Horses in the House

 

Horses in the House:

Horses in Decor, for the house, do they really mix?

You bet they do…. and they have been more of a focus of power and nobility thought out the ages, and have driven us in history than any other animal. So yes, of course……… the horse features in some of the most prominent building in history. And why not your house…

As an artist and a horse lover myself. You would think it is the perfect combination. For horses in the house, I agree. Though what is it that makes the individual person… who has never had any interest in horses personally. Want to have horse art in their house, their living rooms, private offices or standing in the entrances of their front doors.

That’s a good question. Like I said before, horses have been a big part in the human races rather quick climb in history. The majestic power of the horse and beauty has captured the horse lover, and non horse lover alike. To seek out paintings, drawings, and sculptures to hang on their walls. Stand on their tables and feature in their board- rooms.

Are they showing off, or is there something even more mysterious about it. I think there is a more an in depth meaning and drive, to have the horse featured in the life’s of ordinary people to powerful leaders.

The horse has given us, almost wings. The ability to fly in life. They had freed us in the early days when there was no other means of transport than the horse. We experienced speed to the likes that we had never experienced before on the horses back. And in turn, with our love of this gained freedom, the automobile was created.

So why today? why are we still driven by the pictures and sculptures of these magnificent beasts? I think it goes deep. And to turn our gaze across the room and look upon these images of the horse. Whether the subject is in a standing position, or rearing in its full show of strength. We feel a closeness to them.

I have walked below some of the bronze statues in London, and to just stare up at these sculptures twice, to three times life size of a horse being ridden by one of our former dignitaries or heroes in history. I just stand in ore at its beauty and power. And I am sure you feel the same, there it is; towering up towards the sky, almost gives you a giddy feeling. As the clouds move up above, while the sculpture stands still.

Now I have photos of horses framed up on my walls, paintings also. And of course bronze sculptures dotted around my house. When I go past these sculptures, sometimes the need to run my fingers over the form of the bronze in its almost timeless essence. You cant help but reach out to it.

Buying Horse Art

So to become a part of such an age old group of art lovers, were do you buy such art. Deciding what does it for you is a personal choice. Maybe you like sculpture, or is it painting. Maybe all forms of art.

Sure… there are art galleries, and you can buy art online so easily these days. And lets face it; the internet gives us time to study the art we want to buy, and compare different styles. In the comfort of our own homes.

This in turn does mean that we don’t have to rush our decisions. And have someone looking over our shoulder trying to sell to us.

The art of the horse is as popular as it was many years ago. So there is allot of art out there to choose from. Maybe you follow one or two particular artists styles. I would suggest to always keep an open mind out there, ever looking for the art of new up and coming artists.

Where paintings used to be expensive, you now have the choice of artist prints in painting and drawings these days. Even though they are of limited editions, they are still exclusive – and allot cheaper than buying an original. So buying on an expensive scale, is not a necessity. Many artists sell limited edition prints of their original paintings now. And they make a great edition to your dwelling.

With sculptures, you can buy cold cast bronzes. A form of bronze and resin, they still look like bronzes, though are lighter and a bit fragile. Though, a great alternative to the Bronze sculpture, that can be quite expensive.

Depending on your finances; why not mix the different choices. From original paintings to prints. Bronze sculptures to cold cast bronzes. Whatever the mood or bank balance decides at the time.

The horse is here to stay, and its not going anywhere. And the fascination will always be there for the horse. You find yourself, looking at your visitor, as you sit in your room. Knowing full well that your pride and joy. Your very own piece of horse art work occupies the room with you. And when your visitor finally sees your art. What you were hoping, and they comment on it. You puff out your chest with pride. And reply to your visitor. “Yes its mine.”

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Art, the Unwritten Language

We have lived with art for thousands of years. So why do we feel the need to have art around us. Standing on our floors, hanging on our walls, and gracing our gardens..

What I want to discuss with you is why? yes that fundamental word why?

Why do we need art to feel good. Lets look further…….

Have you ever read any quotations of artists. What they say in itself, is a great insight into how the artist goes through different processes in art to achieve a finished creation. Yet art takes the artist 
into another world, a world of creation, a world of… you could say fantasy.

Whether it be the recreation of all things life-like or not.
All art starts with an idea. As an artist myself, I know this well enough. Yet all ideas have to start with life. The stepping stones to all number of wonderful creations of the imagination.

 

Colour and Art

What happens when you see a colour? You spirits are uplifted, you feel a freedom. And happier as a person. If you move into a new place say,  you are faced with plain walls. It feels empty and hollow doesn’t it. Yet it is a living space with all we need to keep us warm and secure.

