores and craft stores. If you have trouble drawing the elf ears on your own, look on the Internet for images and patterns to guide you.

2. Use scissors to cut the ears out from the moleskin.

3. Put eyelash glue around the edges of your own ears. Stick the moleskin to your ears.

A Brief History Of West African Art

African art has always adhered to its own set of trends and rules.

West Africa, the westernmost region of the continent of Africa, holds a deep and rich artistic history. Art is a deeply embedded part of culture and society in West Africa and is passed down from generations as a form of self-expression, a means of retelling history, and for general functional use. Drawings, ceramics and sculptures have been found that date back hundreds of years. Long before the Western world defined art, West Africa was producing its own unique and beautiful art forms.

Regional Art

As of 2010, West Africa is a region on the continent of Africa that contains 16 countries. Historically and artistically, each region within West Africa has creatively used to their best advantage the resources available to them. A lavish amount of gold and bronze were readily available to the Ashantis of Ghana, and thus out of that region came works of art crafted from these mediums. Likewise, the Baule people, living along the Ivory Coast, became especially known for their figurines sculpted out of the wood found along the coast. The people of Bambara in West Africa were well known for their elaborate styles of headdress. In contrast, the Dogon people of West Africa became known for their creation of simple wooden masks.

Early Art

West Africa, as well as Nigeria, has become famous over time for its early production of terracotta figures, dating from the 5th century B.C. The longest surviving product of African art, terracotta sculptures were durable and did not succumb to termites, as the wood carvings of other regions did. Though certainly not as durable as metal, the terracotta figurines of the early West Africans demonstrate a singular consistency over time in African art; as of 2010, much African art strongly resembles the art of its ancestors from hundreds of years ago.

Iron Works

Historically, what outsiders often consider to be art is for people living within the West African culture a mere means of making a living. The invention of metalwork played a part in the early stages of West African art, as they created tools from iron that would advance their agricultural life significantly, using those same tools to till the soil, harvest crops and clear forest debris. These tools are equally artistic as the are practical, representing the creativity of a people limited to a certain region and whatever natural resources available to that area.

Ceramics and Pottery

From the same roots as the early terracotta sculpture came the creation of pottery and eventually ceramics, both beautiful and practical creations of the West African cultures, used primarily as cooking and storage vessels. The creation of pottery and ceramics was a craft commonly dominated by woman, and was not even considered art until the Western colonization which took place in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was at this time that African art became commercialized and widely traded.

Decorative and Religious Art

One of the few instances in which African art was used for solely decorative purposes was in the West African culture's expression of belief in magic. Art was created for the purpose of decorating shrines and in an effort to manipulate supernatural forces, as well as to bring forth divination. It was used to celebrate abundant harvest and other joyful events within tribes, and to acknowledge and praise any divine forces working on their behalf.

Create A Tissue Paper Orchid

Have bouquets of beautiful flowers all over your house.

Some people have a green thumb and can grow anything without worrying that the plant will die soon after planting. Some people are so inept at gardening that plastic flowers wilt when they are near. The perfect solution for this gardening problem is learning create paper flowers. Tissue paper makes beautiful flowers that never need watering or rearranging. Making orchids with tissue paper is the easiest way to get a beautiful vase full of flowers without the worry of wilting.

Instructions

1. Cut the tissue paper into small squares. The best size for orchids is 3-by-3 inch squares.

2. Fold the squares like an accordion. You achieve accordion style by folding about a quarter inch of one edge of the paper back onto itself, then taking that quarter inch and the quarter inch now under it and folding that in the opposite direction. Continue to do this until the entire square is folded accordion style.

3. Orchids have four petals called tepals and the middle called the column.

Cut the wire to the length of 4 inches.

4. Tie the wire around the folded tissue paper one inch in, leaving two inches on the other side of the wire. The ends of the wire need to be even. You will use this to attach the flower to green skewers.

