Author: Barbara Stroud

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!

Featured Artist… Jerome Greene!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Painting by Jerome Greene – Image: Jereome Greene Facebook page

One year, while renting a neat cottage in Port Clyde, Maine, we ran into Colin Page, a fabulous artist with such a great style… he was part of a group of artists from all over the country who got together and painted PAINTAPALOOZA. I don’t mean they painted on occasion, these guys painted their tails off! Colin invited us all to their cottage on the last day before they left. There. Were. Paintings. EVERYWHERE. Such a fabulous group of accomplished artists all in one big cottage all doing their own thing and doing it so well! One of the guys we met was Jerome Greene. What a nice guy. Great paintings. Saw this one on Jerome’s Facebook page… love the loose airy strokes! Go check him out!

Here’s a blip about Jerome from Addison Art Gallery:

Jerome Greene has been involved in the arts since childhood. His father was a commercial artist and professor of art at Central Connecticut State University. Jerome’s older brother was an artist and sculptor. Regular family outings involved museum trips and participation in art and American craft shows.

Jerome left a career in the trades to pursue his life-long ambition to be a fine artist. He has developed a unique style of painting by immersing himself in the arts, visiting museums and galleries and working with established, award-winning artists. His range of work includes figure study, studio landscape painting, still life and, his current focus, painting en Plein Aire— capturing the immediacy of the day.

Since 2001, Jerome has been active in the vibrant Cape Cod art scene. He has shown in multiple galleries, has owned a gallery for three years, and has generously donated some of his intriguing oils to auctions in support of various charities.

In 2008, his work was featured at the Cape Cod Museum of Art’s “Painting New England Together” show.

Jerome and his work have been featured in :

  • Cape Arts Review
  • Cape Cod Magazine
  • Prime Time Magazine
  • The Cape Cod View Magazine

Jerome’s work can be found in corporate and private collections; his extensive base of collectors spans the country. A resident of Eastham, Jerome maintains a Provincetown studio.

Bob Spohn, Docent at the Cape Cod Museum of Art:

 “Jerome grew up in New Britain, Connecticut, where his father was a professor of art at Central Connecticut State University. New Britain is also the home of the New Britain Museum of American Art, where Jerome was impressed by the work of Thomas Hart Benton.

An avid baseball fan, Jerome’s secret ambition is to do “plein stadium” painting at Fenway Park. It’s fitting that one of his favorite artists is Aldro Hibbard, who gave up a promising baseball career to become an artist.

Jerome, an engaging painter with studios in Eastham and Provincetown, has the uncanny ability to capture the moment, and the skill and eye for integrating frame and painting. Like many plein air painters, he thrives on the camaraderie and energy generated by group painting expeditions.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Maine Photo: Home away from home… a cottage in Port Clyde, Maine!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL1 Comment

We have stayed at this cottage in Port Clyde, Maine a few times. Each time has been a delight. There is nothing like it! The great windows with a view to die for, the ocean literally a stones throw away. Chilly nights, no heat, big fireplace, ahhh heaven! We’ve had some great times here! I went to the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum and found a photo of it from long ago (the lighthouse is just down the street). How interesting! If I had unlimited funds I would build this exact house (if I couldn’t buy it first)…

Is there a special place you visit? Tell me about it! Where is it? Why do you like it so much?! What do you do while you’re there? Enjoy your summer!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Farmers Market Bounty is Plentiful!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

Just didn’t want you to forget about the Charleston Farmers Market today at Marion Square in Charleston, SC. Even if it’s blistering hot I promise you it is SO worth it! Head out early if the heat concerns you… we can zip in and out in no time flat and we fill up a few bags of heavenly goods… Last week we bought butter beans, butter peas, corn on the cob, fresh juicy tomatoes that are UNBELIEVABLE this year, zucchini, banana pepper, cantaloupe and some grape tomatoes… I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but whoa, you can stock up and prices are so much cheaper than the grocery store and the quality cannot be beat!

