Books, Life Changing or Not?

I was once again on the art debate website and found yet another debate that was all one sided. This one was titled "Can books change your life?" Everyone said yes, but I have to admit that a few of the responses bothered me. There were some who said that the Hunger Games changed their lives because it got them into running and climbing, yada yada yada. I don't think that those were the kinds of changes that the asker was looking for. I think they were looking more for inspiration to do something great, for example after reading this book called "A story of a girl" I began thinking about the number of people that were bullied and hurting because of lies and harsh things that others have done to them. I think that books do change people in the way that a good song can change you. It could make you re-evaluate your life's decisions and really think about your choices.

Please comment any good books that have changed your life, or anything that has given you inspiration.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

The Importance of Writing

Once again I was on the debate site for some topics I found interesting to talk about, and I found a debate that was all one sided. "Are instant communication platforms overshadowing the art of writing letters?" Every single person said yes! I mean I agree but if so many think this, why hasn't there been a change? Personally I write letters all the time. I don't really like the whole social media thing, (although I have to admit, I'm beginning to enjoy blogging.)
I feel that if so many people think that writing letters is a dying art, then why don't people make an effort to change it? I would, and if anyone is interested in joining me that would be awesome! I don't want hand written messages to be lost, they stay around longer than a phone call or text will. And it's already bad enough most don't know how to write in cursive.  It's shameful really, it's one of the first things we learn in school and pretty much the first thing people forget. But anyway, I hope all of you will keep writing letters and make sure you never lose the intimate connection that letters to one another bring to people. Comment back if you have your own opinions or comments.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

Art of the heArt

Today I witnessed someone creating some real heart... Actually I saw my mother make a homeless man's day. I'll explain:

We were on our way to the store, and we always stop at this specific curb to give some money to the pan handlers on the corner, and today this man was so exuberant about the change we were able to give him that my mother gave him the soda we had just bought. He started to cry and opened it right up. We continued on our way to the store and my mother couldn't get the look of the man's happiness out of her head, so we went on a food shopping spree for him. We bought him some cans of ravioli, sandwich meat, and a loaf of bread. I could feel my mother smiling all the way back over to where the gentleman was still sitting. As we pulled up next to him he waved really big and we waved him over. We handed him the food and he got tears in his eyes. He said "If there's anything I can ever do to repay you.." and my mother cut him off saying "Happy Halloween" with the brightest smile I've ever seen on her face. The man said he could go back to where he slept now, he had enough food, so he didn't have to be in the cold anymore. There was some faith in humanity restored right then. 

I realize that this may not seem like art to some, but to me it was the best kind of art out there. The type of art that really touches your heart and that you'll remember for the rest of your life. 

There is actually some videos on YouTube that have been going around where people are doing about the same thing. Making The Homeless Smile I keep saying how art is about heART, and that art makes the world beautiful, well these acts of kindness are making the world beautiful. It doesn't take much, just a little contribution to the community and you could make someone's life better. Because you gave them hope, and that's a lot for someone who doesn't have anything. 

If you would like to comment a story of an act of kindness that you've seen, please do. I'd love to hear about the wonderful things people are doing around the world.

Until I write again

Au revoir,

~Rayne

Is Photography a Real Art?

So today I was looking at art topics and I found a site that had all sorts of debates on all different kinds of art. The first topic that caught my eye was the question of if photography was a real art. I was surprised to see that it was even a debate. I understand that it doesn't take much to take a picture, but that doesn't mean that all photography is, is just snapping a shutter. I have personally taken photography classes and there is actually a lot to learn. Plus there is all the different types of photography. There is black and white, film, digital, landscape, profile, portrait, and so much more. Obviously it takes some kind of talent to be able to get paid to take peoples wedding pictures or school pictures.

There are a lot of misconceptions that photography is only beautiful when it is edited, so basically the computer does all the work. Yeah there are those people who just edit and take pictures for fun, but those who do it for their lively hood, those people do way more than just hit a few buttons to make a computer fix the picture. The fact that they have to know what every single filter and effect will do to the picture means that they have to think about what they're doing, and not just guess and check. There's a science to it. You have to be totally committed to do that day in and day out. How do you think that businesses get their logos and such? Computer graphic designers. What about those Home and Garden's magazines? They get all their pictures and layouts from people who have an eye for art, photographers.

There are some instances where photo's are not arty. That is when a someone takes a blurry picture in a bathroom with their tongue sticking out with a filter over it. I say photo- not photography- because there IS a difference. Photography comes with decisions and a meaning, so it takes heart and time. Photos don't take time at all and all you really have to do is press a button. Those kinds of pictures are the reason that people don't believe that photography should be considered a fine art. But what people don't think about is "what about those people who actually take time and put effort into their pictures?" Those are the people who deserve credit for their talent and love for showing the world in ways none of us have even thought of.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-photography-fine-art

photo

photography

News in the heART world

So there has been a lot of controversy over Miley Cyrus lately. Some are saying they like her new music and act because it is real and her. But others say that she's a "whore" and fake. Honestly, I have mixed emotions on her whole change. In ways I don't believe that her change is really all that big of a deal, besides the fact that she's an ex Disney star is what makes the whole change so much more dramatic than any other celebrities act. The change really has nothing to do with her music though, besides the fact that her music seems so much more personal and real. In comparison her old songs from her Disney Channel days were cooperate and really didn't stick as well as her new hits such as "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball". Of course that is all matter of opinion. But I don't think that the presentation of a celebrity should condemn them to get awful reviews. The songs are real and actually mean something to people, obviously they do or people wouldn't listen to them. It's no different than Nikki Minaj or Lady Gaga. Their public appearances aren't appropriate either, but we still praise them. So basically what I am saying is that the music should be what matters, not the videos that go along with them. Everyone invasions the actions to the words differently anyway.