5. Fold down the two-inch long side of the tissue paper. Cut three thin strips in the front and fold those in three opposite directions. Fluff the middle a little bit as desired. This is your orchid. Repeat this process as many times as desired to make an entire bouquet of orchids.

6. Attach the flowers to green skewers with the ends of the wire and arrange as needed.

Good Reputation For Edible Grain Paper From Japan

Rice paper has many traditional uses in Japan.

Paper-making and paper crafts have been elevated to art forms in Japan. The list of traditional papers that are still made today is extensive, and many are available internationally. Japanese crafts made from paper are many, and craftspeople still use it for shoji screens, lamps, books and shodo, or traditional Japanese watercolor paintings. During the Meiji period, even Japanese money was printed on traditional paper. Edible papers, however, are not a Japanese tradition.

History

Paper-making originated in China in the first century AD. It was brought to Japan in 610 AD by Buddhist monks who produced paper so that they could write sutras, or doctrinal summaries. The Japanese quickly excelled at the craft. In the late 1800s, more than 100,000 Japanese families made paper by hand, but because of the introduction of mechanized paper-making technologies from the Western world, this number quickly dwindled.

Misconceptions

The Japanese have never been known for making edible rice paper. In fact, even the term rice paper is a misnomer because Japanese paper, or washi, is made from a variety of products. If it is crafted from rice at all, it is made from the stalk and husk of the plant, not from the kernel. Edible rice paper made from a flour ground from rice kernels and sometimes mixed with tapioca powder is a product of Southeast Asia and China. It is used to roll vegetables into spring rolls and other dishes.

Types

The three most common ingredients of washi are kozo, or paper mulberry, misumata, an indigenous Japanese plant grown as a crop, and gampi, a rich and long-lasting fiber. Paper-makers often blend in other ingredients, such as hemp, rayon, horsehair or metal foil to texturize or decorate the paper. What was commonly know as rice paper in Europe in the early 1900s came from Taiwan. It was not made from rice either, but made from the pith of a small ornamental tree with broad leaves called Tetrapanax papyrifer.

Features

Despite its light and airy appearance, washi is deceptively strong and durable. Pure spun washi can be sewn and was used to line kimonos and even armor in the past. When used on shoji, it provides enough insulation to keep a room warm in the winter. It weighs less than paper made from wood fiber, and it is flexible and translucent. Paper made from rice and tapioca flour lacks these qualities, but it is more appealing to the taste buds.

Benefits

While washi is prized for its aesthetic appeal and durability, edible rice paper is sought after for its texture and taste. Both are light and flexible and are major export items for the countries that produce them. Anyone who has a supply of the proper ingredients can easily make edible rice paper--there are many recipes available online. While it takes more effort to make washi properly, it is certainly within the purview of the home crafts enthusiast, especially if the raw materials are available. If they aren't, you can always use stalks of rice.

Good Reputation For Computer Graphics

Although computers have only been in use for a small part of the history of graphic design, their utilization has revolutionized the art form, making graphic design and computer graphics almost synonymous. While creativity and critical thinking skills are still the most important aspects of good graphic design, the computer is still an indispensable tool few designers can live without.

The Advent of Computer Art

Dr. Charles Csuri is widely acknowledged as the father of computer art. As early as 1964, he saw the potential of using the quickly emerging technology of computers to create works of art. While his digitally created pieces were regarded as fine art rather than graphic design, Dr. Csuri's work demonstrated how the mathematical precision offered by computers could be used to enhance the qualities of art.

Computers for Typesetting

The printing industry had, for some time, regarded the typesetting phase of the process as the most tedious, time consuming and expensive, found an answer in 1965 when Dr. Rudolf Hell introduced the Digiset typeset system. Rather than having to manually "burn" letters onto a piece of printing film (the master from which the rest of the prints are made), typesetters could now use a pre-made set of letters placed and sized perfectly by a computer. By the mid-1970s, all typesetting was done digitally.

