Aside from filling up our landfill with something perfectly usable, here are a few ideas on ways to unload your unwanted Christmas presents:

1. Donate – There are a ton of non-profits and charities that could use that extra toaster you don’t want. Pick your favourite one, drop off that unwanted gift, and feel good afterwards.
2. Re-Gift – Once deemed tacky and taboo, re-gifting has become socially acceptable, especially in this age of frugality. Re-gifting is okay so long as the item is in its original packaging and is in new or almost new condition. Give this item to someone who will appreciate it so it doesn’t end up being re-gifted again, and whatever you do, don’t accidentally re-gift it back to the original gift giver.
3. Sell – There are lots of ways to make some cash from a good item that you just don’t need: try ebay, a garage sale, or your local classifieds.
4. Return – If you know the store the item came from, most stores will allow an unopened item to be returned without a receipt for store credit, or even cash.
5. Gift Swap – Host an unwanted gift swap with friends. Hopefully someone’s junk will be another’s treasure.
6. FreeCycle.org – FreeCycle is a green non-profit initiative aimed at reducing waste. There are thousands of local chapters around the world; find yours by checking out http://www.freecycle.org/. Members give and receive items that would otherwise be thrown out. Items range from movie posters to big ticket items like furniture and appliances.

Other Posts You Might Like:
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Secret Santa
Once upon a time, my shopping list was doubled because we used to exchange gifts with my very large extended family which includes dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then someone came up with the bright idea to have a Secret Santa gift exchange instead. We set a price limit, wrote our names on pieces of paper along with three things we wanted within the price range (just in case the gift-giver was stumped for ideas), and randomly drew names from a hat.

Instead of having to spend countless hours hunting down gifts for an entire family, we just had to worry about one gift for one person. Ahhh…much better. Part of the fun for us is trying to figure out who drew our name before the gift exchange which often involves a bit of detective skills and a whole lot of trickery.

White Elephant
This is a great gift exchange amongst a large group of friends or co-workers as it usually involves an inexpensive gift or even better—gag gifts. Numbers are drawn from a hat (starting from one to the number of people participating). All the gifts are piled together and gifts are chosen in chronological order.

Gifts that are chosen are unwrapped and shown to the rest of the group. The next person has the option to choose an unwrapped gift or ‘steal’ a previously opened gift from another person. The person with the stolen gift gets to unwrap a new present and the game continues all the presents are unwrapped. The fun part is that you’re never quite sure which gift you’ll end up with until gifts are declared ‘safe’ (usually a gift is allowed to be stolen only three times).

It’s great to see the variety of gifts involved from rubber chickens, gourmet coffee, to crazy underwear.

Homemade Gifts
This gift exchange idea requires little money, just a bit of your time and thoughtfulness which is what the season is all about anyway. Many people groan about not being creative enough, but there is something out there for even the most craft-challenged person. Here are a few ideas:

• Knitted or crocheted items such as mitts, scarves, hats, blankets, and toys.
• Cookies
• Cookies-in-a-jar for those non-bakers (all you need to do is measure out the dry ingredients from a favourite recipe, add the ingredients to a glass jar, print out the recipe, and voila – something homemade.
• Coupon book full of chores or favours that can be redeemed at any time such as lawn mowing, snow shoveling, massages, homemade dinner, baby-sitting, etc.

Re-Gift Exchange
This is the only option I could think of that require zero money and is good for the environment (not to mention your shelf space) too. We all have a bunch of unopened, unwanted, and unloved items lying around our house. Organize a get-together with a bunch of friends to get rid of your ‘junk’ in hopes of finding some treasure. You can make it fun by turning it into a White Elephant-type of gift exchange.

Forgo Gifts in Lieu of Having a Big Feast
Yummmm…who doesn’t like a savory festive feast? Instead of spending money on gifts, spend that money on going out for a nice fancy dinner with friends and family, or buying gourmet food items and having a potluck.