 

A few posts ago I mentioned a song that I am ABSOLUTLY in love with right now. Beautiful- POD. I know a lot of people have been asking who are they? Where did they come from? Why haven't I heard them before? So I decided to do some research and this is what I found out. They are a band out of San Diego, CA, and their full name is Payable On Death. (odd name for a band that's moved so many with such a beautiful song.) The members are Sonny Sandoval, Noah Bernardo, Traa Daniels, Marcos Curiel, Jason Truby, and Gabe Porillo. They've been a nu metal band since 1992. The song Beautiful comes from their album Murdered Love. If you want to find more information on the bands songs I'll set up a link to find their music find POD music, also I will post a link(in the Related Links column of my blog home) to their official website. And before you close the page thinking it's not loading, you have to scroll to get to the informational part. There you will be able to follow any of the members on twitter and find out tour dates and much much more! Enjoy!

 

Until I write again

Au revoir,

~Rayne

What Speaks to you?

This is quite an obvious topic isn't it? You'd think so but that's not the case. What speaks to me is completely different from what speaks to you. In your case, maybe a painter who can capture such sadness in a picture that no photographer could moves you. Or maybe one of the "greats" (i.e. Pablo Picasso The Dream- Picasso, Salvador Dali Dali, or M.C. Escher M.C. Escher) is your hero. Their artwork inspires you to "go on" or "follow your own path." Or maybe there's an artist/genre that speaks to you. Its the only thing you listen to on a bad day, or your motivation for that extra mile for track.
My point is, in life there isn't just one answer to this question, there are millions. There's answers you won't agree with, or some that you may not particularly looooove, but you understand how others do. But either way there isn't any reason to just stick with that one thing that you've found that raises your spirits and delights your mind. You should always be looking for more heART and creativity in everyday that goes by. It helps make the day go faster and life seem brighter.                              
I'm not preaching to anyone telling them how to live their lives but I am making a suggestion to everyone to open up their eyes and smile about what they see. I will add a few more links to other pieces of art I have seen and that I know others enjoy quite a bit.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

Music Vs Noise

A lot of people have the debate over what is music and what is just over played noise. Normally its between parents and children or between friends. I've been having this debate with my family and friends and I've come to the basic conclusion that everyone is wrong. I feel that old music is fantastic in comparison to a lot of the newer pop-crap. If you are into that type of music, that's your opinion, but when you listen to it what do you think about? When I listen to it all I think of is how difficult it is to find a real meaning in a lot of the music. I have to admit there ARE a few new songs out that I am defiantly crazy about.For example the song Beautiful by P.O.D. I'll set up a link so you can enjoy the amazing sound of real lyrics. Link to Beautiful

This is considered real lyrics to me because they mean something more than just a nice beat or background noise. Being a writer myself makes it irritating to listen to a lot of "music" that is all kinds of fraudulence. I want to hear music that has soul and love in it. Not the corporate stuff that's been coming out a lot lately. But that's just my opinion, what's yours?

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

What Is heArt?

The Webster's dictionary defines Art as something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. A good definition, I mean it IS in a dictionary so that has to be what it means right? (Well maybe... they did put "swag" in the dictionary so sometimes the dictionary isn't always right.) I'm kidding (in sorts). See, to me art is anything that conveys to you a strong emotion. It could really be anything. Think of a song that really speaks to you, where the words describe your life so perfectly its scary. (If you don't like music references, my blog is definitely not for you. Music and poetry are things that I will be talking about a lot.) That song you thought of is heArt. It's not the same as art. Art encompasses everything. HeArt is when you feel the meaning in your heart and soul. Maybe you don't understand the feeling but you still feel it, that doesn't matter. Its still heArt, here's an example that I personally love.

There are so many things I wish I could say

But finding the words takes courage

Because I have none, my feelings are useless

Some think that words have no real meaning

But if they hurt, you'll be left bleeding

There are just too many things I've left unsaid

So maybe one day I'll find the strength

To face the truth of my thoughts...

But that day just isn't today

 

~Lakota Tarbox

 

The truth is sometimes hard to say or write, so music and drawing/painting or any other art form is one of the easiest ways to realize what you want to say, and how to say it. (without really "saying" it)

Anyway, that's just why I love heArt, what about you?

 

Until I write again,

Au revoir

~Rayne

Lost Relatives?

             Just last week I got back in touch with my baby cousin. If any of you follow my Google account you already know this, but here's the thing. I haven't seen her or talked to her in over five years. She is my father's sister's daughter. When we were kids we were best friends. She is now doing great. She's happy and well. That's all I could hope for.
             Now you might be asking yourself what that has to do with my blog at all (besides the family aspect), and the answer to that is also a question. How many of you have lost touch with a relative that you were once very close to? It could be a parent, sibling, cousin, aunt or uncle, anyone. I bet many of you have, I know that I've lost touch with my whole family on my father's side. And even on my mother's side I've lost contact with quite a few family members. Once again, this seems like nonsense and rambling, but I promise it's not. If you give me a chance I'd love to explain why I'm saying all of this.
            Before you realized that you lost contact with these important people did you notice? Did you think about them or notice their absence? After you realized the lost contact do you feel empty? Do you feel like a bad person? Or maybe even neglectful? The people who I've asked have all told me that they have felt all these things. Maybe it the idea that we've forgotten those who should matter most that makes us feel these things, or maybe we have missed these people all along but forgotten why we felt so hollow? I'm not sure, but I'm defiantly happy to have my cousin back in my life.

Thanks for reading

Until Next Time

~Laterayne