At risk of repeating myself… it’s the little things in life that can be so magical. The way water droplets cling to a leaf. The light reflecting – it seems as if the water would spread out and not stay in a droplet form. #noticethelittlethings #fortheyarethebigthings #magiceverywhereyoulook
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Early Spring our local Harris Teeter had potted geraniums on sale for $5. FIVE dollars – including the pot! I snapped one up. We had it on our front porch but soon it was too warm and the geranium started to suffer – we then moved it to our backyard where it has been thriving ever since. When I say thriving, I mean this plant has bloomed constantly – it’s remarkable – and I would say very happy where it’s at! It’s added a pretty pop of color since Spring.
Best $5 ever 😉 – happy Saturday, I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!!
Steven S. Walker. An incredible artist that I featured back in 2014 (a brilliant nocturne that was also the winner of Plein Air Salon’s “Best Nocturne” – I couldn’t agree more). His paintings are so special – just look at this one above – how beautiful he captured the light, that magical light in the trees, grass, shrubs and a hint of it on the fabulous house in the distance.
I AM CRAZY about the trees he is painting, from a unique angle – LOOKING UP! Check out his FB/Instagram to see what I mean. Whoa! Nice guy, fabulous artist –
Read a bit about Steven, from his website:
“I didn’t come from a family of artists, I wasn’t top of my class or win a lot of awards but I’ve always had a strong work ethic and the passion to work on my craft.”
Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and raised in Richmond, Virginia he discovered his love for art at a very early age. With little interest in anything else, Steven took the next big step towards his pursuit of a career in art when he earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. He would later earn his masters in fine arts from Marywood University, where he also met his wife/ fellow artist Evelyn.
Instant success was not in the cards as Steven continued showing at a string of coffee shops, libraries and other businesses. Eventually his hard work paid off with a few local awards that soon caught the attention of two gallery owners. Since his venture into gallery life, his landscapes have been well received by collectors as his paintings are part of several private collections such as Airstream Inc., Hilton Hotels, the Boy Scouts of America, Dominion Resources, Virginia State Department, the National Parks Service, the Columbus Convention Center and the United States Air Force.
Since going full time as an artist in 2008, Steven has been included in several local and national juried competitions including the Richeson 75 Landscape Competition, Plein Air Salon, the International Salon Competition, the Oil Painters of America Salon and the Art Renewal Center. Steven also had the privilege of being a part of a statewide traveling exhibition with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
He has participated in several artist in residency programs in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Colorado. In 2014, he was selected to create the Ohio Governor’s Art Awards by the Ohio Arts Council and in 2015 he received honorable mention in the Southwest Art Magazine’s Artistic Excellence Competition.
Steven currently resides in Hahira, Georgia where he continues to work hard on the advancement of his career, with the assistance of his lovely wife Evelyn and studio assistant/daughter Poppy. Currently, his work is represented in Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.
“I should have quit years ago but that would have proven so many people right.” – SW
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the 53 Bluffton Trail House Plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 2,149 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The front porch is a nice deep porch perfect for an outdoor living space. The back porch is screened – ahh! How nice is that? Privacy and protection from the bugs!
The 53 Bluffton Trail plan has an open living, dining, kitchen area and two bedrooms on the main floor (including the master). Our Town Plans are plans that have character. Attention to detail means a lot!
This unique plan has a bedroom, bunk room and study upstairs along with a lot of storage – which we ALL need! The bunk room has built in bookshelves and window seats – CHARM and a great usable space!
Take a peek at this plan, and at the other plans by Our Town Plans!
See images of a home that was built using this plan – Beautiful!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Teddi Parker. This woman paints such fun and interesting paintings. I love her paintings of bees (as well as every other subject!). This painting has a fabulous abstract background – the bees are lively and bright – and Interesting! Be sure to read her bio – (It’s fabulous!) I usually try to feature available pieces but it looks like Teddi’s work sells pretty quickly on Daily Paintworks (check link below) – she paints often, so be sure to check today and check back often!