Adobe Illustrator

In 1987, Adobe introduced Illustrator, a computer graphics program originally intended to be used to manipulate and place Postscript lettering (by then replacing Digiset letters). As add-on features, the program allowed for the creation and manipulation of shapes, a feature that graphic designers saw as an easy way to create more precise layouts and logos. By the mid-1980s, Adobe Illustrator had become the premier software for graphic design.

The Internet

Since the advent of the Internet in the early 1990s, the main vehicle for the movement of information has moved from the printed page to the computer screen. As a result, graphic design and, more specifically, graphic design created on the computer has taken on a more essential role. No longer just a tool of the advertising world, computer-created graphic design finds itself in the websites of every aspect of the business and everyday life.

The Future of Computer Created Graphic Design

With adeptly and creatively constructed Internet graphics to compete with, those in print media have been forced to utilize the growing versatility and precision of computer graphic design. Most magazines today use fancier, more innovative design elements not seen just a few years ago.

Good Reputation For Clay Containers

Clay pots were first crafted thousands of years ago.

The earliest method for making clay pots was called "hand building," wherein a small bit of clay was pinched or pressed into a vessel. The production of clay pots began about ten thousand years ago, most likely in the Middle East during the Neolithic Revolution.

The Beginning

The oldest known pottery fragments have been found in Catal Huyuk in Turkey, dating from about 6500 B.C. Since the first piece of clay fell into a fire and was transformed into a solid material, it has been fashioned into pots for decoration, rituals and everyday dishware.

Early Pots

Early clay pots were usually made to be thrown away after only one use. These early pots were made using a lump of clay that was molded by the single imprint of a human fist.

The Potter's Wheel

Scholars cannot agree on when the potter's wheel was first used; dates suggested vary from between 8000 B.C. to 1400 B.C. However, there are indications that Mesopotamia may have been the place of origin, perhaps around 5000 B.C. The potter's wheel allowed the potter to easily create even shapes in less time.

Progress

From the 18th to the mid-20th century, giant coal kilns were used to fire clay. Today, cleaner fuels like wood, propane or natural gas and electricity are used instead of coal.

Download Anime Tunes To Your Mobile Phone Free Of Charge

Listen to Anime songs on your cellphone.

Anime songs are music created for Japanese cartoons called Anime and usually play at the beginning and end of these cartoons. These songs are usually pop or rock songs, many times sung and created by very well-known Japanese musical artists. If a person wants to download these songs and put them on their cell phone, it's fairly easy to do so with a free account at an Anime music website.

Instructions

1. Find an anime music website that has downloadable songs. There are many, such as Gendou.com, available on the Internet. Gendou is specifically created to provide anime songs and even lets you request songs they don't currently have.

2. Create an account. Most music websites require you to create an account. All you need to do is click on "New Account" and create a user name and password. Enter your email so that you can register yourself as a user. Log into your email account and read the email sent to you. Follow the instructions in the email you receive to finish your registration to the website.

3. Browse the website until you find the songs that you want. You can search for specific songs you are looking for by using the search box at the top of the music download page. Download the song by clicking on the title of the song. Save your downloaded song to your selected download directory.

4. Plug your cellphone into the computer by connecting one end of your USB cable into the phone and the other end into the USB port on your computer. Make sure your cell phone is turned on. Your phone should automatically sync to your computer and display its storage space under the "My Computer" icon.

5. Double click on "My Computer" and select your synced cell phone. Select the folder you wish to copy your music into. In a separate window, open the file you have stored the downloaded Anime music in. Select the files you wish to copy onto your phone. Either cut and paste or drag and drop the files you wish to copy into your phone's chosen music directory.

Model For Any Figure Drawing Class

Figure drawing is a widely used form of art education.

