Featured Artist: Anton Pavlenko!

On February 28, 2014February 25, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Pacific Reflections by Anton Pavlenko — *Pacific Reflections* by Anton Pavlenko

Anton Pavlenko has some beautiful paintings on his website. Many are sold… and I do try to select work that is still available, which (as I write this) Pacific Reflections is available, but not sure for how long. I love the shadows and reflections in the water. Anton is not afraid to apply paint. I love the texture and the wonderful warmth that comes from this painting.

Read a blip about Anton from his website:

STATEMENT

When approaching a painting, I always strive to work from a state of flow; where every stroke is swift and effortless. This usually happens when I’m genuinely captivated by a scene and give a quick and intuitive response. For this reason, I work from direct observation and prefer to paint alone where I’m left with my thoughts, my paints and the landscape before me.

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Ukraine in 1984 and have always felt artistically inclined since childhood. As a teenager, I took up oils and taught myself to paint by reproducing works of the old masters I admired. Though I was serious about my painting, I only considered becoming a full-time artist after a 7 year pursuit of a ‘real’ occupation after high school. Shortly after marrying the love of my life, Anna, the artist within me emerged once again. Today I live in Portland, OR and am inspired by the beautiful landscapes I see all throughout the world.

Anton has some events coming up for 2014, so be sure to check them out!

Thanks to artist Eric Bowman for listing “Friends and Inspirations” on his blog… a list of great website/blogs… it’s how I found Anton!

Image via AntonPavlenko.com

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Christophe Artisan Chocolatier!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: The news about coconut oil!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp – Classy and Modern!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Gina Brown!

On February 26, 2014February 24, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Dreamscape I by Gina Brown — *Dreamscape I* by Gina Brown

What a sweet painting! So light and airy, with dreamy beautiful relaxing colors with the pops of orange and red really make this painting stand out. Fabulous color combination in this painting! I can see why it’s named Dreamscape… My eyes quickly went to this one. Love it!

Sunny Flowers by Gina Brown — *Sunny Flowers* by Gina Brown

Another striking painting! These sunflowers with their bright petals and abstract background. What a perfect combination! Very nice Gina!

Click HERE to read a blip about Gina from her blog, trust me, it’s worth the click! I think it’s so nice when artists tell us about their lives and what made them into the artists they are!

Gina is also in a gallery here in Charleston, Studio 151 Fine Arts, if you’re in the area, check them out and check out Gina’s work!

IMAGES VIA GinaBrownArt.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Pasta with Chicken & Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Feels Like Spring!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Vincent Van Gogh Quote

REMODILISTA: A Manuel for the Considered Home – a beautiful design guidebook!

On February 25, 2014February 20, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Have you heard of the blog REMODILISTA? If you love home, design, remodeling or anything to do with a home you will love this blog. It showcases the best of the best (not necessarily the most expensive!), everything has been researched beyond belief and their finding are amazing! Read more about them here! Not only is this book beautiful, it is chock full (do people still say “chock full” anymore??) of resources from everything you can imagine. Paint colors, kitchen, garden, furniture, you name it! It is a happening book and I’m quite sure you will love it as much as we do! Click HERE to read more about the Remodilista Book!

Page after beautiful page, full of great tips, DIY, the best faucets, sofa, scissors, you name it and they have checked it out!

This is one fabulous book (check out their blog as well, or sign up for their newsletter, what a treat)!!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Featured Artist… Christine Lafuente!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Fenwick Hall Plantation – Charleston, SC

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Everyday Chocolate Cake!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… David Lloyd!

On February 24, 2014February 20, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Color and Cocktails by David Lloyd Jean Bragg Gallery — Color and Cocktails by David Lloyd
Jean Bragg Gallery

I love, love, love paintings of interiors! It’s like going on a home tour without having to actually go! A peek into someone else’s life, their taste, their style. These paintings have been done by artist David Lloyd. His work is incredible. Check it out! I love these green walls, the sofa, that fabulous orange chair, the light streaming in the window so brightly. Very nice!

This is another interior that caught my eye. I love the red rug (and the wonderful light on the rug), the chair, the bed. THE OPEN TRANSOM is so wonderful! The colors are all harmonious… and look at all those paintings within a painting… like buy one get some for free! Very nice work! David also has a fabulous blog full of wonderful paintings!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Spring… won’t be long!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: THE SCREAM sold for how much??

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Featured Artist… Frank Gardner!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

ALL IMAGES VIA DAVIDLLOYDGALLERY.COM

Views in Charleston…

On February 23, 2014February 20, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

One more scenic walk in our neighborhood… what a treat! It’s especially nice to catch this view at high tide. I’ll take another photo of this area in a month or two and you’ll see how it changes with the seasons.