As a side note: This painting also gave me the chance to say how much we NEED to help save the bees! 🐝🐝🐝 SaveBees.org has some good ideas on how you can help!
See more of Teddi’s work via these links:
Read a bit about Teddi, from her website (I love this – you get a great sense of who Teddi is via this bio – great sense of humor):
Here’s what I hang on walls next to shows (well edited by my husband) :
My passion for painting started at a young age and was greatly encouraged by my family throughout my early life. With this foundation in place, I began to experiment and learn new techniques over the course of the semester I studied Spanish in Argentina. While living in Buenos Aires, I purchased canvasses and paints and then carried the finished paintings through the subway system by hand. Just imagine that for a minute. ::wink::
Through the gracious advice and critique of my pen-pal mentor, I am now making up for the lack of formal artistic training in my past and am currently learning how to better evoke emotion through vibrant use of color.
What started out simply as a hobby (and a means to cover the empty walls of my friends’ apartments) has sprouted into a discovery of the power of beauty through painting. I love Jesus, and that is what gives me the confidence to approach a fresh, empty canvass and bring it to life. After all, he’s the real creator of beauty.
Here’s what I actually sound like:
My husband and I live in Fort Collins, CO. I moved out here from Minnesota to go to school for Spanish, and still love everything about languages but have pursued expressing creativity and embracing the need to create more and more. My whole family is creative and right-brained, so I really enjoy being married to a left-brained engineer to keep things organized and business-y. Thanks Love.
I recently discovered the online community of artists at the Daily Paintworks website and have been floored with inspiration ever since. The site is full of artists from everywhere and they are committed to doing a small painting everyday > and here’s my new conviction. It hit me fresh how any skill is like learning to play an instrument, you need to practice. So after all this hesitation and resistance I’m diving in. Follow my adventure here as I post new paintings (almost) daily with hopefully a blurb of thoughts. My hope through this daily painting venture is to improve my skills in capturing a unified piece using minimal and well placed brush strokes, better understand color theory through practice, and experiment with composition. I admire the suggestive-ness of the many artists that inspire me lately, and hope to incorporate this into my work.
Enjoy!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Links updated 2/7/25
Pork Medallions with Fennel, Apple & Sweet Potato Slaw is a fabulous (and dare I say beautiful) recipe from Cooking Light Magazine. It’s the perfect recipe for fall. I thought the Fennel, Apple & Sweet Potato Slaw (pictured above) was just beautiful alongside the pork medallions! (In my haste I forgot to garnish with fennel fronds, so mine may look a bit bare, but believe me, it’s FULL of taste!).
I always thought I didn’t care for fennel (never having had it) because I heard it tastes like licorice. Let me say. I love it! It does taste a bit like licorice, but it’s different, and the texture is wonderful (similar to celery), especially combined with apples – what a treat! The slices of baked sweet potato add such color to this dish!
Click HERE to print this recipe (via the Cooking Light website – click on the green printer icon) – it’s a keeper for sure! QUICK to put together as well – the recipe shows a total of 35 minutes to put this together.
I made a few changes for the slaw: I only used one (1/2#) pork tenderloin, since there are just two of us. I used 1 medium fennel bulb, 1 large apple, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon shallots for the slaw –
And a few changes for the pork: I didn’t have grainy mustard (for the pork) so I used a total of 3 tablespoons of dijon – I also used the full 1/2 cup of cider and omitted the butter (initially by mistake – but it was so fabulous I decided not to add the next time I made it).
EXCELLENT recipe!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Adam Clague. Wow. His paintings are so incredible – just look at the light coming through the grapefruit section! Is that not crazy good? It looks like you can reach into the painting and pick it up. Adam paints pretty much everything – fabulous portraits, landscapes and still life’s. Beautiful website as well!
