Exquisite Goods

Category: Arts – Entertainment

  • Should You Get Your Mastering Done by a Professional?

    If you are reading this then hopefully the question of “Should I get my Sound Mastered” has been answered. If not, then this article will briefly discuss this issue. If you are asking this question to begin with, then your answer is more than likely “yes” . Mastering is just as important as your recording and mixing process. Here is a question? Your music is recorded, did you mix it yet? If yes, why? Is it because you wanted it to sound better? Well, what if I told you that the improvement you made from the recording to the mixing is the same type of improvement you will hear from the mixing to the mastering process. Yes, you heard it correct. Your sound will be so much harder and crisper you and your buddies will all be amazed.

    1. Now, you are convinced to get your music mastered, but the professional part has not been talked about.
    2. Well, let us discuss that issue right now.
    3. Let me paint a picture for you. You are 55 years old and worked on a great job all your life.
    4. You have 2 beautiful grown kids and 4 grandkids.
    5. You and your spouse are making a huge decision today about the rest of your lives.
    6. You are deciding to retire after 30 years service from your company.
    7. Now, your goal is to live off your 1 Million dollar nest egg you have built up over the past 30 years.
    8. That may seem like a lot of money, but consider the fact that you are used to living off of $60,000 per year.
    9. Being as smart as you are, you calculate the math and realize if you put that money in your bank or try to play the stock market, your savings may only last for 16 years.
    10. That means when you are 55 years young, you are out of money. Not to mention, inflation.
    11. So, is this picture clear enough for you? My question to you is, would you rather gamble with your life savings and be a do it yourself member in the market, or would you rather give this problem to a professional and have them fix it?
    12. Do you know anything about beta, dollar cost averaging, rebalancing?
    13. Can you see the importance of getting a professional?
    14. If you answered yes for a professional, then you are on the right track.
    15. If not, then best of luck in your musical journey.

    Think about your music in the same way. If you do not get it mastered by a professional and you are as serious about it as you think you are, then you are potentially flushing your money down the toilet. You are an artist and are probably good at what you do or you would not be reading this. Mastering engineers are just like you, good at what they do. They would not pick up an instrument and try to show you how to play your song. Their expertise is in the studio making your music sound even more hard and crispclear. Use them, that is what they do and that is what makes them so valuable. Have I made my point yet?

    Not many people are fortunate enough to have an audio engineer that can mix and master at the same time, but if you are, then a straight transfer might do fine. If not, you need to consider getting your audio mastered by a professional. Some facilities do their mastering in house and some studios have to send it off.

    Usually a lot can be done to improve the mixes. There is a huge demand in this market. Now, if youre reading this, then you are probably wanting your disc to be competitive in-store play, homes of consumers, and in radio markets, it has to be perfect sonically. Think of it like a brand new car -without a good wash and wax, few people will appreciate how great it looks. Also, since the mixes were recorded at different times of day over a week or more, you end up with differences in level and tone. Mastering creates a seamless whole out of a collection of individual tracks.

    The mastering studio has ultra-clean processors that are made to handle stereo signals. Obvious as this may be – it is one thing to run a guitar through a limiter and equalizer, and another thing to run your whole mix through it. A finished mix is an intense balance that can be made worse as easily as it can be improved. Its worth using the best equipment available.

  • what are exams and the different examination boards

    Music examinations are a method of formally assessing the accomplishments of pupils learning musical instruments. Although there are music examinations available to school and university students alongside other regular qualifications and assessments, there are also a number of independent, examination bodies who solely provide assessment in musical ability which are open to all.

    Music exams are set in both theory and practical aspects. The theory examinations are taken by pupils of all instruments and typically cover areas such as musical notation, construction of scales and composition. The practical exams concentrate on the particular instrument favoured by the pupil, for example piano, guitar or flute. They cover elements such as playing set pieces; scales; sight reading and aural.

    Most students who enter these exams have taken a course of music lessons with a private teacher. Often this is a way for children to receive music training over and above what is provided at their usual place of learning.