If you want to get the most of your feast, try this tummy-expanding tip from my husband who often does this for any savory meal:

• A few hours before your big meal (about 2-3 hours), drink several glasses of water depending on your weight and size.
• Your stomach will expand a bit allowing you to enjoy some extra deliciousness.

I’m getting hungry just thinking of all the yummy food.

Other Posts You Might Like:
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Here are some of my favourite autumn comforts:

A chunky knit blanket. If you are the crafty type, break out the knitting needles or crochet hook and get cracking! Or if you’re lucky, maybe someone nice will give you a homemade quilt. And if you’re out of luck, then check out this pure wool blanket from Etsy. I love its rustic autumn colours.

Melted cheese on anything. I’ve only met one person in my life who didn’t like cheese (she was an odd one). There’s nothing like warm, gooey, melted cheese to warm the soul.

Pumpkin pie with real whipped cream. Autumn is not the time to watch your weight! Indulge in some baked goodies and go for a walk afterwards if you want to burn the calories.

Apple cider. Apples are one of the season’s signature fruits and drinking it in liquid form is definitely an autumn “must.”

Beef stew. Autumn is the perfect time to break out your slow-cooker again and whip up some easy, yet tasty dishes filled with tender meat, potatoes, and vegetables.

Sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes with gravy, or anything made with potatoes. Is there anything more comforting (or deliciously filling) than carbs? Weird as it sounds, potatoes are my favourite food as they are so versatile. I’ve never met a potato dish I didn’t like.

Cinnamon or cranberry scented candles. Cinnamon is known for its stimulating and uplifting aroma therapy properties, and a hint of cranberry is simply mouth-watering.

Cozy slippers. Keep your tootsies warm with some comfy house shoes. Tip: to keep your feet moisturized, apply some foot lotion and slip on a pair of light socks which help to lock in the moisture. Then put on your slippers for extra warmth.

The sound of crunching leaves beneath your feet. It’s not time to hibernate yet – get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

A toasty fire. Cuddle up with your favourite book or person and listen to the crackling flames.

Other Posts You Might Like:
How to Keep that Summer Feeling All Year ‘Round
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Here are five ways you can incorporate summer into your life year-round:

Bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. There’s nothing like freshly cut flowers, and lots of potted plants indoors to remind you of the lush green summer months. If you are a lazy gardener like me, buy a cactus.

Plan a mini-vacation (preferably to a warm destination) in the middle of winter. Check out TravelZoo for awesome deals.

Visit your local pool and in the cold months, soak in the hot tub, or relax in the sauna while thinking of palm trees.

Stock up on summer blockbusters. Indulge in some cinematic guilty pleasures and make sure there’s a lot of popcorn to go along with the cheese.

Get lots of fresh air. Just because the weather has gotten cooler, doesn’t mean you need to stay cooped-up inside. Bundle up and enjoy the sunshine.

Other Posts You Might Like:
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My dog Kacie soaking up the rays in our backyard.

1. Have a picnic and blow bubbles. Not much beats the combination of being outdoors, yummy food, and the ultimate simple summer pleasure – blowing bubbles.
2. Slip ‘n Slide. Wham-O has been making the original Slip n’ Slide since 1961. Today there are fancier options like the Slip n’ Slide Jungle Rumble and the Hydroplane Double. Nothing makes you feel like a kid again like throwing yourself with reckless abandon onto a slippery, wet surface and screaming like a banshee.
3. Forget about the hassles of hosting a dinner party. Instead, have a potluck with friends and dine al fresco.
   
4. Check out free local summer events and festivals in your city.
5. To save on camp site fees, camp out in your backyard and watch the stars. (Bonus: you can run inside to use a real potty.)
6. Have a bonfire. No summer is complete without roasted weenies, s’mores, and scary/stupid campfire stories.
7. Make sangria.
8. Relax on a hammock, daydream, read a book, and take a snooze.
9. Get movies/books/music from the library.
10. Scour yard sales for awesome deals.
11. Get some exercise by going for a bike ride (or hike). Reward yourself by getting a slush afterward.
12. Go to the beach, people-watch, and read trashy magazines.
13. Fly or make a kite. Here is a video on how to make a traditional-style kite out of a plastic bag.

