As I sit at my desk writing this blog day after day, I have someone who cracks the whip… someone who makes sure I finish what I start… that would be Charlie! Look at how he sits. I look at him and laugh. This dog cracks me up!
Enjoy your weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
I love Sally Shisler’s work. It’s so different. So loose and free, so happy!! Most paintings are fairly small, all are fabulous! I have an affinity for all the tubing paintings… reminds me of my childhood, the days when we would get up and jump in the river and spend the entire day there. Sometimes we had tubes and would walk down the street, jump in the river and float home with the current, and repeat, many times! Nothing better! You know a painting is good when it can remind you of something or just bring happiness. Sally’s paintings do just that! Sally also has a wonderful blog, so check it out!
Here is what Sally wrote about Tubing Duo 2 (above):
Here is one of my favorites images from an exhibit earlier this year. The image had been with me for a few years and I’ve been waiting for the right time to paint it. The photo was taken at my son’s baseball team’s end of season party at Wekiva Springs in Florida. Lots of sun and fun; lots of color; lots of great photo ops. I always love the opportunity to paint “black”. Though I don’t use tube black. Most artists are taught to mix it so that there’s depth. I use alizarin crimson, sap green, and ultramarine blue. I mix it to lean towards one of the 3, so that it retains some color. It’s the value of it that makes it read as black.
But wait! That’s not all! Sally has another side… she paints more serious work, dramatic, love these knife strokes!
Read a bit about Sally from her blog:
Opened new studio in Winter Garden Florida in June where I paint and teach private palette knife lessons.
Active gallery member of SoBo Gallery in Winter Garden Florida where I teach a variety of workshops and exhibit regularly.
Workshop scheduled at The Sandy Springs Art School in Atlanta Georgia for early June of 2015. (Contact Donna Thomas).
All images courtesy of Sally Shisler, used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Another great cottage house plan by Moser Design Group out of Beaufort, SC. Amazingly talented, brilliant design in every single plan. This plan is the TNH-B-06A (Oh, I do wish they had names, I think that would be easier…) it is 1,471 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This home has 9′ ceilings so it’s not squatty, it’s classy in every sense of the word. Who says small can’t be anything short of spectacular? Great porch on the front, and a nice covered stoop so if you’re going in the side entrance in pouring rain you won’t be soaking wet! Nice feature! Note they have two different elevations (check out their website via the link above to see the other elevation), which is the one I would choose…
I would tend to make the guest bedroom as you come in the door, that way guests have their own peace and quiet. There is a Jack & Jill bathroom between Bedroom #2 and the front bedroom. Which is plenty. I would make bedroom #2 a study. I like the Living, Dining, Kitchen areas. I see one thing that Fred wouldn’t care for, the island on a diagonal, but that could easily be put straight (listen to me, I sound like I know what I’m talking about!)… I like it either way. Do I spy a pantry?! Woohoo! A great use of space for sure!
Check out the Moser Design Group website they have guest cottages, petite cottages, small cottages (which this is) right on up to homes over 2,800 square feet, so their website is definitely worth your time. Quality homes, I’ve seen them in person. Gorgeous!
***Some of you may have seen this post before… in your IN BOX. Anyone who signed up to receive an email version of this post would have received this on 8/12/14 (when I actually wrote it), because I didn’t enter the scheduled date, sigh… Also, if you want to get to the easier to read version from your email, just CLICK ON THE TITLE of the post via your email and **POOF** it’ll take you right there!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Vanessa has wonderful paintings from all over the world. She is also participating in this years out of this world workshop being held in September “The Fine Art Collaborative 2014” (there is still time to sign up!)! Wonderful paintings by an artist who really knows art… read on! Here is a bit that Tom Balderas wrote about Vanessa on The Fine Art Collaborative 2014 site: Vanessa, a founder of the ‘Realism Without Borders’ group is the California Editor of the Nationally acclaimed art collector magazine ‘Fine Art Connoisseur’ as well as a long time contributing writer for ‘Plein Aire’ magazine. A highly collected painter, she brings to the table the highest professional standards that are certain to make this September’s event another huge success.