So what is it that tells us that something is missing. Have you ever thought about it, I mean really thought about it.

Well I know when I move into a new space, I feel an emptiness around me. Could this be that I feel like this because I am an artist, and art is necessary  to have around me. I don’t think so….

I don’t think that because I am an artist,  it is only me that feels this urge to bring color; to want to hang pictures up on the wall ?….

 

Association

We, as people, all feel this need, I’m sure, and where do you think this comes from. Its deeper than you could have ever imagined.
This need goes back to our beginnings, and how we perceive our environment.
We, as individuals in life, all have different tastes, yet we all have this need to have art around us.

Our interests, cultures, ideas and imaginations have all geared us up to choosing art that fits our personalities, and  how we want to feel. It was; and still is a status symbol. It tells others what we
like. What we are interested in, our feelings, and greatest interests.

 

Imagination

Artists have given us art forms from their own imaginations.
They have extended these visions in all art forms. We are drawn to art in so many ways that it is a language that cannot be put into words. The artists are the keepers,  the vessel for all non artists to find an escapism
through.

We buy all manner of art. They decorate every part of our lives. Tell other people what  we like. What our interests are. Without us, as owners of these art form, saying one single word.

Colors in paintings, to the firmness and size of sculpture, all contribute to making us as people comfortable in our own environments.
In a way that we never really have taken the time to think about  about. And we, as people are always on the look out when we are shopping.
Looking twice a color, at other art forms that entice us. Through shop windows, or going to public planes.

Haven’t you seen a piece of art while out, and wished you could take it home… I know I have. And there would have been some pretty big pieces of art to move if it was possible

 

Our Senses

Our senses are highly tuned, we entice and stimulate them with art. Art,  that we bring home, keep our minds busy. Our home surroundings feel warmer. We have in-fact put our stamp of oneness in our
dwellings.

We have found an inner piece with art in a way that no written word can. The ability of us to  translate in an unwritten language, our thoughts and likes. From personalities and ambitions – we have spoken to other people around us, through sight alone.  Yet it is also speaks to us, calming us, delighting us 24/7.

To be without art would be like taking away a language that we have created within our own world. It would dim our imaginations and lesson our willingness to be completely happy within our own living space.

Yet this language has never had a title, or a spoken word. It speaks for itself, through us and to us.

 

 

Recourse Box

Andrea Balch Webmaster of Pets of the Realm. Residing in Australia  and The United Kingdom. Teaching you the realm of Art. www.pets-of-the-realm.comsubscribe link to auto responder. Permission to reproduce if byline stays intact, courtesy copy appreciated; not required. Also available for publishers to re-distribute to their publicity-friends.

What is it About Cats in Cartoons!

 

Cat Chronicles:

We have all seen our cats in cartoon form, so what is it that brings out such laughter, when we see the antics that these cats get up to….

It cant just be any animal, so what is it that inspires us to want to switch over to see a cat cartoon at any time we see a new cartoon has been made.

I have been looking into this strange phenomenon to see what it’s really all about, so lets unravel the mysteries of why we are so drawn to our furry felines, when it comes to seeing them in cartoons.

 

What is it about the Cat

Have you ever seen a cat that does not burst with pride when you call their name and start to rub your legs and more often than not ask you for food. (Cant hurt, can it).

Of course, at times, when you want the attentions of your cat…. and you know the saying- “They will take a message and get back to you”  how frustrating is that! ahhhhh….

I know myself with two furry felines in my household, only too well the antics they get up to. And they ALL DO IT!

Is there a secret society that all these cats have a manual of how to act around their humans….

I must add, that our cats are strictly indoor cats, so any antics in the house, I am an expert on. Because you have it 24/7.  Is this a good thing?  well most of the time, considering they sleep most of those hours. I think, I cant find them, panic….  where are they. Maybe they got out, after pacing around the house a couple of times, the alarm bells ring. Only to find that they are sleeping in a cupboard or some place out of human eye altogether. Then you sigh with relief when you know that they are safe.

Actually I find it comforting when my cats have decided to grace their company on me more during the day instead of sleeping much of the day away. O’ except for meal time, have you found how well their natural in built alarm clock seems to be so accurate when meal time comes around.

And do you think they will leave you alone, as the time approaches, closer and closer to D-time!.  One way to beat the incessant and constant rubbing around your legs as you all too well… and try to make every single step to walk somewhere, with their chorus of meow, meow, which changes to different tones.  Like a metal detector;  if you suddenly change direction that goes towards the kitchen, their tone goes from mid-meow, to a higher pitched-meow, to a desperate-meow. Only to be dashed in their hopes if your direction changes away from the kitchen to a more quickened – meow. As to say “Your going the wrong way!”

