I started the ArtFoodHome.com daily (now 4 times/week) blog 1/1/11 (easy to remember, right?) and have kept it going since then. Come back each day - I share with you:
ART: featured artists, art events, workshops, etc.
FOOD: recipes, restaurants, and good finds along the way
HOME: house plans, home design, places here in Charleston...
On year 14 of artfoodhome.com - share this site with anyone who you think might enjoy it!
Plan 552-2 A Signature Plan by Arch L.A.B. from Houseplans.com
House plan 552-2 a Signature Plan by Arch L.A.B from Houseplans.com. I know… not everyone likes a modern house plan, but bear with me…
I love the clean lines and uncluttered feel to this plan. This house is very practical as well, and just look at that fabulous carport! No tree sap to keep your car windows from opening, that’s for sure! But wait until you see the back of the house! I imagine this house maybe situated on a lot with a water view, or desert view, or some kind of view other than other houses…
Plan 552-2 A Signature Plan by Arch L.A.B. from Houseplans.com – CLICK to enlarge!
The plan is quite nice. You walk in and have the kitchen, breakfast, and great room to your left. If you come in through the carport, you come through a utility room/pantry. The master bedroom/bathroom is at one end, and includes a covered patio with a poolside view. Nice! Bedroom 1 I would use as a reading room and bedroom 2 for guests. All of this living space tucked into 1,539 square feet!
Plan 552-2 A Signature Plan by Arch L.A.B. from Houseplans.com
My favorite view! I love those windows! Nice little covered patio outside the bedroom and off the living area. Very nice!
Dan Young. Wonderful paintings. Dan’s color palette is to be applauded, along with his brilliant skies and those peeps of light that just make this painting sing! His paintings are remarkable, check them out!
Dan Young was born in Denver, and grew up in western Colorado. “ Camping and fishing through out the Rocky Mountains as a child, has been a strong influence on me and my work,” Young stated. He attended Colorado Institute of Art, hoping to find a direction in art. After graduation he moved to Dallas to pursue the commercial art field. Even with a successful Illustration career, the landscape was always calling him back. In 1989, he returned to Colorado to begin painting full time. Young enjoys painting the rural life of the west, the ranches that dot the mountain valleys and river bottoms. He states,“ Though I’m a landscape painter, I like introducing hints of man’s presence in the landscape. Sometimes I feel I’m in a race to paint a disappearing way of life. It’s hard to watch so many of the family farms and ranches being swallowed up by development.”
Young clings strongly to the importance of painting from life. He feels painting from life was the most important stepping stone for his career. Most days you can find him painting along a backroad or beside a mountain lake.
“I still spend about 50 percent of my time painting on location. That’s what drew me to painting, the love of being out in nature and trying to accurately capture it on canvas. I still get excited when I head out for a day of painting. It doesn’t matter if I paint in Alaska or out my front door, it helps keep me fresh to paint on location,” he says.
I love January! It’s when the letters confirming your reservation at the Island Inn are received. Yay! It gives you something to look forward to for the upcoming months. What could possibly be better than that? If you haven’t made your reservations yet, I would give them a call tout de suite (immediately)! The inn fills up quickly, so be sure to have your room reserved!
The Island Inn located on Monhegan Island, Maine is such an amazing place to stay. It’s been around since 1907 and has withstood the test of time. (Part of the inn has been around since 1816 when it was known as the Pink House, then it was added on to – currently there are 32 guest rooms). The rooms are wonderful (and very clean!), whether you have a meadow view or ocean view, they’re both amazing! The meadow view room sees a sunrise, and the ocean view, well, you can guess what they see!
Check out their website – so much great info and beautiful photos!
Charlie… he knows how to spend his time wisely… I caught him in the sunroom taking a cat nap. You know that feeling when you’re in the sun, it’s so relaxing and your head gets heavy, eyes start to droop and then either your head does that bobble thing (like Charlie) or you just set it down and give in. Here he clearly gave in, ha ha…
Notice he doesn’t look too furry in this photo… this was after he had pancreatitis and was on a special very low fat food. It changed the way he looked entirely. He is now on a different very low fat food but one that allows his hair to look fluffy and wild. He loves that!