Figure drawing is a widely used form of education for art students. According to about.com, it has been for centuries (See Reference 1). Most schools offer figure drawing, but many of them have trouble getting people to model. You can be paid to be a model. It is relatively lucrative because it requires you to be completely nude most of the time. A good model needs to learn pose correctly for the students. Anyone can do this with a little preparation.

Instructions

1. Contact the instructor of the class and ask if you need to bring anything particular. The teacher may need you to bring something special or wear an accessory. They may want your hair to look a certain way or they may even want you to wear makeup.

2. Drink water the day before you're going to model. Although this may seem silly, figure model classes can be a few hours long, and you'll be posing almost the entire time, possibly in one pose. It's important that your muscles do not cramp during your poses, and water prevents this. The students will have trouble drawing someone who is constantly moving to relieve a cramp.

3. Practice in the mirror before the lesson. Find poses that give you a lot of lines, such as placing your hands on your hips or across your body. You can cross your legs if you know you will be sitting when you pose. This is important because students will need to draw lines of different directions.

4. Model in poses that seem natural, but with some interest. For example, instead of keeping your arms by your sides, create some angles and place your hands on your hips. Be careful not to put your arms above your head if you know you're going to be in the same position for more than an hour, because your arms will fall asleep. While you're modeling, do not move too much. You can breathe noticeably, but make no other movements.

5. Do not be embarrassed by being naked in front of such a large group. Art students will not be focused on you as a whole, but on the lines and shading of your body. They will be too focused on their task to look at you as a person (See Reference 1).

Historic Houses Tours In Might

Now the largest city in Missouri, Kansas City was originally founded in 1838 as a small town. Kansas City took shape in 1850, and several of these historical homes are still standing. Tour the historic homes of Kansas City and discover the history of the American frontier. Streets that were once "Rolling Meadows" and "Prairie Villages" hide history in unexpected places.

Alexander Majors Historical House

Alexander Majors was once known as the best freighter in the West, but is most famous for giving William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody of American folklore his first paid position. Majors and his father built their frontier home in Kansas City in 1856, while Majors was still young. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home was restored in 1984 and features original hardwood floors, millwork and furnishings. Today, visitors to the 3,400 square foot antebellum home can learn about Majors, Buffalo Bill Cody and the Pony Express, rent out the Majors' barn or view blacksmithing demonstrations, wagons, carriages and other artifacts from the mid-1800s.

Alexander Majors Historical House

8201 State Line Road

Kansas City, MO 64114

816-333-5556

alexandermajors.com

John Wornall House Museum

In 1858, Kentucky native John Wornall built a home in Kansas City in Greek Revival style. The home has since been accurately restored to the period, the authenticity of its lavish furnishings revealing why it was once called "the most pretentious house in the section." The house originally sat on the Missouri frontier, but it is now a part of the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City. The museum offers group tours, school tours, Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Camp Fire troop tours during the day, as well as ghost tours at night. Tours include educational information on the Wornall family as well as the history of the home, including the slaves that serviced the Wornall House and the unique position of the home during the Civil War.

John Wornall House Museum

6115 Wornall Road

Kansas City, MO 64113

816-444-1858

wornallhouse.org

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site

Thomas Hart Benton was a famous painter, sculptor, lecturer and writer who moved to Kansas City in 1935. The Benton home has remained in excellent condition since the artist died in 1975, and includes several of the artist's works. The half of the home which Benton had converted into an art studio remains in original condition as well. The State Historic Site offers tours of the Benton Home as well as the studio, Benton's place of death.

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site

3616 Belleview

Kansas City, MO 64111

816-931-5722

mostateparks.com

Replace Lead Inside A Mechanical Pencil

Replace Lead in a Mechanical Pencil

Mechanical pencils are handy to use with their ever-sharp tips. They make constant sharpening of dull and broken pencil points unnecessary. With a click or a twist, sharp new lead is dispensed and ready for use. The only requirement is the occasional need to add fresh lead.

