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Novica Killer Art Specials!

Posted August 25, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.
Hello friends,
Just thought I’d share with you the Novica Annual Art specials. They’re as much as 10% at this year’s “Art Fair” online. And some of this stuff really is quite exquisite.
They only share this with a handful of their best partners, so I’m honored to have gotten an early look, and I’m dying to pass it on to you :)    (…don’t worry, it’s all legit, beautiful art from the some of our world’s most incredible cultural heartlands!)
Enjoy…




Unique Javanese wood batikExquisite Indian carvingsAfrican masks, tribal & original
Legendary Thai celadon ceramicsSurreal Brazilian bronze sculpturesCuzco pottery replicas
Colorful Huichol artVivid Andean folk artInspiring Balinese sculptures
Florid reverse painted glass mirrorsLegendary Zapotec rugsAfrican fertility dolls
Detailed repousse from ThailandIndian marble & gemstone inlay
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Redecorate with African Home Décor and Support Fair Trade

Posted August 14, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.

SEE_MY_BEAUTY_COMB-African-DecorPot-Holder-beautiful-African-decor-carving…And we’re back to talking about Africa, friends. Click the images to check the items out. Some of them are really absolutely beautiful works of art!

For those who want to redecorate their home with African décor, now is the time. You can quite easily go online and decorate your home with African ornaments, furniture and textiles straight from the African artists and craftsmen. Efforts to make African products available to the world online have been highly successful and resulted in improved economies in many of the poorest areas of Africa. Support Fair Trade when you shop online, look for the Fair Trade designation to ensure the African future.

You will find a wide array of African selections over the internet for your redecoration project.

A stunning white leather mousemat intricately engraved with fine images of African wildlife such as the Rhino, Elephant, Lion and Zebra is sure to elicit gasps of admiration when hung up as wall décor in any room.

From the Congo come the Bakuba cushion covers. Raffia is woven by loom into a geometrically designed square to be attached to a leather or cotton cushion casing. These are beautiful pieces of art that would add color and class to any couch or chair in your home.

African-mask-napkin-holder-set

When you set the table, fine African textiles add elegance and grace to any setting. Zambian cotton table mats, runners and full cloths are available to add beauty to your sit down suppers. The colors are neutral, comfortable earth tones and the designs range from traditional to ultra modern. Rosewood carved serving bowls, salad servers and condiment sets from Kenya and Tanzania complement your Zambian textiles and encourage a relaxing meal time experience.

You can even decorate your bathroom in African décor. Perhaps the most fun items are the Zambian recycled metal items.   You can find crocodile, elephant and fancy fish toilet paper holders for adding interest to the bathroom visits.  Zambian welders take used metal and create fancy mirror frames that will look beautiful in any bathroom.

Also from Zambia comes some of the most gorgeous, handmade teak, mahogany and rosewood furniture you can imagine. This furniture is of highest quality and available by order in many designs or you can submit your own design to be custom made.  The wood used for Zambian furniture is harvested from controlled tree stands managed as a renewable, sustainable resource.

Ahoofe-African-home-decor-sese-wood

Seated-Elephant-African-Salad-SpoonsDecorate your walls with hand painted wall hangings reflecting animals and Maasai people in scenes of traditional day to day life. These wall hangings come ready to hang in all color schemes and sizes, you are sure to find many you will want for your own. Wall hangings are a simple way to invite Africa into your home.

Nothing is wasted in Africa. In Mombasa dead coconut palm leaves are made into lamp shades. They may be dyed a variety of colors or may be natural in color. The palm leaf shades allow light to pass in various degrees to create an effect much like flickering flames of a campfire.

African ornaments add to the sense of Africa when added to your home’s décor. Online you will find be able to obtain any and all of the African items you need to redo your home no matter whether you are simply switching floor rugs or doing a major overhaul and replacing furniture in addition to redoing the window treatments and wall hangings.

When shopping online for your African themed décor, be sure to look for Fair Trade items to assure that the craftsmen and artists receive a fair income to continue their trade.

