Use Your Art Materials Skills To Enter Competitions

Experts at using art materials may like to test their talents by entering local and national competitions.

Entering any kind of competition for the first time can be like navigating a minefield as you will not be sure what to expect which can be off-putting to some but exciting to others.

The main thing to consider when selecting a piece of art to be judged is to always choose a work that truly reflects your abilities and demonstrates how far your artistic talents have developed.

Try not to predict what you think the competition judges would prefer to see and just enter what you believe is your best artwork because second guessing someone's opinions is often a dangerous game to play.

Some competitions request more than one example of work so in this instance it is wise to choose a diverse selection of pieces which show a history of your versatile use of art materials.

If you cannot enter your art in person, then you will have to learn how to photograph your entry in a way that fully displays the time and effort that went into creating it in the first place.

Any photograph of your art will have to be high quality as this is what the image a judge will base his decisions on when they come to judge your art so it needs to be an accurate representation.

Ensure that the conditions are right for an excellent photograph by choosing the correct light as digital cameras can give pictures an orange tint, while fluorescent light can give a green glow and outside shots can turn pictures a shade of blue.

Always read the competition requirements to make certain that your entry fits the required format and is not discarded for being inapplicable as soon as the judges receive it.

As soon as you know which one of your pieces to submit, then you must consider how you will frame it because it is the whole presentation of your art that will ultimately affects the judge's final decision.

Even the best example of art can be devalued by being surrounded by a cheap-looking, scruffy frame, which demonstrates a lack of care and overall awareness of the artist in question.

Using non-reflective glass in your frame is also likely to give you an edge over fellow competitors because it will give your art a professional feel that can only usually be found in exhibitions and galleries.

Buy the best art materials and art supplies from Turnham Arts & Craft. Click on the links to discover what products are on offer!

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Who's Your Favourite Captain America: Steve Rogers or Bucky?

(Warning: this will be quite long)

It's Captain America month, and in case you haven't heard, the latest Marvel superhero flick Captain America: The First Avenger has managed to knock Harry Potter off the number 1 box office slot in America. Not only has the film managed to overtake Potter's final outing, it has also raked in some favourable reviews from critics worldwide. Cap fever isn't just hitting Hollywood though. Right now Captain America is headlining the summer's mega comic cross event 'Fear Itself', where former sidekick of Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes met his unfortunate demise last month. With the reception to Bucky's death being extremely poor, I'm beginning to question if perhaps Barnes was the more popular Captain America after all.

Steve Rogers:

Steve is the original and most well known Captain America. Steve's story began as a skinny art student from Brooklyn who was rejected by the U.S Military for his poor shape. Desperate to aid the war effort, Rogers agreed to take part in a top-secret operation known as Operation Rebirth, which transforms Steve into the peak of human perfection. In the closing days of World War 2, Rogers is hurled into the freezing Atlantic after trying to stop a bomb launched by villain Baron Zemo, where Rogers remained frozen in suspended animation for years, only to one day be awoken by The Avengers.

Steve gains appeal from being a man out of time. Although that has worn off drastically in recent years, Steve's morals and vales constantly reflect his time in the past. His never say die attitude, is something all the heroes look up too, and his authoritive presence makes him one of the only few worthy of leading the Avengers. Steve's morals have often led him to question the actions of some of his teammates. In the 2006-2007 mega crossover 'Civil War', Steve opposes a government superhero registration act, led by former team mate Tony Stark as he sees it as a removal of civil rights. Steve's efforts to oppose the registration act led him to surrender to authorities where he was shot down upon his trial on the steps of the federal courthouse.

It was later revealed that Steve was trapped in time, as a result of the Red Skulls evil plan. After reliving his past, Steve was eventually rescued by the new Captain America and the New Avengers. Apart from a brief stint as Captain America during the 2010 comic event 'Siege', Rogers gave up the mantle of Captain America to focus on running the superhero community as Commander Steve Rogers. This is again what makes Steve such a pure character. His sacrifice of giving up the mantle of Captain America really emphasizes what a good heart the character has.