Instructions

1. Grab the correct size refill. Not all pencil lead refills are the same diameter. Look on the mechanical pencil for the lead size. Printed on it, often near the eraser, you'll find the correct pencil lead refill size (0.5 mm or 0.7 mm).

2. Look for a "click button." It can be the entire top of the pencil or a small button on the side. (If there is no click button on the pencil, proceed to Step 3.) Press and hold the button while tapping the mechanical pencil in an upright position. (This allows any lead particles to fall out.) Gently insert the new pencil lead refill into the shaft, and then release the button. Click it repeatedly until your newly replaced lead is in the correct position.

3. Search for a "twist" mechanism. You can twist some mechanical pencils by twisting a small section clockwise. You may find the twistable area at the top of the pencil, or the section nearest the point. (If there isn't a twist mechanism, proceed to Step 4.) Carefully twist the section clockwise to open the shaft fully. Insert the pencil lead, refill the preferred depth and then twist counter-clockwise to tighten.

4. Remove the eraser. In some mechanical pencil models, an open shaft for lead insertion lies hidden beneath the eraser. To replace the pencil lead, simply drop one piece into the tube. In such models, you can remove the eraser quickly and simply. If the eraser doesn't pop off easily, discontinue the effort and proceed to Step 5.

5. Pull and twist the mechanical pencil gently to see if it disconnects into 2 pieces. Some models pull apart to reveal the lead refill shaft. Drop the lead into the tube and reconnect the mechanical pencil for use.

6. Dispose of disposable models if you cannot replace the pencil lead. Disposable models are non-refillable. Simply throw the mechanical pencil away.

Historic Details About Mexico City

Mexico City became one of the most important Spaniard cities in the Americas by 1530, and had renowned architecture by the eighteenth century. In 1821, Mexico finally gained its freedom from Spain, and the new republic declared Mexico City the nation's capital in 1824. Today, it is the largest city in Mexico, and also its capital.

Founding Date

Mexico City was founded on June 8, 1325, and was initially named Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

Built on Ruins

Mexico City is built on the ruins of an old Aztec city named Tenochtitlan.

Canal

The central canal was built in 1900 and runs to the Panuco River.

Sinking

The city's heaviest buildings are sinking at a rate of 4 to 12 inches per year due to the artisan wells and drainage lowering the water tables, making the ground too weak to hold them.

Earthquakes

Mexico City is built in an area of great seismic activity, with extensive earthquake damage caused in 1957 and 1985. Over 30,000 people were left homeless from the earthquake in 1985.

Population Growth

Mexico City's population more than doubled between 1930 and 1950.

World's Longest Avenue

Mexico City houses one of the world's longest avenues, Avenida Insurgents.

Senior High School Registrar Job Description

A high school registrar holds an administrative position involving complex clerical tasks. Some schools combine the position with that of office manager or secretary. A high school diploma usually is the only education required, but an aspiring registrar needs excellent computer skills and experience working with the public.

Main Duties

The main job duty of a high school registrar is registering and withdrawing students. The registrar requests records and transcripts for new students transferring from other districts, evaluates the transcripts to determine allowable credits and placement and verifies residency.

Student Orientation

Often, the high school registrar is in charge of student orientation each fall. She provides information and assistance to new students and their parents and makes yearly improvements to the orientation program.

Databases and Transcripts

The high school registrar maintains databases of grades, and sometimes attendance and extracurricular activity records for all students. He provides transcripts of grades to colleges and technical schools upon request.

Grades and Credits Verification

The job description for a high school registrar includes generating report cards and verifying credits earned to fulfill graduation requirements.

Publications

High school registrars compile information for school bulletins and catalogs, such as course schedules and school regulations.

Assist With Finding Grants or loans

Grants and scholarships are widely available.

Grant-making institutions -- including the federal government, corporations and private foundations -- give away hundreds of billions of dollars each year to support a wide variety of projects that serve a public interest. Grants are available to support art, science, education, social services, environmental improvement, public safety, local communities and a host of other areas. Funding is generally provided to schools, local governments, nonprofit groups and other organizations, although grants to individuals are also available. There are several key tools you can use to help find grant opportunities.