Ahhh, one fruit I forgot to mention… the freshest, juiciest peaches EVER! Ooooh! I had one on my cereal and it made it dessert! Speaking of… would be super tasty over ice cream ;)

What do YOU make with your farmers market bounty? Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Connie Hayes!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Blue Scooter 1” by Connie Hayes

Image: Dowling Walsh

Connie Hayes is an icon. She is a wicked good painter. I would LOVE one of her interiors, they are beyond stunning… or any of the landscapes that she’s so known for, the way she can paint a house, dock or a winding road, WOW! This show is a departure from her normal painting subjects, this show entitled “Abandon, Absorption, and Entrancement” is at the Dowling Walsh Gallery located in Rockland, Maine (across the street from the Farnsworth Museum). If you haven’t been to the Dowling Walsh Gallery before, let me tell you what you are missing. A state of the art gorgeous gallery with some of the most famous names in the art business. Dowling Walsh is a high end gallery that spares no expense in promoting their artists. It’s one of my very favorite galleries, and I truly look forward to spending time there each and every year! (It’s a nice plus that you can walk next door for a fabulous lunch, treat, coffee or tea at the bakery, and walk across the street to the Farnsworth Museum and Gift Shop, or to dinner at Rustica just down the street…) I guess what I’m trying to say is that Dowling Walsh is in THE perfect location… Don’t miss Connie’s show, trust me, it’s one you won’t soon forget! Lucky you! Tonight is Connie’s opening reception!

The painting above “Blue Scooter 1” shows such determination in the child’s face. Connie’s use of bright colors and bold brushstrokes is what she is known for. The dramatic shadows from the scooter really sets it all off. Brilliant!

Information (and photo) from the Dowling Walsh website:

Upcoming Exhibition: July 6 – July 29, 2012

Connie Hayes will be exhibiting her new collection of paintings, “Abandon, Absorption, and Entrancement,” at Dowling Walsh Gallery in July 2012. The show will examine portraits, people and interactions. The opening reception will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5-8 pm.

Preview the show here: Connie Hayes July 2012.

Connie will be giving an illustrated talk at The Strand Theater, “Photography as Sketchbook: Exploring Gesture”, on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 4-5pm.

Connie’s show is highlighted in Maine Home + Design’s April 2012 art issue. To download a copy of the article, click here: Show Stoppers.

Biography

Connie Hayes is a painter living in Rockland, Maine. She received her M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, and Rome; her B.F.A. from the Maine College of Art in Portland; and her B.A. from the University of Maine. She received a fellowship to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 1989. Born in Gardiner, Maine she taught at the Maine College of Art for 10 years, also participating in arts administration there for 15 years, including serving as their interim Dean of Faculty. In 2003 she was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the Maine College of Art. From 1992-1998 she lived in New York City and since 1990 her pursuit has been “borrowed views”, as she lives and paints in others’ homes as an artist-in-residence. While she continues that work, she has recently been developing a new group of figure paintings, exploring gesture and color.

Connie Hayes held an exhibition, “A Decade of Views” at Dowling Walsh Gallery in the fall of 2009. To view a copy of this show catalog, click on the following link: Connie Hayes Web Catalog

Connie Hayes gave a presentation, titled “Up Close”, at the Strand Theatre in Rockland, Maine on September 18th, 2010. To view the presentation, please click here.

Her work was featured in Maine Home + Designmagazine August 2010 Issue. Following is a link to a PDF copy of the article feature: Hayes Article Feature- Maine Home and Design August 2010 Issue.

I want to leave you with one more image… isn’t this fabulous?

“Green Table, Vinalhaven” by Connie Hayes – Image: Dowling Walsh

Did I mention her use of light? Fabulous! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Purity… you just may not have found the right one yet…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS1 Comment

Philosophy PURITY MADE SIMPLE

Image: Nordstrom

If you don’t absolutely LOVE your facial cleanser have I got news for you! A while back I bought the small sample size cleanser by Philosophy called PURITY. I had read a lot of great things about it, it consistently got 4.5-5 stars on every site I checked. How could that many people be wrong? They weren’t, and that’s why I’m a big fan of researching things before I buy. I read the reviews and if they seem pretty consistent I’ll give it a shot, and am I glad I ever did!

Here’s a blip about the cleanser from the Philosophy website:

our award-winning daily facial skin cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse, tone and melt away all face and eye makeup in one simple step, while lightly hydrating the skin.

features & benefits

  • deep cleans pores and eliminates makeup build-up
  • natural oil extracts help condition skin
  • fragrance-free formula

I have to agree, it removes makeup effortlessly and when you’re done your face doesn’t feel tight or dry. It’s perfect! It says fragrance free formula, but there are natural oil extracts that have a clean fresh smell that I absolutely love. Also… you only need a small amount, so it will last a while! Share this with anyone you know of who may not be too happy with their current product. This stuff is awesome. If you don’t have a store close by, you can order from Nordstrom.com and it’s FREE shipping… you just can’t beat that!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Michael Baum!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Manitou Meadow” by Michael Baum