Fred and I were on our way home the other night and as we passed Northbridge Park in Charleston, we saw the most amazing sunset. The park has recently been created and WOW is it ever nice. We walked out on the dock to get this shot. This sunset was spectacular. We weren’t the only ones that pulled over! I swear I could take photos of beautiful sunrises and sunsets forever!
Jeff Slemons.Fine Illustration and Fine Art… the choice is yours. Jeff is one of the most innovative individuals I have run across! Wildly talented and so creative! His bio is just a delight to read. Featured below are a few from the Fine Art side, but check out the illustration side of his website. His creativity is mind blowing. The illustrations for children’s books are breathtaking! They exude happiness, fun and adventure! How incredible to flip between two so very different styles. I am very impressed.
Behemoth in Repose by Jeff Slemons
Isn’t this painting amazing? Behemoth in Repose is such a regal animal. Just look at those eyes. What a wonderful creature! The background in this painting is stunning!
From Jeff’s website:
How many men in their 40’s wear a comic book T-shirt under a suit jacket? Well, one that we can think of. Jeff Slemons. His art studio is bigger than his actual home. His heroes aren’t sports figures or rock stars, but Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) and Frank Frazetta (Conan the Barbarian). He’s been called the six-fingered man because he always has a pencil, pen or paintbrush in his hand.
Slemons actually received a D in high school art class because he was too busy experimenting with pen & ink, gouache, watercolor, oil paint and mixed media to complete the assignment of drawing a little kitty poking its cute head out of a slipper. He graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in 1986 and quickly became a sought-after illustrator for magazines and corporations nationwide.
Corporate Clients:
Coca-Cola
Country Home Magazine
Starizon
AT&T
Denver Public Library
Mandalay Resort Group
National Ski Patrol
Polar Soft
Golf World Magazine
Denver Zoo
Hasbro
Qwest
Nordstrom’s
Sun Enterprises
Monfort
Coors
Desert Inn Casino
Primestar
Hewlitt Packard
Neiman Marcus
VISA
Conoco
La Quinta
His Fine Art pieces have shown in major cities across the country. Slemons has illustrated two children’s books and is currently working on Maps, Stories, Adventures, Paintings, Covers, Books, Posters, and the occasional kitty in a slipper.
“Not only does Jeff immediately grasp a concept, he knows exactly what to do to make the project even cooler.” –Tom Van Steenhoven, Creative Director
Super Powers:
Jeff is a big picture thinker. That’s rare in the world of art. His Character Designs have been adopted and trademarked by companies. His People can be quirky and very identifiable, which is important for branding. His Animals are endearing and almost human, which promotes emotional engagement. His sense of Humor and play lends an air of likeability to appropriate projects.
Because he’s been an avid comic book fan since the age of 5, and a collector of classic Sci-Fi and Fantasy art, Jeff has super powers in these areas, as well.
Advertising agencies hire Jeff over and over. Sure, he’s talented and professional, but the reason he has so much repeat business is for one reason and one reason only: his art style works.
“It’s simple. Jeff’s work sells.” –Ron Cash, Project Manager
The Art of Smart
Let’s face it. There are many talented artists out there. But very few understand business issues and parameters. Very few possess the targeted artistic styles that can actually heighten perception. Very few are unique enough to create branded images.
As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a few can change the world, for indeed, that’s all that ever has.”
Augusta Avenue (C0525) by Allison Ramsey Architects
The Augusta Avenue house plan (C0525) by Allison Ramsey Architects is 1682 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It’s a great plan that fits a lot in not a lot of square footage. I really like that! The lines on this house have character – a definite must!