    Examination Boards:

    ABRSM: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

    //www.abrsm.org
    The Associated Board is the worlds leading examination body for music, with a system of examinations and assessments in over 80 countries around the world. The Associated Board is linked to some of Europes leading Conservatoires – the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London; the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama.

    Established in 1889, the Associated Board provides schools, private teachers of music and the general public with a scheme of music examinations of recognised authority. Examinations are offered in 35 instruments, singing, theory and practical musicianship and are open to students of all ages. The Associated Board examines over half a million candidates each year making it the largest examining body for music in the world.

    In 1991, the Associated Board was delighted to be asked to return to examine in Australia after an absence of more than 30 years. Associated Board examinations are conducted at St.Andrews Cathedral School, with the Boards examiners making regular visits to Sydney.

    AMEB: Australian Music Examinations Board

    //www.ameb.edu.au/
    The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) provides a full range of music and speech and drama education, from the first steps through to Diploma level performance and scholarship. The AMEB exists to provide a graded system of examinations in music, speech and drama, by offering high quality syllabuses, educative services to our teachers, examiners and candidates, and quality publications to the highest editorial standard. The AMEB has a long record of providing quality music examinations for students, with over 100,000 students nationally taking its examinations each year. AMEB standards are well respected internationally, and it is the only examining body with formal links to the major Australian universities and Ministers of Education.

    AGMS: Australian Guild of Music Education

    www.guildmusic.edu.au
    The AGMS was founded in 1969 as a continuation of the London Guild of Music and Speech (Australia). It is non-profit, Public Education Institution, constituted to provide professional and private Teachers and Students of Music and Speech (including Drama) with a responsive organization through a comprehensive set of syllabi throughout Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore with examinations which recognize excellence in the selected study, as well as providing supportive encouragement for teachers and all music and speech students and candidates.

    The Guild education system provides an avenue for music & speech teachers to offer a methodical teaching and assessment system for their students via the Guilds public examinations and opens the way for further education at Tertiary level, for both themselves and their students, by distance education in the Creative Skills program from Certificate to Advanced Diploma and the Higher Education program with the Bachelor of Music degree.

    ANZCA: Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts

    www.anzca.com.au
    Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts Limited (ANZCA) offer syllabuses and both practical and written examinations in modern and classical streams, which stimulate students of all ages. For over twenty-three years, examinations have been conducted throughout Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

    Trinity Guildhall Examinations (Australia)

    www.trinitycollege.co.uk
    Trinity College London, the international examinations board incorporating Trinity Guildhall, offers accredited qualifications in English language and the performing arts. Trinity has been assessing students since 1872 and is considered a leader in performance assessment. Trinity is supported by the leading performing arts organizations, teacher associations, colleges and universities in Australia and worldwide. 500,000 assessments are conducted each year worldwide, from graded examinations and certificates to diplomas and higher level vocational qualifications. Trinity offers a flexible range of syllabuses, across a variety of teaching and learning styles, to encourage and motivate students to achieve their personal, vocational and professional goals.

  • Easy Guitar Playing Lessons

    If you have a six-string, a pick and a solid but comfortable armless chair, you are ready for some easy guitar lessons. Here are some of the basic things you should learn.

    Know your instrument.

    The topmost portion of your guitar is called the head or the headstock. This is where you well find the tuners, which are used to adjust the pitch of the six strings. The long part attached to the head is the neck.

    Down the neck is the body of the guitar. If you are using a classical or acoustic guitar, you will find a sound hole in the middle. This serves to project and amplify the sound. Electric guitars, on the other hand, do not have holes. Instead, they have pickups, which intensify the sounds coming from your instrument. Of course, you have the strings that are attached to the tuners, run down over the neck, over the hole and attached to the bridge.

    Hold your guitar properly.

    The thickest guitar string should be the topmost when you hold the guitar and the neck should be parallel to the ground. The body should rest comfortably on one of your thighs. Tune your guitar.
    Before you can learn how to play the guitar, you will have to learn this skill first. You can refer to a book, an online source or a friend to learn how to tune. You can tune your guitar three ways: by ear, with a piano or a tuning flute.