Image: MichaelBaum.com

Michael Baum is an extremely talented artist located in the Manitou Springs area of Colorado. I was happy to find Michael on Facebook. Another artist had commented on one of his paintings, which is how I saw his work. Ahhh, the magic of Facebook, eh? I later saw photos that Michael posted of the fires in Colorado. It broke my heart… so much devastation. Evacuating, coming home, evacuating… some not coming home to anything at all… Can. You. Imagine? Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone dealing with this and to those who are fighting it… As I write this (Friday, June 29) I see that there was a break in the heat (down to the 90 degree temps and the wind was down to 10mph, which allowed firefighters to begin to get an edge up on this massive fire. I pray that continues. HERE is the link to Michael’s photos and first hand account of what’s happening in his area. So far, his house is OK…

Here’s a blip about Michael from his website – you can tell he’s a nice guy by his bio alone!

“Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950, my first home was a trailer traveling from Oklahoma to Ohio, where my family settled. I was always drawing or painting (dinosaurs mainly). Most years, we would take driving vacations to Florida or Michigan, or go camping at the local parks. These experiences are among my fondest memories and set the course my life would take.

 In the late 1960s and early ’70s, I attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, studying psychology, anthropology, and art. In 1973 I earned a BFA in fine art. 

I came to the West over 30 years ago, drawn by its spectacular landscapes. I pursued thelandscape in art through a variety of styles and media, now working exclusively in oil. 

 I love getting out on the road and exploring the country, being overwhelmed by its grandeur and amazed by its subtlety. I love painting the landscape, whether I do it right there on the spot or
later back in the studio. It is a wonderful challenge to try to recreate the essence of a place with paint and canvas.”

Michael Baum specializes in contemporary representational paintings of the western and southwestern landscape. 
He is represented in many private, corporate, and public collections nationally and internationally.

Michael lives and works in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Marc Dalessio!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

A sketch by Marc Dalessio – Image: Marc Dalessio Facebook

What a fabulously loose painting. It’s got so many features that I absolutely adore… the masts against a cloudy sky painted thickly, the loosely painted buildings in the distance, the shadows on the dock, the bright white of the boat deck. This “sketch” was done in Bergen (Norway). The pictures of Bergen are stunning, it looks like a great place to paint! Marc has a great website, so check it out… I enjoyed reading “about” Marc. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I read about an artist and it’s creative and interesting. Personally I think that  “About” the artist should contain either thoughts on the way they paint or their subjects or who their inspiration comes from or something personal, and not just a bulleted list of achievements (I never read those, especially the really long ones, sigh). Those are ok too, at the end, but I like to hear where the artist lives, and it’s nice if they mention family, pets, places, other artists, that’s very cool… Here is a blip about Marc from his website (actually his blog, which is a good read), and I think you’ll have to agree:

Welcome to my blog. I’m 37 years old as I write this, and I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I can remember.

I was born in Los Angeles in 1972. From the age of 6 to 10 I lived in the Fiji Islands where my father was a regional director of the Peace Corps. The beauty of Fiji and my native California instilled in me a love of the natural world.

For the last 17 years I’ve lived in Florence, Italy, though I spend a few months every year painting in the US. At present I have a beautiful 19th-century painting studio in Piazza Donatello and the use of a farmhouse near Tavarnelle val di Pesa in Tuscany which I use as a base for landscape work, as well as teaching small workshops in the summers. I also teach a plein air landscape course at the Florence Academy of Art in the spring.

Every winter I travel with a group of like-minded plein air painters to warmer climates to keep working outside. Past destinations have included Kenya, India, Greece and Albania, the Caribbean, Morocco, and this year, Myanmar.

I created this blog to share information about techniques and materials as well as to keep people updated on my paintings and exhibitions. Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks for visiting,

Marc

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Yellow Crowned Night Heron in Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

This photo was taken in my neighborhood (Charleston, SC). It’s a photo of a yellow crowned night heron. Ooooooh you say? Yep, they’re interesting creatures, they’re here during breeding season, then they all fly away. They come back to the same (exact) area each and every year… As neat as they are, they aren’t the friendliest, and they get rather pushy… they’ll stand in the street and won’t move. They build their nests (or go back to their old nests) and in a short time you start seeing eggs in the street/sidewalk, the most beautiful Martha-Stewart-blue. (I would like to have one color matched and paint a room that color.) Right now it looks like the little ones (not so little anymore) are out and about, I see them in people’s yards during the day. We watched one on a neighbors roof and it was almost like it was thinking, “hmmm, should I try to fly”? It would start to put its wings out and then quickly tuck them back under, he did that for quite some time, I was starting to get worried about him, but I guess he was working through it, ha ha… A few mornings I have seen the birds up on some neighbors front porches. EEK. You don’t want to go out when they’re there. They make very impressive (read SCARY) sounds, that’s enough to keep me far away! They’re cool nonetheless, but I will be happy when they move on. They really stink once it starts to get hot and humid… yikes!

