A combination of feldspar and quartz, it is usually in soft green and varies from semi translucent to opaque with flecks of mica. It is also available in colors of yellow, reddish-brown, greenish-brown, bluish-green, orange and silver. The Aventurine is the chosen gemstone for the 8th anniversary of marriage. A specialized brain stone, the ‘Delver’, digs at the roots of all fear and anxiety. It stimulates circulation, strengthens muscle tissue, cleanses etheric bodies and improves mental acuity. Earlier used as talismans, it makes a beautiful necklace or eardrops and bangles combined with silver or pearls.

Another affordable member of the Beryl family, it is found in a wide range of blue tints from pale pastels to greenish blue and deep blue. The Birthstone of Pieces (fish) along with Bloodstones, the Aquamarine is also the anniversary gemstone of the 16th and 19th year of wedding. Aptly known as the ‘Serene One’, for endowing clarity, tranquility, creativity and fortitude, it creates a strong balance in the mental, emotional and physical factors of a person. It also reduces fluid retention, cleans and strengthens kidneys, spleen, liver and the thyroid. Dark blue Aquamarine may resemble a costlier Sapphire, but beware of the cheaper blue Topaz being passed off as an Aquamarine. It looks best on a woman as earrings and pendants.

Discovered recently, this remarkable stone combines the powers of the Citrine and the Amethyst, and comes in tones of orange, purple and yellow. A great cleanser and energiser, it provides relief to ailments caused due to stress, such as migraine, hypertension and stomach ulcers. It is a very versatile stone that can be used in many kinds of jewelry.

Found abundantly, its purest form is colorless but in Amethysts of a fine quality, you can see vivid and dark tones of purple, reddish-purple and hues of bluish-purple. A coarse grained type of silica mineral quartz, the ‘Elevator’ gem raises spiritual powers and brings a higher consciousness. Amethyst is the birthstone of Aquarius (water bearer), and is the anniversary gem of the 4th and 6th year of marriage. It has a great effect on the brain, pituitary glands, endocrinal and immune systems. A good energizer and cleanser, works well for meditation, intuition and healing. They look great in Victorian styled jewelry and as rings, pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

A kind of fossilized tree resin in colors ranging from yellow to red, green to blue, and mostly honey brown, is termed as the ‘Mindful One’ since it is believed to recall the past centuries. It helps to cure forgetfulness, glandular swellings of lungs and throat, and has a powerful effect on the eyes, digestive and endocrine system. Amber brings good luck, thought highly sensual and magnetic; it enhances the wearer’s charm, inspires kindness, self realization and balances aggressive traits. Amber is used mostly in decorative articles, amulets, beads etc.

The color of this feldspar mineral gem varies from yellow-green to blue-green and may have fine streaks of white. Popularly called the ‘Thinker,’ it empowers and balances the heart, mind and body. It also tranquilizes the nervous system, increases your creativity and helps dispose of your negative traits. It is often confused with Jade, and considered to make your married life happier.

Alexandrite: Belonging to the beryl family, this gem is referred to as the ‘Love Child.’ It usually looks green in daylight and reddish purple under artificial lights. A birthstone of Gemini (twins) along with Moonstone and Pearls, it is also the anniversary gemstone of the 45th and 55th year of wedding. It is a stone of good omen, believed to heal you mentally, spiritually and emotionally from trauma, in addition to magnifying your love, joy and the jest to live. It is most beautiful in a ring setting, as the wearer can observe the changing colors.

Many people, myself included enjoy climbing into bed on a cold night and snuggling up with a favourite TV show or DVD. However, having a television in the bedroom can also be a contentious issue as you have gone to a lot of trouble to create a space which is calming, personal and private and you have a wide screen, flat panel intruder in your bedroom and your decorating style.

However, instead of screening off your TV and having to get up and open the doors of the cabinet whenever you want to watch it, why not make it a feature? You are going to want to display your TV opposite your bed, and this is likely to be a fairly large wall. Therefore, turn your TV into a piece of wall art.

All you have to do is buy a little skirting board, enough to make a frame for your TV. Then leave holes for the remote control sensor in the front, paint it the colour of the other picture frames in your bedroom and loop hanging wire through to the back of the TV and hang your TV and its frame on the wall.

Then all you have to do is surround your TV wall art with other pieces of wall art in matching frames and you have a feature wall in your bedroom. Your TV is now a piece of electronic wall art when you are watching it, and a dark-toned mirror when it is off. You have a modern and arty display in your bedroom, and a TV which is there when you need it and one you don’t notice when it’s off, fitting in perfectly with your bedroom decor.

How to choose artwork to aid better recovery

Today hospitals have started incorporating their own permanent art programs which have colored the walls, ceilings and exteriors of their facilities. Indeed, artwork should always and at all places be forethought when designing or renovating your health care environment to support goals of pain management or wholesome and rapid recovery with fewer side effects. A few essential things to consider when choosing your work of art are:

• What is the purpose of the given space?
Whether the available space is where the patient will spend a considerable amount of time such as an imaging room, or a simple examination room that requires less ‘waiting’ time. Artwork that captures viewers’ interest and imagination with an immediate diversion from the cold, hi-tech and bleak hospital equipment are ideal whereas simple scenes are well suited for areas where patients do not feel a lot of stress and discomfort.
• What is the patient’s expected state of mind when present in this room? As we all know blue and green are the best colors that soothe and calm, it makes sense to utilize them in relaxing, restful scenes in radiation and chemotherapy rooms that make patients quite anxious and agitated. Warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows are wonderful for areas where you need to energize the patients such as a room for physiotherapy or orthopedic departments.
• What will be the duration of the treatment for the patient in this room?
An absorbing picture or scene with a lot of detail is wonderful for areas that will require a long waiting period for the patients. Scenes of moving water (like a waterfall) may stimulate bladder response for patients who have to keep a full bladder for specific ultrasound or scans while it could also raise stress in someone who is asked to refrain from drinking water as before an operation.

• The seriousness of the patient’s malady? Definitely, a terminally ill patient would be irritated to have an abstract art or vibrant picture of jaunty boats in his room. Even religious art is better avoided as the patient may not follow the same beliefs. Soothing green and lush foliage is a good option as the color is associated with harmony, nature, hope and relief from pain. It is also believed to assist in lowering blood pressure, heart conditions, asthma, back problems and sleeplessness.

It is really so easy to plan your artwork to maximize the positivism in your health care environment and assist quicker, healthier recoveries; once you begin to understand the psychological implications encoded in art, the way it is perceived in the health care situation, and how to utilize it in a therapeutic manner.

I usually get my inspiration right out of my refrigerator or the produce section of the grocery store. This time it was the fridge. I was extremely hungry and couldn’t decide what I was hungry for. Out of sheer desperation, I pulled out everything that looked good onto the kitchen table. Then it hit me. I had created the perfect still life. My hunger forgotten (which is a good thing) I set about to paint the masterpiece I had just put together.