I’ve mentioned the beautiful window boxes throughout the city. Each one as gorgeous as the next. Some with unexpected plants that seem to flourish in their surroundings. Obviously planted by someone who knows what they’re doing!
Another fine example. What a treat to round a corner and find even more beautiful window boxes just waiting to have their photo taken!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Breathtaking, isn’t it? When I go home to visit my parents the sunrises always get me. I’m running up and down the street in PJ’s with my phone (didn’t take a camera this time). Michigan really is beautiful. The weather? I LOVE IT! It was coolish, with some warmer days. Perfect!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Island Inn painting by Ted Tinhansky
Update 6/4/16
This painting is by Ted Tihansky. I love the way y’all guessed this time, it gave others a chance to guess (by using initials, first name only and today the full name)! Ted’s paintings live and breathe Monhegan. He was a character to talk to when he lived on the island. He has many wonderful paintings, this is just one of them!
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 left 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!
Meet artist Marsha Donahue! What a treat, right? If you don’t already know of Marsha’s work, be sure to check out the website. Beautiful paintings! This little painting caught my eye right away, it’s the wonderful orange undertone, especially against the darkness of the tree. WOW. Talk about dramatic. I love this! This tiny painting packs a powerful punch!
The sheer talent of some people! Just look at this fabulous (large!) painting. The detail, the stillness of the water in areas, the movement of the sky, the feeling of the sun. Beautiful, just beautiful! That dead tree on the left is a favorite! Oh, how I love those trees, they’re so picturesqe! Beautiful painting. Be sure to check out Marsha’s work, I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!
Read a bit about Marsha, from her gallery’s website:
The owner and founder of North Light Gallery, Marsha Donahue has degrees in the fine arts from American University and the Maine College of Art. After many years of working in galleries both in Washington, DC and Portland, Me, she opened her own in Millinocket, ME in 2004 where she could paint the landscape she loved. She was influenced early on by Winslow Homer and painted in the Adirondacks for several years during the summers before returning to Maine in 1985. At some point John Singer Sargent’s influence took over and never quit. She also shows her work at the Gallery at Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island.
All images via ArtNorthlight.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is a quick meal that can be put together in no time flat. You can even cook the chicken ahead of time and just do a quick reheat.
For 5 corn tortilla’s we grilled one chicken breast and sliced it thin, (if you need it faster, using kitchen scissors cut the chicken breast into small pieces and sauté until done, if they aren’t thick, it should cook quickly). Heat the tortillas*, then top with what you like, we topped with pepper jack cheese for a little kick, some fresh salsa and I whipped up some guacamole. This was delicious!
*Heating the tortillas. I have a gas stove, so the best way (for us) has been to place a tortilla on a (clean) grate of the stove. Approximately 10 seconds, then flip, until it starts to wilt downwards, then another quick flip just for a sec (I think maybe because I like to flip?). It takes no time. I then placed it in foil to keep it warm (and wrapped in a clean kitchen towel), I heated all tortillas and then assembled.
Add what you like, doesn’t matter what it is, you could use black beans in place of chicken, etc. I buy corn tortillas with three ingredients: corn, water and lime. Nothing else. I served this with blue chips and the rest of the guacamole!
Note: I made 5 tortillas, 2 for me and 3 for Fred – it was enough with the added guacamole and chips.
Enjoy! Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is one eye-catching geranium in it’s hot coral splendor! Just look at the dramatic shadow. I have a thing with shadows, they always catch my eye, it’s like a work of art!
Have a wonderful Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Do you know how to keep cut lily’s fresh for a longer period of time? It’s easy!
I will often buy these at the grocery store just because they smell amazing – they’re beautiful to look at too! I usually buy them closed (and not open as you see here), it doesn’t take them long to open (especially here in Charleston)! Once you get them home, be sure to give them a fresh cut, at an angle, under running, cool water. Then snip the pollen off of the stamens. The central pistil (dark “thing” in the center, is surrounded by pistils that have a rust colored pollen attached. Simply snip the pollen off, leaving the rest of the stamen. (As shown). Now the pollen won’t land on the petals (or furniture!), which means the bloom will be beautiful!
Cut lily’s do best OUT OF THE SUN, they like it nice and cool!
A fresh flower = a Happy Day! Catch you back here tomorrow!
*UPDATE: Susan Graeber and Bridget Jennings correctly guessed artist CAROL MARINE!
Good job ladies – kudos to your sharp eye!
Stay tuned for the next GUEST THE ARTIST (next Friday), in the meantime have a wonderful holiday weekend!
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 artists signature.
Do you know the name of this artist?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the Eden house plan (C0231) by architect Allison Ramsey, (be sure to check out the real images of the interior)! Allison’s homes have such presence. They’re solid, beautiful and they look like they’ve been here for quite a while because they have charm. Charm and character is so important. There are many variations of this plan. I loved each one, so I decided to feature the original and let you check out the variations!