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Wine 101: A Guide to the Most Popular Grapes

I took an introduction to wine course a few years ago and had a great time learning about different grapes, food pairing, and of course tasting the different wines. (Has anyone ever thought about how disgusting it is to spit out your wine after you’ve swirled it in your mouth into a communal spit bucket?)

There were a few pretentious people in the class—one student claimed a certain red wine tasted like her “grandmother’s spice cupboard”—but for the most part, the wine enthusiasts were just excited to learn and taste.

Here is a quick introduction to what I learned in my wine course to the seven main grape varieties broken down into white and black (red) grapes.

WHITE GRAPES

Chardonnay (Shard-on-ay)
Chardonnay is one of the most popular white grapes. Its dry wines can be sparkling or still and can range from full-bodied wines with buttery overtones to light fresh apple flavours. While this grape originated in France, it is now grown all over the world.

Try it with: fish or chicken.

Sauvignon Blanc (Sew-vin-yon-Blonk)
This grape produces wine that is typically described as fresh and “green” (think fresh green grass, apples, pears, and melons). This light to medium bodied wine has a refreshing acidity. Popular regions that grow Sauvignon Blanc include New Zealand, France, and California.

Try it with: seafood, chicken, or salad.

Riesling (Reez-ling)
Known for its good aromatic and acidity levels, Riesling is the traditional grape of Germany. Riesling can run the whole gamut from bone dry to decadently sweet. Its flavours can range from fresh apples to dried apricot.

Try it with: a dry Riesling pairs nicely with pork, fish, and chicken.

BLACK (RED) GRAPES

Cabernet Sauvignon (Cab-ur-ney-Sew-vin-yon)
This popular grape provides a strong blackcurrant flavour and is often blended with Merlot and sometimes with Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown around the world in places such as Australia, France, Chile, and California. Let your bottle of Cab mature before enjoying.

Try it with: red meat.

Merlot (Mer-low)
If you find Cabernet Sauvignon a bit strong for your liking, Merlot is a softer, fruitier alternative and is great for “new” red wine drinkers. In terms of flavours, think plums and berries with nice acidity. Merlot is often used to make Bordeaux and is grown in Chile, the US, and Australia.

Try it with: almost anything such as red meat, chicken, vegetable soup, and chocolate soufflé.

Pinot Noir (Pee-no-N-wa)
Pinot Noir has a lighter colour and flavour than Cabernet Sauvignon and often tastes like summer fruits such as cherries and raspberries and develops a vegetal aroma as it ages. This is one of the most difficult grapes to grow; this grape variety is commonly grown in New Zealand. Pinot Noir is used in red Burgundy and occasionally in Champagne.

Try it with: chicken, lamb, or grilled salmon.

Syrah/Shiraz (Seer-ah/Sheer-az)
Syrah and Shiraz are two different names for the same grape variety. Syrah produces rich wine with strong black fruit flavours and peppery overtones. It grows well in France’s Rhone Valley, Australia, and California.

Try it with: red meat.

Cheers!

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What’s the Rush?

1. If your jeans are still in good condition, try trading them with a friend. Or better yet, organize a clothes swap party with a bunch of friends. This way, you can get rid of all your old stuff and hopefully score that awesome [insert clothes item or accessory here] you’ve always wanted.
2. Cut them into Daisy Dukes. Or if you are more modest, convert them into Capri pants and roll them up for that carefree I-don’t-give-a-damn-because-it’s-the-weekend look.
3. Make a pretty denim rose by using just the hem. I liked the post by Craftbits as it’s quick and easy and doesn’t require sewing.
4. I love coffee and I love this coffee cozy idea by Two Straight Lines. This cute little sleeve would make a great gift.
5. Check out RecycleYourJeans.com. This UK company creates unique sandals from your own pair of jeans. Once you mail them your old jeans, they will convert your pants into recycled sandals within 7-10 days. This green alternative reduces the need for harmful processing chemicals.

