Friday, January 27, 2017

Spanish Masterpainter Lita CabellutFrom Lita Cabellut’s... crss





















Spanish Masterpainter Lita Cabellut

From Lita Cabellut’s Website:

Lita Cabellut (1961) was born in Barcelona, into a Sinti family and lived on the streets until the age of 12 when she was adopted by a prominent family. She was introduced to her masters in the Prado: Velazquez, Goya and Frans Hals and became deeply affected by art. She attended drawing and painting lessons and had her first exhibition at the age of 17 in Madrid.

She then came to the Netherlands to further develop her skills at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and to work with the special light in the Netherlands. Cabellut still lives and works in the Netherlands and continues to develop her very own typical style that is characterised by larger than life-size portraits in a special fresco technique. Through her distinctive work, Lita is among the contemporary masters of portrait art.

See more of Lita Cabellut’s work on Instagram. Thanks to Art Today and Fine Art and You.


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Tegnestuen Vandkunsten - Seaweed house, Læsø 2013. 

SEA Architekt - House with a fur coat, Mladá Boleslav 2003. Via,...

Georg Bechter - Straw house, Dornbirn 2014. Using the local...

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Wonderful Processing Animation from A-na5

@yuruyurau


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5 Things You Can Do To Improve Website Accessibility

The World Wide Web is developing on a daily basis. It has become the most powerful and vital resource of information. Websites offer countless possibilities, which is why they are considered the best source of exchanging information. It is much more convenient and efficient as compared to traditional media channels like television and radio.

If you want to take the best advantage of websites, then it is important that you utilize its power properly. You need to make sure that the information you are sharing is easily accessible. There is no point is sharing information if people cannot reach it.

If you are going to make a website today, you should remember these tips.

1. Choosing Right Management System

Some content management systems (CMS) will allow you to create your website. While choosing the CMS for your site you need to take a look at all the features that it has to offer. It will let you know whether it is perfect according to your requirements. After choosing the right CMS, you need to select the template or theme that is easy to navigate. You need to keep the needs of the website in mind while selecting widgets, modules, plugins, etc. When it comes to editing toolbars and video players, you need to make sure that they allow you to create accessible content.

2. Properly Organizing the Structure of the Content

The accessibility of the material depends on the structure of the content. You should make sure that structure is simple and properly organized. You should use headings so that the content is readily available to all audiences. It is important that you stick to the correct order of the headings. You should separate the presentation of content from the structure; you can do that by using cascading style sheets. Give each page of the site a title so that it is easy for the visitors to navigate it.

3. Choosing the Right Colors

The color of the website is also a decision that should not be taken lightly because it can impact the readability of the site. There are a lot of people who suffer from color blindness of some form. You should be aware of common forms of colorblindness so that you choose colors that are easily comprehensible to most people. While designing and coding the website, you should always keep the factor of colorblindness in mind. You can use free utilities such as color filter, Etre, etc., to test colors of the website. It is better to use high color contrast because it will not only be right for colorblind people, but also for everyone else.

4. Giving Descriptive Names to the Links

When you include links in your content, you should give them unique names. The names should be descriptive so that reader knows the purpose of the link. Try to avoid using just “click here” because it is not descriptive at all, which makers it ineffective as well. If you want readers to pay attention to the link, then you use text that gives a good explanation of the link along with its context. If you are adding a link to share information about the company then you should choose the title, “To learn more about the company, go to About Us,” instead of just saying click here.

5. Adding alt Text to the Images

When you are adding images, especially informative images such ad info-graphics, then it is important that you create alt text for pictures. The text should be able to convey the meaning and purpose of the image. If there is text in the picture, then you should include it in the alt text as well. Alt text is critical for images that are used as links so that they are readily available to the readers.

If you are using images just for decorative purposes, then you do not need to add alt text. You should leave the alt text section empty so that the readers are not distracted by the image, and their focus stays on the relevant content.