See more of Adam’s work via these links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Blog
Read a bit about Adam, from his website:
Adam Clague has a passion for faithfully capturing the beauty of God’s creation in paint. Adam paints in an impressionistic manner and works from life as much as possible to produce the most life-like results.
The artist received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Pensacola Christian College. It was during his studies that Adam met his wife and fellow painter, Andrea Orr Clague. The couple now lives near Kansas City, Missouri and enjoys pursuing art together.
Adam is a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and a director for the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society. In 2012, he was included in Southwest Art Magazine’s annual “21 Under 31” feature. His work has also been published in Artists On Art and Pratique Des Arts magazines. Adam’s work has received national awards, including the Portraiture Award of Excellence at the 2013 OPA National Exhibition, 2nd Honor Award at the 2014 Portrait Society of America International Competition, and Best of Show at the 2016 American Impressionist Society National Exhibition. Adam enjoys sharing what he has learned by teaching regular workshops to a growing audience.
Adam’s goal is to create art that edifies his viewers and directs them upward. He strives to share the beauty he sees with others and seeks to glorify the Lord through his work and life.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
The Lupine Gallery – Monhegan, Maine. THE perfect reason to plan a trip to the island, whether it’s just for a day or for longer – it’s so worth it to make it out to this gallery. This is the view from the upstairs, pretty stunning isn’t it? My husband and I spend a lot of time walking around and enjoying the many fabulous artists that have work there. They also have wonderful cards, books, etc.
If you’re wanting to take a peek at what they have right now, lucky you! You can go online! Go check it out! Click the link below…
Here’s a little blip about the gallery, from their website:
ABOUT LUPINE GALLERY
Established in 1985 by husband and wife team Bill Boynton and Jackie Boegel, Lupine Gallery is at the heart of the vibrant and historic art community of Monhegan Island. We take pride in showing and selling works by many of the finest artists working on Monhegan today, and also feature paintings from great artists of the past.
The gallery is located on the Island, on the main village road and just up the hill from the town wharf. We are open from 11 am- 4:30 pm, seven days a week, from May into October, and are available during the off-season by chance or appointment. We live year round on Monhegan, and welcome your call or email anytime.
Contact us by phone at 207-594-8131 or via email.
We offer safe, insured shipping to any destination, or can package your new acquisition to safely and securely travel home with you.
In addition to original artwork, we carry an inventory of fine art prints and cards of Monhegan, including signed limited edition giclee prints by Jamie Wyeth, Paul Niemiec, Kevin Beers and Mary Alice Treworgy. Our book selections range from the history of art on the island to many books of interest to artists and collectors today. We also stock a selection of paints and art supplies, and are always happy to fill special orders.
We also offer custom mat cutting and framing services, with an emphasis on conservation framing.
Whether you’re staying at one of Monhegan’s inns or cottages, attending an artists’ workshop, or just visiting for a day, stop in and say hello, and enjoy our ever-evolving group show and exciting special exhibits.
We’re looking forward to seeing you on the Rock!
Bill Boynton and Jackie Boegel
Click here for some links to helpful websites and island businesses, to help you plan your visit.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Aren’t these flowers so cool? Not a lot of color which kind of makes them unique. Who knows what these are called? I don’t know if this is how they always look or if this is toward the end of their lives? I just know that I find these flowers fascinating. The subtle purple hue is too cool! Monhegan flowers – they’re stunning!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Michael Magrin. A remarkable artist who paints the landscape in such a way that is so tranquil. The calming nature of his work is so appreciated. Beautiful color palette, soft yet dramatic enough to depict the changing sky – stunning clouds, bits of light on the landscape – so well done!
Michael’s faith is apparent in his paintings and that is so refreshing!
See more of Michael’s work via these links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Read a bit about Michael, from his website:
I am drawn to the landscape. It has a hold on me.
The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim His handiwork.
The landscape always reveals God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, which can be clearly observed and comprehended so that I am without excuse.