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1. Composting

We all have organic scraps that can be put to good use in a backyard compost. Not only can composting reduce the amount of household garbage by as much as one-third, the nutrient rich soil you are left with is great for gardening. If you don’t have room for a backyard compost, try using a Countertop Compost Keeper.

2. Bike or walk

Whenever possible, try biking or walking to close-by destinations. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, pollution from vehicles is the largest contributor to harmful greenhouse gases.  A half-hour brisk walk can burn approximately 150 calories for a 125 lb. person. Get fit while cutting down on air pollutants!

3. Eat local

By eating locally grown foods that are in season, you are cutting down on the need to transport food from long distances while helping local businesses. Local food from farmer’s markets is also fresher and often tastier. Many communities have local farming initiatives that deliver farm fresh produce straight to your door.

4. Use an energy-efficient showerhead

For a fairly nominal cost, you can get an energy-efficient showerhead that can cut your hot water usage by 35% or more. This painless way to save energy and water also reduces your natural gas bill and pays for itself after only a few months of use – a great return on investment.

5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs

Use compact fluorescents (CFLs) rather than incandescent bulbs. CFLs not only have a longer life but also use 75-80% less energy. The David Suzuki Foundation says, “If 110 million households replaced just one 60-watt incandescent bulb with a CFL, the energy saved would power a city of 1.5 million people.”

6. Green Laundry

There are several ways to employ green practices while doing laundry: switch to an ENERGY STAR® front-loading washer to use less water and energy, use cold water, and reduce or eliminate the time using the dryer. An ENERGY STAR® washing machine can cut the amount of water and energy used in half. During the summer months try good old-fashioned outdoor line drying—nothing beats the scent of a “real” summer breeze.

7. Green printers for your office

If you require the occasional printed page, consider getting an eco-friendly printer. Eco-friendly printers are more energy-efficient. Green Living Ideas lists the following printers as eco-friendly:

• Dell 1235cn Color Laser Multifunction Printer
• HP Officejet Pro 8500
• Samsung SCX-5530FN

8. Switch to a laptop

Ditch your clunky desktop for a more energy-efficient laptop. Laptops can cut your energy usage by as much as 75%, (not to mention take up less space in your work area). Don’t forget to turn off your computer at the end of each day.

9. Use natural household cleaners

There are a number of brands out there that boast natural biodegradable ingredients such as method. Traditional household cleaners contain many toxic components that are not only harsh against your skin, but also harmful to the environment.

10. Slow cooked meals

Try using a slow cooker or toaster even instead of an electric oven. Not only will you cut down on the electricity used, you will get a scrumptious meal. It costs approximately 21 cents to use your slow cooker for 10 hours compared to $2.51 to operate an electric oven.

***

This post is featured on All Things Eco.

When your days start blurring together and you can’t distinguish one day from the next, you are in a rut. You need to shake things up in your life and change your routine. When you are in a rut, you probably feel bored, tired and unmotivated. Your everyday tasks are accomplished, but you get little satisfaction from them and often don’t even remember doing them.

So how exactly can you vary your days when you are stuck at a 9-5 job? There are many small things that we all can do to add spice to each day. By introducing small changes in your schedule, you will begin to look at things differently, feel more invigorated and refreshed. While most of us need to work for a living, it doesn’t mean we have to become drones.

Get more sleep

Studies show that people who are well-rested not only are more efficient at work, but also enjoy their jobs more. Start by going to bed a half hour earlier and work in small increments until you reach your desired hours of sleep.

Take a different route to work

If you drive, walk or bike to work, take a different path to work. By taking the same route to work every day, your eyes and mind become accustomed to your surroundings and can be less alert. People often get in car accidents not on unfamiliar roads, but rather on the roads closest to home. If you take some form of public transit, try taking an earlier route and get off at a different stop than you normally do.