    Next, decide on your fret hand. This is the one that will be spending a lot of time on the neck of your guitar, pressing on the chord. If you are right handed, it is your left. If you are left handed, its your right hand. Your pick hand is the other hand. This is the one that will hold the pick and strum the guitar.

    When using your pick to strike the strings, make sure not to strike too hard or too soft. You are a beginner and need to hear how you sound like. Use only your wrist when you play and not your whole arm. Practice three different strokes on each string: downward, upward and alternate down and up. Once you get the hang of it, you will learn the best pressure to put on the string to produce the proper sound.

    Learn the chords.

    Get a chord book and begin practicing the chords. You can practice doing them one by one as shown on the book until your mind and fingers memorize them. Only problem is that this can get a little boring. There is just no sense playing a bunch of chords that do not sound like a real melody.

    The better alternative would be to learn the most common chords first. These are: C major, D major and G major. Play one chord first until you memorize it and then move to the other. You can then practice moving from one chord to the next, keeping both the sound and the movement as fluid as possible. Practice on songs that play these chords until you have mastered them. When you do, move on to other songs using other chords.

    Where to find your lessons online

    There are plenty of resources you can turn to for easy guitar lessons books, magazines and online resources. If you want free lessons, here are some websites you can check out for help.

    If you know the basics of playing the guitar, this site is a great resource for learning easy songs. Do not worry, because lessons are designed for beginners. A few sessions online and you should learn enough songs to surprise anyone in no time.

    Not only does this site feature easy step by step lessons on guitar playing, there is also a link to a page featuring songs made popular in the 1960s. Bring back the groovy years with easy to follow instructions.

    All the easy guitar playing secrets you have always wanted to learn are here, plus you get to learn how to play lead guitar. You can also order their instructional CD-ROM to learn easy guitar lessons at your own pace.

  • Dutty Wine Dance

    Curious minds may ask what the Dutty Wine is. The dutty wine originated in Kingston, Jamaica and its popularity grew at such an amazing rate that the world had to catch on. It was done mainly by women during at various dancehalls and venues. The dance was made more popular when a song called “dutty wine” was released. The combination of song and dance pushed the dance to dizzying heights, making it the popular dance for 2006.

    1. The Dutty Wine dance can be done in many different variations.
    2. This is due to the fact that each dancer adds their own distinctive style to the dance.
    3. To start, the main dance is rather simple.
    4. The main move is the swinging of the neck round and round in a circular motion.
    5. This is done in a repetitive fashion and enhanced if the dancer has long hair.
    6. This completes the upper section of the dance.
    7. Many people incorporate their legs into the dance.
    8. This is done in a butterfly motion (butterfly: a popular urban dance from the earl 1990s).
    9. The combination of leg movements and neck spinning results in the dance the dutty wine.
    10. As mentioned earlier personal style is an essential in the dutty wine dance.
    11. Dancers have been know to countless different styles from incorporating gyrating hip movements, spinning around and even going on their hands and other such acrobatics, All while doing the basic dance.

    The “Dutty Wine” song by Tony Matterhorn is also a popular aspect of the dance. Once the song is played all hell lets loose, the women dance according to the descriptive lyrics. The popularity of the song has boosted the spotlight on the dutty wine dance itself.

    The Dutty Wine dance however is not free from controversy. There are many people who feel that the song and dance is inappropriate and the overly sexual suggestiveness and popularity is picked up by innocent children. The children mimic what they see without realizing what they are doing. The second controversy is a result of the injuries and death that have occurred from women doing the dance. The rapid movement of the neck has the potential to cause bodily harm. This occurred in late 2006 when a woman apparently died from injuries sustained from dutty wining.

    The dutty wine has the potential to be bigger in 2007. With the popularity increasing month by month it could become the next big thing in American pop culture. The suburbs have caught on and once the spark is there, it could become a blazing wildfire. Only time can tell if your soccer mom is caught doing the dutty wine.