So as the time gets close to the their dinner time, you are wondering how you can hold out and wait to feed them at the right expected time every day. In fear that if you give in and feed your kitty earlier than normal kitty will think they can get away with it every day!

Sooooo… you sit down, this way your “not being tripped every inch you try to walk mode”  in your own house. Or is it, your own house…. or theirs ….. hmmmm.

Well…. now you have sat down, great, you will have no more trouble from your cat. Wrong; how about these two big saucer eyes staring at you, almost as it would seem, not to blink.

Watching you every movement, one little movement. And the cat almost pounces into action towards the kitchen. No you haven’t moved far, only fidgeted, so they resume their place, watching you. I know… they can stay like this for half an hour or more. You cannot escape as the time winds down to kitty feed time. I have also been known to falsely attempt to get up just to tease… and when my cat knows that they have been tricked, calmly resumes their visual until they have broken you. You just have to feed them.

Right, its TIME. Up you get, and your feline friend springs into action, tail goes straight up in the air, meow, meow, meow, starts as they run in front of you, tripping you up at every turn, hindering your normal step, so not to tread on them, as you make your way into the kitchen. The fridge is the hotspot, and your cat knows it!

If their not bouncing up onto your bench trying to push your hand out of the way as you put their cat food into their own personal bowl, (and by the way.. when their pushing your hand out of the way with their nose, THEIR STRONG!.

I cant help loving their ways, can you?

 

 Creating the cartoons

So…. when it comes to people making a cartoon of cats. They have allot to work with. Cats have a unique way of bring out the laughter in us that other animals don’t. Their highly elaborate actions in getting what they want has been mastered thought the ages with their human companions.  Would have us in ore, if we took a little time just to think how they have managed to sway us to their ways of thinking.

Think of the cartoon “Top Cat” I used to look at this when I was a child, and would never get tired of it. And of course our old friend Garfield, if ever was a cat, was Garfield. His antics and me, me ,me. Has gained him fame that took his cartoon form to movie status. And with computer arts these days, having an animation in movie form with natural surroundings and people have opened up a hole new world, to the imagination.

We capture the cats, antics well, their need of warmth and food, of course.. O’ and don’t forget the comforts of home. Garfield is all for himself and his master. His way of governing his surroundings to the way he wants. Has been captured so well on the movies, yet cartoons are our way of expressing our observations of what the cat means to us. Like them or not, the at has a way of enticing their complex ways onto us in a way that we cant resist. Their traits have been well captured on cartoon, right through to their ways of getting us to do what they want.

Our affections towards them are guarded jealousy, and they will try everything up their sleeve to keep it. Cartoonists have harnessed this close and complex union with cats and ourselves, that you cant but say to yourself, or the person next to you. “Who does that remind you off?” when you see the cartoon cat doing something just like your cat does.

A perfect example, and one I would suggest you go to see “Simons cat videos” at u-tube, he has captured the cat so well when you get the chance, you will have such a laugh. I did….

Cartoons done in detail or basic, does it matter?, I wonder when it comes to humor, that I don’t think that it matters how detailed the cartoon is, if the story is something we are all going to find funny. We are looking at the content, It doesn’t have to be a long story, in fact with cats. It can be very short, but in those minutes that we see some act going on, whether the cat is trying to get a place on its own chair, or trying to find its toy, we are bound for some treats by these lovable characters.

As you can see, we have talked about their unique ways and frustrating deeds to get us to do what they want. To our using these ideas to bring them to life in cartoon. We have control only in the cartoons. when you think about it……

Cats get us to do what they want in real life, yet we can control their actions in the world of the cartoon. And their cute ways of getting what they want or how they want things to go for them in their world around them have captivated us. Cartoonists have taken it a step further, they are showing us that what we are laughing at in their cat cartoons, are really what we are dealing with every day. And we wouldn’t be without our cats.

I would say… “The house is not a home, without a Cat”

 

The next article that I will be writing in the Cat Chronicles  is titled,  “What’s with the Cat!” Hang on to your shirts for this one.

 

Recourse Box

Andrea Balch Webmaster of Pets of the Realm. Residing in Australia  and The United Kingdom. Having a great devotion the animals of this world. Artist and poet. www.pets-of-the-realm.com subscribe link to auto responder. Permission to reproduce if byline stays intact, courtesy copy appreciated; not required. Also available for publishers to re-distribute to their publicity-friends.