Interesting fact: a few neighbors called to have trees trimmed and the city cannot trim until the birds have left because the birds are protected. So be nice and keep your distance!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Charlie… in his happy place!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS8 Comments

Charlie has his own sofa. We moved it near the window when he was a puppy so he could see down the street. Fred and I like to move furniture. Actually move entire rooms (i.e. the dining room is the study and the living room is the dining room, yep, see what I mean, just try to keep up with us)… well, we DID move entire rooms. Now we’re stuck in a situation. WE CAN’T MOVE THE SOFA! Ahhhh, there are worse things that could happen… Charlie is so content staring out the window during the day (half the time with his eyes closed) that we just can’t change it.

Ahhh, what we do for our pets, huh? Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

A classy drink dispenser and recipes to go with it… Beat the heat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

On a hot sunny day what can be any more refreshing than a something nice and cold to drink? These dispensers are from Pottery Barn. I love how they have them displayed… makes you want to reach right out and pour a glass!

Do you need something different to drink? Are you in a rut with water or tea? Here are a few suggestions…

SPA WATER – think it still sounds like “just water”? Think again! If you fill a pitcher with cold water, ice, and then add some sliced cucumbers and a few sprigs of mint, give it a stir, you won’t believe how refreshing that plain water becomes! It makes you drink more water because it just tastes so good… If I’m going to throw cucumber with the skin in a pitcher of water I buy organic, you don’t need to be drinking pesticides. Or you can peel the cucumber first, it’s not as pretty, but the taste is the same. I use an old Brita pitcher and it works great!

CITRUS WATER – add slices of whatever citrus you’ve got. Oranges, lemons, limes, they all make plain water taste amazing! It’s a nice subtle flavor that is just so refreshing. Once again… organic if you can…

ANYTHING GOES WATER – a mixture of lime, strawberry and mint, or any other concoction you can come up with… let me know if you find an especially good one!

I mentioned how to make good ole iced tea in a previous post (click HERE), it’s easy and black tea is so good for you! I just read in HEALTH Magazine  “lemon juice may increase your absorption of the antioxidants in tea fivefold (suggest a Purdue University study). You can also make iced tea with green tea, peppermint tea… the list goes on and on!

And of course… there’s nothing like ice cold fresh LEMONADE on a hot summer day… Ever wonder how to make lemonade? Well what you make is so much better, give it a whirl some time, perfect for a family get together or a cold drink to surprise the kiddies with! No chemicals or yellow dyes added!

PAULA DEEN’S LEMONADE RECIPE

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 1 gallon cold water
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

In a 1 gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon. Stir until well mixed. Pour lemonade over glasses of ice, squeeze slice of lemon on top of each, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

You can also make a healthier version of lemonade by squeezing lemon into a glass, add water and a squirt of honey, stir then add ice!

Quench that thirst, stay cool and beat the heat! Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images from PotteryBarn.com (in 2012)

Links updated 3/4/25

Featured Artist… Kevin Beers! New show opens TODAY!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Fitzgerald’s Dory” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

I normally post the artists I feature on Monday, Wednesday and Friday… Occasionally I need to rearrange my schedule so I can let you know about an upcoming event… this would be one of those times. Kevin Beers… a cool guy that Fred and I met on our first visit to Monhegan Island, Maine. There he was set up with his big easel, painting on this huge canvas. What artist does Kevin’s paintings remind you of? If you said Edward Hopper we’re on the same wavelength. Amazing work. His love for Monhegan truly shows through in his paintings! Kevin shows his work at Gleason Fine Art Gallery in Boothbay Harbor  – if you’re in the area stop in!

KEVIN BEERS

JUNE 28 – JULY 28, 2012

RECEPTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 30, FROM 5 TO 7PM

I’ve included a few of his new paintings… let me tell you how difficult it was to choose only two! If you aren’t in Boothbay Harbor, check out the gallery website! Hey, if you make it to the show please tell him (and his wife Amy!) that Fred and I said HELLO!