The Fine Art Collaborative September 26, 27, 28 – 2014
http://www.vanessarothe.com/ Read a bit about Vanessa from her website: Once a successful Graphic Designer/Art Director working with Disney Press, Walter Foster and Sony, Vanessa has taken to a more traditional color palette as she paints in oils. Vanessa Françoise Rothe grew up in the artists colony of Laguna Beach, CA, the daughter to a hand painted silk and well known German clothing designer to the Stars, Detlev Rothe, and her French mother Jacqueline Ricaud. She received top art scholarships to study at the University of San Diego, University of CA, Irvine, and at the Laguna College of Art and Design as well as Ateliers in France and Italy and has learned directly from professional painters. Vanessa has been fortunate and honored to exhibit alongside some of the Nations most well known painters. She has had many successful solo exhibitions at Wendt Gallery in Laguna Beach, along with an impressive list of group shows including Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, the Annual American Impressionist Society Exhibition, Artists for a New Century at The Bennington Center for the Arts, and California Art Club exhibitions. After exhibting at WENDT GALLERY in Laguna Beach for 4 years, and now at her own Studio Gallery at 418 Ocean Ave, Vanessa is also proud to exhibit at Gallery McCollum in Laguna Beach. She also can be found participating in various group exhibitions such as The Bennington Art Center Vermont, Gallerie DDG Paris, Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, J. Willott Gallery, and the Annual American Impressionist Exhibitions of which she has been named a signature member. She is honored to be a Signature member of the American Impressionist society, a member of the California art Club, Oil Painters of America, and LagunaPlein Air Painters Association. Vanessa is also proud to be the California Editor of the Nationally acclaimed art collector magazine FINE ART CONNOISSEUR as well as a long time contributing writer for PLEIN AIR magazine. She has had both classical training in the US at University of San Diego, University of CA Irvine, Laguna College of Art and Design as well as abroad at Ateliers in France and Italy. She continues to study the figure at Laguna College of Art and Design. She has been a graphic designer and Art Director for such companies as Walter Foster Publishing, Disney Press, and has owned her own successful graphic design and fine art studio for over 20 years. In addition to showing at fine art galleries worldwide, she now teaches atelier style private art lessons and workshops, is the Author/Artist to a new series of art instructional books by the leader in art instructional books, Walter Foster Publishing entitled “An Art School Approach to Oils”. Influenced by a blend of classical traditional representational art, Impressionist works, artists such as Sargent, Sorolla, and Chase, as well as modern master friends such as Scott Burdick, Susan Lyon, Ray Roberts and Peggi Kroll-Roberts, she takes the essence of a subject and captures its charm with the use of color, shadows, and light. The natural simplicity of her work, her visable brush strokes and pleasing color combinations form a realist yet slightly impressionistic style which her collectors admire. Her subjects include the beautiful pastoral landscapes of France, Switzerland and Italy, the allure of historic cities such as Paris and Venice, classic California seascapes and landscapes, vibrant still life as well as some new figure work.
IMAGE VIA VANESSAROTHE.COM used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
You’ve done it, you know you have… pulled into the gas station and can’t remember which side the gas tank is on… I know I’m not the only one! What I didn’t realize is that there is an indicator by your gas gauge. Did you know that? In the example above it shows a little gas tank on the right, which means that your gas tank is on the right hand side! I just thought they placed that symbol there for whatever reason! I had no idea there was a reason behind it, ha ha…
I’m sure cars do it all different ways, this one shows a gas tank and an arrow indicating the tank is on the right.
Brilliant! Tell me, did you know?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Dramatic. Gorgeous. So different! Sarah definitely has her own style, her paintings are unique which is so nice. I love the colors and the feel of this one!
Sarah is represented by Landing Gallery in Rockland, Maine, if you’re in the area, stop by and check out her work!
Check out more of Sarah’s work, she is fabulous!