Augusta Avenue (C0525) by Allison Ramsey Architects
What is more welcoming than a nice deep porch? Lovely! I like the master tucked away in the back, with a laundry room nearby, and also near the back of the house. A breakfast area that could easily be made into a reading area if you prefer just one eating area. Options… love em!
Augusta Avenue (C0525) by Allison Ramsey Architects
A great upstairs with a window in the loft area. For us, we would stick with with just three bedrooms, that’s plenty! Nice that there is a shared loft space and bathroom upstairs. If you needed extra studio space, say, for an art studio, the optional bedroom four would be quite nice, wouldn’t it?
Approaching Blue Lake by Michele Usibelli 24×12″ Oil
Michele Usibelli. It’s so exciting to run across artists who’s work stands out from others. One that you can recognize. I think this is such an interesting composition, it definitely leads me right on in to the painting. I feel as if I am on a horse following the group through the water, splish-splash. I like that! What fantastic colors in the water, and those towering trees. Lovely!
Maison d’ Etre by Michele Usibelli
Maison d’être is a cool home store located in Oakland, CA – I love the way Michele captured it. The cool greens, the tree in the foreground. Love it! The colors are fabulous, great light and I like how Michele left the details to your imagination. This painting isn’t overdone, which isn’t easy to do – wonderful!
Like all artists, I feel like I was born to create and was drawn to art from as early as I can remember. After earning my degree in architecture from the University of Washington, I combined my professional life with my love of travel, working in locations throughout the world. My extensive travels and life experiences provide the solid platform from which my artwork is created.
My work is created primarily in oils, but I also enjoy working in acrylics and pastels in my representational style. My early training established a strong foundation in the Russian Impressionist tradition of seeing and painting shapes of light and color using relatively loose brushstrokes. I have studied extensively and been influenced by numerous historic artists, most notably Nicholai Fechin, John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase. All of these influences have allowed me to establish my own unique artistic style and define me as a truly versatile artist. While I am drawn to many painting genres; still life, landscape, cityscapes and figurative, my individual style and paint application is a constant theme throughout my work, creating a consistent body of art that is uniquely my own. Collectors continuously say they “can spot my work from across the room”. Establishing my own, unique, artistic voice is my primary goal and collectors appreciate the fact that I will never paint the same image twice, every piece that I create is truly an original, completed to my highest standards.
I am thankful to have the opportunity to pursue this passion I call art! Through my art I have had the opportunity to establish many long term friendships with collectors, galleries and other artists. When a collector purchases a piece I do not view it as a one time event, I view it as a new friend for life. I am extremely grateful for those who have supported me and hope you will continue to appreciate and support all artists who are making the world a more beautiful place.
I received an email from Food52 the other day. Have you heard of it? Wonderful recipes, GORGEOUS photos (the one above is mine, sigh…) and once I saw this recipe for New England Spider cake I was intrigued. Interesting name. Cornmeal?! Doesn’t sound too sweet… and by pouring heavy cream on top of the batter you create the most wonderful custard-like layer to the cake. To. Die. For. (Well, not literally).
You start by combining milk and vinegar in a bowl and set it aside for 5-10 minutes until it gets lumpy. Then you mix the dry ingredients: cornmeal, sugar, flour, salt, baking soda… Heat butter in a cast iron skillet – I swirled and got butter on the sides of the pan as well (cast iron skillet is key!), then pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and combine and pour into the skillet!
Now comes the magic… you pour HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM in the center of the batter and place it in the oven…
Mine wasn’t quite as “spidery” as some I’ve seen. This cake cut like a dream. All it took was a tiny drizzle of real maple syrup. WOW!!! But it’s best eaten warm! So that first night is the best. Invite some friends over and make this quick and easy cake!
Here’s the recipe! Thank you Food 52.com and Jonathan Reynolds at the New York Times (Jonathan’s link below) (the link to the recipe on Food 52 where you can easily print) – if you just need to look at your screen, well, here you go…
NEW ENGLAND SPIDER CAKE
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 cups milk
4 teaspoons white vinegar
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
Maple syrup, for serving…
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine milk and vinegar in a bowl and set aside to sour (wait 5 to 10 minutes, you’ll see the milk get lumpy).