  • The Most Popular Christmas Songs of All Time

    The most popular Christmas songs are much loved timeless classics which have become part of tradition. They have sold millions of copies worldwide with their messages of celebration, happiness and romance. Performed by many of musics most iconic stars their popularity transcends time and generations.

    Band Aid was the super group formed by Bob Geldof in 1984 to raise awareness and money for the famine in Ethiopia. Their Christmas number 1 “Do They Know Its Christmas” sold over 3.5 million records in the UK alone and involved artists such as George Michael, Boy George and Paul Young. It was an impromptu affair with the studio only giving Bob Geldof 24 hours to record most of the song.

    On the 25th of November many of the biggest recording artists in the UK visited SARM studios, Notting Hill to record their performances. The single later went on to cause controversy when Bob Geldof promised every penny made by sales would go to charity. The government responded by refusing to donate the VAT, Mr Geldof lambasted the act and made a public appeal which gathered support across the country. This led to the government backing down and donating the tax to the appeal.

    • One of the best selling Christmas singles is called “Candle in the Wind” and was written and performed by Elton John in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana who died earlier in the year, the song sold almost 5 million units in the UK and over 33 million copies worldwide.
    • It was originally written for Marilyn Monroe and released in 1973 by Elton John.
    • but did not even nearly enjoy the same amount of success.
    • As a sincere gesture Elton John later stated that he would only ever perform the song live at the request of Prince William and Harry of Wales.

    According to the Guinness Book of records and selling in excess of 50 million copies worldwide, Bing Crosbys “White Christmas” is considered the best selling single of all time. The song was originally written by Irving Berlin and was performed and released by Bing Crosby. The song initially spent 11 weeks at number in the US Billboard charts in 1942, but was re-released reaching the top of the charts again in 1945 and 1946. Bing Crosby went on to release two other well known Christmas anthems “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells” with both exceeding sales of over 30 million copies worldwide. They are to this day thought to be two of the most popular Christmas songs in history.

    Another golden oldie which has sold millions of copies is “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” written in 1939 by Robert L. May, a copywriter for the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward department stores, it was originally created as a promotional gift for the stores customers. Gene Autry later recorded and released it in 1949, since that time it has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and continues to be a staple of Christmas tradition.

  • Classic Rock Performers Who Have Had A Lasting Influence On Music

    Classic rock is a fundamental part of American history. Many of todays leading bands can trace their styles back to the influence of certain musicians. While every song made available to the world has had an impact on the music industry, there are certain performers who will eternally stand at the forefront of music.

    From folk rock to psychedelic rock, there have been many groundbreaking sounds and voices. Here are the top ten most influential classic rock bands in history.

    Elvis Presley

    While Elvis is not traditionally viewed in the classic rock genre, it is impossible to ignore his influence on the world of Rock-n-Roll. As the first to expose mainstream America to something other than traditional family music, he faced a tremendous amount of opposition from the mainstream.

    Despite the extreme racism exhibited during the 1950s, Elvis never hesitated to give appropriate credit to his inspirations. Mainly African-American performers influenced Elvis sound and style. Southern radio disc jockeys originally refused to play Elvis singles, because they sounded “too Negro” for white stations to air.

    It was not just Elvis sound, but also his performance, that drew controversy. The movement of his hips in a suggestive manner sparked an entire decade of debate.

    Despite the firestorm of criticism that surrounded Elvis reign, his continuing popularity has ensured that Elvis crown as the King of Rock and Roll would remain valid for decades, even decades after his death.

    The Beatles

    As the best selling musical act of all-time, it is hard to deny the influence of the Beatles, not only on the musical culture of America, but also on every aspect of human life. The Beatles included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, and George Harrison.

    Their innovative style defined the music of the 1960s – – twice. They began their career in England, and when they came to America, they were already a huge success in the United States. In their early years, they had defined pop music for a new generation.

    As the hippy days of the late 1960s began to take hold of Americas young people, the Beatles redefined their music again, with another new style of music lauded by the masses. Their very loud stance on drug use and war made them a controversial group, but their popularity never wavered. Although the Beatles retained the loyalty and admiration of their late 1960s audiences until the group broke up, the touring days of the Beatles ended in 1966 when John Lennon proclaimed, “The Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ.”