Read a blip about Sarah from her website:
My paintings are memoirs of my experiences with nature. Through painting I participate in the landscape, recognize transcendent moments in nature, honor the integrity of natural forms, and describe where my heart lives. I often feel as if the places I paint have commissioned me to tell their autobiographies, at the same time that I tell my own.
I was born in Bar Harbor, Maine, grew up even farther downeast in Addison, a small town in Washington County, and now live and work in the beautiful midcoast region. I make my living as a painter and as a seller of used and rare books.
I paint directly from nature and in my home studio. Much of my recent work is part of an ongoing series entitled Home Truth, about the meaning of home, memory and its depths, and the passage of time. I paint the places I love, and the shapes, moments, and situations within those places I find beautiful and haunting. I deeply love to paint, and I hope it shows!
I love to work in places of integrity, with minimal human-made stuff in evidence, places that haven’t changed much since some of my heroes painted there too. The natural energy and sublime beauty that motivated them is still present, and motivates me in turn. It’s all around and I find it intensely satisfying.
Image via SarahFaragher.com, used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
What can I say? I love this place. It’s gorgeous. It’s peaceful. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I guess you could call this “taking a personal day” – there is a lot happening today!
This photo was taken back in 2008. My parents had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they joined us in Maine. We had the best time… rented the coolest cottage on the ocean in Port Clyde, then headed to Monhegan. In this photo I zoomed in and cropped out the surrounding area… they were standing on the rocks looking out towards the ocean at sunset. Gorgeous isn’t it? I know they would like to be back there right now… as would we!
Maine is such a special place. I told Fred the first time we went… that I didn’t feel like I was supposed to leave, ha ha… What a place!
Hey, happy anniversary mom and dad! So this is your 56th Anniversary?!!!! Wow! Congratulations!!
Love you more than anything! xoxo, me
Oh! And a happy birthday to my sister Bridget who was born X-0 years ago this year! Woohoo! It only gets better from here, trust me ;) !!!!!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Have you heard of The Fine Art Collaborative (FAC)? Well, if you can be in the Costa Mesa, CA area September 26, 27 & 28, 2014 you are in for one a real treat! The end of September there is going to be an amazing, unforgettable weekend of workshops, lectures and demos – you choose the workshop/lectures/demos you wish to attend. The workshops tend to fill up quickly so don’t ponder too long… Check out these amazing opportunities – Oh, how I wish I could be on the West coast during this time! Not this year, but hopefully in the next year or two?
Tom Balderas is a favorite of mine, and he’s the one behind this great venture… this year with the assistance of Vanessa Rothe!
NINE AMAZING ARTISTS... don’t delay, sign up today! Here’s the LINK! They’ve made it so simple. Just select the workshop, demo or lecture(s) you wish to attend, then click the BUY NOW button.
Here is the SCHEDULE listed in one concise table, so you can choose which ones you want to sign up for!
This will be held at the Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA – (yes, the King of Frames guy, ha ha – gorgeous frames by the way!)…
Are you wondering where you can stay while you’re there? Wonder no more, they did the work for you… Here is the list of ACCOMMODATIONS!
Do you still have a question? Here is the CONTACT info!
Hey, to those of you who go, be sure to post pics on FB when it’s over! Would love to be there!
Let me end with a little blip ABOUT the Fine Art Collaborative, from their website TheFAC2014.com:
Images via TheFAC2014.com, used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Moser Design Group… FABULOUS house plans. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you may want to check them out! Gorgeous, timeless design. Fred and I saw this plan being built in Palmetto Bluff, SC – gorgeous! Matter of fact, you could rent it! Just noticed that you can no longer rent this house… darn, it would have been a good way to see how the plan works for you!
I love, love, love how the master bedroom/bathroom is separated by the rest of the house by a screened in porch and hallway… how wonderful, it’s like a separate little house. I love that! Unique!
Moser offered a few variations on the upstairs, I like option B which includes two bedrooms, a bathroom and STORAGE! I. LOVE. STORAGE! Be sure to check out the other MOSER house plans… lovely!
