Category: Daily Blog

The Rockwell Kent – James Fitzgerald Studio – Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Maine, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

There is something magical about the Fitzgerald Studio on Monhegan, Maine. This studio was originally owned by Rockwell Kent (read more about it HERE)!

I could easily live in this small studio – the windows that open out are pure heaven! I love the beautiful paintings and some of the artists items sitting around the studio as noted in this photo. If you ever get the chance to visit Monhegan, be sure to visit the museum and the Fitzgerald Studio!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

A short post for today – photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Don’t waste your 86,400…

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Don’t waste your 86,400 seconds of this day – use them wisely. Do good. Be good. Spread happiness. Life is too short not to!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

A short post for today – photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Created using Canva!

Charlie, a pool and a birthday!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS6 Comments

Charlie. 

Sweet beast. Lover of his pool. Digging to China. Or wherever he thinks he’s going. Demanding. Sweet. Smart. Listens. Doesn’t listen. Jumps high.. Full of energy. Loves the sun. Not a fan of heat. Sock stealer. Owner of three beds. Has trained his humans well. Snap – Snap. Treats delivered. Frozen green beans. Diagonally sliced carrots. Crunchy ends of lettuce. Pasta lover. Good dog. Bad dog. Cucumbers daily. Proud little beast. Loves “his people”. Best burglar alarm ever. Eyes in back of his head. Can hear someone coming in a deep sleep. 

H A P P Y    B I R T H D A Y   C H A R L I E !

We’ll do our best to meet your expectations! Breakfast by 5AM. Dinner no later than 1:30. Veggi-dent chewy no later than 4.

#thenthepartyisover #happybirthdaybeastie #eightyearsyoung #actslikeapuppy #pawingatmyarmfordinnerasitypethis

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

The End Was Near

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVEL3 Comments

Can you imagine? One minute the sky is beautiful and then out of the corner of your eye you spot a dark cloud that morphs into most of the sky filled with this powerful dark cloud moving towards us. I was in Michigan visiting my family, we were all taking photos of it approaching (we all love weather) – after this passed the warm air cooled considerably. This was so dramatic! Was the end really near? Absolutely not – I’m not a storm chaser, just a lover of weather, I’m quite fascinated by it, always have been, especially when what you see is so striking! A cold front? I believe so, it was quite chilly afterwards!
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Stunning Sky Over Marsh – Michigan

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

Marsh View in Michigan
Yay iPhone! This camera can take some bedazzling photos if I do say so myself! I get many comments on photos which I really appreciate, but truly, it’s not me… I mean just LOOK at this sky! All I did was push a button! These clouds go on forever and ever and are brightly reflected in the water. Vibrant green grass against a stunning blue sky. Wow.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

View from Port Clyde, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL1 Comment

Such a crisp scene. Not crisp as in cold, but the striking darkness of the horizon against that gorgeous sunset. Love those few stray clouds drifting by. So serene. This photo was taken in Port Clyde, Maine a few years ago…

#willnevergettiredofsunsets #orsunrises

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

 

The Barnacle – Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL1 Comment

Ah! The Barnacle – love this place. Great food, cool gifts, nice wine and bakery goods. The Barnacle is a part of the Island Inn and it’s a treasure. It’s located right near the Monhegan wharf. We have met some really interesting people inside including one woman who demanded that we play some game with her that lasted hours and we kept trying to get away, but then found out she was killing time because she didn’t want to “do Monhegan”, she wanted to go back to her condo in Camden, sigh… #dontknowwhatyouremissing #notv #nophone #nostress #thatgamewasstressful

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

 

Featured Artist: Brenda Swenson!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured Artist1 Comment

The Nook by Brenda Swenson 22×30″ Watercolor

Brenda Swenson. A fabulous watercolor artist – so many beautiful paintings! Brenda also has wonderful journals – words and paintings in a sketchbook. A beautiful diary of sorts. These sketches depict various subjects: places she has visited, locations she has painted, meals she has eaten, and more – including a description for each. Very creative!

Brenda also teaches workshops. A lot of them. She’s in demand (hence the waiting list on many), so if you see one you like you may want to sign up now!

View more of Brenda’s work via these links:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Brenda, from her website:

Brenda Swenson is the artist author of two books, Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook (Award of Excellence Finalist) and Steps to Success in Watercolor. Her paintings and sketches have been featured in numerous books... read more here.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via swensonart.net, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

The Saltwater Rest House Plan By Flatfish Island Designs!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans2 Comments

Saltwater Rest by Flatfish Island Designs

This is the Saltwater Rest house plan by Flatfish Island Designs. This plan is 2,686 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. In addition to the front porch, you will see a wrap around porch in the back/sides of this plan. Can you imagine? This is a classic design that will look beautiful anywhere you place it!

I especially love how the bedrooms are situated. Master bedroom/bathroom on one side and two guest rooms, each with their own bathroom on the opposite side of the house. Lovely if you’re a guest!

This is an open plan (living/dining/kitchen) with a stunning kitchen and a separate dining room (or office, etc.) – flexibility – Flatfish Island Designs have beautiful plans that are perfect for good living!

Check out their website for more plans – Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via FlatfishIslandDesigns.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the design firm.