Grants.gov

Information on more than 1,000 grant programs that provide more than $500 billion in federal grant money is available through Grants.gov. This "one stop shopping" site coordinates information from dozens of federal agencies, provides guidance on grant eligibility and provides access to the grant application process.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

DSIRE is a comprehensive resource for grants and other forms of financial assistance in support of renewable energy and energy conservation projects including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, biomass and weatherization projects. The database, despite its name, goes beyond state programs and includes information on federal and private-sector grants.

The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center is a nonprofit organization that coordinates information on thousands of grant programs from government, businesses and foundations. The Center operates five free resource libraries in major cities like New York and San Francisco as well as hundreds of "Cooperating Centers" in libraries across the country.

Foundation Directory Online

The Foundation Center has an online subscription service that allows users to search their inventory of grant-making organizations. The directory can search funders by topic area, geographical coverage, eligible recipients and other factors. You can use the directory at no charge by visiting one of the Center's libraries.

Scholarships

A large number of grants in the form of scholarships are available to support academic attendance, performance and research. Sites like scholarships.com and books such as "The Scholarship Book" offer an up-to-date overview of scholarship programs, eligibility and application procedures.

The Very Best Homemade Fire Miracle Methods

If you've ever wanted to impress your friends or colleagues, homemade magic tricks with fire are the way to go. The sense of danger is spellbinding to an audience and will get everybody clapping. However, to avoid injury or damage, care should be taken when performing these tricks.

Lighting a Used Match

Take out a box of matches to light your candle or cigarette. Then 'pretend' to notice that all of your matches have been used. Proceed to strike the used match anyway and watch it light, awing your audience.

To do this trick, all you need to do is take an unused match and dip it in black ink. Wait for the ink to dry and then dip it in ash so that it looks like a used match. However, when struck, the match will light like any normal match.

Burning Money

Take a dollar bill and soak it in a mixture of water and alcohol. Alcohol has a high vapor pressure, causing the alcohol to attach to the outside of the bill, while the water soaks into the inside of the bill. Since the alcohol is situated on the outer layer of the bill, when you take a lighter and hold it to the wet bill, it will immediately alight but will not burn the bill. The bill will burn until the alcohol has burned off, leaving only a slightly damp bill behind.

Jumping Candle Flame

The Jumping Candle Flame trick is a good one to perform at the dinner table to impress your guests. It involves relighting a blown out candle with a match by forcing the flame to travel on the path that is left by the smoke of the extinguished candle.

Light a match with your candle's flame, then proceed to blow out the candle. Hold the lit match above the extinguished candle-wick and watch as the flame 'jumps' from the match to the candle, lighting the candle. This trick works because the heat from a candle's flame vaporizes the wax. This wax will remain in the air temporarily, and if another source of heat, ie the match, is applied fast enough, the wax in the air will reignite the wick of the candle.

Looking Fire Resistant

Light a match and pass it backwards and forwards around your fingers, keeping your fingers spread so that the heat can rise between them and not burn you. After your have suitably impressed your audience, take a drink from an ice-cold glass, pressing your thumb and forefinger hard against the glass. This will temporarily "freeze" your fingers. Light a match, lighter or cigarette and use your frozen thumb and forefinger to extinguish the flame. Your fingers will be too cold to burn while pressed against the fire source.

Heidi Klum Diet

Most new moms feel an immense amount of pressure to shed their extra baby weight fast. Hollywood celebrity Heidi Klum lost an astonishing 48 pounds just eight weeks after giving birth by following a rigorous diet and exercise program. By eating sensibly and working out twice a day with a trainer, she got her body runway-ready for the Victoria's Secret lingerie show. Though Heidi's diet and exercise program is extreme, new moms can benefit from her weight loss strategies to help lose the extra pounds, improve body composition and increase energy levels.