Try something different for lunch

We all have our favourite spots we frequent for lunch, or pack the same sandwich if we are brown-baggers. Try that new food joint you’ve been eying. Pack a salad instead of a sandwich. Invite a friend you don’t normally see to meet you for a lunch date. And if possible, take a brisk walk for a few minutes to clear up your morning cobwebs.

Take the night off

If you cook dinner every night, try cooking enough for two meals so you can relax at night. Or better yet, try a new restaurant or get take out.

Get a new look

Often people’s appearances reflect their inner self. I’ve often marveled at how some people have clung onto the past with dated fashion and hairstyles. If you have been sporting the same ‘do for more than 5 years, perhaps it is time for a change. Unless the clothes you are wearing are timeless (such as a black pea coat or white t-shirt), clean out your closet to get rid of items you have not worn in a year or more. Invest in a few basic pieces and update your wardrobe with new shoes and accessories. A fresh look can help put some spring in your step.

Clean your work area

De-cluttering and re-organizing your desk or work area can do wonders for your concentration and productivity. File away items that have already been addressed; toss items that have outlived their usefulness. A clean work area will provide a much-needed boost to your regular routine.

Re-arrange furniture in your home

Sometimes all it takes is a different furniture layout in a room to make it seem brand new again. This is also a good time to spruce up those things that need repairing. Make a conscious effort to only fill your home with the people and things that you love.

Try a new activity

Sign up for that yoga class you’ve always been talking about. Start a new book club. Enroll in dancing lessons. Trying something new gives you something to look forward to and is a great chance to meet new people and get inspired about life.

Do a self-inventory

Are you spending a lot of time doing unnecessary tasks? Are you setting aside meaningful activities such as spending more time with family and friends for things that aren’t important to you? Are you unhappy at your current job? If you answered yes to these questions, it may be time to consider making some life changes.

“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
~Anais Nin, author

So while the art gods failed to bless me with artistic genius, I still appreciate art and enjoy drawing and painting. For those of you who say things like, “What’s the purpose of this piece?” and “I don’t understand art” I can relate. Even after all of those art history classes, there is still some art that baffles me. But with an open mind and a bit of art history knowledge there is an artist or art movement out there for everyone.

Art by Personality Type:

• The Logical Thinker
• The Drama Queen
• The Activist
• The Dark Heart
• The Happy-Go-Lucky
• The Dreamer
• The Provocateur

The Logical Thinker

Description: In your ideal world, there is a balance between artistic and analytical pursuits. You like to reason and reflect upon things and can be described as rational and systematic.
Artist you may like: Alexander Calder

Lobster Trap and Fish Tail. 1939. Steel wire and painted sheet aluminum.

Alexander Calder (1898-1976)

Born into a family of artists (his father a sculptor and his mother a painter), Calder was surrounded by art and was given his own studio at the age of 8. Showing promise early on, Calder was adept at working with materials and presented his parents with sculptures for Christmas in 1909. Despite his artistic talent, Calder graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.

It wasn’t until 1923 when he moved to New York did Calder dedicate himself to art. His job as an illustrator for the National Police Gazette took him to various events including circuses. His time spent sketching the shows inspired him to create the Cirque Calder, which was a delightful and detailed miniature circus he assembled and manipulated for audiences. Many believe this was the first known instance of performance art.

In 1931, Calder developed a kinetic sculpture now known as the mobile. His first mobiles were motorized; however he soon realized that the natural currents in a room were a more preferable and organic way to approach the moveable parts. Calder’s artistic progression turned towards monumental metal sculptures dubbed stabiles. He enjoyed a prolific career as a sculptor garnering international acclaim for his works.

Although Calder delved into creative pursuits, his foundation in engineering is evident throughout his dynamic sculptures in their balance and harmony of shapes. I’ve had the privilege of viewing several of Calder’s mobiles and his are truly art pieces to be experienced in person. The gently swaying mobiles and their interplay with light and shadow is something to be admired.

