Words Matter: How Politicians Utilize Rhetoric to Their Advantage

Regardless of what kind of work environment you find yourself in most days, the fact remains that words matter. What you say to others impacts the way they perceive you. Likewise, the truth in your words changes the results of what you say.

In academic terms, the study of how people use their words to impact others falls under rhetoric. Whether you are listening to your boss give a well-practiced speech about the company's current sales pipeline or you are watching a political debate between two opponents on the evening news, rhetoric plays a big role in the outcomes of people's communication efforts. 

Understanding the Definition of Rhetoric

Think about all of the ways that you communicate. From texts to videos, images and all other sorts of media that you may use, each of these communication mediums falls into the realm of rhetoric. Basically, rhetoric is about the underlying purpose of a communicated message. Analyzing rhetoric seeks to understand all aspects of the situation, from the language and culture to the audience, topic, writer, genre and context. Each of these factors is worth considering when evaluating rhetoric.

How Rhetoric and Politics Mix

Politics and rhetoric go hand-in-hand because the art of rhetoric is essentially the art of polishing one's words in a way that is clear enough to be persuasive. Whenever you watch a politician on television giving a speech for or against a certain topic of debate, you are watching him or her practice rhetoric. The way he or she presents him or herself and the force of his or her words, for example, are rhetoric factors that often impact the opinions of voters. 

Examining the Power of Politicians' Political Rhetoric 

While most politicians have the potential to use rhetoric to advance their power for better or for worse, some are much more well-known for it than others. Typically, whenever there is a major political controversy of any sort, rhetoric plays a major role in either minimizing or exacerbating the situation. For an ongoing example, former President Donald Trump is a politician who has regularly exercised the art of rhetoric during many of his past political performances. 

Drawbacks of Empty Political Rhetoric

Although political rhetoric has the power to do more than you might think words should be able to in places like Washington, D.C., the truth is that empty words end up still being empty words at the end of the day. For this reason, it is a smarter move for politicians to shape rhetoric in an intentionally positive way that is also grounded in truth. Empty rhetoric tends to lead to more feelings of disappointment and discontent among voters.

Using Political Rhetoric To Gain Trust

On the flip side of the empty rhetoric problem is the possibility of politicians using rhetoric to their advantage and doing good with it. An example of this might look like a politician speaking positively about opponents and encouraging shared positive values. At the same time, walking the talk of past promises is another way for politicians to use rhetoric alongside action to their political advantage. 

Moving Forward With More Informed Approach to Study

Because rhetoric has the potential to do so much damage, the best antidote for avoiding that potential disaster is moving forward with a more informed approach to study. This includes being more intentional, meditative and reflective on everyday processes and voting choices. Taking the time to truly analyze your words and the meaning behind your messages is a great way to move forward with better choices and smarter behaviors. The same is true for politicians.

At the end of the day, rhetoric impacts nearly every aspect of the world around you. Learning more about it can help you recognize how politicians use it to shape current affairs. After gaining this understanding of politics, it becomes much easier to read between the lines and form your own opinion outside of empty rhetoric. The first step, of course, is learning. 

How to Find the Top Spots in Any Destination

You’ve finally made it to your final destination, but you realize that you have no idea what to do from there. For some, this is the ideal way to adventure while in a new place. For others, however, the lack of a firm itinerary can be stressful, and many may fear they’ll miss out on the best things to see due to a lack of knowledge, planning or research. 

If you’re about to take a trip and want to find the best ways to get around, the top things to see, the highest-rated restaurants and the most interesting places to go, this guide is here to help. 

Check Local News

When you first start to plan your vacation itinerary, it’s a good idea to check up on the region’s current events. Look into local news sites, blogs, online magazines or state-sponsored guides for some of the area’s most popular happenings. There, you can go as deep as discovering the best fitness gyms by browsing Thrive Patch reviews left by locals or as basic as just getting a general idea for the spirit of your destination. 

Browse Social Media

There’s no better way to find out an area’s hot spots than to look to the trendsetters at your destination for guidance. Type in a few basic search terms into any social media platform and get scrolling. It likely won’t take long at all before you come across photo-worthy ice cream shops, picturesque landscapes, five-star restaurants and hidden gems that you may not find on other travel guides. Look across a few platforms for best results. 

Ask the Locals

If you know anyone who lives or used to live at your destination, they may be able to point you in the direction of the most exciting and interesting things to see while you’re there. Fortunately, even if you may not know anyone personally, you can find willing locals on message boards or forums that may have a few tricks up their sleeve, too. If you're comfortable waiting until you get there, you can ask your hotel’s concierge, rideshare driver or even muster up the courage to stop someone on the street for recommendations. 

Look Up Reviews

If must-try diners and can’t-miss galleries are what you’re after, do your research to find the most buzzworthy spots in town. Look at local rankings to find spots with a lot of positive reviews left by satisfied visitors, but don’t limit yourself to just one source. Sometimes, different sites attract different crowds, so one highly-reviewed restaurant on one platform may have overwhelmingly negative reviews on another. Do your due diligence to make sure you have an accurate picture of each spot, but keep an open mind for lesser reviewed or newer spots, too. 