    Bob Dylan

    Dylan has one of the most easily recognizable voices in the world. Raspy and full of passion, Bob Dylans sound is distinctive. His songs are amazing and defined a generation obsessed with the themes of social unrest, an anti-war stance, and encouragement for the civil rights movement.

    A traditional folk singer, Dylans works transcended all genres and appealed to countless young Americans. His sincere lyrics spoke to many and made it possible to empathize with his many causes.

    Jimi Hendrix

    As the undisputed master of the electric guitar, Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock foundation. The self-taught guitar player refused to be limited by many of the conventional views of guitar players.

    Prior to Jimi Hendrixs development as a guitar player, the electric guitar was considered to merely be a louder version of the acoustic guitar. Hendrix embraced the uniqueness of the electric guitar and showed his appreciation for it to the rest of the world.

    Pink Floyd

    Easily considered the greatest band of all time, Pink Floyds unique style and showmanship defined psychedelic rock. Their concept albums were thematic masterpieces that appealed to countless audiences. The Dark Side Of The Moon, Animals, and The Wall each still stand out today as great Rock masterpieces.

    The Who

    Also known for their thematic records, The Who pioneered the idea of rock opera. Most famous for their collaborative efforts with every major musical figure of their time, Tommy The Rock Opera ensured the longevity of the band into the future.

    Their success and fame were not limited to their unique approach to concept albums. Their musical skills are still highly regarded in both mainstream circles and in the entertainment industry. Their music is currently being used as the theme song for at least three of the most popular show on TV on the air today.

    The Rolling Stones

    The Rolling Stones have easily maintained their position as one of the longest lasting bands in recording history. Like most popular rock bands of the age, they were an England-based band that was more than happy to take on America.

    Their grungy unkempt image became so popular; many artists are still attempting to master it. Their unique sound and high quality lyrics have kept them at the top of the charts for almost 40 years.

    Cream

    Cream, featuring guitarist Eric Clapton, was one of the most technically advanced music groups of their time. Their instrumental techniques became legendary and paved the way for other bands to focus on developing their instrument techniques, in addition to their lyrics.

    The Doors

    The Doors have always been one of the most controversial bands that had ever existed. Jim Morrisons wild behavior set the tone for the countless musical bad boys that would follow in his footsteps.

    The poetic lyrics of The Doors, as well as their outrageous behavior, made them a crowd favorite.

    Led Zeppelin

    The road to heavy metal was paved by Led Zeppelin. Their first album was pivotal in its inclusion of distorted amplification techniques. Over the years, their experimentation included mixing acoustic and electric sounds, with the addition of synthesized melodies. The success of Led Zeppelin helped establish a strong base for the development of metal music.

    Few people of their generation or the current generation realize that like Elvis, Led Zeppelin took most of their inspiration from African-American performers. As a lifelong fan of Led Zeppelin, it is was oddly fascinating to listen to some of the not-so-famous African-American rhythm-and-blues performers of the 1930s, and to be able to hear the Led Zeppelin songs we have loved for years in a whole new way.

    Final Thoughts

    Clearly, these ten bands had a significant impact on the evolution of Rock-n-Roll music through the generations, but it is more difficult to put them into an ordered list of important groups. Lets just agree that most of us love all ten bands on this list.

  • BBC Banned Music: Top Singles Banned

    The British Broadcasting Corporation also known as the BBC is a public broadcasting corporation. Therefore, it allows itself to ban materials that deviate from certain standards of civility. During the years, many singles that were seen as too explicit, distasteful or bear the potential for offending the British public were banned from BBC airplay. Here you can read about some of them.

    In 1977, when England was celebrating the Queens Jubilee, the Sex Pistols had released their second single titled God Save the Queen. The single includes controversial lyrics that rhyme the national anthem title with fascist regime. Moreover, the record cover displayed a picture of the Queen with a safety pin stuck in her nose.

