6 Tips for Experimenting With Different Art Mediums

Many of the world’s greatest artists are well-known for their expertise and mastery with a single or a few mediums. While it’s a good idea to practice thoroughly with one medium, it’s also wise to expand your creative reach and work with new materials, ideas and techniques to challenge your creativity and learn new things about the world of art as a whole. 

If you want to begin experimenting with different art mediums but aren’t sure where to start, this guide can help you make the most out of your explorations outside of your usual artistic practices. 

1. Start Small 

A solid, consistent workflow is crucial for success as an artist, but the introduction of new materials and mediums may make adherence to your routine difficult or even impossible. Rather than completely abandon your existing creative systems, begin your experimentation phase with baby steps. 

Whether you start your creative practice bright and early in the morning with a cup of coffee or you visit San Jose dispensaries to prepare for a nighttime work session, stay true to some parts of your process while leaving room for new choices and elements to show up in your new artistic investigations.

2. Combine What You Know With Something New

Unless you’ve endeavored to experiment with a medium that’s completely different than your go-to practices, one of the best ways to bring in new materials and methods into your work is to try to incorporate them into what you already know. 

Incorporating a new medium, especially one less familiar to you, into processes you’re already comfortable with can ease some of the apprehension and perceived risk that comes with working outside your comfort zone. 

3. Experiment Without Expectation

Part of the joy and benefit of art is the chance to adopt a playful headspace with your work. When you decide to experiment with a new medium, it’s even more important to maintain a lighthearted, fun-loving mentality. 

Though it does happen, it’s completely normal, and expected, to not get something right on the first few tries. Focus on the process rather than an outcome. The more you let yourself experiment in the name of fun and exploration, the more enjoyable the practice will be. 

4. Learn About New Techniques

An easy way to branch out in the world of art is to stick to your strongest medium, but try new techniques that encourage growth and expansion of your style. Embrace the things you excel at, but try to find new ways for your artistic voice to shine within a medium through new strokes, subjects, colors and methods. In this realm of experimentation, you can find new ways to communicate what you have to say as an artist, or at least better define what you like and don’t like with your process.

5. Explore New Materials

Before going all out with a new medium, do plenty of research ahead of time to educate yourself on what it takes to be successful with the new materials or format. While you’ll learn the most about the medium as you use it, there are hundreds of valuable pieces of advice, tips and tricks out there that can help you feel as confident and prepared as possible when it’s finally time to sit down and test your skills with new materials.

6. Look For Inspiration

It may be helpful for some artists to go in blind when working with a new medium, but it is also often helpful to look at other artists to see the various ways a medium can and has been used already. Some artists even have tutorials, courses or guides that can help you to better understand the potential and possibilities with whatever new supplies you’ve decided to try.

You may find it helpful to replicate certain methods and techniques at first while you figure out what works for you. Whether you use the new medium in the same way you use another or you switch up your process entirely, you’ll develop your own style and process in no time.

Do Employees Need an HSA?

Some employees can benefit significantly from an HSA, but is it right for you? Read on to find out.

Do They Qualify?

First, you or your employees need to determine if they even qualify for an HSA. The only people who need an HSA are those that can have one, so they have to be on a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to put money in the account. You may keep your account if you switch plans, but you can't add to it.

An HDHP is a plan where the deductible is at least $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family. It also usually only covers preventive services before you reach your deductible. That's why having savings is useful because you have extra money to pay for medical expenses.

Plan Deductible

The exact plan deductible may help you determine if you need an HSA. If your plan deductible is $1,400, you may be able to cover that out-of-pocket or with a regular savings account. On the other hand, you may need an HSA if your deductible is closer to $6,000.

Think about what your plan covers before the deductible. Then, consider how likely you are to reach that deductible in a given year. You may decide that you can afford to use other funds to pay for your medical bills.

Personal Medical Costs

As you look at the deductible, look further into your medical history. If you have a lot of medications, your odds of meeting your deductible are higher. So you may need to get an HSA to help save and pay for your medications and other treatments.

You might also want to think about other health-related things you buy. While an HSA won't cover supplements, it may help cover trips to the doctor to discuss supplements you should take. Then, you can make sure things like Thrive side effects are worth it for you and your situation.

Individual or Family

Employees should also consider if they have an individual or family health insurance plan. Individual plans will have lower deductibles than family plans with the same coverage. You can use the type of plan to determine if you may want to use an HSA.

Think about the medical costs of everyone on your plan. If you have a family and someone always meets their deductible, you may want to get an HSA. That way, the family member can cover their costs and help meet the family deductible. The rest of the family can also use the HSA to cover their treatment. Check what family requirements will meet HSA terms, same-sex couples who aren’t married and couples living together long-term that have met through matchmaking dallas, for other reasons will not have access to health care funds through HSA.