Find Your Location

While you’re on your vacation, you may find a few hidden gems along the way. To give yourself the best chance at discovering your new favorite breakfast spot, turn on your GPS location and open a maps app to look around nearby. Type in any search term and plot points on the map to save potential spots or find a location easily the next time you’re headed out for breakfast. You never know what you may find unless you take a virtual look while you’re already there. 

Download Local Apps

Some destinations have apps that really come in handy for visiting tourists and locals alike. Some of these apps are built by the cities themselves, or notable organizations in the area, while others were put together by those who want to help others find their way around off the beaten path. Look for apps that can help you find local transit options, walking tours, museum events, historical sites and even lesser known oddities that you won’t find in other destinations. As well, even more basic travel-oriented apps can provide information about local shows, tours, restaurants and experiences that you may find thrilling on your vacation. 

Where To Look To Discover the Beauty of the City

Do you live in a large city and sometimes get lost in the busy nature and forget to take time out to look for the beauty? Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the city with all the noise and chaos can make it seem distracting and cause it to be a little difficult to find the beautiful aspects that are out there. However, every city has plenty of beautiful elements if you just know where to look. When you slow down and take the time to look around you may start to appreciate long-overlooked wonders and start to discover new, hidden gems.

Examine Structural Elements 

First of all, you can find artistic beauty in the buildings that are surrounding you. Pay attention to the architecture. Explore or simply marvel at the older buildings that you come across. Appreciate the history they hold and look at the façades and the unique construction. 

You can even look at the relationship between buildings at the skyline they create and how they come together to form a neighborhood or even a business district. Notice how they play off of each other and form a cohesive unit. 

When you look at the buildings, pay attention to the smaller details of the design. One may have beautiful bay windows and another may have decorative columns that add to the appeal. Structural elements can be both functional and beautiful. You can find both with solar panels Texas that turn a building from ordinary to extraordinary, all while helping the environment. These simple additions may seem minor, but when you look at them with renewed interest, you can see how much variety they add.

Look at Your Community 

It can be all too easy to start to overlook your surroundings when you come into contact with them on a daily basis. What you once thought of as beautiful and interesting may now blend into the background. If this is the case, try to recapture the appreciation you once had. If you're looking for more beauty then open your eyes and start to notice again all the small aspects that add spice and color to your environment.

Maybe you want to spend some time in the local park to soak in some calming nature time. Or, you could help out in a shared garden. Remind yourself to take notice of the murals that are painted on the walls or even chalked onto the sidewalks. Attend art installations and shows nearby. Explore your options and don't be afraid to branch out into new areas.

Find Small Surprises 

Once you start looking, you never know just when or where you may find an overlooked treasure. There could be a hidden bench underneath a shady tree in a quiet spot, tucked away out of sight, where you can read and watch the people passing by. The city is full of these small spaces that you can share with others or they can be your own special getaway to observe and appreciate all that goes on around you.

Watch Social Interactions 

There is beauty in humanity itself as well. Everything from how people interact with each other, to how they express themselves, can be a work of art. Start to take note of the people that you come into contact with. Watch the beauty of dancers or the comfort of a couple holding hands. Keep an eye out for unique fabrics and styles where people express their individuality using bold colors and other accessories.

Be Open-Minded 

Finally, remember to keep an open mind. You never know when you'll be looking at the same scene from a different perspective and it will suddenly change in its view and appeal to you. There are so many things you may miss by not taking the opportunity to look.

Beauty is all around you, even in the big city, if you just open your eyes. Once you get into the habit of seeking it out you will start to notice more and more how prevalent it is everywhere. When this happens, you will add a new layer of appreciation for your life and everything in it. 

How To Create a Workout Plan

There are plenty of self-help books and websites full of cookie-cutter workout plans. However, to get the maximum benefits out of your workout, it can be better to design your own. This guide will help you design your workout plan.

Clean Up Your Diet

You can't exercise away a bad diet. What you eat plays a huge role in how well you achieve your fitness goals. If you don't get your diet right, all your hard work in the gym may be wasted. Build your diet around lean high-quality protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. Reduce the amount of highly processed foods you eat. Cut back or eliminate alcohol, soda and foods with high amounts of added sugar. Consider adding supplements, such as the Thrive Patch, but be sure to review Thrive side effects, before deciding if it is right for you.

Choose Your Goals

Not every exercise or routine makes sense for every goal. Before you start designing your routine, determine your goals. Do you want to shed fat? Are you trying to increase your muscle mass or definition? Do you want to increase your strength or flexibility? Are you trying to improve your performance at a specific sport? Once you have your goals, choose exercises that will help you achieve them.

Pick Your Schedule

The best workout for you will depend on how often and how long you plan to workout. If you will be doing three or fewer workouts per week, it will be most effective to focus on total body workouts. If you plan to work out four or more days per week, you need to work different muscle groups on different days to avoid overtraining. Schedule at least one full day of rest each week and don't do high-intensity workouts on back-to-back days.