“Night Shed” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

Here’s a blip about Kevin from the Gleason Fine Art website:

Kevin Beers

Each summer Brooklyn resident Kevin Beers returns to his beloved Monhegan Island to paint for 4 months, mining a fresh treasure trove of subject matter from this tiny island off the coast of Maine. Beginning in 2009, Beers has also been making annual trips to Monhegan in winter in order to capture the islands special light in snow.

“Monhegan is a dazzling place with incredible, beautiful light. It is such a remote and untouched island. I love to paint the buildings on the island–the color and structure of weathered buildings, the patterns of sunlight and shadow, and the sharp contrast between a red roof, white clapboards, and bright blue sky,” says Beers.

Kevin Beers has received increasing attention for his work, including features in Maine Home + Design, DownEast, American Art Collector, and American Artist. Avid collector, actor Remak Ramsay, says of Beers: “Unlike so many contemporary artists, Kevin Beers is well trained in the basics. Combine that with a genuine affection for the people and places he paints and his love of slanting light, and you get a rare magic that, eschewing trendy gimmicks, is as honest and sincere as it is beautiful.”

Daniel Kany, arts reviewer for the Portland Newspapers, writes of Beers: “Kevin Beers respect for Hopper is apparent, but he quickly takes his quiet volumes and glowing tonality away from Hoppers slow, cooled lines. Beers brushwork flows at a strong pace that never hurries or abandons thoughtfulness. The masterful bow to Hopper is worth applauding–especially when a closer inspection reveals Beers flowing brushwork is nothing like Hoppers.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Thomas Reis!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Reader” by Thomas Reis

Image: M Gallery, Charleston, SC

“The Reader” by artist Thomas Reis is another fine painting… Fred and I were in M Gallery a few weeks ago (when I told you about the painting “Life” by Scott Christensen) and wanted to share with you another amazing piece of work. It’s a captivating painting and it definitely keeps your eye in the painting, amazing! Here’s the blip about the painting as shown on the M Gallery website:

My model posed wearing a traditional dress called a hanbok, which is still worn in South Korea– generally on special occasions. The painting process involved the appropriation and merging of disparate elements in order to create an overarching narrative and mood. I was struck by the glowing light in the studio and the model’s contemplative absorption in her text. I was also interested in depicting a still ubiquitous dress that is so deeply rooted in Korean cultural tradition. The painting’s composition is circular–that is, I’ve attempted to lead the viewer’s eye from the subject’s face and book down to the baskets, along the hem of the dress, up the arc of the bamboo and, finally, along the arching arrangement of frames, back to the model’s face. The leading lines of the sofa also intersect at her face.

I think the artists’ information is so interesting. What they were thinking when they were painting, the circumstances, what was happening, it’s just so interesting! I bought a book at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine one year, ANDREW WYETH AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Andrew Wyeth and Thomas Hoving, (click HERE for more info on the book!), and it was a description of each painting. It was so interesting! I loved that book!

Here’s a blip about Thomas from an M Gallery newsletter…

Thomas Reis began work as senior art director for JP Morgan Chase in New York City, shortly after receiving his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1993. Two years later, he was illustrating for nationally-known publications, including Time magazine, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Business Week, TV Guide, Barron’s, Forbes and Smart Money. Corporate clients have included MGM, Dupont and Colgate. Throughout his career, Reis has also worked as a fine artist, producing work with all the refinement that one would expect from a classically trained painter. His paintings are represented in numerous permanent and private collections throughout the United States. Tom currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Text provided courtesy the Museum of Arts and Sciences.)

If you’re in Charleston, SC pop in and check out this artist at M Gallery of Fine Art on Broad Street. Catch you back here tomorrow!

What to do if you get a blowout AND Cellphone Highway Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

Image: Ou.edu

This information may come just in time for a road trip you may be taking… good to have this info handy! The other night Fred, Charlie and I were taking our after dinner walk around the neighborhood… we stopped and spoke to a couple who had just pulled in from a trip they had made. Their car had a blow out. They were on the Interstate. Thankfully he handled things well and they were OK, but the tire was blown out. Boo… interstate and a bad tire is a horrible combination, especially with the text-instead-of-look-where-you’re-going-era we’re in… As luck would have it the Highway Patrol pulled up right behind them, they had the tire changed and the couple was on their way within 15 minutes! The Highway Patrol told them any time you break down (or see someone who has) to call them *HP (*47) for South Carolina. Every state is different, so here is a handy dandy chart that I got from the University of Oklahoma Police Department website (click the link to read, they also have an expanded chart state by state for all details). Here’s a blip from their site:

Talking on your cellphone while you drive can certainly lead to distraction and accidents — but having a cellphone in your car can be very useful in an emergency situation. 