    The single was found to offensive to be air played by the BBC, but it did not stop it from reaching number two on the BBC official singles chart. According to the myth, God Save the Queen was the top selling single in the UK at the time, but it was held back of number one to avoid controversies.

    1. Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin scandalous duet Je TAime …
    2. Moi Non Plus, translated: I love you… me neither, was the first ever number one hit to be banned by the BBC.
    3. Although at the time of its release, in 1969, the sexual revolution was celebrated, the British radio still was not able to cope with such explicit lyrics, not to mention Birkins moans and groans.
    4. The BBC ban and The Vatican denounce, did not stop Je TAime … Moi Non Plus from being a top selling single in the UK and worldwide.
    5. In October 7, 1969, the single reached number one in the BBC official singles chart.
    6. At the same time, it had reached number 69 at the US singles chart.

    Je TAime … Moi Non Plus was a major influence on another BBC banned single, Donna Summers disco pioneer from 1976 titled Love to Love You Baby. After counting 23 faked orgasms performed by Summer in Love to Love You Baby, the British Broadcasting Corporation banned the song. However, it did not stop it from becoming a massive hit. Love to Love You Baby reached number four on the UK single charts but peaked to number two on the Billboard pop chart.

    Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is one of the most controversial singles as well as commercially successful singles in history. The BBC did not only ban the song it also did not stop BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read to publicly express his feelings of disgust from the singles explicit lyrics. In 1984, Relax stayed in the UK singles charts for 42 weeks. In five of them, it stayed in number one. By the end of 1984, embarrassed Auntie Beeb removed the ban. Relax is still very popular worldwide and it is one of the most recognized symbols of the era. The arguments on whether it gained such a huge success despite the BBC ban or the BBC ban helped promoting it have not been settled yet.

    Paul McCartney and the Wings response to the 1972 Bloody Sunday events titled Give Ireland Back to the Irish, was banned by every media resource in the UK. It was forbidden from being broadcast by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. In addition, the song title was not allowed to be pronounced on the air, so when it arrived to the BBC Radio 1 chart show it was presented as a record by the group Wings. However, Give Ireland Back to the Irish hit the top of the Irish singles charts.

  • Contemporary Paintings

    Contemporary paintings are an exquisite style of paintings. Contemporary art paintings are the true representatives of the modern art. Contemporary artists are creating the contemporary oil paintings of the high quality. A great number of contemporary oil paintings are available in the contemporary art gallery. Contemporary art is of great artistic importance. Contemporary abstract paintings make the most of contemporary art. Still life Contemporary paintings are also very much appreciated.

    There are many museums of modern paintings all over the world. The modern paintings of the modern artists are exhibited in these museums. These museums of modern art have been successful in flourishing the contemporary art. Modern artists exhibit their modern paintings creations in the museum of contemporary art. Museum of modern art New york, Contemporary art museum Houston, museum of modern art paris, art museum of Fort worth are the famous museums of contemporary art. Contemporary art work can be seen in these modern art museums.These museums exhibit the popular contemporary paintings of the famous modern artists.

    Modern Abstract Art

    1. There are great number of painters of modern life.
    2. They have created the modern abstract art on modern themes.
    3. Modern artists paint colours in an artistic way.
    4. Their contemporary oil paintings are pure form of fine arts.
    5. History of modern art is full of great contemporary paintings from famous modern artists.
    6. 19th century paintings and 20th century paintings are worth seeing.
    7. Modern art movements have been in progress in recent times.
    8. There are many contemporary art centers.
    9. Contemporary art center Cincinnati and Contemporary art center of Virginia are the famous modern art center.
    10. St.Louis contemporary art has been very much appreciated. Contemporary Christian artists

        11. Modern art is also available for sale. Modern and contemporary art can be purchased from the modern art gallery. These contemporary art galleries offer the Original modern paintings of the famous contemporary artist. The reproductions of the famous contemporary paintings can also be purchased from these modern art galleries. These galleries also offer cheap price modern oil paintings.