Inventory Your Equipment

Whether you plan to workout at home or in the gym, you need to take into account the available equipment before you settle on exercises. Also, consider how much access you have to the equipment. If you plan to use a gym during busy times of the day, it may be better to plan on using one piece of equipment at a time, rather than trying to do circuit training. If you will be traveling frequently, consider what types of exercises you can perform in a hotel room or gym.

Choose Your Set-Rep-Rest Scheme

Your goals will be the main determining factor in the best set-rep-rest scheme. If you are trying to build strength, low-rep, high-set schemes are ideal. If you are trying to lose fat, high-rep schemes and circuits are good choices. As a general rule, whenever you decrease the number of reps per set, you should increase the amount of weight you are lifting and vice versa. How much rest you need between sets depends on how you are lifting. If you are lifting to failure or near-failure, you need two to three minutes between sets. If you are doing high-rep, low-weight sets, 45-60 seconds of rest will help keep your heart rate up and burn calories.

Work Larger Muscles First

If you are doing both compound and isolation exercises, do the compound exercises first. Otherwise, you risk tiring out smaller muscles before you get around to doing the exercises you will see the most benefit from.

Change Your Routine Every Eight to Twelve Weeks

It takes the body about 12 to 14 weeks to adapt to a new stressor, such as a workout routine. To keep making progress, you need to keep changing your workout. However, you don't have to start from scratch. You can perform the same exercise, but using different equipment, changing your sets and reps or doing variations of the same exercises.

There are a lot of good workout routines available to you. However, designing your own routine based on your specific goals and needs can be more effective in the long run. Use this guide to custom build your perfect workout.

New Home Design Considerations

When designing and building a new house, it’s important to take into consideration what you really need versus what you just want. Sometimes the “need list” is smaller than you imagined and sometimes the “want list” must be cut due to financial constraints. On the other hand, if you plan to live in your house for many years, it’s best to take a long view of what you can afford. Remember that those special extras you put into your home will no doubt increase your enjoyment of living there, and if you live in the house for at least a decade, you can divide out the price by each year. By changing your perspective, you may find it’s easier to determine what’s worth spending money on.

Indoor/Outdoor Space

Creating a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern life could be a worthwhile expense. If you’re not a DIY gardener with lots of extra time, it’s best to add backyard design into the cost of your dream home. Consult with pool loan companies and landscape architects to help you create a perfect outdoor space that will flow nicely from your home via large sliding doors or beautiful picture windows. With the right design, your living room can connect flawlessly with a deck or patio overlooking a pool or garden to create a harmonious indoor/outdoor area perfect for entertaining others or even just yourself.

Extra Shelving

No one in the history of home design has ever uttered the words, “Well, I really have too much storage space.” You can’t go wrong with built-in shelving whether it is in a closet, living room or unused corner nook. Shelves at one end of a den can hold a TV or pictures or knick-knacks. Closet shelves mean fewer boxes get piled on the floor under the coats. Also, request a second set to be placed up high to store little used items like holiday decorations. Corner shelves are great for displaying specialty artwork or ceramics. While you’re adding them, request shelves in the garage. Start your time in your new home neat and organized.

Upstairs Laundry

Your movers may not thank you when they’re lugging your washer and dryer upstairs but having your laundry room close to the majority of the bedrooms can be a godsend. Multiply the number of occupied bedrooms in the home times the number of trips up and down the stairs with a full laundry basket each week, and you’ll understand why having your laundry room upstairs makes good sense. Plus, it will help eliminate ignored piles of clean clothes cluttering up the main living space.

Large Mud Room

You may need to sacrifice space somewhere else, but if you have a busy family, it will be worth it to have a large mudroom as the gateway into the rest of the house. With enough cubbies and shelves, muddy shoes, backpacks, dog leashes and yard toys need never cross the threshold into the rest of the house. If everyone in the family has their own space for their own coats and hats, the unavoidable heap of damp winter gear will never form. Consider installing a small bench along the wall as a place to remove shoes and boots.

Sky Lights

If you want your home to be light and bright, add in a few strategic sky lights. Not only do they open up a dark room, but they allow you to maintain privacy without curtains. Skylight technology has changed and improved over the years. A triple-glazed window directs light, but not heat, throughout an entire room. Solar skylights are great for small areas like bathrooms or hallways nearly eliminating the need for standard lighting. Many brands have an Energy Star rating and are impact resistant.

Everyone’s dream home is different based on their family size and interests. When building your dream home, you probably won’t get every single feature you want, but it’s smart to figure out what features will be useful to you over the years of living in the house. This kind of thinking might help you prioritize what extras are truly worth paying for.

Changing Home Design Trends in 2021

No matter who you are or what you do, one thing that you can share in common with everyone else in the world is that you need shelter. This shelter can be unique in a number of ways. Cultural differences, technological innovations and personal preference often play a role in the constantly shifting and growing trends of home ownership. Our world continues to change everyday and home trends are not immune to that. Some interesting and useful innovations are happening that are projected to continue developing and rising in popularity in the year 2021. Here are three sectors in which homes will see massive overhauls as well as subtle differences as the next year approaches.

