Paris Fashion Week

(Design by Viktor & Rolf)

Fashion, as a creative expression, has always been an interest of mine. There is just something intriguing about designing clothes that are both artful and functional. Above is an image of a Viktor & Rolf design taken during Paris Fashion Week. I love how instead of advertising a brand they are announcing an idea. Ok, more like shouting an idea at you.

But it is definitely a creative interpretation of a winter coat combined with a concept. The design made me take a second look and think.

• Thoughts?

Who Wants to Be the World's Creative Hub?

The United Kingdom recently unveiled their largest government attempt to bring the arts and the creative sector to the forefront: Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy.

• Read more about it here.

Self-Taught Artists

(Image Courtesy of CAF)

Some call it outsider art, folk art, art brut or even self-taught art like the latest exhibition at the Cleveland Artist's Foundation: Recollections and Revelations: Self Taught Artists from Northeast and Central Ohio, 1850-2007.

The exhibition features almost thirty artists, including the Reverend Albert Wagner, whose image above depicts a brightly colored cotton field scene. Challenging us and our thoughts about what art should look like, these self-taught artists explore their personal creativity in paintings and sculptures, often using non traditional methods and materials.

• If you are in the Cleveland area, you can learn more at the Foundation's upcoming free public programs.
  

World Community Arts Day is February 17

(Image Courtesy of World Community Arts Day)

With the theme "art as a catalyst for caring and sharing," World Community Arts Day promotes creativity and personal expression. Celebrated on February 17, the organizers simply ask you to do an arts project, in any medium, that promotes the theme of "caring and sharing." They then ask you to post it online and send them a link, so it can be included in their worldwide effort to promote the arts.

To share your art:

Artists can add their work to Flickr




And if you are like me, who created a collage to represent the green circle that symbolizes World Community Arts Day, then you can join the Green Circle Flickr Group and post it.

• Whatever you decide, just do something creative on February 17
  
  

Do the Arts Have an Age Limit?

Not according to a recent article promoting the arts for people over 60. Authors, like David Galenson, have examined the concept of Old Masters, and now studies are verifying the claim that the arts enrich the lives of older adults.

"Aging artists rank higher in life satisfaction and self-esteem, according to a Needs Assessment of Aging Artists in New York City. They also are resilient and have an ongoing engagement with both their life and art, which translates to quality of life."

But you don't even have to consider yourself an artist to reap the creative benefits of the arts.

"The results of another study shows the positive impact of community-based cultural programs on those over 65, according to Gene Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., of George Washington University. During a National Endowment for the Arts conference he said, "community-based cultural programs for older adults appear to be reducing risk factors that drive the need for long-term care." It also showed an improvement on the depression, loneliness and morale scales."

• Read more here.

Inspiring Quote

“Look at life with the eyes of a child” --- Henri Matisse

• What would you see differently?