Visual Art

Art From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
SSTattler: We will include {Art + "Stroke Disability"}, other than that it is Art, 2D or 3D, but not include music, drama, ...!

Clockwise from upper left: a self-portrait from Vincent van Gogh,

 an African Chokwe statue, detail from the Birth of Venus 

by Sandro Botticelli and a Japanese Shisa lion

Art is a diverse range of human activities and the products of those activities; this article focuses primarily on the visual arts, which includes the creation of images or objects in fields including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual media. Architecture is often included as one of the visual arts; however, like the decorative arts, it involves the creation of objects where the practical considerations of use are essential—in a way that they are usually not for a painting, for example. Music, theatre, film, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature, and other media such as interactive media are included in a broader definition of art or the arts. Until the 17th century, art referred to any skill or mastery and was not differentiated from crafts or sciences, but in modern usage the fine arts, where aesthetic considerations are paramount, are distinguished from acquired skills in general, and the decorative or applied arts.

Art has been characterized in terms of mimesis, expression, communication of emotion, or other values. During the Romantic period, art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science". Though the definition of what constitutes art is disputed and has changed over time, general descriptions mention an idea of human agency and creation through imaginative or technical skill.

The nature of art, and related concepts such as creativity and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics

Creative Art and Fine Art

Works of art can tell stories or simply express an aesthetic truth or feeling. Panorama of a section of 

A Thousand Li of Mountains and Rivers, a 12th-century painting by Song Dynasty artist Wang Ximeng.

By a broad definition of art, artistic works have existed for almost as long as humankind: from early pre-historic art to contemporary art; however, some theories restrict the concept to modern Western societies. The first and broadest sense of art is the one that has remained closest to the older Latin meaning, which roughly translates to "skill" or "craft." A few examples where this meaning proves very broad include artifact, artificial, artifice, medical arts, and military arts. However, there are many other colloquial uses of the word, all with some relation to its etymology.

20th-century Rwandan bottle.
Artistic works may serve practical functions,
in addition to their decorative value.

In medieval philosophy, John Chrysostom held that "the name of art should be applied to those only which contribute towards and produce necessaries and mainstays of life." Thomas Aquinas, when treating the adornment of women, gives an ethical justification as to why: "In the case of an art directed to the production of goods which men cannot use without sin, it follows that the workmen sin in making such things, as directly affording others an occasion of sin; for instance, if a man were to make idols or anything pertaining to idolatrous worship. But in the case of an art the products of which may be employed by man either for a good or for an evil use, such as swords, arrows, and the like, the practice of such an art is not sinful. These alone should be called arts." Aquinas held that art is nothing else than "the right reason about certain works to be made," and that it is commendable, not for the will with which a craftman does a work, "but for the quality of the work. Art, therefore, properly speaking, is an operative habit." Aristotle and Aquinas distinguish it from the related habit of prudence.

The second and more recent sense of the word art is as an abbreviation for creative art or fine art and emerged in the early 17th century. Fine art means that a skill is being used to express the artist's creativity, or to engage the audience's aesthetic sensibilities, or to draw the audience towards consideration of the finer things.

The word art can refer to several things: a study of creative skill, a process of using the creative skill, a product of the creative skill, or the audience's experience with the creative skill. The creative arts (art as discipline) are a collection of disciplines that produce artworks (art as objects) that are compelled by a personal drive (art as activity) and convey a message, mood, or symbolism for the viewer to interpret (art as experience). Art is something that stimulates an individual's thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas through the senses. Artworks can be explicitly made for this purpose or interpreted on the basis of images or objects. Although the application of scientific knowledge to derive a new scientific theory involves skill and results in the "creation" of something new, this represents science only and is not categorized as art.

Often, if the skill is being used in a common or practical way, people will consider it a craft instead of art. Likewise, if the skill is being used in a commercial or industrial way, it may be considered commercial art instead of fine art. On the other hand, crafts and design are sometimes considered applied art. Some art followers have argued that the difference between fine art and applied art has more to do with value judgments made about the art than any clear definitional difference. However, even fine art often has goals beyond pure creativity and self-expression. The purpose of works of art may be to communicate ideas, such as in politically, spiritually, or philosophically motivated art; to create a sense of beauty (see aesthetics); to explore the nature of perception; for pleasure; or to generate strong emotions. The purpose may also be seemingly nonexistent.