        Good News for lovers of modern art ! You can get Contemporary and Modern Oil Paintings of your own choice just by selecting the Model number of the Landscape Oil Painting or by sending the Photo of your required image. Our highly skilled modern artists can reproduce the contemporary paintings as per your given photo. Just click the Link of Contemporary paintings on our website (www.paintingsgifts4u.com) . For more details, Please contact us at : [email protected].

  • The Great Story About Rembrandts Life and History

    While the world pays respectful tribute to Rembrandt Van Ryn the artist, it has been compelled to wait until comparatively recent years for some small measure of reliable information concerning Rembrandt Van Ryn the man. Rembrandt Van Ryn was born in the pleasant city of Leyden, but it is not easy to name the precise year. Somewhere between 1604 and 1607 he started his troubled journey through life, and of his childhood the records are scanty. Doubtless, his youthful imagination was stirred by the sights of the city, the barges moving slowly along the canals, the windmills that were never at rest, the changing chiaroscuro of the flooded, dyke-seamed land. Perhaps he saw these things with the large eye of the artist, for he could not have turned to any point of the compass without finding a picture lying ready for treatment.

    His family soon knew that he had the makings of an artist and, in 1620, when he could hardly have been more than sixteen, and may have been considerably less, he left Leyden University for the studio of a second-rate painter called Jan van Swanenburch. We have no authentic record of his progress in the studio, but it must have been rapid. He must have made friends, painted pictures, and attracted attention. At the end of three years he went to Lastmans studio in Amsterdam, returning thence to Leyden, where he took Gerard Dou as a pupil. A several years later, it is not easy to settle these dates on a satisfactory basis, he went to Amsterdam, and established himself there, because the Dutch capital was very wealthy and held many patrons of the arts, in spite of the seemingly endless war that Holland was waging with Spain.

    His art remained true and sincere, he declined to make the smallest concession to what silly sitters called their taste, but he did not really know what to do with the money and commissions that flowed in upon him so freely. The best use he made of changing circumstances was to become engaged to Saskia van Uylenborch, the cousin of his great friend Hendrick van Uylenborch, the art dealer of Amsterdam. Saskia, who was destined to live for centuries, through the genius of her husband, seems to have been born in 1612, and to have become engaged to Rembrandt Van Ryn when she was twenty. The engagement followed very closely upon the patronage of Rembrandt Van Ryn by Prince Frederic Henry, the Stadtholder, who instructed the artist to paint three pictures.

    1. Saskia is enshrined in many pictures.
    2. She is seen first as a young girl, then as a woman.
    3. As a bride, in the picture now at Dresden, she sits upon her husbands knee, while he raises a big glass with his outstretched arm.
    4. Her expression here is rather shy, as if she deprecated the situation and realised that it might be misconstrued.
    5. This picture gave offence to Rembrandt Van Ryns critics, but some portraits of Saskia remained to be painted.
    6. She would seem to have aged rapidly, for after marriage her days were not long in the land.
    7. She was only thirty when she died, and looked much older.

    In 1638 we find Rembrandt Van Ryn taking an action against one Albert van Loo, who had dared to call Saskia extravagant. It was, of course, still more extravagant of Rembrandt Van Ryn to waste his money on lawyers on account of a case he could not hope to win, but this thought does not seem to have troubled him. He did not reflect that it would set the gossips talking more cruelly than ever. Still full of enthusiasm for life and art, he was equally full of affection for Saskia, whose hope of raising children seemed doomed to disappointment, for in addition to losing the little Rombertus, two daughters, each named Cornelia, had died soon after birth. In 1640 Rembrandt Van Ryns mother died. Her picture remains on record with that of her husband, painted ten years before, and even the biographers of the artist do not suggest that Rembrandt Van Ryn was anything but a good son. A year later the well-beloved Saskia gave birth to the one child who survived the early years, the boy Titus. Then her health failed, and in 1642 she died, after eight years of married life that would seem to have been happy. In this year Rembrandt Van Ryn painted the famous “Night Watch,” a picture representing the company of Francis Banning Cocq, and incidentally a day scene in spite of its popular name. The work succeeded in arousing a storm of indignation, for every sitter wanted to have equal prominence in the canvas.

