Category: Daily Blog

Featured Artist: Brennen McElhaney!

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

Charleston Street Corner by Brennen McElhaney  14×11″  Acrylic

Brennen McElhaney. Nice work! A few Charleston scenes caught my eye (I always love to see the way artists all capture Charleston a little differently). The painting above has been a few different restaurants over the years, it is currently a brewery company/restaurant. The old brick on this building is that wonderful color that turns to magic when that right light hits it. This painting is a beautiful interpretation of that architecture. Right down to the lamp post and the stop lights, Brennen captured this so perfectly.

Be sure to check out Brennen’s website – his paintings, stories, blog, etc. – he has wonderful information!

Read a bit about Brennen, from his website:

Brennen McElhaney was born in 1968 in Santa Barbara, California. He studied fine art and illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1990. Back in California, Brennen married Sheila Springer in 1992. As newly-weds they had the opportunity to run a fine art gallery for a time.

Brennen went on to have one-man art shows at the Delphine Gallery, the Hahn-Horn Gallery, Gallery 113, the Faulkner Gallery, Sterling K Gallery, the University Club of Santa Barbara, Antioch University and the Gallery Off Grand (Los Olivos, Ca.). During that time he served on the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Art Association.

In 2005, Brennen, along with his wife and their three children, relocated from California to Western North Carolina. They live in Fletcher (Asheville) NC.

Mr. McElhaney is creator and curator of the website AVLarts.com which promotes the visual arts in the Asheville area by listing a directory of local artists, galleries and art resources. Brennen works as an illustrator and art director, his main client being Oodles World, a family entertainment company. Continue reading HERE…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The TNH SC 24A plan by Moser Design Group!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans3 Comments

This is the TNH SC 24A plan by Moser Design Group. It’s great plan that has 2,168 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. There is a master suite down, another bonus!

Another wonderful porch across the front of the house. The living and dining are open to the wonderful kitchen. Working in this kitchen you won’t miss anything that’s going on, that’s for sure! There is a master suite downstairs as well as the laundry room and a powder room. Perfection!

Upstairs there are two bedrooms with a shared bath. The front bedroom has access to the wonderful porch. What a dreamy plan, perfect for so many of us!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Jose Pardo!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured Artist2 Comments

The Muse by Jose Pardo 28×22″ Oil

Jose Pardo. Wonderful still life & figurative paintings. I chose one as an example – be sure to check out his website!

Jose can paint detail wonderfully. It looks as if you could reach in and grab a tool right out of this painting. I liked the description Jose gave regarding this painting (I love it when artists add a blip about a painting):

“My father-in-law can fix just about anything, from a commercial airliner to a lawnmower. We’ve inherited quite a few old fashioned tools from him. This is one of the rare still life paintings I did not have to purchase a single prop for.”

Read a bit about Jose, from his website:

I was born in 1964 in Habana Cuba and migrated to Spain at the age of 5 with my mother and grandmother. I spent two years in the outskirts of Madrid learning to play futbol, absorbing the local accent, and trying at times unsuccessfully, to stay out of trouble. When we arrived in the United States, I was overwhelmed at the enormous size of the skyscrapers and cars in New York City. As a child I loved to travel into Manhattan with my grandfather to purchase fabrics for his custom tailor business, all the while hoping to catch a glimpse of Spiderman swinging between the skyscrapers. I started learning to draw by copying comic books. At that early age I couldn’t comprehend how it was possible for people to draw such amazing art, since my attempts to replicate the drawings were abysmal.

Being the first in my family with a serious interest in art, I have to credit my High School art teacher, Thomas Carcich with giving me my foundation in art and being instrumental in guiding me to study art in college. After receiving a BFA from Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) in 1988, I worked in several  small business to business advertising agencies in New Jersey as an artist before marrying and moving to Orlando Florida to start a family with my wife in 1992. Here I have worked as an artist for Disney, Scholastic, and Universal among others enjoying my share of success in both the commercial and Fine Arts.