Ability to Save

Another vital factor to consider is if the employee in question can afford to contribute to an HSA. If someone makes very little money, they may need to use it all for bills. However, someone with a higher income might be able to afford to contribute to an HSA more regularly.

This is important if the HSA account has maintenance fees, which many do. You don't want to put a bit of money in there if you won't be able to make the most of the account. So take a look at how you can save some extra money to put in an HSA. Then, you'll know if the account is worth it.

Financial Goals

You should also look at your overall financial and savings goals. While the main purpose of an HSA is to save for medical expenses, you can invest the money to help the balance grow. You may be able to use the money for retirement as you get older, so it's a nice way to save extra for the future.

If an employee is already saving the maximum amount in a 401(k) or IRA, they may want an HSA. That way, they can save even more. This is particularly useful for older employees who are behind on saving for retirement. You can use your HSA to catch up and have enough money for later.

An HSA isn't right for everyone, and it's not even an option for some. But if it's an option for you, consider these things to decide if you need the account.

Tips for Moving with a Dog

Moving is stressful enough on its own, but when you throw a temperamental feline into the mix it can add another layer of worry. Dogs are known for being territorial, and they get very attached to their environments. So how are you supposed to move without causing your furry friend undue stress? There are helpful techniques you can use at every stage of moving to help your dog feel comfortable and secure during the process. 

Before Moving

When you're through the "I have to sell my house" phase and into the "I have to move now" phase, you might start to worry about your dog. Moving a dog out of your home can be just as stressful for them as it is for you, and because of their penchant for hiding and resisting change, it's important to make the process as easy as possible. 

The first thing you should do is put their dog carrier in a neutral area where they can access it. Line it with their favorite blanket or a soft towel to make it inviting and toss a few toys inside to encourage them to go in it. Leave the doors open so they know they can come and go as they please. This helps them to get acquainted with and feel comfortable in their career so when it's time to move them to the new house, they won't fight you.

Another thing that can help is to leave your dog's belongings out as long as possible. Plan to pack their toys and dog tree up last so they can continue enjoying their normal routine as long as possible. This can help to reduce their stress leading up to the move and gives you a better chance of having a calm kitty on moving day.

During the Move

On moving day, it's important to have a safe room set up for your dog. This will be the room where your dog will stay for most of the day. It keeps them out of the way of movers, protects them from being hurt by moving furniture and gives them a sense of security and stability while lots of strangers are in their home. Make sure you stock the room with food, water, toys and a litter box so your dog has all of its natural comforts.

The safe room is the last room you'll load into the truck. Sometimes it can help to get the big furniture out of that room before moving day so all you have to worry about is your dog and its things after the rest of the house is loaded up. 

In your new home, you'll need a second safe room to place the dog in while you unload furniture. This should be the first room you set up so you can move your dog quickly from one region to another without it having to be in its carrier for very long. Set up all of your dog supplies in the new safe room and allow your dog to explore it while you finish moving things into your new home.

Helpful hint: This can be the best time to buy a mattress if you're in the market. Leave your old mattress in the safe room at your first house and put the new mattress in the safe room at your new home. It helps the dog feel secure and gives them a warm, soft place to rest if they feel overwhelmed.

After the Move

Once you've got all your furniture in and the movers are gone, let your dog out of the safe room so it can explore your new house. It can help to have their dog tree or favorite perch set up beforehand so they have a safe, familiar place to rest if they aren't ready to explore. As you unpack boxes, let your dog play in them and use them as toys so they can see the new house is just as fun and safe as the old one.

Ways to Start Living More Naturally

There's no doubt that planet Earth is in trouble. The ocean is full of plastic, the land is full of pesticides and the air is polluted from burning fossil fuels. If doing something about this seems too daunting to even try, figure out what baby steps you can take starting now. 

Stop Burning Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil and other petroleum products are problematic from the start. Coal mining and oil drilling were bad enough but now the practice of fracking is a danger to the very ecosystem.

In transporting these products, there are often spills, either into the ocean or the ground. This is disastrous for wildlife and ruins the natural balance of the ecosystem where the spill has occurred. 

There are alternatives to power your home and devices, and even your car. The most widely used alternative energy source is solar power. 

Solar is the most popular alternative to fossil fuels for many reasons. First, the price of solar installation has gone down dramatically over the past two decades. Second, many communities are giving incentives and lower rates.

You can get a break on your taxes if you install solar panels. If you can't decide whether or not to take the plunge, consult with a company like solar Wilmington NC to go over rates and options.

In the meantime, see if your local utility company lets you choose where your power comes from. You may get a better rate for switching from fossil fuels.

