Caroline

Portraits

Dutch artist Charley Toorop - created powerful portraits

Born in the Netherlands in 1891, Charley Toorop was a talented violinist but also a self-taught painter and lithographer who became affiliated with the Bergense School from the 1910s through the 1920s. Image credit: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Flowers

The puzzle surrounding three tulips

Jacob Marrel (1614 – 1681) was a German still life painter active in Utrecht during the Dutch Golden Age who specialized in ‘portraits’ of tulips in bloom. Image credit: metmuseum.org

Animals

David Oakley a fine artist, despite a life threatening event - Part 3

David Oakley a fine artist survived a vicious attack during an armed holdup and subsequently spent months in a coma. Today we learn how David re taught himself to draw and paint again. Credit: David Oakley

Animals

David Oakley - A story of resilience, grit and determination - Part 2

David Oakley, a mixed media artist, has lived two lives. Life One was your usual life of a talented young man. In August 2002, David started his ‘second’ life courtesy of an unexpected and unwanted event. Image credit: Gary Sissons Bayside News

Animals

David Oakley - More than animal portraits - Part 1

David Oakley experienced a significant event approx. 20 years ago which had a severe impact on him both mentally and physically. In part 1 today we look at his animal portraits. Image credit: David Oakley 2021

Environment

Images of Icelandic horses that will warm your heart

Gígja Einarsdóttir, an Icelandic Photographer was born and raised with Icelandic horses. Her beautiful images capture the strength, grace, and gentle nature of the animals. Image credit: Photographer Gígja Einarsdóttir

Celebration

Celebrating Easter in Africa

As the sun rises in Africa on Easter Sunday about 70 million Christians in Africa will start a big celebration including decorating the churches with butterflies and singing Christian hymns to the beating of African drums. Image credit: Andy Brunner/Unsplash

Reflection

Paixão sexta-feira

Christ the Redeemer, the statue which stands above Rio de Janeiro, Brazil offers a timely reminder to stop and reflect on the great losses the world has suffered over the past year. Time to reflect and thank all those who have sacrificed so much for so many. Image credit: Robert Nyman/Unsplash

Sculpture

More UooUoos

A few weeks ago we introduced you to UooUoos - a mythical creature designed for an Art Trail In Melbourne and fund raiser for the Royal Children's Hospital 150th Anniversary.

Shape

Featuring Shape

Because our world is made up of objects - both natural and human made - it is made up of shapes. Today we examine different ways shapes in our environment can be manipulated to create art forms. Photo credit: Caroline.

Nature

Octopus steals camera and ...

We showcase some amazing photographs but we have never showcased a photograph taken by an octopus!! Read the story here. Image credit: Gaetano Dario Gargiulo/news.scubatravel.co.uk

Texture

Featuring Texture

Texture gives our environment character and today thanks to images from Caroline we can look a little closer at some of the textures she discovered in her trip into the country. Ben Quilty, a texture artist, gets a mention. Photo: Caroline

Colour

Featuring Colour

Caroline has been travelling the roads of Victoria and New South Wales and today reminds us the the importance of colour in our world. Some quotes from famous writers and artists endorses the significance of colour.

International Women's day

Celebrating International Women's Day 2021

Today we would like to celebrate women's contribution to history and art. The text and images are courtesy of the author and art historian, P.L.Henderson.

Paddle Steamers

P.S. Melbourne

The P.S. Melbourne was originally launched on the River Murray in 1912. Built for the Victorian Government as a work boat, the Melbourne was fitted with a huge winch which was used for hauling fallen trees & snags from the river, keeping the main channel open. Image credit: paddlesteamers.com.au

QR Codes

Quick Response [QR] Codes

QR codes have become part of our lives and 6 months ago most of us had no idea what they were. Today Caroline takes us through a history and design lesson on these little codes which are helping to keep us safe. Credit: Bobmath - CC0 Wikimedia Commons

Fibonacci

An artist's representation of some famous numbers

Italian artist Mario Merz (1925-2003), husband of artist Marisa Merz took the Fibonnaci sequence of numbers (featured previously) to new heights, 52m into the sky to be exact. Mario Merz summed up the content of the mathematical series in one short sentence. Image credit: artnet.com

Fibonacci

A sequence of very famous numbers

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers starting from 0 where every number is the sum of the two numbers preceding it. Thus, the sequence goes 0,1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on. See how this appears all around us. Image credit:insteading.com

Celebration

It's that day again: Happy Valentine's Day

Take a little time today to think about all the good things in the world and the people and creatures you love. And anything else that makes you feel good: chocolate, a good book, a beautiful painting. Image credit: Photo by Sidney Pearce / Unsplash

Road signs

Margaret Calvert – Showing us the way

Have you ever thought what your driving experience would be like without road signs, or perhaps worse, confusing signs? Thanks to Margaret Calvert, if you are in Britain you don't need to worry. (londondesignfestival.com)

Celebration

25 December 2020

Wishing all our subscribers and supporters around the world a Very Happy Christmas with family and friends.

Mosaic

More Marvellous Mosaics

Through Caroline, her friend Deb writes about learning a new craft, making mosaic artworks, after retiring from teaching.

Anton Pieck

Anton Pieck: Dutch engraver, illustrator

Anton Pieck, the Dutch engraver, painter, etcher and book illustrator remains a favourite across the world - nearly half a century after his death. His works remain set in the past and convey a cosy and nostalgic mood. Image: Credit:artnet.com

Blogger

A Celebration of Julie's Contribution to the AnArt4Life Blog

Celebrating the anniversary of Julie joining the AnArt4Life blog. She has a love of Impressionist paintings, aeroplanes, trains and her dog Foxy. Today we thank Julie for her wonderful contribution to our blog.

Welcome Stranger

A Very 'Welcome Stranger'

When the "Welcome Stranger" nugget was discovered in 1869 it was the largest gold nugget ever found. It was found by Cornish miner John Deason and his partner Richard Oates near Moliagul in central Victoria. However it was a hard life for many. Image Credit: Chinaman's Gully, sl.nsw.gov.au