I returned to my first true art-love, oil painting, in 2012 after an unintentional hiatus of well over 20 years. Wanting to give my mother a more unique Birthday present than in recent years, I decided to do a small oil painting for her. While delighted at how much I enjoyed the process, I was more than a little dismayed at how much I had forgotten! Although Mom loved the painting, I immediately set out to bring my skill with oils up to where I wanted them to be. I know I can never reach my ever advancing and evolving goal, but I strive to make progress with every painting. I’ve repurposed and refurbished my home studio to paint from life. That’s where I can always be found trying to make up for lost time. With more ideas than time to paint them all, my easel is never empty. I have been fortunate to win recognition in all the juried local art shows and am starting to enjoy success at the regional level. I still live and paint in Orlando with my wonderfully supportive wife, two amazing children, and three very mischievous cats.

Be sure to check Jose out on Facebook and Instagram (PardoStudio).

All images via PardoStudio.us, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How to cut an orange – Really! Life. Changing.

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Photograph, THOUGHTS6 Comments

Life. Changing. Yes, what I’m about to tell you is just that. PLEASE tell me that you don’t already know about this. How can I be XY years old and never have heard of this? Head in the sand? Who knows, but for some reason I Googled it when I had a cold (what else is there to do? ha) – I watched a few orange-cutting videos. The method I tried didn’t seem like it would be good, so I thought that would be a quick one to cross of the list. Wrong! Here’s the (apparently Top Secret) method: Cut off each end, then slice (not super thin, but not thick). When you do so, you can pick up the slice and it will open (as you see on the bottom) making it INCREDIBLY easy to eat and NOTHING is left over. Not a spec!

Some of my oranges had thicker rind, so I just made a small slice and that worked fine.

Brilliant. You didn’t already know this did you? Please… just say No! 😉

If you do already know this, pass it along to another poor soul who may not! Ha ha.

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED… CATCH YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW!

Featured Artist: Sara Jane Reynolds!

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

Susan’s Lilies  by sara jane reynolds  36×48″  Oil

Sara Jane Reynolds. Beautiful Lowcountry paintings. I especially adore her lily series – Stunning! The pink in this painting is so fabulous with the wonderful greens! And those little flowers, oooh! The distant water is so interesting to me, a variety of colors and brush strokes brings life!

Sara has a wonderful website so be sure to check it out!

Read more about Sara, from her website:

Artist’s Statement

As a plein air painter, I carry my easel and paints into the marshes and islands of the low country. Inspiration springs from the beauty and richness of this untamed landscape. I grew up in Pasadena, California: My father a a Civil Engineer/Architect and mother a Musician/Poet/Painter. We spent part of every summer in Yosemite. The visual impact of the valley, trees, rocks and the core of artists and writers who journeyed there impacted me greatly. I developed a deep love of nature, self expression, passion for our great country.

On canvas I write love letters in gold and green.

All images via SaraJaneReynolds.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fortunate Island – Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL2 Comments

Fortunate Island – Monhegan, Maine

I love this beautiful boat that sits in the Monhegan harbor. Especially with this beautiful golden light.

Fortunate Island – could the name be any more perfect? To me, this boat looks peaceful, tranquil, elegant, responsible and strong.

 

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED… CATCH YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW!

The Wharf – Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph4 Comments

When visiting Monhegan Island, the wharf is the happiest place and saddest place – how can it be both? It’s the happiest site you’ll see once you arrive. It means a week of peace and quiet, beautiful scenery, good friends, good food and a chance to unplug.

When waiting for the boat that heads back to the main land, which also means you are headed H-O-M-E, the wharf can be the saddest place. Because you won’t see the island, and your friends, until at least the following year, if you’re lucky!

But… I have my photos, and a lot of them! Perusing old Monhegan photos is a necessity for me!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED… CATCH YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW!