1. Technology

This is perhaps one of the most exciting areas of home based changes that 2021 will see. As technological innovation continues to happen, big picture oriented technological tycoons are seeing that their inventions can be applied to the home. It is of huge importance that people pay attention to their energy usage and consumption, especially in the 2020's. One way people are ensuring that they do not have to be reliant on antiquated energy technologies is by having solar panels built into their homes. This technology is going to be more accessible and affordable in 2021 than it ever has been. Solar panels are being put onto homes and even commercial buildings so that people everywhere can take advantage of the natural and ever present energy provided by the sun. There is nowhere to go but up for solar energy in 2021. Another technology that is seeing growth in the next year is the idea of the home robot. The smart home fears are not something to be as worried about in 2021 as people developing these artificial intelligence utilities are making sure that they are completely safe. If you own a Roomba vacuum, then you already have an artificial intelligence based home robot. People find themselves wanting to spend more time doing what they enjoy as well as getting their work done, so robots are a great option for taking care of things that used to take up quite a bit of human time.

2. Interior Design

As humanity moves into a new decade, different interior design trends are developing and morphing. While this sector is really based on peoples' personal preferences, there are some noticeable and intriguing trends developing. Two examples are rustic vogue and classic traditionalism. Rustic vogue is a mixture of shabby and chic that keeps a keen eye on the character of the home itself. People are bringing in classic ideas that mesh well with the genuine, built in character that their homes already have. Classic traditionalism sees people utilizing timeless motifs like parallel symmetry, antique pieces and courtly styled decor. A distinct idea to take away from these different, popular concepts is that people are reaching into the past to use the things they like and mixing those things with modern innovation and colors to create a uniquely nostalgic yet forward-thinking style.

3. Location

Many people who live in big cities have decided that they prefer the wider spaces and sprawled layouts that suburban and rural areas offer. Not only are bigger homes less expensive away from the city, there is also more space between homes. While the city amenities do not exist as often outside of the scope of the city center, there are definitely unique benefits that more and more people find themselves taking advantage of.

Owning and living in a home is on trend to become as popular as ever in the year 2021. People have realized that having a space that is entirely their own is key to a productive and happy life. Because of this growing sentiment, there is a unique opportunity for the understanding and utilization of certain technological, design and location-based trends by anyone who currently owns a home or is looking to buy or build a home in 2021. These exciting changes are sure to breed a generation of home bodies who appreciate their spaces and treat them with the love and care that they deserve. After all, it is often said that home is where the heart is!

Going from Startup to Successful Art Studio

When many artist start out, they only start out with the desire to make or create the things they are passionate about. Some artists choose to stay small scale, but for some artist, the desire to grow can lead to some growing pains. There are many things that can get in the way of an artist achieving their dreams of building a large art studio. Here are somethings tips that can help an artist grow their studio.

Management

This comes down to the right brain verse the left brain debate, but generally, artist tend to use the side of the brain that is associated with creativity. Unfortunately, the side of the brain that is associate with business management is often not the most dominate in artists. Now this isn’t always the case but often times is true. This is why it is suggested for artist to take entry-level business management classes to assist with starting an art studio the right way. The things that can be learned in these classes revolve around how to manage a budget, how to manage employees, and how to manage your time.

Consultant

Some artist may wonder what they should do after the startup phase. One popular option is hiring a business consultant. A business consultant is good option for anyone that is past the startup phase but struggling to get to a new level of growth. When you hire a business consulting company like OCEO you get the knowledge of a successful business mind that will preform an audit of your business. You will get the benefit of having guidance of a professional without the need to give up ownership of your business.

Nourish your mind

Creating is always going to be an artist’s main focus, but it’s recommended that an artist take time to learn from others. There are a lot of podcasts, videos, and books on how other success artists did it. learning from their experiences is the easiest way to learn and save yourself some of the heartache they experienced while growing their studio.

Finances

It’s often difficult in art to manage the finances of an art studio. Pieces of art aren’t like groceries where a set price tag is associate with the product. Many times, an artist can place a price tag on their creation but will find people offering less. Other times, a bidding war could be the outcome, in which case the artist ends up with more money than the expected. Unfortunately, in both cases you won’t know when a piece of art will sell. In either situation, it is important for a studio manager to have a budget. Again, it won’t be easy because a steady stream of cash can’t be relied on.  Ideally, the budget needs to allows a studio to continue to make their art while also not limiting them. If your budget won’t let you buy materials, then it’s time to rethink your strategy.