Featured photo credit: UiPservice via uipservice.com

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The Top 14 Websites for Throwing an Awesome DIY Event

Throwing an event without hiring a professional event planner can be a daunting experience. First, there’s the fear that no one will show up. Then, there are the overwhelming logistics, the details, the guest list, the delegating of tasks, the food and drink, the music- it just goes on and on. Thankfully, plenty of people have been there before. Here are some great websites that will help make your event incredible. Skip the Google search and consult this list to throw the best DIY event ever. Cheers!

1. Ticketleap Events University

You could be preparing for a professional, big-time event, or you could just be planning a backyard get-together. Whatever your event’s scale, Ticketleap has advice on topics like how much alcohol to order, how to get people chatting, how to get the word out on Facebook, which hashtag to choose, and how to sell tickets. There’s even info on what to do after your event. You can share your own advice here, too.

2. Doodle

A resource for getting everyone’s schedules lined up, Doodle works particularly well for event planning committees. Or, you can use it to schedule the main event. You provide the details and potential times for the meeting, and your invitees let you know when they can make it via Doodle’s app. There’s a free version and a professional, paid version.

3. Event Transportation Systems

Need to set up a transportation service for your attendees? If there’s alcohol involved, designated transportation could literally be a life saver, and your guests will be eternally grateful. Event Transportation Systems operates all across North America and can provide transportation for events of any size, although they specialize in the big ones. ETS has a full range of vehicles, from vans to sedans.

4. Event Marketer

This site is an educational resource for businesses seeking to market through events. Or, if you’re a marketer who wants to learn about experiential event marketing, you can find a ton of info here.

5. Rosenberry Rooms Blog

Throwing a baby shower, a kids’ birthday party, a holiday party, or a themed party? Susie Fougerousse’s Rosenberry Rooms blog is full of design ideas, recipes, crafts, activities, and inspiration. Here, you can see exactly how party ideas come to life, with a wealth of photographs and posts from people who are really doing this. You can submit your own helpful articles, too.

6. Ustream

With Ustream, you can create your own streaming video channel for your events. If you’re just throwing one event, you can use the free version. The difference between this and a Facebook or Twitter stream is security. UStream offers secure streaming for you to share with only the people you want to see it. Or, create a public channel and share with the world. You can also record and share later.

7. Pinterest 

Pinterest is a huge digital library of photos and images. It’s a repository of ideas with tons of pins related to just about any type of event you can think of. This is helpful for coming up with design, decor, and theme ideas. Oh, and it’s free.

8. Bonjour Events and a la Reg

Bonjour Events has event planning tips, resources, and templates. In the tips sections, you can learn everything from how to set your table for a dinner party to how to throw an eco-friendly wedding.  You can find venues and vendors there, while Bonjour’s sister site, a la Reg, offers event registration, donation, and volunteer forms.

9. MOO

MOO’s primary event offerings are invitations and flyers, with tons of stock templates and styles to choose from. If you’re throwing a business event, MOO can also do note cards and business cards. MOO’s specialty is Printfinity, with which you can feature different artwork on every piece of stationery. Upload your own images or use MOO’s.

10. Amsterdam Printing

For seminars, conferences, and other business-related events, Amsterdam Printing engraves all manner of accoutrements with your business logo. Everything is customizable, including the eco-friendly tote bags. You can even customize candy wrappers, chocolate boxes, and fortune cookies. Customized pens will help attendees remember who threw the event long after it’s over.

11. Events from Facebook

Ok, so this isn’t a website, it’s an app. You’re probably well aware of Facebook’s potential for getting the word out about events. The Events from Facebook App is specifically designed to take that to the next level, with an interface dedicated to all things event on Facebook. This makes it easier for people to connect to your event without wading through other distractions on the social network. If you’re not posting your events on Facebook yet, Events from Facebook wants to change that.

12. Sonic Bids

Your event could rock, it could swing, or it could croon. Sonic Bids lets you pick through a whole bunch of criteria to find a band for your event. Whatever type of band or solo artist you’re looking for, you can probably find them on this site.

