September Sunrise!

Trying to catch up after several days of no wifi and lots of yard cleanup after hurricane Matthew, back to normal posting next week, for now enjoy the images!

Sept sunrise, Waldoboro, ME

A September sunrise in Waldoboro, Maine. Quite the beauty, isn’t it? There was this bright white streak that went across the sky, it was amazing! One of those, where it catches your eye through the window and you grab your camera and run in your PJ’s before its gone!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Baked Ziti Recipe – OH MY!

Baked Ziti

This is an all time favorite and a definite crowd pleaser! This makes a good 8 servings, it also freezes well! This is one of those recipes to keep around because you can throw it together pretty quickly and have a meal fit for a king! In parenthesis I noted the brands that I used, pretty much Whole Foods everything, but… it makes a difference, especially when it comes to sauce. If you use a sauce that you don’t know that you love then it can turn out completely different… make sure you like the sauce! I believe I used one jar of tomato basil and one jar of marinara.

To print the recipe below, click HERE:

Baked Ziti Recipe

ENJOY!

Dinner is Ready!

 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Sue Barrasi!

Florence by Sue Barrasi 8.5x12 Oil

Florence by Sue Barrasi  8.5×12″  Oil

Shadows are so important and Sue really has nailed them quite nicely. The light on the tangerines is fabulous and the vase looks like you could reach into the painting and pick it up. I like the dark background with subtle variations, it really makes the fruit stand out. A great painting! Be sure to check out more of Sue’s work!

Read a bit about Sue, from her website:

“Upon graduating from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, Bronx born artist Sue Barrasi traveled Europe devouring the works of the masters. 

In Paris she spent countless days and nights soaking up the Impressionists, especially Monet with whom she had been obsessed since childhood. Later, on a rainy summer afternoon in Spain she encountered the works of Joaquin Bastida Sorolla who would become one of the major influences on her work.

Upon returning to New York Sue dove headfirst into the competitive world of commercial illustration, immediately landing work with McCall’s Magazine. Shortly after, she met Bill Heapps, founder of Pig Pen Studios, who was incredibly generous in sharing his knowledge and experience, and she is forever grateful for the time spent working under his tutelage.  Other illustration commissions followed, as well as contracting work with ad agencies, and other publications, forcing the young artist to develop the discipline and strong work ethic which informs her work to this day. It was during this period she was commissioned by the government of Grenada to create a series of postage stamps featuring the indigenous sea life of the island nation.

She eventually made her way to the Art Students League where she studied with David Leffel. The dedication to the serious study of traditional painting at the League caused her to refocus her energies.  Over the next decade her work garnered numerous awards in juried shows, grants, and residencies and was featured in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. In the late nineties Sue temporarily lay down her brushes to help create her masterpieces, Kiara and Dana, trading in still lives and landscapes for finger painting, mud pies and murals.   

Eventually the call of the canvas proved too much,  Sue grabbed her oils and brushes and studied briefly with American Master John Osborne, discovering the prismatic palette which she continues to explore to this day. Osborne’s impact on her sensibilities cannot be put into words.

Today Sue’s approach involves several steps, beginning with small color studies on location. She then uses these sketches to record information for later use in larger studio works. For her Still life works she prefers North Light whenever possible and likes to work alla prima. She examines a variety of disciplines including values, color harmonies and composition. “I paint to live, I live to paint. I am mesmerized by natural light. To me, painting transcends obsession; it is an addiction. I paint because it makes me a better person, but it is my hope that my artwork spreads joy to the viewer.”” Click HERE to continue…

Thank you Sue, for submitting your website!

All images via SueBarrasi.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sunflower and Uncle Henry’s in Fog – Monhegan Island.

Monhegan Fog | barbara stroud

Stunning! I have taken so many photographs over the past few years of this very spot. In sun, light, shadow, but this year I was able to add fog to the list. I truly enjoyed those few foggy days. It kept things cooler, which I wanted more than anything! For those of you familiar with Monhegan, this is the view as you walk from the Lupine Gallery back towards the Island Inn – this is on your right – Uncle Henry’s, an iconic cottage that sits majestically on that hill between the wharf and the Island Inn.

It was really nice to catch up with friends – can’t wait until next year!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Monhegan Sunrise… From the archives!

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I took this photo of the lighthouse on Monhegan back in 2014. There is nothing that can get me out of bed faster than a sunrise of this magnitude! Everything about it was stunning. The light spilled across to Manana (Island) and into the water. The island was floating in this beautiful pinkish orange. I feel so blessed to have witnessed this!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Be safe…

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I am replacing today’s post with a peaceful image for all of you evacuating your homes due to Hurricane Matthew. Oh, how I wish the roads looked like this! Be patient, know that it’s going to take a while to get anywhere, and be prepared…

Stay safe – a phrase that I have heard so many people say over the past few days…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Joseph Alleman!

Vivid Sky by Joseph Alleman  30×22″  Oil

Joseph Alleman is an artist from Utah, and his work is wonderful! VIVID SKY is a striking painting with this wonderful white house against that daring blue sky. The shadows and light are spectacular!

Days End by Joseph Alleman  40×30″  Oil

DAYS END is an oil painting that shows great moodiness. I love paintings with dark skies! The barn has enough detail for your brain to fill in the remaining. Be sure to check out Joseph’s website for more info, including the galleries that carry these two paintings!

Read a bit about Joseph, from his website:

“For artist Joseph Alleman, an important motive to paint lies in understanding his surroundings. “I’m visually compelled by various forms of shape, value, pattern, etc. Through the process of painting, I gain new and deeper insight into my subject and its surroundings as these elements combine and communicate.” 