James 'Bucky' Barnes

Bucky was one of the three characters alongside Uncle Ben and Jason Todd that were thought would always stay dead in comics. Yet in 2005, Bucky was famously revealed to be a Soviet Assassin known as the Winter Soldier in Ed Brubaker's brilliant Captain America series. Having spent his time as the Winter Soldier aiding the Cold War effort, Bucky was kept in suspended animation between missions so his masters could keep him under control.

It wasn't until he was discovered by Steve Rogers did Bucky regain control after Rogers used the mystical device known as the Cosmic Cube to restore all of Barnes's memories. After spending time working for S.H.I.E.L.D Bucky stepped up to the mantle of Captain America when Steve was gunned down in the aftermath of the superhero Civil War.

What made Bucky such a great Captain America, was that he was flawed. Unlike Steve, Bucky's only superhuman asset was his bionic arm meaning he wasn't as advantaged in combat as his predecessor. This often led to Barnes being captured, which actually became a cliche associated with the character. Barnes was not an idol to his fellow superheroes, as he had to earn their acceptance. Bucky was trying to redeem himself for his past actions as the Winter Soldier, he never wanted to be Captain America, he just didn't want anyone other than Steve wielding the shield.

Brubaker created an epic narrative with the past eventually catching up with James. After his past life as the Winter Soldier was leaked to the press by Baron Zemo, Bucky was forced to go on trial where he was found guilty of crimes against Russia. It wasn't long after escaping the Russian prison did Barnes meet his poor demise in Matt Fractions crossover Event 'Fear Itself'.

Result: My favourite Captain America has to be Bucky. He's drastically flawed, but he's still a good guy. Barnes was a Captain America more reflective of the 21st Century. His story arcs were more compelling, and his character was richer. Steve will always be the classic Captain America, but as we enter the later half of 2011, Roger's Captain America begins to feel slightly outdated.

Let me know what you think, do you prefer Steve or are you like me and think Bucky is a more compelling Captain America? Leave your comments below.

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Durable 3D Glasses for Imaging

Watching movies in 3D glasses is surely fun and exciting. You get to see the reality and crystal clear images when it comes to movies. Having your own pair will give you that excitement which cannot be gain by any other glasses. There are various brands available in the market that you might choose when it comes to such glasses. All you need is clarity and high end glasses which will last long. Before buying you need to check out the quality, it can be measured or checked as per the brand. Frames used for such creation of such glasses should last long and deliver top notch performance. The material used should be strong and designed to cater to any type of requirements. The lenses used should also cater to different films and videos which are in 3D format.

Comfort is something that should be present when you are wearing these glasses. Without comfort these glasses are of no use and will always create problems. Light weighted is the key to high end comfort. Before selecting these glasses always ensure they are light weighted, the reason for this is because of comfort. If they are heavy they might create problems and ensure you are distracted. Maintenance of 3D glasses is not much since they are manufactured from top quality material. However you need to keep them clean and wipe them with soft cloth before using them. Smudges and finger prints can cause vision obstruction and create headache too. There are no hard maintenance tips or products available as these minor steps will give you crystal clarity. You might want to consider size of the glasses to be perfect and according to your needs. Size plays an important role when it comes to such glasses. Always buy glasses which fit comfortable and are easy to use. A size big will cause vision problems, too small size will be very uncomfortable.

3D glasses are designed for specific films or videos only. Using them for regular movies is not intended neither prescribed. Specific 3D movies are created which make use of these glasses, using them for right films or movies will give you higher clarity. Price is something which needs to be checked as they need to fit in your budget. Select different types of 3D glasses available in the market that will suit you and your pocket. Pocket glasses are also available that can be carried everywhere you go. Special type of casing is given which ensures the glasses to be kept in safe manner. Always check for UV protection for lenses. These glasses might be costly but worth the value as they will provide high end clarity and protection. If you have number for your eyes then yes you can get specific glasses which have custom design.

3D glasses from world's largest online 3D glasses seller 3DMarket.

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Medical Transcription Salary

A medical transcription salary can vary widely depending on your skills, experience, education, and work environment. There are some basic rules of thumb, but no set pay scales in the industry.

