CANVAS LEVELS……….ARLIN REPORT THOUGHT(S) OF THE DAY

i was going to post an article today on canvas levels, but I found this video and this guy does a great job explaining. I have meant to post more on my experience(s) in painting and to exhibit some of my work. I am going to start with canvas(s). I recently purchased a value pack of Artist’s Loft canvas, a 3 pack. I opened the pack and was disappointed that you could see some blemishes, which will probably be covered up with the paint (not a big deal). I don’t like it when the framing bar (wood) down the center shows through. Sometimes it shows through even after you apply paint. So, I recommend that you only use the value pack canvas to PRACTICE on, of course unless you find one that really does not do all those things I just mentioned. The value packs or kind of lower in quality than the level 1, 2 and 3s. You get what you pay for right! Again, may be great for beginners and for practice. I’ve used value packs in the past, and had little problem. You may see issues with canvas with the bigger canvas. Usually, value packs don’t get bigger than 16 x 20 inch canvas. However, the value pack I just bought was 18 x 24, probably why I noticed the above issues mentioned.

This guy does a great job explaining the different canvas levels. I am going with the Level 2s from now on. I do currently have a couple of Level 3 wrap around canvas in my studio. You can definitely tell the difference (they are more expensive).

The Artist’s Loft canvas is the brand I normally purchase (a little less expensive) from Michael’s. I have some Master’s Touch brands in my studio as well, you can often find them on sale from Hobby Lobby. I like the Fredrix brand as well, seem well stretched, nice and tight.

Occasionally if I am searching for a canvas that is an odd size (not standard) I will go to an art supply store (not Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, there canvas’ are all standard size). Those are probably going to be a little higher in cost, unless you get there on a sale day. I have stayed away from purchasing on line, I like to see the canvas.

Why didn’t I see the blemishes etc. on the value pack when I purchased it? The plastic wrap and the labels along with the big value ribbon they wrapped around the package covered them up!

Check out the Level 2s. I think they are the best all around.

Happy painting!

arlin report thought(s) of the day: china made

If China was unhappy with the trade deal with Trump before, they’ve put themselves in position to really hate it for the future. We shouldn’t be making a better deal just to keep the peace any longer. Look where that got us.

Everything, nearly everything comes from China. Look in your closet. Take an inventory of everything made in China. It is ridiculous! Look around you, pick an item up from in your house………..MADE IN CHINA! There is a better chance it is made in China than the USA, or nearly any other nation for that matter. Go to your kitchen, open the cabinets, or your medicine cabinet……..it’s likely made in China. Want a real education on the ratio of made in China vs. USA go to Hobby Lobby. I’d bet 90% is from China. It’s disgusting? This country (China) only uses us, now using us to death, literally.

We don’t need China, everything we need we can produce/manufacture. They need us!

This coronavirus/COVID-19 should change things. When this virus is over, mostly over, there should be business opportunities for many of us. Made in the USA products (new companies) should multiply like never before in the history of our nation. We are capable, we are more than capable. We are proving what we can do together, we can recreate capitalism in the USA………American made capitalism. Thats the New World I’m looking for, where the USA is more independent. We’d be putting more Americans back to work. Not dependent on anyone, especially China.

WE NEED A NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST

President Obama, his administration and all of Congress have extremely poor approval ratings, record lows.   That isn’t surprising when you have a legislature that is ineffective and proven to be incompetent; and throw in a President, who believes he is superior to all of us and has no respect for the constitution or the people it was to protect.

The approval/disapproval ratings come from randomly taken polls, from the people.   I believe it is safe to say, most of us are not happy with our elected leaders, decisions and indecision and the state of our nation.   Presidents don’t give State of the Nation speeches with any accuracy, they would have to admit failure.   They usually state all of the obvious and what they would like to see happen and why it hasn’t because they can’t get any cooperation from Congress.   So, the thing to do in Washington is point the finger at one another as the guilty party when nothing positive gets done, when in fact they are all just clueless and incompetent.  There’s that word again.

I know that we are all tired of hearing the rhetoric, frustrated with the policy and non-policy of our government.   The corruption, OMG the corruption, scandal, partisan B.S., and general stupidity you hear from those that were sent to Washington to represent you.   Represent you, us and not for their own personal gain.

Everyday, it is something else, quite often so we will quit talking and inquiring about the previous piece of controversy.    If Washington is good at anything it is creating distractions.

Too often we question what needs to be done and complain but take little action ourselves.  We occasionally write or speak out, expressing our anger over illegal immigrants, too much money spent on foreign aid, why can’t or don’t we tend to our own problems.   I remember the sixties and early seventies where a generation protested in the streets, marched on Washington for whatever their cause.   The Hobby Lobby decision showed a spark of some of that same spirit with people, mostly women protesting against the Supreme Court and Hobby Lobby.

There are very serious issues facing our country.  The Speaker of the House and it’s Minority Leader I might add, have said immigration reform will not get done this year.   Then we have a Prez who wants to make an executive decision, which won’t be out of spite but for power.  Folks, it is time the American people stood up to this crap.

If President Obama can make an executive decision without Congress, I can proclaim a National Day of Protest.

I, an ordinary but highly frustrated  citizen, announce July 11, 2014 as a National Day of Protest.    What ever you are against or for, speak out, assemble, march on Washington, write a letter to the editor, just be heard.   It doesn’t have to be national, it can be your state or local government.   If you are unhappy about the state of this nation, your state or community then say so, show up on their doorsteps.

If we want and expect change we must change our state of complacency.   Why do we simply accept the direction our government has led this nation?   There is more we can do, we have our voice.  We must become more visible and take action.   On July 11th if people across this country participated in a peaceful, and it must be a peaceful protest, we will be noticed and we will be heard.  We have to get up off the couch and just do it.

If July 11th doesn’t work for you or your group, pick a day that will.  This is your day, it is our day and it is about time.

I would encourage all the readers to reblog.   Thank you.