In almost any state, you may dial 911 for emergencies, but due to the high volume of calls that 911 operators receive, in some cases it might be better to use the phone numbers listed below, particularly to report highway-safety related “non-emergencies.” If you have difficulty reaching these numbers, you can always dial “0” to request help.

Some states have special cellphone-only numbers such as *SP (star 77)for State Police or *HP (star 47) for Highway Patrol, to report highway/vehicle related problems. You should use the numbers, below, only to report vehicle breakdowns/problems, accidents, hazardous material spills, or other highway hazards/problems, as well as impaired or aggressive/reckless drivers and other criminal behavior.

Use cellphones safely — be aware of laws which prohibit using cellphones while driving.

While we work to keep this list current, at any point in time, some of the listings (below) may be out of date. Before you travel, as part of your travel/itinerary planning, we’d urge you to check with the state public safety departments (or their websites) on your planned route for updated/current cellphone contact listings.

If you’re wondering to yourself “what do I do if I get a blowout”?? I found  HOW TO HANDLE A TIRE BLOWOUT from Howcast. Click the link to see the video… I hope you never need this, but if a blowout is ever in your future, at least you’ll know how to react… Here’s the information from their link (above):

  1. Stay cool

    Ignore your natural instinct to hit the brakes or jerk the steering wheel when you have a blowout.

  2. Step 2

    Accelerate slightly

    Accelerate slightly to maintain control of the vehicle. Keep going straight.

  3. Tip

    Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands at 10 o’clock and two o’clock on the wheel to avoid losing control.

  4. Step 3

    Decelerate

    Ease off the accelerator slowly.

  5. Step 4

    Coast

    Maintain your course while the vehicle slows.

  6. Step 5

    Apply brakes

    Apply the brakes gently when your car slows to 30 miles per hour.

  7. Step 6

    Turn on right turn signal

    Turn on your right turn signal.

  8. Tip

    Never stop on the left side of the road, if possible. This is the most dangerous place to be.

Drive safely… pay attention… be prepared for the unimaginable, stay calm and call the cell highway emergency number if you or someone you see needs assistance! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Calvin Liang!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Golden Gate Bridge” by Calvin Liang

Image from TheEnglishmanUSA.com

If you Google Calvin Liang, you will see some pretty fantastic paintings. You will read some pretty interesting stories about his life, his accomplishments and best of all his great attitude! This man has worked so hard to be where he’s at and it shows. The featured painting “The Golden Gate Bridge” is breathtaking. THOSE. CLOUDS. I love them, they just seem to go on forever! The warm color of the bridge with the sunlight, ahhh, makes me want to be there, actually it makes me feel as if I AM there! This is a fantastic painting and I found it at “The Englishman”. If you get a chance check out his work!

Here’s a blip about Calvin from his website… there is a fascinating story about him on the Waterhouse Gallery website… click HERE to read it in its entirety!

Calvin Liang was born in Canton, China. He began painting in high school and completed his art education at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, recognized as one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In China, his skills as a fine artist were applied to the theatrical industry where he designed and created sets for operas and musical dramas for the Canton Opera Institute. Liang moved to the United States in 1987 and continued his profession as a full-time artist. He had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation, which included the Walt Disney Studios and Nickelodeon Studio where he worked for the Little Mermaid and Spongebob Squarepants. However he decided to quit working for the studios to pursue a full-time career as a fine artist, painting themes of his choosing. Since leaving his animation career in early 2002, Liang has definitely been noticed. His accomplishments include winning several top awards in important exhibitions including Juror’s Best of Show-38th Annual C.M. Russell 2006, “Art-Talk Award of Excellence” Oil Painters of America Juried Exhibition 2005, “People’s Choice Award” 6th  Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Event in Bowers Museum 2002, “Best of the Show” American Impressionist Society’s 4th Annual Juried Exhibition 2002. Thus assuring his position as one of the nation’s leading artist. National art magazines also took notice. In 2004, Liang’s work graced the cover of Art of the West’s special 16th Anniversary Edition; and in 2006, 2007, and 2008 three years he had a full feature article in American Art Collector Magazine. Also he received a full feature article in Southwest Magazine in 2005, American Artist Magazine in 2005 and American Artist Workshop Magazine in 2007.
Calvin Liang is a Master Member of Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, and a Signature Member of California Art Club and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.   

Catch you back here tomorrow!