For medical transcription jobs from home, you have the potential to earn more than those who work for a company in an office or hospital environmental. You can pick and choose the highest paying jobs/contracts you are able to find.

Notice I said "potential!" There is absolutely no job security for the independent transcriptionist so you have to be out there promoting yourself and trying to win contracts to keep yourself working. Earning in this field depend on what you "bring to the table" in terms of skills, knowledge and experience.

A highly skilled medical transcriptionist can earn as much as $50,000 per year working full time as an independent contractor. Part timers can expect to make about half that on the average, depending on how many hours they work.

Some get paid by the hour, or even on a volume basis, such as by how many lines they transcribe. There is more flexibility in payment options for the independent transcriptionist, but again the downside is lack of job security.

For a medical transcription salary, hourly rates of pay vary again with education and experience. You should expect to have at least a certificate in the field if not a degree, and some practical experience. Hourly wages of between $18-$20 on the lower end and $30-$35 on the high end for a skilled transcriptionist is the approximate range.

Medical transcription is a valuable skill that can simply be a part time supplement to your main employment OR a full time job. Even though there is no job security in medical transcription jobs from home, you DO have more control over your work assignments and if you are experienced and skilled you will always be in demand.

Continuing education is a must, as well as acquiring new skills related to the field as medical information technology changes with the times. You MUST remain relevant in your field. This is the only form of "job security" that really matters!

The bottom line is for a medical transcription salary is this:

Self employed persons working medical transcription jobs from home will make more, as do those with advanced education and training. Experience and excellence will mark you as a person who will be in demand as the health care industry grows and evolves.

George Parigian Jr. is age 56 and has lived and worked in the Boston area all of his life. He is a 1978 graduate of Northeastern University, and a personal trainer. He writes and consults on the topics of antiaging, health, and exercise.

Visit his new Wellness and Antiaging Website at: http://www.age-better.com/

You can contact him at:

George Parigian Jr.
362a Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02144
617-666-0623
george362@comcast.com

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Art Fair Selling

Last Saturday I attended a wonderful art fair in Petoskey, Michigan. While there I decided to do a little research on how artists presented and sold their work. As I walked the show, I only went into tents that had artwork that appealed to me. So out of the show, I entered 30 booths.

Overall the display of artwork was very professional. There were lots of different price points to appeal to just about anyone who entered the booth. Items were presented in an attractive manner and there was a good deal of variety in most of the booths. So overall, I think the artists did very well presenting their work.

But this is where the wheels came off the wagon.

I entered each booth and reviewed the artwork. Since I only went into booths that had artwork that attracted me, it was not hard to spend several minutes looking over the art. When I found a piece that really was attractive to me, I spent even more time. I looked at the artwork with genuine interest. I think there were several pieces I would have purchased as I was doing my research.

Do you know why I did not purchase any art? Lack of money? No. Lack of interest? No. Lack of someone asking me if I wanted to purchase the piece of art I had spent more than 2 minutes looking at? Yes!!!!

Out of the 30 booths only 2 artists greeted me. Out of the 2 artists who greeted me one said "hi" and the other said "welcome to my booth". That was the end of the conversation.

The artists had taken care to make their display very attractive. They spent the money to participate in the art fair. Why would they not approach me and try to sell me their art?

Maybe artists really do not understand "Sales". Maybe they associate the thought of selling with the shiny toothed Used Car Sales stereotype.

Selling is the art of providing a prospect with the information they need to make an informed purchase decision.

Had one of the 30 artists approached me and told me about their artwork they would have been one step closer to the sale. Had they told me about the process they use to create the artwork, they would have been another step closer to making the sale. Had they told me about the inspiration behind the artwork, they would have been on the very edge of making the sale. Had they asked me where in my home I thought the artwork would be best displayed, they would have made the sale.

Selling artwork is not a "hard" sale, like selling truckloads of a commodity or the like. But it still needs to be sold. If you look at the description of things I listed in the paragraph above, you can see this is pretty simple stuff. It is simply describing what you do, what you love. How much more could you sell at a fair if you talked to prospects about the artwork that is your passion? How much more could you sell if you simply asked the prospect where they could see your artwork in their home?