Networking

Next to sales, networking is going to be one of the biggest drivers for getting your art known. For many artist, they don’t want to be known as the salesperson, they want to focus on their art. Sales can be awkward and hard to learn. That is where networking comes into play. Networking takes the pressure off of trying to sell your art and makes the main focus on making friendships. Networking is meant to make yourself and the kind of art you make known. There are many resources for building a network. Some of the best ways are though social media platforms. Here you can reach out to interior designers, event planners, and art lovers. It won’t be easy at first, but as with all investments, as you continually build eventually you will find success through your efforts. The best advice is to get out there. don’t worry about messing up, trying is going to be your best asset.

Sell Your Art Online Successfully by Building Your Own Art Ecosystem

If you are like many burgeoning artists, you probably thought selling your art online would be a walk in the park. Sure, it would take a little time for patrons to find you, but once they did, it would be difficult to keep up with the demand.

But then something happened. No one found you. And the artwork you thought you would have trouble parting with now seems to mock you. It’s enough to make you want to give up on selling online altogether.

Don’t do it. There are plenty of reasons why your art didn’t find an audience originally - and just as many ways to correct course. All it takes is a little focus.

Build Your Own Art Ecosystem

The secret to selling anything online, from T-shirts to connected vending machines, is defining your brand and then cultivating an audience that responds to your brand. What many companies - and people - forget is that your brand is not simply your product. Your story is your brand, and your story is everything: why you create your art, what the art means to you and to the client, how you build relationships with your audience, and how you let them be a part of the process.

Once you have established your brand, now you can build your art ecosystem. An ecosystem is a complex network of interconnected systems. For the online seller, this translates into the seller’s main platform, whether that’s an e-commerce site like Etsy or independent online storefront, the social networks in which the artist promotes their work, and any other online channel that captures interested people and leads them to the finished product.

Building relationships worldwide

Your art ecosystem now provides you with a way to not only speak directly to potential patrons, but to listen to what they have to say, either via online comments or during live events on social channels like Instagram and Snapchat. This interaction strengthens the bonds between artist and client. This bond is what compels people to want to buy. They feel closer to both the work and to you, as the artist.

The ecosystem also allows you to reach a wider pool of prospects. A multi-channel ecosystem speaks to customers of all ages all over the world. A how-to video on YouTube, for example, might inspire someone in Florida and someone else in France. Better than a few clicks on a singular e-commerce site that relies on a prospect typing in just the right keywords to find your storefront.

Connect with Other Artists

As you build your online art ecosystem, you might soon find that you are connecting with other artists, as well. Like-minded creatives with diverse backgrounds provide a fount of inspiration and constructive criticism through unique lenses. They do so not only for your work, but for the way you are speaking to your audience. If something is ringing false, they will be the first to tell you.

Collaboration with other artists can also help you build your online art ecosystem, expand your customer relationships, and help you learn a little bit. By collaborating, you have the opportunity to speak directly to your colleague’s audience, encouraging them to see what you and your work are all about. Soon you’re tapped into a client base that might be twice the size of yours.

Don’t Forget to Keep Working

One last bit of advice. Don’t forget to keep working. As you build your audience, you might be inclined to spend more time interacting with your fan base than creating the art they are there to buy. Carve out time to do the work.

If you still want to interact, bring your audience into the studio while you create. This helps tell your story and solidify your brand. Plus, your customers will feel even more connected to your work. And they will want to own a piece of it. Who knows? You might even sell what you’re working on before it’s even finished.

4 Designs That Can Transform Your Home

While home ownership is a big deal, especially these days, it’s only the beginning. Having a roof over your head is essential, but with that out of the way, you’re free to pursue the home of your dreams. Your dream home can’t be bought, however; it will have to be made. These are the tips you’ll need to transform your house into your ideal habitat with aftermarket renovations.

A Swimming Pool

Everyone loves to swim, so it stands to reason that having a swimming pool on your property is the shared goal of many. However, there are different classes of pools you can choose from, some of which are better than others. Standing pools serve as a cost effective option, but it can also be the underwhelming option. While the cost of inground pool is far more hefty, it’s worth that extra cost for the high end, luxurious experience that it can offer your family. Moreover, there are plenty of financing options that can make this prohibitively expensive commodity much more affordable, allowing almost anyone to achieve this level of relaxation at home. It’s also worth noting that an inground pool can be outside for a way to beat the heat during the summer, but it can also be part of your home’s interior for year round swimming opportunities with climate control.

Natural Lighting

You can also make some simpler changes that can transform your home in a way that’s no less profound. One such example is that of increasing the amount of natural light that can make its way into your home during the day. Synthetic light is fine, but there’s a time and a place for it, and it makes sense to leave your lights off during the day to save on electricity costs. You’ll also be able to enjoy a more gentle, more color neutral light source that will reduce eye strain and increase visibility. However, you can make some renovations in order to facilitate optimal lighting conditions without turning on your electric lights. Bigger windows are a place to start, but even that is failing to capitalize on the light coming from directly overhead. For that reason, you can install a skylight to increase the level of natural light in your home even further. While you’re at it, you’ll also be creating a gorgeous addition to your home and a spectacle that will enthrall you and your guests alike.