All images via MoserDesignGroup.com used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Charlie Hunter won the first place award in the Plein Air Easton Quick Draw competition with this painting “Seven Nineteen Fourteen“! Do you know what that means? It means it was completed in less than two hours… WHAAAAT?! I know! Jaw dropping… Just look at the level of detail that was accomplished in that short time… using basically these colors: Van Dyke Brown, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Green Deep (Cobra water-mixable oils).
I have to include a photo where you can see this painting in full context…
Charlie’s one of those cool artists with a sense of humor. You just have to love that! If you would like to keep in touch with what’s happening in Charlie’s art world, with a little dose of humor added… Subscribe to his mailing list! While you’re there check out his paintings… quite amazing, aren’t they? I see Charlie has a few workshops coming up, in case anyone is interested!
Read a blip about Charlie from his website:
“I do not know if I have ever said no one is born with a natural sense of design, but if it is within the realm of human evolution, or the whim of the Divine, to allow one individual to possess such a gift, then Charlie Hunter is certainly the lucky winner… No Oriental or Occidental master of the pure line can surpass what Charlie, almost matter-of-factly, does when he takes pencil in hand.” – Richard Schmid, ALLA PRIMA II, 2013
I was born in a small town in New Hampshire where we used to swim in the abandoned granite quarries. We had pigs and chickens and rambling barns. I’d walk home from school along the branch line rails of the Boston & Maine, and read the names and slogans on the box cars that’d roll by, things like “The Nickel Plate Road” and “Santa Fe All The Way”…..
When they put a highway bypass through our barns, my family returned to the house built by my great, great, great grandfather in Vermont, where my Great Aunts lived. We made (and still make) maple syrup there and had (and still have) a hand-cranked cider press which makes amazing cider but can remove a finger if you’re not careful (just ask Uncle Andrew).
My Dad was an occasional minister who ran a small print shop. There was always a lot of paper and drawing stuff around. I drew a lot. Though I did not appreciate it at the time, in college I was lucky enough to be forced to draw the figure every morning from 8:00 am till noon. Afterwards, I got a job designing tour posters for acts like The Clash and REM and The Jerry Garcia Band. I got to design a lot of album covers.
Now I live back in Vermont on the banks of the Connecticut River in an old mill town. There, I like to paint what nature does to what man creates. I tend to use a monochromatic blend of ultramarine blue, viridian, yellow ochre (sometimes) and burnt sienna. Sometimes I do an underpainting from life, then, in the studio, apply transparent glazes (of pretty much the same colors) on top. Sometimes this works and sometimes it makes a big mess. But I always learn something.
A few years ago I was invited to join the Putney Painters, run by Richard Schmid and his wife Nancy Guzik. A bunch of us get together just down the road on most Saturdays and we paint up a storm. It’s amazing fun.
My goal is to paint beautifully that which is not traditionally considered beautiful. Sorta like a less-grotesque Anselm Keifer in a considerably better mood. It’s my hope that these paintings maybe move you even a little bit as much as the way the real thing moves me. Thanks for looking.
All images via hunter-studio.com – used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
A friend passed me this recipe (thank you Shirley!) and it is OUTSTANDING! Substitutions were made it and it was a hit! Instead of using the full 3/4 cup of mayo, she made it with 1/2 plain yogurt and 1/2 mayo. I didn’t have any plain yogurt so I used about 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (non fat) and 1/4 cup Canola Oil Mayo. It still worked perfectly. For the cheese I used a little less than 1 cup of fresh mozzarella and the same amount of extra sharp cheddar. But you could mix any combination you like. Shirley used less cheese and it was unbelievably good!
I think it’s pretty important to squeeze the tomatoes out and pat dry with many, many paper towels. The only thing I didn’t use is Hot Sauce, and it’s only because I didn’t have any, I don’t think it needs it, but you be the judge!
The biggest thing is to use fresh tasty tomatoes, they make all the difference in the world! This is a beautiful dinner. Not light and healthy like you can eat every night, but great to have on occasion!
