Just Give In and Paint What You Need to Paint

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I think every artist struggles at one time or another with the choice to create for personal satisfaction or to please others. Ideally, the two would coincide and create a mutually beneficial relationship that satisfies the artist’ need to create and provides works of art for all to enjoy. For many years I struggled with this dilemma. I truly love to create, but I always thought it would be so much more fulfilling if I could also sell my work. I know I could make money doing commissioned works - I have done it in the past. But I’ve always felt there was something missing. The pictures were beautiful and the people loved them, however my creative desire was not met. With the encouragement of family and friends, I am now able to pursue my love of painting and to use my inner passion to create works that fulfill me artistically.

My art career began early in grade school. I can remember being at the lunch table and I’d just start drawing the girl sitting next to me. The human body, male and female, is so beautiful and graceful. I’ve always been fascinated by the way people move, an expression on a person’s face, the look in someone’s eyes. In high school, Lake County awarded me the Sylvia Stoner Artist of the Year Award. I went on to earn an AA degree in design, followed by a BA in Performing Arts (acting) from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. My artistically gifted sister, Katie, once said, “You manage to break all the rules (of art) and get away with it.”

Some of the greatest influences on my art have been the Italian Renaissance painters, including Michelangelo, as well as English Victorian painters. Other inspirations include musical masters from the classical period, and Greek and Roman sculpture and architecture. The theatre was the catalyst for my self-expression, which was then translated to my artwork. As a result, I tend to paint things “larger than life” with a heightened expression of color and composition. The divine beauty and grace of the human form moved me to specialize in portraits. With encouragement from friends and family I decided to give in and just create from within and to paint with passion.

The miners, both modern and early miners, are my current passion and focus. These men were, and are, passionate about their profession and the competitions in which they take part. They support and love each other. They always have been true athletes. The zeal the miner’s feel for their profession inspired me to capture them in my work. As I walk through the ruins of the mines I feel their spirits still. They are not trapped - they just left their hearts and souls behind in the mines. I strive to make sure they are not forgotten. Hence, both the modern men and the ones whose spirits still wander the abandoned mines are pushing me forward in this latest endeavor. They are grateful that a tribute is being paid to the dying profession that founded this country.

It was my exhibition at Leadville’s National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum that validated my decision to pay tribute to these men of the earth. I watched as several miners both past and present viewed my works. Seeing grown men, big burly miners, getting the start of a tear in their eye was reward enough - I knew immediately I had done it - I had captured their spirit in my work - viewing my work they were immediately transported back into the mines. It’s all been worth it!

Susie Allen lives in Leadville, CO with her husband Mark and two children Annabelle and Nicholas. In addition to being an artist, Susie has home-schooled both children for several years and performs with the local theatre company. Susie is a contributing artist to Lori J’s Online Art Gallery. Her artwork can be found here at Susie Allen’s Art Gallery.

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Acoustic Guitars - Laminated Wood Versus Solid Wood

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A lot has transpired through the years in the debate over acoustic guitars in the area of laminate versus solid wood construction. It is not a secret that the type of materials and craftsmanship affect the quality, durability, sound and price of acoustic guitars. However, there is probably no other discussion bigger than this.

The question that many players ask themselves is whether a solid body is worth the price? Despite the better sound, they require care and regular maintenance to prevent cracking. When using laminated you run the risk that it will separate over time. There is no clear answer to this question and as long as there is a discussion about acoustic guitars, it will always be at the forefront.

The Debate - Uncut

Laminated is several pieces of wood glued together and solid body is exactly that, one piece. There are pros and cons to both kinds. It is a fact that laminate is known to produce a ‘dead’ sound that does not sustain or project sound very well and the one-piece body is known for its richer tone. Laminate is more used because it is more durable and less sensitive to humidity and change in temperature. A body that is made from one-piece timber is very sensitive to humidity and climate change. The top is like a sponge that you can’t let dry out.

A Bit Of History

Years ago the debate was not about sound quality or durability, it was about price. The one piece timber body guitars were very expensive so many musicians did not have a choice but to buy one made of laminate. A one piece is coveted because of its rich and beautiful tone that only seems to become better over time. However, times have changed quite a bit in the world of laminate including the craftsmanship. Better quality laminate is being used and more detailed craftsmanship has been applied so they are sounding better and better everyday.