A Home Gym of Office

Another great way to build your dream home is to make additional space to meet your less necessary but no less important needs. Building a home gym can help you bring your workout to you, and that can make a world of difference in your fitness journey. On the other hand, you can use that same space to give yourself a dedicated work space if you work from home. Working from home can be tricky if you’re surrounded by distractions, and isolating yourself can improve your performance tremendously. A home art studio can have a similar advantage if you have an artistic job or hobby.

Interior Design

Interior design is one of the simplest ways to make your home your own, but it can have a tremendous impact on the essence of your living space. While there’s not necessarily anything wrong with the bog standard all white color palette, it does leave something to be desired. Moreover, accruing a unique and stylish collection of furniture and decor can help you create a living space that speaks to your rich inner life and tells your story to your guests.

Moving into your own house is a major milestone in your life, but turning that house into a home will take some additional work. That work will be more than worth it, however, because it will give you the home you’ve always wanted and deserved. These tips can help you get started, but it’s ultimately your journey based on your preferences, and there are no wrong answers.

5 Signs It Is Time To Make Art Your Full Time Job

There are so many types of artists that it is impossible to name them all. No matter what type of medium you pursue, it is important that you feel that your creative needs are met as an artist. The regular 8-5 job may not be enough for you anymore, and you may be wondering if it is time to make art a full-time career. This can be a scary step, but it is the right one for many people. Consider these five things about making art your full-time job.

You Are Too Busy To Manage Your Part-Time Load

Perhaps your artistry began as a small side hustle that you were hoping to use to make some extra cash. You may find, though, that your side hustle is taking over your life! You may not have enough time to fulfill all the demand for your product or services, and this can be a sign that it is time to quit the day job. If you find that you could keep enough recurring revenue to make this a full-time gig, it might be time to tell the office goodbye.

You Hate Your Day Job

Job satisfaction is an important part of anyone's life. After all, you likely spend most of your time at work. If you find that you hate being at your desk all day and just want to get to your studio, this could be your sign that art needs to become a priority. You may find that your art fulfills you in a way that a regular job simply does not. Consider if you can manage to retire from the rat race and instead give your art full focus.

You Have Offers for Steady Income

Depending on what type of art you do, you may have opportunities for steady income. There may be an art gallery that wants to display a different collection of your artwork every month. Perhaps you have a client who is interested in you painting murals in all of their places of business. If you find an opportunity to make a living doing what you love, then it becomes a very tempting offer. Consider how your art career could become your primary source of income and how that would alter your finances.

You Need More Time To Focus on Your Art

Art does not often happen on command. It may take time for you to complete a project in the way that you want it done, and the creative juices may not flow after a grueling day at work. If you feel that your art is lacking and you want to make time to focus solely on that, then a full-time art career might be just what you need. If you are not ready to make that plunge, you can at least consider cutting back your hours at your regular job so that you have more time to focus on artwork.

You Are Ready to Retire

Maybe you are ready to retire but loathe the thought of sitting at home all day doing nothing. A booming art career might be just the thing that you need. If you have dabbled in any type of art in the past and have put it aside to focus on work, now is the time to revive it. You can use your ample time to develop your art and style, and you can create a supplemental income for yourself doing so. If your art career is taking off fast enough, it may even offer you the path for early retirement.

Art is a wonderful outlet for expressing yourself and giving a part of yourself to the world. It is important that you prioritize your art and make it a focus of your life. If you have been considering making your art a full-time career, start taking steps today to make it happen. Talk to other artists for inspiration and encouragement as well.

4 Tips for Becoming a Modern Dancer

Modern dance is a form of performance art that has existed since the late nineteenth century. It is an extremely broad genre of dance, but its main goal is to be iconoclastic. Iconoclasm is the act of attacking or rejecting accepted systems. This rebellious style of movement can be presented in an endless amount of ways. Due to its fluid nature, practically anyone can perform a modern dance. If you have an interest in it at any point in your life, here are four tips for becoming a modern dancer.

1. Train Your Body

The type of modern you practice requires various levels of training. If you want to practice Horton or Graham you'll need to have a lifetime of dance lessons. A newcomer to dance can train in these forms, but a professional performance is highly unlikely. No matter what you practice, preparing your body is essential. First, gather excess energy for your training. The amount of physical exhaustion dance causes is intense, so you'll need to have more energy than usual. Adopt a healthy and nutritious diet. Go to bed sooner and get up earlier. If you're still having problems, consider other energy providers like Thrive. Search "what is thrive" or questions about other products to determine if the option is right for you. Next, find a nearby studio or online classes. A studio is ideal as you'll be able to get personalized instruction. If you want to use Western European styles, be sure to take ballet. Above all, keep at it and don't let yourself stop training.

2. Study History

Modern dance can be complicated to wrap your head around, so studying its history is vital for understanding it. You may have no idea as to what you should be creating. Do your work and find out the true intentions behind this dance form. This also helps you know what to train in. If you see yourself in Twyla Tharp, train in her style. Those who want to be strong movers should study Lester Horton's technique. You should also know what companies currently specialize in modern. A modern dancer that's never heard of Alvin Ailey isn't likely to make many professional connections.