PS. If you’re looking for textiles and some awesome wall hangings, take a look at StrictlyAfrica.com and at Novica.com. They also have lots of other beautiful exotic goodies!

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Indian Handicrafts: What Sort of Handicrafts Come From India

Posted August 12, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.

Continuing our Indian theme (promise we’ll get back to Africa SOON – but this is too delicious to pass up…)

The sort of handicrafts that come from India are almost too numerous to list. Indian handicrafts include everything from furniture to handbags and jewelry. Indian craftsmen are among the finest woodworkers on earth. As well as spectacular furniture, they produce wonderful wood statues and decorative items including hand carved picture frames. To get the real feel of India, browse the Internet to see the diversity and beauty of Indian handicrafts (if that’s what you’re already doing, read on dear friend…).

exciting-trip-wooden-statuette-crafts-from-indiaCelebrating Indian Ethnicity with Indian Handicrafts

India has a rich heritage of art and handicrafts. In the more prosperous states it was common to find handicrafts fashioned from silver and gold encrusted with gemstones such as ruby and sapphire. Even the least prosperous states celebrated the Indian ethnicity by carving in wood or stone. Long ago the spice routes opened up India to trade with the whole world as it was then. Sea going traders carried Indian made good to a world hungry to obtain them. Indian textiles, jewelry, art and handicrafts were prized possessions worldwide.

indian-art-handicrafts-red-carnations-wool-rugToday the tradition of fine craftsmanship continues in Indian handicrafts. Marvelous beaded and embroidered, delightfully colorful handbags give mute testimony to the skill of those who create them. The dyes used to color Indian textiles are vibrant and come to life under the hands of a highly skilled seamstress. In India, life is celebrated with colors and the textile handicrafts of India reflect this exuberance to perfection. There is honestly no more beautiful gift than a spectacular wrap or bag made of bright, lively colors and embroidered and beaded to let the wearer shine.

If you are planning a wedding or special event that requires sending a beautiful invitation, look online at the assortment of handmade paper from India. Your invitations are sure to be memorable when made on unique, custom colored, handmade paper from India.

Displaying India’s Gracious Beauty & Religious Affiliations through Indian Handicrafts

When one thinks of India, we tend to think of dignity, beauty, style and grace. Simply put, India is a land of gracious beauty. The appeal of India’s arts and handicrafts comes from both the majesty and mystique of the traditions and history of the country. Each period of her history has led to handicrafts that reflect the times and how people lived during those times. Today is no different; the handicrafts produced in India today reflect what is important in Indian life right now.

jungle-fantasy-indian-handicrafts-wood-statuetteSome handicrafts are ceremonial or symbolic in some way. Religious statues of Buddha may sit for sale alongside the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who may be sitting right next to a marble statue of Christ.

India is very diverse land with many subcultures, all of whom have their own tradition of handicraft making. In some areas of India you will find artisans that are skilled as teak furniture makers and other areas you will find a whole community that is skilled in marble sculpting.

Any kind of handicraft from India you can imagine, you can find online. Indian handicrafts are readily available in all price ranges. Indian workmanship is very high quality and their work is built to be around long after them. There are some true Indian handicraft treasures online. You are sure to find at least a few items you want in your home. Take your time and browse around and buy (Novica.com, as my readers know is a favourite because of their ethical stances), you won’t be sorry.

Categories: indian art

Fair Trade & India

Posted August 10, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.

Hey,

So thought we’d try something a little different today. I know we’re African Art Blog and all, but come on – everyone needs a little variety. This weekend got me really fascinated by Indian stuff (a friend’s Indian fiancee is in town, and it’s been great to hear about her home and its incredible cultures!). So here’s something different, hope you enjoy.

Why You Should Only Buy Fair Trade Handicrafts from India

Fair-trade-indian-art-sculpturesAn ancient country, India is full of diversity with cultures, traditions and lifestyles varying radically as you go from the North to the South and from the East to the West of the country. Exquisite, vibrant, spellbinding handicrafts have been the signature of Indian handicrafts for centuries. They have always been in demand by a world hungry for Indian artistry and craftsmanship.