It is evident why this debate is becoming less spectacular, but the fact will always remain the same that a laminate will never be able to sound as good.

The Main Problem

When building a guitar you want the soundboard, better known as the top, to be as lightweight and strong as possible. Creating this ratio with laminate is often difficult because in order to make it strong it ends up too heavy. The wet glue used to secure the pieces of timber together can become to heavy when too much is used. Unfortunately, when too little of the glue is used, the timber pulls apart. Recently new adhesives have been introduced that have helped to solve this problem and ensure lightness. This is one of the ways that laminated construction is becoming more popular and competitive.

Necks, Sides & Backs

Acoustic laminate necks are very common and widely accepted. This has become a popular way to make the neck stronger. Hybrid guitars are also extremely common. Many models are made with one piece body tops and laminate sides and backs. The sound quality is 90% dependent on what the top is made of, so as long as the soundboard is one piece the rich sound will be present. This is also a great way to make solid body tops affordable.

How Do You Tell The Difference?

Depending on how dark the timber or stain is, telling the difference between them can be a difficult task. First, you need to look at the inside edge of the sound hole on the top of the body. If the edge has a natural finish it is a one piece body and if it has two or more layers it is made of laminate. To determine what the back and sides are constructed with you need to first look at the back of the guitar. Next, look inside the sound hole at the same spot on the back and see if the wood grains are the same. If they are the same it is a whole body. You can do this same technique with the sides.

It’s a Wrap

Everyone’s opinion is different. Many believe that there is no need to buy an acoustic made of laminated timber when solid bodies are so affordable now. Others believe that the sound quality of laminate bodies on their own and in a hybrid model is comparable. Each individual needs to evaluate the pros and cons of both, and decide what makes sense for them. For example if you travel often, perhaps it makes sense to purchase a laminate model for its durability. When buying there are always a lot of questions that need to be answered, this is just another one.

Ken Searcy is the host of http://www.the-guitar-guide.com where you will discover invaluable advice and tips on how-to choose and buy electric guitars, the perfect acoustic guitar, guitar lessons, guitar amps and guitar accessories.

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The Legend Who Outdid Panini

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India has pioneered the human quest for knowledge since aeons. Its soil has given birth to such great intellectuals as "Maharshi Vyasa" who reorganized the Vedas and composed the timeless epic of "Mahabharata" and the eighteen Puranas, a treasure of our cultural heritage, "Maharshi Patanjali" who gave the world a unique system of "Yoga" by composing "Patanjala Yogasutra", "Maharshi Panini" who reorganized the Sanskrit grammar by composing "Ashtadhyayi" and last but not the least "Maya" who gave the world the sciences of "Architecture" and "Astronomy" by composing "Mayamata" and "Suryasiddhanta" respectively, which were probably the first ever expositions of these subjects. Incredible as it may be, in the first quarter of the last century, was born a legend in this league only.

"Pt. Raja Ram Shastri" was a versatile genius with a number of great achievements to his credit including the most outstanding research work on Sanskrit grammar which outdid "Maharshi Panini." He was a curator of folk art, writer, linguist, astrologer, anthropologist and a supreme researcher of Indian traditions all combined into one.

Born on 27th Dec., 1918 in Tohana Distt., Haryana in an orthodox Brahmin family, he grew to be a research scholar of no mean stature. His parents died in his infancy and was brought up by his grandparents. He showed signs of an extraordinary intellect early on in life. Without ever devoting much time to studies, he stood fourth in the state of Punjab in his matriculation exams. Then he went ahead to complete his Shastri in half of the required time.

After completing his education, he became inclined towards the field of literature and in the course of time made an outstanding contribution with his works. During his tenure as a dramatist in "All India Radio" from 1947 to 1957, he composed more than 300 one-act plays which were broadcast on AIR. "Dr. Hazari Prasad Dwivedi" has also acknowledged the contribution of Shri Shastriji in composing his Granthavali in the first volume. But a proper acknowledgement has not been made. While "Dr. Dwivedi" was writing his Granthavali he considered using some authentic material in which Shri Shastriji helped him by completing the termite-eaten portions of some original handwritten manuscripts on the classical principles of literature. This work alone speaks volumes of his scholarship.

Among his numerous literary works, seven collections of one-act plays in Hindi were also published including "Sat Ladi Ka Har", "Uljhan", Damrunath" and "Devhuti." He authored many novels like "Jhumman", "Uljhe Tar" etc. in Hindi together with the first ever novel in Haryanvi language, "Jhadu Phiri" which was later included in the postgraduate syllabus of Kurukshetra University in the year 2002.