13. PlanningHelper

Need a caterer? PlanningHelper has advice on that. Need to work on budgeting? PlanningHelper has advice on that too. Need to learn about virtual meetings? Accommodations? Site selection? Planning Helper has details on pretty much everything revolving around events, and you can download checklists, tools, and timelines for free. Voila!

14. Local Catering

This is a massive directory of caterers. The search function lets you include a lot of very specific information on your event, such as the date, number of guests, location, and type. From there, Local Catering narrows it down to show you the most applicable caterers in your area.

Featured photo credit: rawpixel via pexels.com

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6 Reasons Why the Majority of Startups Fail

Startup companies are the pioneers of change, as they are responsible for creating new markets and improving old ones while earning a profit. But the success of startups is not something that comes quickly. It requires hard work and dedication. We always hear about the success stories, but it is important to know that about ninety percent of startups fail.

Several factors contribute to a startup’s chances of success or failure. Here are some of the most common reasons for startup failure.

1. Not Getting the Best Team Together

One of the biggest challenges that startups have to face is putting together a balanced, strong team. Startups need to have diversity within their teams, but while achieving diversity, they often end up assembling a group that fails to work together. The success of a new business depends on having a dedicated workforce with a variety of skill sets. The people you hire should be able to share each other’s strengths while compensating for each other’s weaknesses. Choosing the best people when hiring the first few employees is a challenge that can make or break a startup.

2. Failing to Study the Market

Startups are built on ideas, but it is important to ensure that the core ideas and concepts are achievable and practical. Many startups fail because they try to build a business around just a concept. But consumers are not going to pay for just an idea. They want complete products that are functional and that solve a problem they have. Failing to do a thorough analysis of the market also leads many startups to invest time and money in developing a concept that is not a good fit for the market. Ignoring the realities of what customers want leads to failure, so it is important to analyze the market while implementing the idea of a startup if you want it to succeed.

3. Creating Poor Marketing Strategies

Startups often fail to give marketing its due attention. Marketing is critical to the success of the business, so it is important to come up with useful and efficient marketing strategies. Businesses are only successful if they manage to attract customers, so it is essential to actively reach out to consumers through marketing. If you are selling energy-efficient refrigerators, then you can attract customers by sharing refrigeration guides that educate people about most energy-efficient appliances. There are so many offline and online marketing channels that you can use to promote your business.

4. Running out of Money

Money is also one of the primary reason for startup failure. New companies fail because they often do not take all of the required costs into account when they calculate the financial needs of their business. They come up with a starting cost and think that will be sufficient for running an established business. To plan ahead for your business, you need to think not just about start-up costs, but also about all the daily costs of running the business. You have to think about salaries, recruitment and other expenses. Plan ahead to make sure your business stays afloat, whether it is earning any profit in the first year or not. Getting a loan that will need to be paid back in the first few years of operation is also a bad idea. Most companies fail to earn big profits in the first few years, so make sure you have your financial costs covered if you want your startup to succeed.

5. Not Investing in Security

Investing in business security is important, but most startups ignore it. The risk of failure is reduced if the business is secure. There are three types of business security you will need to consider: legal, insurance, and burglary/cybercrime. You should secure the physical premises from which you are working so that you can keep the startup’s property and equipment safe. You should also invest in cybersecurity for your business.

Insurance and legal protection are essential to minimize the risk factor in your business. Without adequate protection, your startup may fail to survive any setback it encounters.

6. Losing Perspective

Startups can also fail because entrepreneurs are often so taken by their vision that they lose perspective. It is important to pay attention to trends in the market and to try to mold your image accordingly, because failing to adapt leads to many business failures. You should try to obtain investments from venture capital firms or angel investors who are familiar with your target market. That way, they can give you useful feedback and help you come up with better strategies.

It is important to spend some time understanding the reasons behind the failure of so many startups so that you can minimize the risk of failure for your own.

Featured photo credit: Bilan via bilan.ch

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