There is a small porch on the front of this house, which is so nice, then you step into the house and LOOK AT THAT ENTRY! You see straight through to the screen porch. What a magnificent view! I would put a wide door with mostly glass, like one from a cottage that we rented in Maine. It was magnificent and can really make a house! We would probably use that front Bedroom (2) as a study. The layout of this plan is so nice – and that screen porch… owie! Love it!
The upstairs has two additional bedrooms. I think I would use one for a guest room and one for storage, so I would only have one bathroom upstairs. What would you do?
Be sure to check out the website, it has been updated with many new plans and a new layout that is easy-breezy to view. So nice!
All images via AllisonRamseyArchitect.com, used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Linda Daly Baker. If you aren’t familiar with her yet, you will be. She is an amazing watercolorist. Her paintings standout, the level of detail, the perfection, the wonderful feelings they hold. I urge you to check out Linda’s website, it’s a treat!
I am featuring two of Linda’s paintings, each is unique, but both have captivating light and detail. The colors are wonderful! I watched Linda’s video on Sketching, and she is so right when she says that if you don’t like your sketch, you won’t like your painting… it’s the simple truth. I know I need to sketch much more! Afternoon Breeze (above) is from such a cool vantage point! I love this perspective, it’s one that is for those who truly can sketch well!
What a fabulous painting. It seems the string and it’s shadow are the stars of this show. I love the piece of furniture and the way the light hits creating a multitude of colors. I have always loved watercolor paintings, there is something about them that can be so magical!
Have you thought about taking a watercolor workshop? Well, are you ever in luck! Check out Linda’s WORKSHOP SCHEDULE! Also be sure to check out Linda’s VIDEOS (and DVD’s too!). I can tell that she would be wonderful to take a workshop from. Nice lady!
Read a bit about Linda, from her website:
Capturing the extraordinary light that transforms a subject almost to abstraction is a main objective in creating my watercolors. My love of white and the soft nuances of gray along wight he richness of earth tones make up my subtle palette, says artist Linda Baker. As a full time artist, she creates originals, reproduces a line of giclees and has two instructional video available through Creative Catalyst Productions, along with jurying and teaching workshops both nationally and internationally. Read more HERE…
…All images via LindaDalyBaker.com, used with permission
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Last time I went to Michigan to visit family, we stopped at a favorite place for dinner. Marine City Fish Company. They have fresh seafood from the nearby lakes (wallet, perch, whitefish, salmon) and they have “Oceanside Seafood”. Normally I pick the local variety, but this flash fried, beer battered, Icelandic cod sure did sound good. The hand cut shoestring fries were amazing, and I’m not a big french fry eater… the homemade tartar sauce was impeccable. The carrots tasty, as was a good-size garden salad. Very good! Of course I had to get the photo shoot in prior to taking a bite, I’m just glad I remembered! Check out their menu! I love menus, ha ha!
This photo is from a previous visit, this is the Cedar Planked White Fish with homemade chips. Wow! Wow! Wow! This actually won a photo contest years ago (thank you Jericho)! It’s as beautiful as it was delicious!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
St. Johns Marsh as seen through the car window – Clay Township/Algonac, MI. Many times when I see a photo and grab for my phone there just isn’t time to get the window down as well. So… that weird reflection in the middle isn’t something in the marsh. Look at this sky. Those peeks of bright cobalt blue underneath the whites and grays of the clouds.
Read more about St. Johns Marsh via this link: bluewaysofstclair.org
Catch you back tomorrow!
I love the simple things in life. A smile, a beautiful flower, dew on a leaf in early morning. As we go through life we all encounter difficult times, happy times and times that we just go through the motions from day to day. Make a point to stop and “smell the roses”, notice the little things to be grateful for, it will make you smile, and when you smile, others will too!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Update 9AM!
We have a winner! Susan Graeber guessed Don Stone – Woot! Woot! Confetti drops from the sky! Good job Susan.
Don’s paintings are amazing – just look at the light – and that water!! Don was a mentor to many, and a first class guy! The art community (among others) miss his presence!
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 artists signature.
Do you know the name of this artist?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
House Plan: 102 Henderson Road by Our Town Plans. We all know that Our Town Plans has gorgeous large home plans, but they also have fabulous cottage plans and even smaller house plans. 102 Henderson Road is 536 square feet, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I love the rustic look of it. This plan is as sweet as it can be with a wonderful screened porch (which adds to your living area!) and a small back porch and entrance.
Compact? Yes, but for those of you who are looking for small, and for first time home buyers who don’t need a large home yet, how perfect is this? Be sure to check out their website, they have plans for all sizes and styles. Gorgeous!
All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
ARTFOODHOME.COM 