The Fall & Rise of the Indian Economy

During the period of British rule, economic polices were formulated to enhance trade with foreign countries. These policies led to large scale foreign trade and enabled development of steel and textile industries. However, those same policies caused problems for Indian craftsmen and farmers. In the long run British policies favored imports rather than exports and production began a downward spiral. Rather than reinvesting in India, the British shifted approximately $1 trillion to other British holdings. By the time India gained independence in 1947, the economy was in ruins.

During her tenure as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi steered India to a more economically sound position. Since 1991 India has enjoyed status as being one of the most affluent economies in the world. Indicative of the strides India has made are statistics such as in 1980 38% of the income was derived from agriculture whereas in 2001 it was only 24.7%.

Introducing Fair Trade Practice

fairtrade-indian-handicrafts-paintingAll of these statistics give one the impression that all is well and good in India. This is a dreadfully wrong perception. The slums of New Delhi alone are home to 3 million of the poorest of the poor. These are people that have no education and no hopes of a better life for their children. That is, they have no hope without such programs as those of the Fair Trade groups.

Fair Trade simply means that for the work a person does, they should be paid a fair price or wage. The slums of New Delhi have poor water systems, no electricity, no paved roads and many live in sheer squalor. Fair Trade programs are helping to break the cycle of poverty by providing jobs with livable wages, providing training for jobs and funding schools to give children the advantage of an education. Fair Trade prevents exploitation of talented, illiterate people.

India has a rich tradition of beautiful art and handicrafts. Fair Trade programs utilize the native handicraft traditions and skills to produce goods for the market which in turn provides an equitable income to the worker. In remote areas where crafters were able to practice their craft, they often had no way of marketing their craft. Fair Trade groups have developed retail stores and websites to market the finely crafted goods. Routes are routinely travelled to pick up handmade goods from remote producers to be sold on the world market. This is a situation where everyone wins; the buyer gets wonderful Indian handicrafts and the crafter gets a fair price for their work along with the dignity that comes with making a livable income.

So, when you pick up that beautiful decorated rosewood jewelry box made in India by an Indian handcrafter, look for a Fair Trade Stamp or logo to make sure that you are helping make a life better. If you don’t see the Fair trade insignia, don’t buy it since you will merely be fattening the middle man’s wallet.

fair-trade-indian-art-harmony-peace

Categories: The Stories Behind The Art, Things I Care About
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Mali Art: Mali Wedding Beads

Posted August 6, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.

When Europeans first encountered African art they deemed it to be “primitive” since African sculpture often represented the human form with distortions such as elongated bodies or exaggerated proportions. What the Europeans did not understand was that this was not due to the African artist being inept or naïve. In fact it was quite the opposite; the African artists deliberately distorted their art to reflect what they perceived as beauty and to create order as they felt it should be in their world. In modern terminology, Mali art would have been considered to be abstract but the Europeans had no concept of this art form and instead, termed African art as primitive.

desirable-mali-wedding-beads-african-jewelryIn African languages there is no one single word for “art”. There are numerous words used to convey that something is beautiful or to refer to an item that has been made. The Bamana people have two phrases for the word sculpture, both of which translate to mean “things to look at”.  In Mali the idea of “artist” is completely unlike what a Westerner would think of “artist”. In Mali the artist does not start the work with the idea of making something nice to look at; the idea is to create a piece that will be successful at performing a religious, magical or economic function.

Mali art is extremely collectable today. Once considered primitive, today it is recognized as beautiful, spiritual, valuable and highly desirable. Along with fine wood sculpture, one of the most sought after collectables among Mali art are Mali wedding beads.