The nature of art has been described by philosopher Richard Wollheim as "one of the most elusive of the traditional problems of human culture". Art has been defined as a vehicle for the expression or communication of emotions and ideas, a means for exploring and appreciating formal elements for their own sake, and as mimesis or representation. Art as mimesis has deep roots in the philosophy of Aristotle. Goethe defined art as an other resp. a second nature, according to his ideal of a style founded on the basic fundaments of insight and on the innermost character of things. Leo Tolstoy identified art as a use of indirect means to communicate from one person to another. Benedetto Croce and R.G. Collingwood advanced the idealist view that art expresses emotions, and that the work of art therefore essentially exists in the mind of the creator. The theory of art as form has its roots in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, and was developed in the early twentieth century by Roger Fry and Clive Bell. More recently, thinkers influenced by Martin Heidegger have interpreted art as the means by which a community develops for itself a medium for self-expression and interpretation. George Dickie has offered an institutional theory of art that defines a work of art as any artifact upon which a qualified person or persons acting on behalf of the social institution commonly referred to as "the art world" has conferred "the status of candidate for appreciation". Larry Shiner has described fine art as "not an essence or a fate but something we have made. Art as we have generally understood it is a European invention barely two hundred years old.”

See the full article (huge!): 
      Art From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Stroke Recovery through Art

Uploaded on Dec 14, 2009

http://www.veria.com/

In this Art Therapy Video from Veria Living, for artist Gary Bachers, art is truly life-affirming. A former doctor, Gary suffered a crippling stroke, which took from him much of his speech as well as the use of his right hand. Not content to sit around feeling sorry for himself, Gary learned to draw with his left hand. In his art, Gary has found a way to heal himself. Stroke Recovery through Art.


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Gary Bachers.... Artwork

Uploaded on Jul 26, 2011

A view of Gary Bachers' inspiring works over the years....


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Richard Creme Art Event

Published on May 3, 2012

Legendary Manchester style guru Richard Creme's art exhibition featuring 25 pieces of art launched on 2 May 2012 at Manchester Metropolitan University. He produced these works after having a stroke in 2007.


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The Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art

from The Stroke Association UK

In memory of Susie Hulks, who received the Life After Stroke Artistic Award in 1996. This award is presented to someone who has had a stroke and has learnt to express themselves creatively in the visual arts.

Winner – Peter Bull, Sheffield.

Peter had a stroke in May 1999 aged 38. Peter’s stroke affected his right side, including his mobility, and also left him with severe aphasia. Prior to his stroke Peter worked as printer – a job involving speed and dexterity as well as the ability to deal accurately with words. He sadly lost all these skills as a result of his stroke and therefore has been unable to return to his job. Peter was also a talented musician and songwriter.

After his stroke Peter returned home to live with his mother as he had very little speech and struggled with cognitive issues and depression. He has found it hard emotionally to come to terms with his stroke and often becomes very low in mood. Although his speech has improved over the years, he still finds it hard to follow conversations and struggles with reading and writing, which make living independently difficult, but Peter is determined to live on his own.

Finding it hard to express himself, Peter tried painting as a means of communication. His pictures clearly show how he felt about himself following his stroke. Peter has said that painting was the only way he could express himself and relieve some of the pain following his stroke. More recently, a lot of his work shows stairs leading nowhere, doorways that don’t open and tricks of light, as well as shadowy places, as he starts to carve out a new life.

The judges for this award were impressed with the originality of Peter’s work, which expresses his personal experiences. Peter has found a new talent and has been able to use this to help himself through some difficult times, as well as inspiring others.


The Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art from The Stroke Association on Vimeo.

John - Life After Stroke Awards 2011

Uploaded on Jun 7, 2011

John is the winner of our 2011 Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art.


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Art Award - Angus Igwe

Published on Jun 22, 2012


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Kathryn Thompson - Life After Stroke Awards 2010

Uploaded on May 25, 2011

Kathryn is the winner of our 2010 Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art - Quilting.


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Art - New Stroke Rehabilitation Treatments Making a Difference.

Published on Jun 18, 2012

St. Luke's Magic Valley is improving the lives of stroke victims by providing cutting-edge treatment and technology that helps victims get back to their lives and minimize any disability they may have. Dan Staples feared he would never return to his life as an artist after suffering a stroke. Dan was treated at St. Luke's Magic Valley and through the use of technology and therapies he has returned to art that he loves.