Life is full of missed opportunities. In my book, 30 artists had a real opportunity to sell me their artwork. I honestly was ready to buy something. All they needed to do was to tell me about their artwork and ask me to purchase.

With more than 25 years of experience in Sales, Product Marketing, Product Management and Development, and Vertical Market Management Thomas Dean is now focused on helping Small Businesses meet their Sales, Marketing and Product goals. Thomas reaches out to artists with his Art Marketing blog http://www.thomasdeanimages.com/Marketing

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How To Find Open Auditions On Disney

Year in year out, countless children aspire to land themselves on Disney. This is not surprising considering the big names in the entertainment scene who have tread this path a few. Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Fergie are just some of the names that have evolved from there. With almost everything becoming a gamble these days, you can never regret if you let your child be the best in entertainment. The rewards are more than you can reap, and the fame can't be compared to anything else. However, like many good things, getting there is not an easy task.

Finding Auditions For Disney

The mystery begins early for many prospective actors. Many do not know how they can find open auditions for Disney channel and showcase their talent. They are ignorant of the fact that unlike many pearls, these are actually not so hard to come by, provided you follow the below simple steps:

1. Find a good agent who can help you locate where the next trial performances would be conducted. Most of these agents will require that you undertake preliminary test with them so that they can appreciate the talent they will be representing. Their work will be to help you climb the showbiz ladder in exchange for a percentage of your proceeds. Well established agents such as Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency are always the better option.

2. Create an account with any one of the many talent resource websites in the internet. These websites usually display long lists of upcoming auditions such as these ones. However, ensure you inform your agent before believing anything you see so that you aren't duped by con websites.

3. Make regular visits to websites that promote open casting for extra and many other roles in Disney productions. Through this websites, you can mail you resume and photos and perhaps land trials for movies or shows. In using this method, always ensure your photos really stand out. This is a small way to start but with the auditions to be on Disney channels, you just might land a bigger role in future.

With one or two of the above methods, your chance to tread in stardom might not be so far away. However, the most important thing is that you do your part. With a channel as big as this, good might just not be good enough. Make the most of the slightest opportunity you get with nothing but a memorable performance.

open auditions for Disney channel aren't so hard to find. However, with the auditions to be on Disney channel, you have to be at your very best.

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Tips for Finding Movie Auditions for Disneyland

When it comes to entertainment, Disney is the largest company in this sector globally. In addition, it has Disney channel as its TV outlet. Breaking into the process of performing acts with this medium can be quite challenging. However, finding yourself auditions on Disney channel is a perfect way of landing a performing job. Aspiring actors have the chance for auditioning for various roles at the media's theme parks which will help them to commence their careers. Prior to attempt trial for the productions linked with this medium, it is highly advisable to be well prepared vocally as well as in performing skills. Read on and learn the steps you ought to follow to find movie auditions for Disney channel in the best way possible.

• Agent: Make sure you find yourself an agent who will help you in locating trials. However, it is important for you to be a prospective client in order to pass through the agency's trials. Remember, an agent will help in your promotion and expect a certain percentage from your earnings in case you sail through. The agent should also be alert in knowing when the tests are available for you. Oddly enough, seek the profession of a lawyer before hiring and signing a contract with an agent.

• Creating an Account: You will be prompted to have an account created with talent resource websites. This will in turn help you in maintaining a list of coming trials that you can easily sort them out. Before you make any attendance to movie trials, it is imperative to consult an agent whom you can trust. This is because; the agent will simply protect you from any frauds or scams.

• Research: Make sure during your free time, you take a certain period of time to visit websites that are aimed at promoting open casting for any extras as well as movie productions. There are sites that will give you an opportunity to mail in your photos as well as resumes directly in your effort to land a test for new shows and movies as well. While this is the case, make sure that all your photos stand out to increase the chances of you being selected.

• Resume Submission: Remember, when you send your resume directly to the open casting websites, you can end up working as an extra in a movie. To you, it will be a good way of earning additional money, building up your work history as well as potentially getting bigger roles later on.

If you are a minor seeking for movie auditions for Disney channel, it is imperative to bring an adult or an agent with you to any auditions on Disney channel.

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