The Drama Queen

Description: Bright. Big. Bold. You like making a statement and think great art should do the same. The safe middle ground is something you avoid.
Artists you may like: Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Pont Neuf Wrapped. 1975-1985. Paris.

Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon (b.1935)

Both Christo and Jeanne-Claude were both coincidentally born on June 13, 1935—Christo was born in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, and Jeanne-Claude in Casablanca, Morroco. They met in Paris in 1958 when Christo was commissioned to paint a portrait of Jeanne-Claude’s mother. They later married in 1962 and emigrated to New York City.

The duo creates large scale pieces described as environmental installations. Their signature pieces involve covering landmarks with fabric. The couple has covered everything from the Pont Neuf in Paris to the Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida in cloth.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude insist their works have no deeper meaning other than to beautify the landscape and perhaps challenge people to view their surroundings in a different light. These temporary installations are set up anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Christo once said, “I think it takes much greater courage to create things to be gone than to create things that will remain.”

Their projects require massive fundraising efforts and usually take months or years to plan, fund and execute. The downside? Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s art pieces have drawn criticism from some environmental groups who claim that the colossal cloth coverings harm wildlife.

The Activist

Description: You appreciate music, movies and art with a message. Current events and politics are your conversation topics of choice. You are not one to stand idly by when you can take a stand.
Artist you may like: Diego Rivera

Man at the Crossroads. 1932-34. Mural, Rockefeller Center, New York

Diego Rivera (1886-1957)

Known as one of the most influential Mexican artists, Diego Rivera painted massive frescoes depicting the plight of working class Mexicans and Americans during a time of technological change. Rivera was passionate about bringing art to the masses and his large frescoes enabled him to express his political and humanitarian views to the public. Although frescoes are an ancient medium, the act of painting them on open walls was a radical change from the traditional paintings hanging on gallery walls that were available only for a select few.

Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Rivera went to Europe to study art in his 20’s. It was there that he studied the art of the masters and found his calling after examining Italian renaissance frescoes. These paintings on fresh plaster allowed Rivera to display his Leninist political views and tell the stories of the working class.

During the 1930’s, he was commissioned to paint murals on numerous American institutions including the American Stock Exchange Luncheon Club, California School of Fine Arts, Detroit Institute of Arts, and later the RCA building in Rockefeller Center. While the first three institutions received his work positively, the Rockefellers were not so inclined. Rivera’s interpretation of the theme “Man at Crossroads” which was to illustrate the numerous changes of the twentieth century depicted Lenin as a leader in a demonstration. Rivera refused to remove it and the painting was later destroyed.

Today, Rivera is remembered for his influence on North America’s perception of art and his bold political views (not to mention his steamy relationship with Frida Kahlo). Rivera once said, “The artist must try to raise the level of taste of the masses, not debase himself to the level of unformed and impoverished taste.” True words indeed.

The Dark Heart

Description: Black is often the colour of your heart. Your outlook on life can be rather gloomy and you’ve been known to harbor sinister thoughts.
Artist you may like: Francis Bacon

Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X. 1953. Oil on canvas.

Francis Bacon (1909 – 1992)

Born in Ireland to English parents, Bacon spent most of his formative years moving back and forth between Ireland and England. The lack of a home-base instilled in him feelings of displacement and restlessness which seep out in his paintings. Bacon’s gentle manner clashed with the strict, masculine expectations of his war veteran father. When Bacon was caught admiring himself in the mirror while wearing his mother’s underwear, his father threw him out.

Bacon spent the next few years in Paris, Berlin and London. He started off as an interior designer and found that he could also make a decent living from being a “gentleman’s companion.” It was during Bacon’s time in Paris that he viewed several Picasso exhibits which are believed to be one of his influences. After World War II, Bacon began his paintings of the human figure and developed his style of distorting them into horrifying images.