Speaking of change… Pipes dripping and ice one week, open windows the next! Charleston has some wildly varying temps, but I have to say I’m happy to see the sun and open windows to warm up the house! Have a great Sunday!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: (Charlie) You again? UGH!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Black Bean Company – Great food in Charleston, SC!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Big and bold wine without breaking the bank…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Weekend Marsh View…

On February 22, 2014February 20, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Location. Location. Location. It’s so important when you’re buying a house or looking for a place to rent. I love the area we live in. We don’t live on the marsh but we do live near it. There are several daily walking routes that I take, each seems to pass a marsh or two. The views are always spectacular! So peaceful and ever-changing! Enjoy your weekend!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Featured Artist… Richard Kooyman!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Featured Artist… Connie Hayes!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: South of Market – neat little shop in Charleston!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Memories of Monhegan…

On February 21, 2014February 18, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Island Inn. Monhegan Island. Maine. Vacation. Heaven! Wow, back in 2009 my mom and dad, Fred and I rented a cottage in Port Clyde, then we came to Monhegan for a few nights. What a dream! My dad had recently had knee surgery, so those of you who have been to the island know what a challenge that can be. Right as you step off the boat you have a rather steep hill to climb. He did it, no problem. (Dad, you were a sport. You had to pass on the hike through Cathedral Woods, but you stayed mighty busy. I’ve told you all about a sketch book that he surprised me with. Full of fabulous ink/watercolor sketches of our time on Monhegan and a few other things. I cherish that book!

Joe Fidler painting on Monhegan — Joe Fidler – Monhegan Island

The island is such a fabulous place to just be… to do what you want to do… you see all kinds of people, lots of artists and bird watchers. You meet the most interesting people and life long friends on the island.

mom hiking monhegan w stick 2009 — Sheila Fidler hiking on Monhegan…

This is the day we went hiking. Mom found a great walking stick… part way through Cathedral Woods she said, whew! That’s far enough… Noooo Mom!! You have to see the “reward”… the peacefulness of Cathedral Woods cannot be matched anywhere in my opinion. But when you get through that trail to Squeaker Cove your jaw drops. Wow! Mom was thrilled that she went the entire way! The beauty is breathtaking!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Charleston Wine & Food (2013)

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Brilliant kitchen tool: The Microplane!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Artist to watch… Ken DeWaard!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Rutherford’s Roost – Southern Living/Allison Ramsey Architects

On February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

Rutherford's Roost SL-297 — **Rutherford’s Roost SL-297**

A pretty cool house for a coastal area, don’t you agree? This plan is on a raised foundation, which you need in this area. Note the french doors that lead to both the living and dining rooms. This is the perfect house for those of you looking for something on the smaller side. This house is approximately 1420 square feet of heated living space. I think it would look nice with wood chip shingles on the exterior and a metal roof… or all white horizontal wood with a metal roof… striking either way. You can search the website HOUZZ.COM for interior shots of some of examples of this plan that were built. I think this house plan would look equally as good on a crawl space if an raised foundation wasn’t necessary! This is Southern Living Plan SL-297/Allison Ramsey Plan C0059

I think I would consider screening the entire porch instead of just the side… only because then the french doors could be opened in the living/dining areas to let fresh air in minus the irritating mosquitoes that hunt me down everywhere I go!

I’m not the best at interpreting house plans. From the looks of this it seems that your view into the living room is somewhat obstructed. I would give up the washer and dryer being in that location in order to extend the kitchen a wee bit providing me a clear site line to the living room… I would move the washer and dryer to the master bathroom. We don’t need a tub, so it would easily fit… I would also be willing to give up a sink. It’s mighty handy having our washer and dryer in our master bathroom.

For many of the interior doors I think some nice pocket doors or, BARN DOORS, if they would work. I love barn doors in a house! The kind that slide back and forth! This plan packs a lot of punch into not a lot of square feet. Efficient as always, Allison Ramsey Architects have done it again!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Featured Artist… Melanie Parke!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Happy President’s Day!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Andrew Wyeth Quote… and book!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Dean Buhler!

On February 19, 2014February 19, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

: Sphinx by Dean Buhler

Meet Dean Buhler’s dog, Gustovio! Dean captured this dog so perfectly. These are such elegant animals, and you can see that in this painting. What a fabulous background! The very realistic dog against the abstract background … love it! The colors in the wall really makes Gustavio stand out! Take a minute to look through Dean’s website. Breathtaking paintings, one after another. Whoa! This painting by Dean was one of the finalists in Southwest Art magazine’s “Artistic Excellence Competition” – Very nice!