Notes: I used Pillsbury pie crust in the refrigerated section at the grocery store, that one never lets me down… I used 4 tomatoes (I originally had 4 cups chopped, it cooks down, so it was fine, but I have a deep dish pie plate, so that may be why?). For the mayo, you can substitute half Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt), experiment and try a little more each time. Next time I will use less cheese, don’t get me wrong, it was awesome like this, but…
RECIPE IS BELOW, but here is a recap:
First bake the pie crust. I poked it with a fork a few times to prevent it from bubbling up, some people put beans or other pie weights to hold it down… Once it’s out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped onion in the bottom.
Then add the chopped, squeezed, drained tomatoes, top with chopped basil, salt and pepper…
After you mix up the Mayo (or mayo/Greek yogurt) and cheese(s) together drop on top of the tomatoes…
Put it in the oven and wait (this is the hardest part of the entire recipe!)… ooooh, you won’t believe your tastebuds!
This recipe is from SimplyRecipes.com, you can click the link to go straight to their site to see the recipe, or scroll to bottom and click PRINT to print the recipe only.
*To slice basil, chiffonade them by stacking the leaves on top of each other, roll them up like a cigar, starting at one end slice the “cigar” crosswise in thin slices.
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pie shell in oven and cook for 8-10 minutes or longer until lightly golden. If you are starting with a frozen crust, you’ll need to cook it a little longer. If you are using a homemade crust, freeze the crust first, then line the crust with aluminum foil and pre-bake it for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.
2 Squeeze as much moisture as you can out of the chopped tomatoes, using either paper towels, a clean dish towel, or a potato ricer.
3 Sprinkle the bottom of the pre-cooked pie shell with chopped onion. Spread the chopped tomatoes over the onions. Sprinkle the sliced basil over the tomatoes.
4 In a medium bowl, mix together the grated cheese, mayonnaise, Tabasco, a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground black pepper. The mixture should be the consistency of a gooey snow ball. Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
5 Place in oven and bake until browned and bubbly, anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Wyllis Heaton. Amazing artist! Such unique style! For those of you who have been to Monhegan, I know you’ll recognize the above scene! So fabulous without being overworked, very nice! I even love his signature, very cool!
Can I say… you’re in for quite a treat?! Wyllis just unleashed one heck of a website! It’s gorgeous, showcasing each painting perfectly. Ahhh, the wide variety of paintings boggles my mind. This guy is talented. I loved reading about his different jobs, so interesting. I love when artists put some personal info on their website… it helps us who are far away not only see their art, but get to know them as a person! I am impressed!
Ahhh, Camden Harbor (Maine), a beautiful place and captured so nicely! I love the warm palette! The water is incredible and the boats, whoa! I just happened to pick two Maine paintings because I have Maine on my mind. Lots of friends are there or on their way there right now to paint, and these paintings bring back great memories!
Wyllis, you are amazing! We all look forward to seeing your next work of art! Did you know that Wyllis is also an award winning landscape designer? I would say he’s one very talented guy!
Read a blip about Wyllis from his website:
Wyllis started painting at an early age and his work is widely collected. He studied at the famed Art Center College of Design and has continued his studies with other modern masters of the craft.
After college he taught painting for seven years to a close group of 100 students, many of whom went on to art colleges and careers in the visual arts, while winning honors of their own along the way. He relocated to Santa Barbara in 2007 to design and install gardens along with his brother Adam Graham.
Currently, Wyllis is displaying artworks at a number of galleries in the Santa Barbara area, and in Bar Harbor, Maine.
All images via WyllisHeaton.com – used with permission from the artist…
I look forward to seeing Wyllis Heaton’s work in person one day! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Doesn’t this look like a painting? I love how some artists paint in the power lines, it really adds character. Same with street lights, especially in nocturnes, where they’re essential… This was a magical sunset on our way home from downtown… nice huh?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
T r e a t y o u r s e l f !
I’m sure you deserve it, but… if you don’t want to treat yourself, maybe treat someone else to something out of the blue! Sometimes its those little things that can make the world of difference in someone’s day!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
ARTFOODHOME.COM 