18 Sumter Drive House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans4 Comments

This is the 18 Sumter Drive house plan by Our Town Plans, quite a fabulous layout! This house plan is 1,989 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.WHAT A FRONT PORCH! It’s 11’6″ deep and 27’6″ wide – just think of the possibilities!  You can get a nice breeze in good weather. Nothing better! This is a beautiful plan with such nice lines!

The main floor is spacious and inviting. The living, dining and kitchen are open.

There is a wonderful master suite. Also another bedroom downstairs, which would be quite wonderful as an office or library. I love that there is a screened porch on the back of the house accessible from both bedrooms!

Upstairs there is a bedroom, bathroom and a bunk room! The bunk room has built-in window seats and bookshelves. How nice is that? Check out the real life images HERE.

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Robert Strickland!

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

Dahlia Arrangement by Robert Strickland 24″X18″ Oil

Robert Strickland is an artist from Toronto, Canada – and whoa, can he ever paint! I think the Dahlia Arrangement painting is perfection. The backdrop and surface leave your imagination to fill in, yet the jars and flowers are out of this world realistic. The varying beautiful colors are a joy!

If you’re in the Toronto, Canada area and looking for a workshop, check out Robert’s website for more info, while you’re there just look at the beautiful paintings!

Read a bit about Robert, from his website:

Robert Strickland is a professional artist from Toronto, Canada. Robert was first inspired by nature and his surroundings. He recalls having a deep connection and appreciation for nature from a young age. It wasn’t until he was in his twenties that he was exposed to art however. He took a fundamental art program at Sheridan College to learn some basics and meet other artists. At this point he was more interested in illustration. After the program ended, he learnt in a more autodidactic way. He went to life drawing consistently and at one point just jumped into oil painting. With an intense dedication and a rational way of solving problems, he learn’t quickly. After making great progress he was awarded the Chalmers Professional Development Grant. This allowed him to study abroad from contemporary masters in representational art. After he felt the need to go back to his roots in Canadian culture to form as a mature artist. Painting “en plein air” connected him with nature once again, his voice in art became louder and more distinct. Through Roberts art we can see an appreciation of nature and an intimate way of looking at it. Robert believes the appreciation of art teaches values and connects us with a universal language. Continue reading, here…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Beef & Green Bean Stir Fry!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Recipe1 Comment

This is one of my very favorite recipes from Chinese restaurants. It often ends up being quite unhealthy, mostly due to the fact that there is a lot of soy sauce and oil… Although I did splurge and use Jasmine rice instead of brown rice (Trader Joe’s freezer section – already cooked, microwave 3 minutes – it’s fabulous), the rest of this recipe is pretty healthy.

I took bits and pieces from different recipes, and in the end LEFT OUT THE SOY SAUCE (recipe includes it, with an *, to remind you that you can omit) and ended up with this. Quick, easy and beyond favorite recipe!

Click HERE to print the recipe…

BEEF & GREEN BEAN STIR FRY

2 SERVINGS

Sauce

1/3 cup beef broth

*1 Tablespoon organic soy sauce low sodium

1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

pinch of red pepper flakes if you like

Stir Fry

Canola oil

fresh green beans (two big handfuls of fresh with ends snipped – I used between 1/4-1/3 pound) – dry them so they don’t spit when hit oil.

1/2# stir fry meat (I used sirloin steak, or flank steak)

3-4 scallions (green onions) OR regular onion, sliced thin

Ginger (to your taste, use microplane to grate it – I used about a 1” piece)

Garlic (as much as you like)

Cooked Rice, enough for two servings.

Sesame Seeds (optional) – can toast them or use plain

Directions

The beef and green bean portion cooks quickly, so start it once your rice is almost ready.

Mix ingredients for the broth, set aside.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of oil in large skillet over high heat. Add green beans, saute for 4 minutes. Then set aside.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in same skillet, add beef. Cook 1 minute WITHOUT MOVING over fairly high heat. Then cook another 3-4 minutes stirring.

Set aside with green beans.

Add a little more oil, add the scallions, ginger and garlic. Saute, stirring, for 30 seconds.

Add the beef and green bean mixture back to the hot skillet.