Featured Artist: Zac Retz!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Painting by Zac Retz

Zac Retz is a Visual Development Artist at Sony Pictures – never heard of a VisDev artist? Click on the link to learn more.

I haven’t really explored the world of digital paintings much, but let me tell you, after looking at Zac’s Instagram and Facebook, I am hooked! He has such a way of portraying feeling with his work – it amazes me the amount of talent in one person. Zac is very good at what he does, and in his spare time it looks like he paints (as shown above). Lunch breaks or any free bit of time is spent doing a small painting that is STUNNING. There are so many, you’ve got to look for yourself! I can’t wait to see what he paints next!

See more of Zac’s work via these links:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via instagram.com/zacretz, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Pair With Boiled Shrimp)!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

During the hot summer months we have boiled shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce, corn on the grill, cucumbers and Greek yogurt with dill quite often. It’s a quick mostly do ahead meal that is as pretty as it is delicious.

It’s so quick and easy to make your own cocktail sauce and you can tailor it to your tastebuds (i.e. I like a lot of horseradish).

HOMEMADE COCKTAIL SAUCE

Ingredients:

Ketchup, Lemon and Prepared Horseradish

In a small bowl add ketchup, (the amount of cocktail sauce you think you’ll need – for just the two of us I would guess about 1/3- 1/2 cup for 1 pound of shrimp – more if you use a lot of it. Squeeze in a wedge of lemon (again, more if you like it lemony, less if you do not), this will brighten the flavor, and finally add a teaspoon or two of prepared horseradish (to your taste). Give it a good stir and it’s ready!

I know, right? WHY did you ever buy it in a jar when it literally only takes 2 minutes to whip up and tastes far fresher! Enjoy!

BOILED SHRIMP

We boil the shrimp 3-4 minutes (don’t boil too long!), then into an ice bath, drain when cool and into the fridge until ready to eat!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Patrick Saunders!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Mercer and Congress by Patrick Saunders 16×20″ Oil

Patrick Saunders. This guy is one prolific artist. Painting at various events around the country (check his website for details) – so many great paintings. Hard to pick just one (go look – you’ll see what I mean) – I selected this painting because it has such character and is so different. Those vibrant greens with the purple -whoa! Like magic!

Find more of Patrick’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog  

(Check Patrick’s website for more social media links!)

Read a bit about Patrick, from his website:

Patrick Saunders is an artist, painting and creating art while traveling across North America in an Airstream Bambi with his photographer wife, Kimberly. He has studied with many renowned painters, including Mark English, Malcolm Liepke, Wilbur Niewald, Richard Schmid, and Burton Silverman. Painting a variety of subjects including portraits, pet portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and florals – Patrick’s work is sold internationally.

Always seeking the next challenge, Patrick has worked as an illustrator, designer, animator, educator, musician, entrepreneur, and a fine artist. Throughout his career, Patrick has been recognized by his peers for outstanding work, earning awards – continue reading HERE!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via PatrickSaunders.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

 

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

SORRY to those of you who don’t deal well with the creepy crawly things – I can certainly relate!

Oh the memories… I had a realistic size black plastic spider 🕷 when I was a kid. On occasion I would leave it somewhere to surprise my family (sorry about that) – I would hear a SHREEEEEK – AH! They found it, hee hee. Undoubtedly I would forget about it and go about my business and when I least expected it, there it was  🕷 😳 A shreeeeeek would erupt from deep within, heart palpitations ensued. Ah, they got me back! There were long lapses in between spider hidings – I think I had to let the memory wear off, ha ha… Hmmm, wonder where that spider is?

You’ll hear me if I find it!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED

Reflections: Tenants Harbor, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph2 Comments

Tenants Harbor, Maine

Just look at this water – it’s like glass, which really made the reflections stand out even more. I took this photo several years ago – I remember walking around Tenants Harbor, near the East Wind Inn. We had dinner reservations and arrived early, so I was able to get some amazing photos before dinner. Woohoo!

Enjoy your Saturday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED

Featured Artist: Maria Reardon!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Sunset by Maria Reardon 12×16 Pastel

Maria Reardon creates lively pastel paintings. You can see the sun setting through the trees in this painting, aptly named, Sunset. I like the various colors that are going on. Very nice!

Check out more of Maria’s work, via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Read a bit about Maria, from her website:

Maria Reardon paints the world around her. Working primarily in pastels, she loves being outdoors, immersed in the world, observing and experiencing everything going on around her.  She’s drawn to the unique and ever-changing relationships of form and color.   She is intrigued by the unexpected combinations of light and color which characterize her work, while working within the confines of physical forms and the spaces they inhabit. 

“A painting is an opportunity to explore something new. A new subject matter, a new color or technique.  That’s one of the things I love about plein air and painting from life, the experience will be different and exciting every time. I am seeking to represent a mood or an emotional quality but also be representative of the specific location.”

Maria is a Virginia native and received her formal education from Virginia Commonwealth University earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in illustration. She studied portraiture with Daniel Greene and continued her study of landscape by attending workshops with Albert Handell, Lorenzo Chavez and other nationally known artists. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Richmond area and is in private collections.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via mariareardon.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.