With a dark colour palette, Bacon’s paintings focused on traditional subject matters such as portraits, works from the Old Masters, photographs and X-rays. However, his representation of these subject matters was innovative in its often violent or sexual overtones. Bacon’s novel approach to painting defied classification.

The Happy-Go-Lucky

Description: Your sunny disposition and care-free attitude make you very popular. The glass is always half full and it often runneth over.
Artist you may like: Franz Marc

Little Yellow Horses. 1912. Oil on canvas.

Franz Marc (1880 – 1916)

This German expressionist painter was born in Munich in 1880. Marc’s father was a landscape painter and his mother was a dedicated Calvinist. After first dabbling in theology and languages, Marc eventually enrolled in the Munich Academy of Art in 1903. The works of the Impressionists, particularly van Gogh, served as inspiration for Marc. While walking through a gallery in Paris filled with impressionist paintings, Marc likened his experience to “…a roe deer in an enchanted forest, for which it has always yearned.”

He soon began his fascination with animals and dedicated himself to studying their anatomy as he wanted to recreate them from the inside out. Marc’s work evolved and he began incorporating symbols in his pieces by assigning meanings to different colours. Blue represented masculinity, yellow stood for the feminine principal, and red was the opposition to blue and yellow.

Marc experienced success during his career and was responsible for organizing several successful exhibitions in 1912-1913. Unfortunately Marc was mobilized during the war. During this time he maintained a notebook filled with drawings of paintings his wished to create when the war was over. However, Marc’s life was tragically cut short when he was hit by a shell splinter in March 1916.

The Dreamer

Description: You can’t help but conjure up grand ideas and fantasies. Reality can be a dull place—it’s through dreaming that you truly feel alive.
Artists you may like: Marc Chagall

I and the Village. 1911. Oil on canvas.

Marc Chagall (1887-1985)

As the eldest of nine children, Marc Chagall was born into a poor Jewish family in Russia. The Hasidic Jewish community and the discrimination they often endured largely influenced Chagall’s works. As a child, Chagall decided he wanted to be an artist against his parents’ wishes. In 1906 he moved to St. Petersburg to pursue his art career and eventually enrolled in an art school under Leon Bakst, a successful Jewish artist who acted as a role model.

In 1910, Chagall moved to Paris to further his artistic development. He often felt homesick as many things in Paris reminded him of his Russian roots. It is here that he developed his dream-like motifs and ghostly figures he is widely known for.

Chagall’s most prominent pieces are characterized by his use of vibrant colours to depict his childhood memories and Jewish folk culture. Chagall enjoyed a thriving career and excelled in a variety of mediums including painting, stained glass, ceramics, illustrations, tapestries and stage sets. He is one of the select few artists whose works were displayed at the Louvre during his lifetime.

The Provocateur

Description: You are not afraid of confrontation. In fact, you thrive on it. You freely express your thoughts and beliefs without worrying about offending others.
Artist you may like: Marcel Duchamp

Fountain. 1917. Porcelain.

Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968)

Marcel Duchamp was born in France to an artistic family of seven children. Early on, Duchamp excelled at Mathematics; however his focus shifted as he became inspired by the fluid art style of his older brother, Jacques Villon. Duchamp began his art career dabbling in Cubism and Surrealism but he is best known for his association with the Dada movement.

Dada is best described as an anti-movement or anti-art which often used humour as a tool to push the boundaries of traditional art. Duchamp created his Readymades which were normal objects he “found” and presented as art. Perhaps his most popular readymade was Fountain which was a urinal which he signed “R. Mutt.” Fountain caused a ruckus during an exhibit in 1917; the Society of Independent Artists (in which Duchamp was a board member) insisted the piece was not art which prompted Duchamp to resign from the society.

Duchamp also poked fun at the Mona Lisa by adding facial hair to the celebrated painting. His provocative works challenged the way people viewed art and influenced many modern art movements such as Pop Art and Surrealism.