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Brain Aneurysm Stroke Survivor "The Man In The Mirror" 

       created by Alton Cooper

Uploaded on Nov 2, 2010

Acrylics paint on a glass mirror that is mounted onto a wood support. The painting has six coats of gloss. It stands over 6 FT. Tall and is very heavy. MAN IN THE MIRROR by Alton of AltonArtWork. One of my many MASTER PIECES. This one right here I am VERY PROUD of. THANK YOU.


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Heart-Warming Art Therapy of a Japanese Tole Painting Artist Suffering Brain Stroke

Published on Feb 3, 2013

Rehabilitation diary consisting of pictures drawn by Japanese tole painting artist Keiko Mitsutomi, who has suffered from brain stroke on September 2, 2011. Since then, right half of her body has been paralyzed. But, she has been drawing more than 400 pictures by her left hand, which she has never used before the disease, since she was right handed. This picture diary consists of selected 50 drawings among 400s she's made since the day of the hospitalization until now, with beautiful original background music of her husband, who is a professional musician, composer/flutist.


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Grand Junction Glassblower Disabled by a Stroke

By Nancy Lofholm at The Denver Post

denverpost.com - Grand Junction Glassblower...

Doug Little creates a glass ornament
on a lathe in the garage of his home
in Grand Junction.
(Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post)

GRAND JUNCTION — Glass was a functional scientific medium for Doug Little before a stroke destroyed part of his brain. Now, it is a thing of ethereal beauty.

Little was working for a Boulder firm making intricate glass pieces used in scientific research and medical devices when a major aneurism nearly killed him at the age of 36. It left him initially able to lift only his right index finger. Doctors predicted he would never walk or talk and would be profoundly debilitated. His insurance company wanted to warehouse him in a nursing home.

But grit and therapy at Craig Hospital brought Little, now 51, back to a functioning and independent life. He could no longer make glass tubes the size of needles, to specifications that had to be within .003 millimeters of accuracy. But he was able to devise a unique method of blowing and firing decorative glass on a lathe while propping his shaking hands on the base of the lathe.

"I never thought he would be able to do glass-blowing again," said his partner in D & L Glassworks, Mary Lou Doak, as she watched him bend the perfect glass hook on the top of his latest ornament.

To watch him at work on ornaments that will sparkle in sunny windows or turn Christmas trees into artistic displays, it is hard to believe that Little has a disability. He spins his lathe with steady concentration and wields a torch flame with steady precision. He puffs into a tube to expand the glass or sucks in air to shrink it. He dabs on and swirls colors in one-of-a-kind artistry, particularly for one who is color blind.

Some of his creations are multicolored spirals. Others, including one that won him a bronze medal in a national veterans' art show, are clear and look like cut glass because of the skillful way that Little has worked ridges on the inside of the ornaments.

"Dust catchers,"

(Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post)

Little likes to call all of them with a laugh.

Those who buy the ornaments at wine-and-hors-de-oeuvres home shows hosted by Little and Doak couldn't disagree more.

One Denver woman bought 25 ornaments at an early show. Another Denver area woman has ordered dozens of Little's clear ornaments to decorate her Christmas tree this year. Little is currently working on other special-order ornaments and recently was able to take a job doing his first scientific glass work since his stroke.

For information on Little's ornaments and Doak's handmade glass beads email dandlglassworks@bresnan.net.

Nancy Lofholm: 970-256-1957 or nlofholm@denverpost.com

Art Program Enables the Disabled

A program in Brunswick, Maine gives people of all abilities the chance to be creative and develop potential careers in the arts.


copyright @ www.citizen-times.com

Art Inspiration -- Art Therapy

Uploaded on Dec 14, 2009

http://www.veria.com/

What inspires you? Sometimes inspiration can be hidden right before your very eyes. In this Art Therapy Video from Veria Living, exploring Art Inspiration and spirituality through painting and art helps guide us on life's search for beauty and truth.


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BBC Midlands Today Video Featuring Disabled Sculptor, Steve Eastwood.

Uploaded on Oct 6, 2009

Video recorded by the BBC Midlands Today broadcasting team showing the disabled sculptor Steve Eastwood who had a stroke.


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