Working  in both watercolor and oil, Joseph Alleman’s paintings have become highly recognized and collected for their visionary portrayals of the West.  As a signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies, he exhibits regularly through gallery, juried, and invitational shows, and has been a featured artist in the majority of contemporary fine art publications.

Residing in Northern Utah, Joseph finds a great deal of inspiration  in the regions land, towns, and people which make it unique. “There is a beauty within the everyday and ordinary that only painting can reveal. I’m drawn to these subjects in hopes of making and sharing such discoveries.”” Continue reading HERE

All images via JosephAlleman.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Quick Lunch Idea: Pita with Hummus, Cheese, Cuc, Tomato – an addiction!

Pita with Hummus, Cheese & Tomatoes

This quick and healthy meal has become an addiction. It’s so fresh and tasty and hold you for quite a while.

Super easy, this is what I did, tailor it to fit what you like…

INGREDIENTS

Pita

Cheese, sliced (Havarti is what I used)

Cucumbers, sliced (I slice long pieces without seeds)

Grape tomatoes, slice length wise

Hummus (I use regular)

Dry Dill (fresh would be good too) and Pepper

DIRECTIONS (well, kind of)

Pita, sliced in half (as shown above) or about 3/4 of the way, then use the small piece smear hummus and place a pretty grape tomato half on.

I put the pita on a plate, cover with a paper towel that I have gotten wet and wrung out completely, then I cover the pita with the moist paper towel, in the microwave for 15 seconds, then take off the paper towel.

Insert cheese (I use Havarti), then spread hummus (I put it fairly thick), then sliced cucumbers (I slice long ways with no seeds, but to each his own…), add some grape tomatoes cut in half (length-wise), sprinkle with dill and pepper. Serve with a handful of blue chips.

Ok, ya ready? Take a bite! I KNOW! I KNOW! It’s a mixture of the fabulous crunch from the cucumber, the oh so wonderful creaminess of the cheese and the hummus, the freshness of the dill, and the juice of the grape tomato! Get outta here!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Justin Wood!

troupe-loeil-with-grotesque-by-justin-wood-14x11
Troupe L’oeil with Grotesque by Justin Wood  14×11  Oil

Justin Wood. Beautiful paintings, all different subjects. What a talent to be able to paint so much detail. Justin has such a variety of subject matter. This painting was so interesting, so many details that you could almost write a book, it’s more than a short story that can be taken from these trinkets, it’s a novel – So creative!

Be sure to check out Justin’s paintings and read a bit about Justin, from his website:

“JUSTIN WOOD (1982)  is a painter from Doylestown, Pennsylvania interested in traditional techniques and genres. At a young age, he began drawing frequently and was introduced to painting in high school. Justin attended Syracuse University where he studied illustration under respected illustrators Murray Tinkleman and John Thompson. While at Syracuse he took figure drawing with figurative artist Jerome Witkin. In this class, Justin became more familiar with the history of classical painting and the importance of drawing and painting from life. This experience redirected his focus to the fine arts. Upon graduating, he joined Jacob Collins at the Water Street Atelier/ Grand Central Academy of Art in New York City where he studied full time for five years and served as Jacob’s studio assistant. After completing his studies, Justin became an instructor of cast drawing and painting at the Grand Central Academy. Justin paints still lifes, portraits, and nudes all from direct observation at his studio in New York.”

All images via JustinWoodArt.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Check out the 23 Covington Court House Plan by Our Town Plans!

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

This is the 23 Covington Court house plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 1,986 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. There is an ample front porch, a screened back porch and a private balcony off of the upstairs bedroom and a screened porch off the upstairs master bedroom!

This is one sharp house, I love the metal roof as well as the carport, it’s done so nicely, with an entrance into the breakfast room.

Be sure to check Our Town Plans website for real images – they’re amazing!

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

What do you notice? Porches, porches, porches! Love, love, love! I cannot imagine how wonderful this plan would be during beautiful weather, when you can open windows/doors! How nice to fall asleep to a nice breeze! Do you see the fireplace on the porch? Another treasure! The main floor of this plan has a living/dining space, kitchen, breakfast area, powder room and bedroom with a separate bathroom. I like that there is a bedroom on the first floor!

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

The upstairs has a small porch off the bedroom and a screened porch off of the master bathroom – what a treat! This plan seems to have so much more useful room than some of the more traditional plans.

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Guess the artist [Solved]! Monhegan Island by Robert Abele…

Guess the Artist!

Monhegan Island by Robert Abele  6×8″  Oil

Robert Abele… fabulous artist, well sought after workshop instructor and super nice guy. Robert painted this a few years ago while on Monhegan Island. If you’ve been there I’m sure this painting will resonate with you. The cottage in the foreground is the Johnson House. Fred and I walk up this steep hill to eat our Gifford’s Ginger ice cream each day, ha ha… The walk works off at least a few bites!

Be sure to check out Robert’s work on his website: RobertAbele.com – he’s got such a unique style, I absolutely love it!

Thank you to Susan Graeber for guessing the artist’s name! Woohoo Susan! 🏆

Over the next few weeks (until I run out of paintings), I am posting one of our paintings and then seeing who can GUESS THE ARTIST. I have retouched this photo on the bottom right corner to remove the artist’s signature.

Do you know the name of this artist?

Comment on my Facebook page or on this blog…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Yep, two GUESS THE ARTIST posts this week to make up for the past few weeks. :)