3. Create an Artist Statement

It may surprise you to learn that perfect technique isn't the driving force behind modern dance. For the most part, it's the intended meaning or story the dance is portraying. If you're planning on creating modern dance, or even just performing it, you need to know what messages you want to convey. This can be accomplished with an artist's statement. An artist's statement provides a succinct explanation of what art you plan to make and what you want to accomplish. Simply stating that you want to perform modern dance isn't nearly enough. Take the time to consider exactly what type of dance you will portray. Will it involve theatrical monologues or singing? Will the audience be involved? What do you want viewers to walk away thinking? Consider these questions and create a well-written paragraph or two.

4. Collaborate

Modern dance is an ever-evolving performance art. Therefore, it demands constant collaboration and discussion. Paying attention to industry trends will help you attract larger audiences. While you shouldn't sacrifice your art, you'll be able to advertise more effectively. Collaboration will also gain you contacts. Modern dance, despite its popularity, is a fairly small community. Any professional modern dancer is likely to have multiple contacts in the field. The more friends you make, the more opportunities you have.

Modern dance is one of the best methods for expressing artistic meaning. It has the ability to speak directly to the audience and convey an infinite number of messages. Even if you have no dance experience, anyone with an artistic drive can practice this style. If you follow these tips you'll be well on your way to performing modern dance.

4 Tips for New Urban Artists to Try

If you ever wanted to try your hand at art, but do not really fit into a mold, urban art might be perfect for you. Many urban artists started out as street artists, doing simple graffiti and using that to make a name for themselves. Urban art is perfect for anyone who likes to be creative and take risks in their artwork. Anyone who wants to make a statement for the public to see can easily use urban art as a way to express themselves. Urban artists also can use more than just spray paint, so if you like to use mixed media, urban art may be right up your alley.

Take Inspiration from Your Childhood

If you really want to try urban art, but are having a hard time getting started, a tip is to take an idea from your childhood. Anything people can relate to is likely to become instantly popular. For example, you could do some kind of sudoku or word search game, and in this way people could even interact with it. You could, instead, make a reference to a favorite toy or article of clothing from your youth. Anything that you know other people will be able to relate to and instantly recognize is sure to create a stir. Just be careful that you do not mess with any registered trademarks. If you do, it is likely that you will have their legal team contacting you.

Do Something You Are Passionate About

If you still are having a hard time thinking about where to start, take inspiration from where you are currently. What do you love to do? What are you truly passionate about? If you love the way people's eyes can show depth and individuality, then maybe you should try painting some giant eyes, staring down at the public. Alternatively, maybe you are passionate about a movement or a political stance. Use your artistic ability to express how you feel about those things. The only thing to be careful of is where you do your artwork. For example, it would be unwise to put a graphic piece of art next to an elementary school. However, it could be great to put a more graphic piece in another, public place, farther from large groups of children.

Use a Different Medium

Sometimes artists can get stuck using one type of media their whole careers. The great thing about urban art is that you can use literally anything. From trash to signs, from paint to chalk, anything can be put together and combined to create something beautiful or inspiring. If you have always used spray paint, challenge yourself to use paint for a day. Or, if you really want to try something different, challenge yourself to use trash you find near your site. Sometimes amazing, meaningful things can come from a piece of trash. It is your job, as the artists, to see the potential in items and create something different. Use an item in a way that it was never meant to be used. This is your chance to really take a leap and be creative.

Put Something in an Unexpected Place

Finally, the last tip is to put something in a place no one would expect. This can help leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees it. So, if you are creating a sculpture, afix it so it is coming out of a building facade. Or, if you are creating an optical illusion piece, place it on a sidewalk or extremely visible area where people will have to interact with it. Urban artists have the freedom to put their artwork anywhere (with permission) and use almost anything as their canvas. Use that as a base for your inspiration.

Urban art has become increasingly popular in the last few years. The public loves seeing new artwork that they can interact with and enjoy, particularly in places that they may have formerly viewed as ugly eye sores. Above all, get out, be creative, and be safe.

How to Foster the Artistic You in Healthy Lifestyles

In today’s world, health and wellness are becoming a top priority. This oftentimes means diets, exercise regimen, natural supplements, and striving to avoid the doctor. But what really gets neglected, especially on a daily basis, is art. Art and design are enormous components of living a healthy lifestyle. This is because art is a creative outlet. For instance, while exercise uses up physical energy (putting your muscles to work), and food gives you energy to do such a thing, it is ART that releases creative energy. This energy is vital to cultivating the healthy life of your dreams. Let’s get started. 

Be Artistic When You Design and Create your Food and Meal Plans 

When you include creativity, you land at places such as Le-Vel Thrive where you could read the le-vel thrive reviews to see what other people are saying about it! And we love what you are doing as you learn to help yourself lose weight, feel better, and be happier. So as you embrace the beautiful and nourishing aspect of food, we hope you do so in a creative and artistic way. If you are putting positivity into your body, you push the negativity out! Therefore, be creative with your food. 