    It may be said that after Saskias death, and the exhibition of this fine work, Rembrandt Van Ryns pleasant years came to an end. He was then somewhere between thirty-six and thirty-eight years old, he had made his mark, and enjoyed a very large measure of recognition, but henceforward, his career was destined to be a very troubled one, full of disappointment, pain, and care. Perhaps it would have been no bad thing for him if he could have gone with Saskia into the outer darkness. The world would have been poorer, but the man himself would have been spared many years that may be even the devoted labours of his studio could not redeem.

    Between 1642, when Saskia died, and 1649, it is not easy to follow the progress of his life; we can only state with certainty that his difficulties increased almost as quickly as his work ripened. His connection with Hendrickje Stoffels would seem to have started about 1649, and this woman with whom he lived until her death some thirteen years later, has been abused by many biographers because she was the painters mistress.

    He has left to the world some 500 or 600 pictures that are admitted to be genuine, together with the etchings and drawings to which reference has been made. He is to be seen in many galleries in the Old World and the New, for he painted his own portrait more than a score of times. So Rembrandt Van Ryn has been raised in our days to the pinnacle of fame which is his by right; the festival of his tercentenary was acknowledged by the whole civilised world as the natural utterance of joy and pride of our small country in being able to count among its children the great Rembrandt Van Ryn.

  • Tomma Abts – Abstract Art is OK but not KO.

    In 2006 the Turner Prize gained its first ever female winner. The artist who achieved this feat hails from Germany and is called is Tomma Abts. In order to carry off the Turner Prize – in the final, Tomma had to overcome three notable artists .

    In no particular order of importance these were – sculptress Rebecca Warren who was the fancied hot favourite with many bookies, “billboard artist” Mark Titchner – and finally film maker Phil Collins…(No not him of Genesis fame!).

    When the judges cast their votes however it was Tomma Abts who came out on top. She won twenty five thousand british pounds and of course the Turner Prize itself. I am sure the money will come in handy – however its the exposure that Tomma will get from winning thats the really important thing here.

    What does Tomma Abts do? Well she actually paints abstract art; usually in oils or acrylics. – something of a novelty for the Turner Prize – some would say! Tomma Abts was originally selected for her solo art exhibitions at Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland, and Greengrassi, London.

    1. Tomma Abts has been praised by no less than the Tate Gallery who describes her canvases as “intimate” and “compelling” .
    2. They also comment on Tommas “consistent” and even “rigorous” method of painting.
    3. In addition the Tate states that Tomma Abts “enriches the language of abstract art” .
    4. With such praise heaped upon her head its no surprise to me that she won the prize.
    5. However I actually feel that Tommas abstract artwork isnt “knock out” but it definitely is OK.

    The images or paintings of Tomma Abts are created by the repetiton of various geometrical shapes on a base of rich colour. Personally – I dont think that Tommas approach to painting is particularly original. However I have to admit that while not being “knock out” I find some of Tommas images pretty compelling and touching. I have to say that this does surprise me.

    48 x 38 cms – exactly. These are the dimensions of every Tomma Abts painting. Im not sure quite why Tomma selected these dimensions. Obviously she finds them appealing and I suppose they make for a very compact painting.

    When creating titles for her paintings apparently Tomma simply plucks one from a dictionary of German first names! Titles like “Veeke” for example were created in this way. In my view this is surely only slightly more interesting than numbering each picture!

    All in all I think that Tomma Abts creates abstract art that is pretty accessible to the public at large. This is something that perhaps could not be said about the artwork of previous Turner Prize winners! I base my opinion of course on Tommas prize winning paintings. I would go further and state that I cannot conceive of a Tomma Abts creation offending anyone – even slightly.

    In the end its just my personal opinion but I do believe that its entirely posible that Tomma Abts will go on to become a household name – within her own lifetime…Of course she could also disappear without trace from the media – and our minds in the blink of an eye, for precisely the same reasons.