Nutrition

Heidi eliminated high-fat processed foods and ate four to five small healthy meals a day. Her diet included protein shakes, plenty of fresh vegetables and lean sources of protein like skinless chicken breast and egg whites. She stayed away from processed carbs like bread and pasta, opting instead for high-fiber choices like lentils and kidney beans. Eating smaller, more frequent meals helps keep energy levels up and allows your metabolism to continuously burn off calories and fat.

Following a similar diet program requires some effort, so take the time to plan weekly menus in advance. When Heidi gets hungry, she reaches for an apple. Follow her lead and make sure to have plenty of low-calorie, healthy snacks on hand.

Exercise

Heidi worked out twice a day with a personal trainer to get her physique toned and ready for the runway. She incorporated lunges, core-strengthening moves, yoga and boxing into her morning regimen. In the afternoons, she opted for cardio to increase her heart rate, doing 45 minutes on the elliptical trainer or incline treadmill. For a modified version of this program, try 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise four to five times a week. The goal is to get your heart rate up and burn calories to stimulate weight loss.

Stick With It

A diet and exercise program is useless if you can't stick with it. Heidi stayed fiercely committed to her diet and workout plan at all times. She stuck with it even when she went for a weeklong visit with family in Germany, packing ankle weights and workout DVDs to stay active and fit. She stuck with her diet, saying no to rich desserts and indulgent foods. Set specific goals for weight loss and stay focused to achieve the results you want. Because she kept at it, Heidi's reward was walking down the runway looking slim, toned and fabulous.

Write A Highconcept Comedy Script

Want to break into Hollywood as a screenwriter? One of the easiest scripts to sell in Hollywood is the high-concept comedy, but it's not always easy to come up with it.

Instructions

1. Think about all of the movies that have ever made you laugh. Now breakdown what made them so funny. Chances are there was a hook, which is exactly what it sounds like, something that grabs you.

2. Coming up with your own comedic hook is done best by merging two of the most unlikely of ideas or characters. A lawyer who can't lie, "Liar, Liar." Two straight men pretend to be gay for insurance benefits, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry." See how these merge two unlikely concepts. While you may disagree how well these movies turned out in the end, there's no denying why they were made in the first place-their high-concept comedic idea.

3. The high-concept should be very simple, something that you can pitch in a sentence or two. Notice how simple "Liar, Liar" and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry" are to understand.

4. Now that you have you're high-concept idea, make sure it's really as fresh and innovative as you think it is. Research the idea on the Internet to make sure it isn't a preexisting movie. You may know a lot of films, but you probably don't know all of them.

5. The first thing people hear is the title, make sure yours is funny. You are doing a comedy after all.

6. Try telling people you trust the idea and watch their reaction. If they don't understand it, then you should rethink your idea. If they laugh and think that your idea would make a hilarious movie, then you just might have something great.

Headshot Photograph Tips

There are different techniques to keep in mind for flattering headshots.

One of the most common forms of portrait photography is headshot photography. Headshots are more than just a shot of a person's head. They are typically dramatic, and they are most often used for acting and modeling portfolios. Headshots are meant to give a good, clear and flattering view of a subject. If you plan on being a headshot photographer, it's important that you know best compliment your subject with your photography. You must take into consideration things such as lighting, angling and posing.

Shoot From a High Angle

Angling has a lot to do with making a headshot flattering. If you shoot from below the subject, you will get an unattractive, "up-the-nose" shot or a good view of the subject's chin. By shooting from above the subject, the subject will often look thinner. You will avoid a double-chin look, and the eyes of the subject will stand out more.

Don't Shoot Too Close

The closer you are to your subject, the more lens distortion you will get. While lens distortion can often be used to create artistic photo effects, it's not appropriate for a headshot. If you shoot too close, the subject's nose will often look larger than it really is or her face will look distorted. Try to use a zoom lens; distance yourself from your subject as much as possible.