Other of his writings include at least ten books on astrology and various research works including "Agroha" which deals with the history of Agrawal community of India.

Haryana and Haryanvi language were of special interest to him. His contribution in the political, cultural, social and linguistic arenas of Haryana is unparalleled. The cause of Haryana remained closely associated with him throughout his life. Under this association, he went on to establish "Haryana Lok Manch" in the year 1963 which has been a pioneering institution in its work on preserving, developing and researching the different aspects of Haryanvi culture and folk art. The motto of "Haryana Lok Manch" is "Deshosti Hariyanakhyah Prithivyam Swargasannibhah" meaning "Equal to heaven there is a place on earth known as Haryana."

Shastriji collected treasures of folk art on tape while wandering throughout the rural Haryana. He later composed "Panipat Ki Teesri Ladaai" and published it in 1972 which deals with the history of the Third Battle of Panipat. The work was originally composed by "Nigahi" in 1761 A.D. as an eyewitness account of the battle as he himself mentions in this folk epic of Haryanvi language. This has been proclaimed as a unique work in the world of literature. It is a "Haryanvi Giti Kavya" (Haryanvi Epic Poem) and the whole work is an example of "Aprastut Prashansa Alankar" which sets it apart from all other works. For his outstanding services in the field of Haryana’s art, culture and language he was awarded the first "Lakhmichand Puraskar" in the year 1972.

Despite having many opportunities to go abroad and work there he refused and chose to remain in India and work for the cause of Indian culture and especially that of Haryana. Money was no attraction to him and was rather a detraction. He was a master in criticism and radicalist by nature. Perhaps that is why he did not follow the beaten track of things in whichever field he entered. With his extraordinary research and collection of rare works in Haryanvi language, he went on to prove that Haryanvi is not an "Upbhasha"(semi-language) of Hindi or a "boli"(accent) as is usually understood, but a well-developed language in itself with its history of written literature going back to the 8th century A.D.

Original handwritten manuscripts on both palm leaves and paper formed a part of his lifetime collection, which was rarest of the rare. These include works on astrology, history, religion, yoga, Ayurveda and a host of other subjects. He not only studied and researched on them but also made necessary corrections wherever required. One of the priceless gems in his collection is a work by sindhi poet "Kazi Kadan" which contains 216 padas(stanzas) composed by him. So far, only seven padas (stanzas) of Kazi Kadan were available which were termed as "seven pearls of Sindhi literature."

Linguistics was the field to which he added a completely new dimension by outdoing the legendary "Ashtadhyayi" of "Maharshi Panini." This became the work of his crowning success in the field of research. He developed 54 phonetical differentiations of "a", the first letter of Hindi alphabet, as against the 18 originally enunciated by "Maharshi Panini." Now, "a" could be spoken and written with the help of special signs developed by him in 54 different ways. Unfortunately, the special pronunciation that he had developed was lost after his death. This was partly due to indifference of intelligentsia and lack of adequate publicity in his lifetime. The "magnum opus" of Shri Raja Ram Shastri still lies unpublished in two volumes under the title of "Hindi Varnmala Ka Pratham Akshar "a" Evam Anya Varna". This work of his was given the stamp of approval by eminent scholars after prolonged debates and discussions at the "Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth" (Deemed University) in Delhi. This work was also referred to the "Nobel Prize Committee" in the year 1992.

In his later years, he was working on a still advanced concept of his own that these 54 kinds of "a" can further be expanded into 378 if each of the 54 different "a" can be combined with the "Saptasuras"(the seven musical notes). His linguistic genius opened up such an unusual field of research that few could have dreamt of.

On the 6th of Nov., 2002, the Sun of Sanskrit Grammar set with the death of Shri Shastriji at the ripe age of 84. He left behind a legacy of intellectual achievement, erudition and the quality which is born once in ages. His life will remain a source of inspiration for ages to come.

Sonal Sharma is in the field of astrology for past six years. He is also engaged in research in the field of astrology and has presented a research paper on the scientific nature of astrology in A.B.V.S.-2004, held in Pusa, Delhi in Feb.2004. He is also associated with website http://www.astrocent.com, which you can visit. His contact email address is unik_logik@yahoo.co.in.

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