For starters, being more creative by making food faces, or adding new spices might make you laugh and smile, which relieves tension and almost immediately makes for a more comfortable, joyful meal setting. This stimulates all the senses at once! Second, you might find yourself feeling like you have more control over what you want to eat. This helps you eat the appropriate amount. Third, being creative takes the fear factor out of the equation, so food and meal plans are back to being fun, natural, and nourishing. 

Decorate Your Home 

Ever heard of Feng Shui? In the context of art and interior design, it just means adjusting your home’s furniture, layout, and decorations to harmonize with nature, such as the seasons. Take the opportunity, four times a year, to “spring clean,” or rearrange your home. Doing so will help shift things around in your mind, which might give you fresh ideas for living a happier, more vibrant, or calmer life in the days to come. 

If your home is simple and plain, try adding more color. Grabs your paints and brushes and splatter a design on the wall. Who says it has to look nice? It is your home. Let your mind relieve itself. After all, whatever that is in you should have the freedom to express itself, which then surrounds you! Maybe you will even feel more at home with your own decorations. Here are some great DIY ideas for some practical and aesthetically pleasant home renovations and designs. You can also add solar energy designs to not only add something to your home, but also help the environment while helping your electricity bill! Not only do you find different uses for common items, you also become more proactive in cleaning up or changing your home. 

Do One Creative Thing Every Single Day 

Embrace the art within you as something unique and beautiful. Then, release it! Give yourself the room every single day to do something artistic or creative. This could mean putting a cinnamon stick on your oatmeal rather than using ground cinnamon. It could mean decorating your shoe rack by color, maybe even making the colors of the rainbow in order. You could put different place settings on the table, or get creative with the napkins by folding them differently. The point is to allow your mind to wander in its own creative direction. Then follow it to see where this creative perspective on health takes you! 

Try to come up with your own ideas for being creative, but if you are having trouble, here are some suggestions to get you going. Once you start being creative, it will be difficult to stop. 

Conclusion 

Art and design are a direct reflection of what is inside you. When you release this energy into something that you admire and appreciate, you heal. So be creative! Creativity is the healthy you!

Different Forms of Art Using the Human Body

There can be many creative ways that you can both express yourself, and drop pounds, too. You can use your body to express emotion and feelings and make it into an art form.

Ballet

One popular way to get lean and strong while still keeping your creative side engaged is ballet. Whether you want to learn elegant positions and moves just like a dancer would, or prefer a standard workout with a ballet flavor, there are many types of ballet workouts available. While some may think that ballet is just dancing and not that hard, the reality is that it can be intense and can build a lot of lean muscle. Because of this, making sure that you eat the right diet and study ways to give yourself a healthy boost by reading le-vel thrive reviews can be helpful. 

Interpretive Dance

For those that like the idea of losing weight through dance, but aren't into the formality and structure that comes along with ballet, trying interpretive dance can be a good alternative. While interpretive dance is similar to ballet in some ways, and will require you to engage many of the same muscle groups, it is less strict, and allows you more freedom in the ways you move and express yourself. 

Gymnastics

Gymnastics can be an energizing and fun way to work out your whole body and feel strong. While some may think that gymnastics is only for the young, it is an activity you can do at any age, as long as you're aware of your limitations and willing to start off slowly. Not only can it be great for building strong muscles, but it can also give your flexibility a boost, too. 

Belly Dance

Belly dancing can be a beautiful way to express yourself, and drop pounds at the same time. Unlike some forms of movement that require you to move your whole body in a big way, like gymnastics, belly dancing involves smaller, more focused movements. Just because it involves smaller, more precise kinds of movement, though, doesn't mean that you can't get a good workout, or that you won't develop muscle tone, especially in your stomach. 

Aerial Yoga

While regular yoga can be a great way to maintain a healthy weight, aerial yoga can take it up a notch, literally. Aerial yoga often involves many of the same poses that you would encounter in regular yoga, however they are performed with the use of a trapeze, or yoga swing, that hangs a few feet off of the ground. This kind of yoga can have many of the same benefits that standard yoga does, but it has the added benefit of not putting undue stress on your joints. Because of this it can be especially great for those that would like to do yoga poses but don't want to put extra pressure on certain parts of their body. 

Contortionist Training 

Even if you don't plan on becoming an actual contortionist, trying contortionist training as a workout can be a great way to improve your flexibility and learn how to move your body in new ways. Not only that, but once you do begin to master some of the basic techniques, you can be proud of your accomplishments, and will feel more in touch with your body and all of the things it can do, too. 

The Bottom Line

No matter how badly some may want to lose weight, they may find themselves struggling for a variety of reasons. One of these may be that they struggle with sticking to a workout regimen, and find many forms of exercise repetitive or boring. While some workouts may be less than exciting, the good news is that there are lots of ways to get your body moving, from ballet to belly dance, that can blast fat and be fun at the same time. 

Got asked to do a couple windows in tempura which ive never used to do some fall themed paintings on windows here is the first of two.