Origin of Mali Wedding Beads

What makes Mali wedding beads so interesting is that they are not original to Mali. In the 1800’s and early 1900’s Bohemia (Czech Republic) glass works were producing trade beads to be used in Africa. Women all over West Africa wore trade beads but in Mali a tradition evolved using trade beads during weddings. On the day of her marriage, the Mali bride to be is presented a necklace made of these beautiful, hand made glass beads.

authentic-mali-wedding-beadsMali wedding beads are generally made in three shapes; flat triangular, flat elongated and bulb shaped. The colors are spectacular; every color of the rainbow is represented on a single strand of Mali wedding beads. Each bead is hand made and unique; some are solid color while others are marbled with swirls of color winding through the base color, some are striped to resemble a zebra coat and some are opalescent or translucent. No matter what their coloration, Mali beads are simply spectacular.

Today, Mali wedding beads are showing up for sale on sites such as eBay, a bead at a time. The strands are being dismantled and sold bead by bead. These beads are so prized that non-authentic beads are replicated and passed off as original.

Tips for Buying Authentic Mali Wedding Beads

A few tips for buying authentic Mali wedding beads might assure that you buy the real thing. There are numerous African based websites that offer beads still in the original strand or as singles. These dealers commonly guarantee their beads as authentic and show very detailed, close up photos of the items. If the beads are advertised as “old” or “antique” look for surface scratches or wear that show the beads have been worn. Also, don’t fall for beads that have no hole, Mali weddings beads must have a hole to have been strung onto a necklace.

Far from primitive, Mali art is very desirable.

Categories: African Jewelry, The Stories Behind The Art
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Beautiful Wildlife Art Originals

Posted August 3, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.
That's a jungle, sure isn't concrete though: "Wild Panorama" by David Fernandez

That's a jungle, sure isn't concrete though: "Wild Panorama" by David Fernandez

In today’s world, many people live in concrete jungles where pavement and tarred roads covers the ground rather than dirt and plants. Animals other than pets are practically non-existent in some of these cities. Many people live their whole life and never see a real cow, much less seeing a zebra loping across the savannah. Their only exposure to the wild is documentaries that are aired on television.

Wildlife art originals are a great way to enjoy animals all around you. With so many species in danger of becoming extinct in the near future, wildlife art may be the only way these animals will be seen in the future. (I hope not!)

The Cultural Value of Wildlife Art

Most wildlife art original collectors believe there is a cultural value to wildlife art. And furthermore, most collectors understand the urgent need to conserve the subjects and their habitat. A fine example of the cultural value of wildlife art is seen in Native American wildlife art.

"Lion" by Arruda Camara

"Lion" by Arruda Camara

Native Americans believed that animals were teachers, guides and companions; often in spirit form. Native American art show the reverence in which animals were and are, held. Animals were not only honored and respect by Native Americans but they were and are also worshipped as some kinds of higher beings.

Some Native Americans believed that they could capture the power of a particular animal and from then on that animal became a totem for that person. A totem was also thought to be a direct ancestral familial link.  Traditionally each Native American had nine animals associated with them.  Particular to Native American wildlife art is the portrayal of humans in animal form. A painting by a Native American artist depicting a bear may be a bear to the viewer but to a Native American it could very well be a representation of the artist’s totem. Native American wildlife art is highly symbolic. An eagle flying high may be the artist’s lament about freedoms lost and in the same way, horses running free on the plain celebrate the time when warriors thundered across the plains on their ponies.

"Zebras drinking water" also by Arruda Camara

"Zebras drinking water" also by Arruda Camara

Significance of Wildlife Art Originals

Ok, it isn't exactly African, but amazing elephant art: "Elephant and the beautiful field" by Innop

Ok, it isn't exactly African, but amazing elephant art: "Elephant and the beautiful field" by Innop

Beautiful wildlife art originals are very popular for many reasons. Wildlife art gives us a glimpse into worlds seldom seen by many of us; we can view animals from all over the world in paintings. For those of us that never make it to Africa, wildlife art shows us animals we will never see for real. For those of us who have seen these animals in the zoo, wildlife art gives us a glimpse of these animals in their own home turf in the wild.