Sun Worshipper by Dean Buhler [sold] — *Sun Worshipper* by Dean Buhler [sold]

“I first drew my dog, Gustavio – on my website, the drawing is called Sun Worshipper. It took 1st place in the drawing/pastel category in the Scottsdale Artist School’s Best & Brightest Competition, 2013” says Dean. A pretty remarkable drawing, and such an impressive painting!

Awaiting the Crown of Laurels by Dean Buhler

Dean can paint anything, his people are quite amazing! Just look at how exquisite this painting is! How realistic this woman looks… and that FABULOUS background! This painting is available at the Blue River Fine Art Gallery.

Here’s a little blip about Dean from his website, take a minute to check it out for yourself!

Dean Buhler is an artist who creates colorful and impressionistic portraits and figures. His favored media are oils, charcoal, and graphite. He enjoyed a multitude of educational and professional experiences that he draws upon in depicting different subjects.

IMAGES VIA DeanBuhler.fineartstudioonline.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o: Recipe: Beef Stew!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Me… on Monhegan!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Every child is an artist!

Zannie’s Black-Eyed Pea Dip – FABULOUS!!!

On February 18, 2014February 13, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe4 Comments

Too good for words - thank you Pioneer Woman! — Too good for words – thank you Pioneer Woman!

Are you looking for a quick appetizer? An easy to throw together, yet super special concoction of all things good? Well, I was searching for the same thing a while back, and low and behold, Pioneer Woman (a wonderful blog, I highly recommend it!) posted this recipe… Don’t tell anyone, but once in a while we have this for dinner ;) it’s beans… pure health food I’m telling you! I don’t add any salt because there is salt on the chips (and next time we’re buying the blue chips with no salt)… Here goes… If you haven’t heard of Pioneer Woman (whaaat?) Ree Drummond, she has a cooking show on Food Network, she’s got books, you name it… pure entertainment at its finest!

Click HERE to be directed to TastyKitchen.com so you can print this recipe

Ree Drummond - Pioneer Woman — From TastyKitchen.com

It couldn’t be easier…

Drain and partially mash the black-eyed peas… You don’t have to mash them to death, some chunks are good. Texture. Is. Good!

Add in everything else… the salsa, sour cream, onion, and jalepeno’s!

Don’t forget the cheese! Add it to everything else and stir it around.

Then spread it into a baking dish (I use a ceramic tart pan), and bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes or until its nice and hot and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips!

AND… if you’re in the mood for a good book that will make you laugh, her book “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story” is wildly entertaining… her real life story about how she met her husband, Marlborough Man… hee hee…

F L A S H B A C K

O n e Y e a r A g o: Robert Joyner and a colorful president…

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Charlie visits Shem Creek!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Baked Potato Soup with all the trimmings!

Artist & Craftsman Supply – Charleston, SC – Stop in… what a cool store!

On February 17, 2014February 11, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

Artist & Craftsman Supply – what a pleasure to stroll through this store. Charleston has such a unique art store, full of knowledgable staff, GREAT prices and such a wide array of choices. The only thing there isn’t… parking. They did have a few spots that they were leasing for customers, but something is being built/or changed behind that building and everything is dug up. So… right now there is only meter parking, which isn’t so bad ( and it’s FREE on Sunday). If by chance you have some big items you can either go in/call, shop, pay, and then drive up and someone in the store will run the items to you (call first to be sure they aren’t too busy). They’re doing their best to make it as easy as possible for you to shop. So if you’re in Charleston, SC check them out.

Artist & Craftsman Supply Charleston, SC — Artist & Craftsman Supply
Charleston, SC

GREAT prices! Bargain basement prices (hee hee)… they are located in a basement, a very cool basement – check them out! They also have locations around the country and you can order online as well!

Images via ArtistCraftsman.com

F L A S H B A C K

O n e Y e a r A g o: The unveiling!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Dowling Walsh Benefit Show!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Bowens Island Restaurant!

Beautiful marsh views on a winter day…

On February 16, 2014February 11, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

We headed out on a long walk… tide was fairly low, the weather was pretty nice, just right for a long walk. Had to stop and snap this… the marsh is just so beautiful!

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend!! For some, tomorrow is a holiday (President’s Day) – if you’re off, enjoy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e Y e a r A g o: Fred moving the pavers!

T w o Y e a r s A g o: Chana Masala recipe!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Swans Island Blankets – stunning!