In another bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt.
Whisk eggs into the soured milk. Stir into dry ingredients and set batter aside.
Melt butter in a 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. Pour in the batter. Pour cream into center, then slide the skillet into the oven and bake until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.
Slice into wedges and serve warm, with maple syrup if you’d like.
Robert C. Moore. His paintings take my breath away. Cottonwoods is one of my favorite paintings. Just look at the light in the trees – and the background… WHOA! Gorgeous. The combination of colors, brushstrokes/palette knife and striking composition make this painting a WOW painting to me.
Tall and soft spoken, Robert Moore possesses a sincerity and courtesy reflective of his Idaho farm upbringing. Robert was born in 1957 in Burley, Idaho. He was raised near the Snake River which sparked his appreciation for nature.
Robert Moore is a contemplative, quiet individual. At a young age he discovered art as a way to freely express his feelings. His practical background and belief in discipline led him to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with teaching credentials in art from Eastern Oregon State College.
He then received a full scholarship to attend The Art Center College of Design in California. He majored in illustration, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and graduating with honors.
Robert prefers painting on location to best express the immediate impression of each subject. His use of vivid colors and frequent high-keyed values reveal a spiritually inspired joy. His travels have taken him to China, Europe, Canada and extensively throughout the United States.
Charlie and I were on our way home from a morning walk and just look at the light coming through the moss in the tree! It stopped me in my tracks. Luckily I had my trusty phone with me! Beauty is everywhere, be sure to take the time to look for it ;)
I love the homes on Church Street in Charleston, SC. I cannot seem to make it from my car to the gallery without snapping a photo! There is always something so beautiful that just stands out to me. These window boxes are stunning (even more so in person!), white hydrangeas, the light, the bicycle in front with the yellow basket… I mean HOW could anyone possibly walk by without snapping a photo? Charleston is one beautiful city! I need to get out with my real (non iPhone) camera and take some photos!
Wendy McWilliams. Her paintings are so full of life. Abstract and with amazing color each painting makes you smile. Take time to read the titles of the paintings… such creativity! Ha ha…
Also, saw this on her Facebook page:
A Girls Gotta Do What A Girls Gotta Do by Wendy McWilliams
A Girls Gotta Do What A Girls Gotta Do is the perfect balance of WOW for me. The bright happy pinks and reds with that wonderful splash of creamy buttery yellow across with the dark accentuating each stroke. Very nice!
Read a great post (Q&A) about Wendy from The English Room – Love it!
From Wendy’s website:
I am an abstract painter that works from intuition and emotion. I create one of a kind paintings and every single one contains a piece of my world and my life experience.
House Plan 461-6. This arts and crafts style house plan has a nice layout for a smaller house. I can imagine sitting on this porch with an iced tea (or hot chocolate) and a book. It would be nice with a small table and lamp. Oooh, my imagination goes crazy! Nice details make this a plan that could be around for quite a while! I just love those windows upstairs, and the nice deep porch!
This Signature plan is by Home Patterns LLC, it is 1,589 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and is offered by Houseplans.com!
The main floor doesn’t have space that will go unused. Virtually every room in this house can become useful whether or not you have someone living in bedrooms. It’s nice how the kitchen, living, dining are all in close quarters. Since we aren’t big dining room people, I would borrow some of the dining room to use as the kitchen. Maybe extend the counter top into the dining room, then swivel the island in the kitchen (so it’s facing the living room), that way you would have plenty of room for barstools underneath it, it also leaves you enough room in the dining room maybe for a small table. It’s so smart that they took that space underneath the staircase and added a small powder room. Perfect for guests!
Upstairs you could use one bedroom as a guest room and one bedroom for a studio/office/exercise room or maybe just a quiet reading room.
ARTFOODHOME.COM 