Wildlife art originals are a way for not only viewer to appreciate the animals but for the artist to show their respect and affinity for the animals they paint. Many wildlife artists today are painting in hopes of raising awareness of the issues that face wild animals today such as disappearing habitat, poaching and ultimate extinction of some species.

Beautiful wildlife art originals can be appreciated on many levels; as an investment, as a social statement, as a piece of art to be admired. When you look at the animals in wildlife art, you are seeing life at its rawest and finest.

Categories: The Stories Behind The Art, Wildlife Art
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African Textiles & Wall Hangings – Making Their Way To The World Market

Posted August 1, 2009 By editor and has no comments yet.
African-textiles-anlo-weave-kente-cloth

Anlo Weave Silk Kente Cloth

A vast continent, rich in history, culture and natural resources, Africa remained largely unexplored for several centuries; the whole area south of the Sahara remained a mystery until the 1800’s.

Today, Africa is a continent in transition. After being dominated by foreigners for the past several sad centuries Africa has in the recent past made huge strides towards creating a better destiny for its people.

Improving Lives with Art

Beautiful Kente Asase Special African Handbag (these support real African communities)

Beautiful Kente Asase Special African Handbag (these support real African communities)

Various African countries are trying to provide their population with opportunities to earn a living. Some of the most amazing leaps have been as a result of the Internet. African art, textiles and other products are readily available on the Internet. The interest and response to African wares has been tremendous. With the immense surge in collectability of African art and new markets for African textiles, some African areas are beginning to see improvement in their lives.

The Origin & Evolution of African Textiles

African textiles have a fascinating history. Originally animal hair was used to weave textiles for warmth and protection. Later it was animal hair along with fiber from plants and trees that was woven into clothing, bedding, and wall or window hangings. Much later, when textiles had become quite refined, they were used as trading currency. Ancient weaving ways and designs are still in use today and are important parts of African life. Handmade looms are handed down through families from generation to generation.

Traditionally African textiles were worn tied or draped depending on the occasion. Now, with the huge interest in African textiles from the rest of the world, handmade fabric and textiles are being cut and made into clothing and home furnishings such as pillows or wall hangings. Most textile experts recommend that if you are ever fortunate enough to possess a rare or fragile authentic African textile you should have it professionally mounted and protected as a wall hanging (or auctioned off – they can fetch quite tantalizing prices).

The Significance of Color in African Textiles

BRIGHT Tamale Weave Silk Kente Cloth

BRIGHT Tamale Weave Silk Kente Cloth

Colors have different significance to different cultures and even different villages within a culture. The color red is a great sample of a cultural variation. In some areas of Nigeria, red is a badge of accomplishment where in other areas it is a color worn by the chieftain to protect him from evil. Red is the color of burial clothes in Madagascar and is used in mourning robes by the Akan tribe in Ghana. One color… so many interpretations.

Weaving Techniques in African Textiles

Within Africa the methods of weaving and materials vary widely. Strip weaving is widely used in West Africa. Strips about 4” wide are woven in various lengths and then joined together for an almost quilt like appearance. Adinkra cloth is still made in Ghana today. It is a textile made with wide panels of dyed cotton. These panels are beautifully hand embroidered and then stamped with carved calabash symbols.

Stunningly Beautiful Kente Bamboo African Handbag

Stunningly Beautiful Kente Bamboo African Handbag

Batik is an African textile that is made by using melted wax. First, a design is drawn on the textile. Then layers of color are applied atop each other. Wax is poured onto areas of the design after each dye procedure to retain certain colors. When complete the wax is boiled off to leave a beautiful array of color. The Senufo people of Ivory Coast make a textile called Korhogo. This textile is made in 5” strips and painted with mud to create images of animals, men and ceremonies. Textiles are augmented by stenciling, dyeing, painting, embroidery and hand-stamping. Soil is often the basis of the paint with dyes made of natural plants such as herbs, bark and leaves.

In addition to improving the lives of many Africans, making African textiles available to the world exposes us to the stunning beauty of indigenous African textiles!

Categories: African Baskets, African Textiles
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