Stop Using Plastic

If you've been paying attention at all, you know that plastic pollution is one of the world's biggest problems. Although useful and cheap, since plastic is made from petroleum byproducts, it will never biodegrade.

Most plastic pollution ends up in landfills or the ocean and is never recycled into other plastic products.

There are many plastic alternatives now and it's definitely worthwhile to become familiar with them. 

Plastic straws make up a lot of the pollution that finds its way into the ocean. Thankfully, many fast-food restaurants and coffee shops are helping with alternatives. Some are offering paper straws and others have switched to sippy cups.

If you don't like either of those options, you can purchase your own set of reusable straws and carry it with you.

Plastic storage bags and plastic wrap are also a real problem. Ocean creatures often mistake such items for food since their movement underwater resembles that of a jellyfish. Unfortunately, these animals will die a painful death with stomachs full of plastic.

A better alternative is beeswax wraps. They're effective, organic and will never cause any pollution. 

Once you start thinking in that direction, more and more ideas for plastic alternatives will come to you. Every bit of plastic you replace is one that won't end up as pollution.

Stop Throwing Away Clothes

If you buy new clothes only infrequently and wear them until they are totally worn out, you are already doing a great job. However, textiles make up 40-50% of every landfill in this country.

The fashion industry is partially to blame for making it seem that new clothes should be purchased every year and the old ones discarded. However, they are beginning to change their ways. Some are even making new fashions out of recycled fabric.

What individuals can do is donate their used clothing to a thrift store instead of throwing it in the trash. On the flip side, try a used clothing store first when you need a new item of clothing. This is even possible online now. Wearing natural materials is also a good choice because they easily biodegrade.

Although it may seem as though there is nothing an individual can do to address the enormity of the world's pollution and global warming problems, never forget that there are over 330,000,000 people living in the United States. If each of them made just one good ecological choice this week, think of the progress that could be made.

Getting to Know the Most Common Electrical Problems

Have you noticed issues with your home’s electrical system? Are you unsure what is going on? Not only are electrical problems annoying, but they can also be dangerous. Because of this, you must act fast and seek repairs as soon as you notice an issue.  

It’s important to note that electrical problems can occur anywhere there is electricity. In some cases, the situation will require an easy fix, such as installing a new contactor relay. However, in other situations, it may require more in-depth, extensive repairs. Keep reading to learn more about the most common electrical issues that may occur. Knowledge is power when it comes to your home’s electrical system.

Surges (Transients)

Surges are the fast striking of light. These are caused by higher voltage disruptions in the flow of electricity. These surges usually occur for just a fraction of a second. Unfortunately, transients can cause serious damage to any electronic device that is connected.

If you notice that transients are happening more often than usual, you should probably have the electrical connections checked. An electrician can help you with this.

Loose Outlet Plugs

If you are dealing with a loose outlet plug, the first step is to turn the breaker off. Be sure to double-check the voltage going to the outlet. You can use a voltmeter to do this or just plug something in. At this point, if everything checks out with the voltage, remove the cover plate, and add shims until the outlet is flush with your wall.

Light Switches Not Working Properly

If you have dimmer switches that are not adjusting properly, this may be because of poor installation or because low-quality products were used. If you have recently moved into a new house and discovered that the switches aren’t controlling anything, it may be a sign the fixtures were removed. It may also be a fault with the outlet, wiring, or circuit.

Bulbs That Burn Out Frequently

Are you tired of changing lightbulbs all the time? If you haven’t changed the type of bulb you use, then the issue may be another type of electrical issue in your home. There are many reasons why bulbs may burn out frequently. It could be because of improper air circulation, a too tightly installed bulb, high voltage, or something else.

One solution is to see if the holder is depleted or loose. If everything seems fine, but bulbs continue to burn out, it is good to consult with an electrician to determine the underlying issue.

Dimming or Flickering Lights

If you notice your lights are flickering or dimming, it could be an indication of a poor connection. Eventually, this problem may lead to arcing. Corroded or loose connections that make intermittent contact may also result in overheating, sparking, and eventually a fire. It is best to have this problem checked out as soon as possible, as it will not resolve on its own.

Electrical Shocks

Being shocked isn’t a pleasant experience. While most of these are mild, often like a static shock, it is a reminder that electricity is dangerous when not used properly or safely.

Usually, electrical shocks will occur if you turn the device off or on. The issue may be with the appliance, or it could be with the wiring. You can test the issue by plugging in a different device and see if you can reproduce the results. However, this is also just putting you at risk for another electrical shock, so it may be best to talk to an electrician.

Keep Your Home Electrical System Safe

To ensure you are not facing any hazards or issues, it is essential to regularly inspect and check out your electrical system. In most cases, if there is an issue, one of the best things you can do is to hire an electrician. They can figure out the underlying issue and provide the best possible solution to resolve the problem.