Add the broth, stir until thickened, about 1 minute, spoon on top of rice.

*I don’t use soy sauce because of an allergy – and I cannot tell a difference without it, woohoo!

Enjoy and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Dyana Hesson!

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

Passion in the Desert by Dyana Hesson 36×36″ Oil

Dyana Hesson. Wonderful, vibrant paintings. Dyana’s paintings are full of life. Passion in the Desert reminds me of a cactus I had as a kid. It always amazed me that something that received so little water, could do so well. It thrived in my windowsill. The bright orange flower just gorgeous.

Dyana paints more than cacti, although they are fabulous, be sure to check them out!!!

The featured painting is available at Bonner David Gallery – Dyana has more work on their website. Wow, wow, wow!

Read a bit about Dyana, from her website:

Dyana was born in 1966 in the Gold Country of California. There she was always happiest outdoors. Her weekends were spent visiting the local nursery and working on the natural landscaping of her family’s home.

When she was 12, her father gave her a camera. She began photographing all that was interesting to her; the trees, the flowers, and the natural landscapes.

After a short stay in Southern California (where she met and married her husband in 1985), she moved to Arizona. Although the climate and landscape varied drastically from that of California, the inspiration did not.

Dyana became interested in painting as a way to express things that she couldn’t through a lens alone. She chose oil as her medium because it possessed a fluid quality perfect for the subjects she was painting. She began to experiment with thin layers of carefully blended paint, and the results were luminous. She earned her degree in Art at Arizona State University in 1991 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

After a four year detour to southern Michigan, Dyana and her family returned to Arizona. She continues to live in Mesa with her husband Randy, daughter Sydney and Dog Boon.

Dyana is always in search of her next painting. She takes long hikes in the desert and mountains, and frequently visits botanical gardens across the country. She feels she has the most success when she has the luxury of bringing her subjects home. She then has more time to study them and combine them with other elements. Using only natural lighting in her paintings, timing and weather are always factors.

Dyana is most excited about using her art to glorify God by drawing attention to His creation. She feels that the relationships and opportunities to serve with her art have been the most valuable aspect of her career.

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Kaethe Bealer!

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

Marina at Dusk by Kaethe Bealer  24×24″  Acrylic

Kaethe Bealer. I love when paintings are created this time of day. The wonderful deep blue of the water, with those subtle reflections. Subtle, but perfect! Those little bits of brighter light reflected in the water are fabulous! The sky… love it! Those clouds are wonderful!

The Listener by Kaethe Bealer  16×20″  Acrylic

Oh! How I love this painting. A glimpse into another life. “The Listener” – what a perfect title! I love the vantage point of this painting – from a dog’s perspective! If you want to see this painting in person, it will be in a show at Harrington Gallery – it opens May 6, 2017 Here are the details:

FRESH WORKS VII

May 6 to June 3, 2017

Opening Reception and Awards Saturday, May 6, 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Harrington Gallery’s 7th Annual FRESH WORKS Juried Exhibition is returning. FRESH WORKS VII is an exhibition opportunity for emerging and established artists who reside or work in the greater Bay Area, with the focus of the exhibition being on new works.

I would love to see more interiors by Kaethe, she clearly has a knack for painting them! And animals… wow! Be sure to check her website and you’ll see what I mean!

Read a bit about Kaethe, from her website:

Kaethe Bealer is a painter who works in oil and acrylic.

Like so many artists, I have been doing art since I was a kid. I have been studying seriously for the last 15 years. I live in the Bay Area and have been fortunate to study with several great artists such as Stanley Goldstein, Peggi Kroll Roberts and Tim Horn. I work in oils and acrylics. I live on a boat. When I paint aboard it’s usually a smaller scale painting and in acrylic. I paint larger oils in my land studio which happens to be a spare bedroom at my father in-law’s.I enjoy painting the effects of light and shadow on all kinds of subject matter. The more I paint the more I see color nuances and value shifts. I am enjoying my process and hope to get better and better. Thank you for looking at my work!

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!