Use a Softer Lens

For portrait photography, you usually don't want to use the lens that gives you the sharpest picture. While a sharp lens is great for capturing fine details, it can make for an unflattering portrait. Nobody wants to look at his own headshot if he can see every pore, blemish and wrinkle on his face. You don't want a lens so soft that the photo looks low-quality or unfocused, but a slight softness is ideal. Typically a zoom lens will be softer than a single-distance lens.

Use Diffused Lighting

Diffused lighting is lighting that is made softer by either streaming or bouncing the light off of another object or making use of shadows. If you are shooting outdoors in natural light, be sure your subject is either in shade or that you are shooting just before dusk, when the lighting is best for portraits. If this is not possible, use a soft reflector to diffuse the light. If you are fortunate enough to have cloudy weather, this is perfect for photos at any time of day. When shooting in a studio, always use a soft box or shoot through an umbrella. Harsh light is unflattering for head shots, so it is important to make sure you always diffuse the light in some way.

Tilt the Subject's Head

A headshot often has more impact if the subject's head is tilted. Leaving the subject with her head straight tends to make photos look like a school portrait and doesn't leave a positive impression. Females can tilt their head either forward or backward. In most cases, a male subject should only tilt his head forward, as tilting the head backward tends to make the subject look feminine.

Be An Improv Actor

Be an Improv Actor

Improvisation theater, or Improv as it's called, is a way for actors to improve their acting skills. There isn't a script, so the performance is spontaneous. Concentration is important because the actor needs to be able to handle any situation that comes up on stage. Here are some steps to help you become an Improv actor.

Instructions

1. Take part in an Improv workshop. The workshop can help you become a better actor. Don't worry about your performance on stage. Just relax and have fun.

2. Be aware of what's going on around you, concentrate on what's happening on stage and focus on what's going on in the scene. If you and your partner connect, you can give a better performance.

3. React to your partner. During the scene, listen to what your partner says and try to use your true emotions to react. You want to get the audience to laugh at your situation and the best way to do this is to react in such a way that is real and spontaneous, not forced.

4. Use your improvisation to invoke laughter from the audience. You don't have to tell jokes, because if you and your partner connect, you can make the audience laugh simply at your situation.

Diy Sun Light Photography

Natural light can enhance an image when used effectively.

Using natural light for photography can be a convenient way to capture pictures without the use of flash or other artificial lighting. There are many considerations that can affect how you use natural light including cloud conditions, time of day and the subject of the photograph. A number of techniques can assist in utilizing natural light to its fullest potential to ensure that your photographs reflect your vision of what they should look like.

Instructions

1. Choose the time of day for your photography according to the desired results. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on a sunny day will provide harsh light that creates dark shadows and glare on subjects. Silhouettes are best created closer to sunrise or sunset. In general, late afternoon to early evening and early morning sunlight will provide soft light that is most often sought out for portrait photography.

2. Check the weather forecast. If you are photographing high-speed sports that require a fast shutter speed, bright daylight will allow you a wide range of exposure choices. For portrait or landscape photography, some cloud or a light overcast can diffuse the sunlight giving it a more temperate feel with softer shadows. These conditions will narrow the dynamic range of the image.

3. Face your subject at a 90-degree angle to the sun if shooting in harsh, bright daylight. When photographing portraits, this will keep the subject from squinting. If needed, place a reflector, either on a stand or held by an assistant, facing the sunlight, on the opposite side of your subject. The reflector will bounce the sunlight back onto the shadow side of the subject and aid in evening out the harsh contrast. A reflector can also be placed at the subject's feet to help eliminate under-the-chin and eye shadows.

4. Photograph your subject inside beside a sunny window for natural-light photography indoors. This glass can act as a diffuser and provide a softer light than flash. The same considerations for time of day and use of a reflector apply using window light as they do direct sunlight.