The daily newness of the landscape reminds me that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Pre-Medical Illustration and a Masters in Secondary Science Education. He resides in Colorado with his wife and two kids, paints daily, teaches often and is fully persuaded that the Lord will do what he promises.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the Hazelhurst Residence house plan by Lake and Land Studio. This plan measures 1,380 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms – what a sharp design!
The great room area is vaulted with windows installed up high – this lets wonderful light pour into the room – and what’s better than natural light? This home also has two porches, one on the front and a screened porch located off of the great room. So on those wonderful evenings you can open your doors and let the fresh air in – you can also sit outside on your screened porch without mosquitoes fluttering in your ear!
This plan gives everyone their own space which is really nice. There is a bedroom on each end of the house with bathrooms and laundry in the middle. The center of the home is kitchen and living space – nice, right??!!
Click HERE to order this plan – it couldn’t be easier! AND, if you would like some changes to be made to the current design, they’re more than willing to work with you to make your new home your dream home…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
All images via LakeandLandStudio.com, used with permission…
Warning… Once you start looking at Paul Heaton’s sketches you won’t be able to stop! Each one is so full of fabulousness (is that a word? Apparently so!) – This guy can sketch like you wouldn’t believe. He does it often (which is very obvious). He’s got a great sense of humor (read his bio below!). He offers online classes via Cratsy (link below). Everyone wants to know how to draw, they say if you draw ten minutes a day, every day you will see a noticeable improvement and it doesn’t take years and years. It’s kind of like writing, none of us were born knowing how to write, but you learn and then TA-DA! You can do it! Wouldn’t it be so cool to learn how to draw – learn perspective and any tips/tricks that would make it a little easier? That’s where I think classes would be a big help – that along with daily practice you will be amazing! So what’s holding you back? Paper, pencils, eraser… easy to take with you wherever you go – and perhaps a Craftsy class?
See more of Paul’s work via these links:
Facebook | Instagram | Blog | Online Classes via Cratsy
Read a bit about Paul, from his blog:
I really like to draw. I paint, too, though I’m not as fond of it (or as good at it). I also teach art, sell art supplies, pretend to blog, and other stuff.
I’ve been a correspondent for Urban Sketchers since (almost) the beginning, first from Bozeman, Montana, then from San Antonio, Texas (my hometown) and now from Denver, Colorado.I received an MFA in painting from Montana State University in 2008 because I’d been there long enough and they acquiesced to my demand of a degree in exchange for my paying tuition and learning and stuff.I am happily married in Denver to the extraordinary and rather intimidating Linda Permann. We have a dog, Freddie, who is not intimidating, but he does smell funny.I also have a daughter, Juniper, who is already starting to threaten my status as the best artist in the family.I have contributed artwork to these books:The Art of Urban Sketching by Gabi CampanarioUrban Sketching: The Complete Guide to Techniques by Thomas ThorspeckenCapitol Knits by Tanis GrayOther Peoples’ Love Letters by Bill Shapiro
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Chicken salad. A tasty lunch, served alone, on top of lettuce, inside a pita or between two pieces of bread. However you like it – this is a fabulous recipe. It’s so quick and easy, especially if you bake an extra chicken breast. One night a week we have baked/roasted chicken, we split one chicken breast and make another for a recipe, such as Quick Green Chicken Chili or Chicken Salad.
This is a curry chicken salad – which adds a nice sweetness. I shred one large chicken breast with two forks. Add celery, green onion, walnuts, dried cherries or cranberries, several shakes of curry powder, salt, pepper, about a tablespoon of canola mayonnaise and a big blob of Greek yogurt.
That’s it! Stir it around – it will taste like something you got at a nice restaurant for lunch! This day I had it on one half of a whole wheat pita with apple slices (apple slices were good tucked into the pita too)! Make it your own, add more of what you like and don’t add what you don’t like. This is so flexible. I have omitted the mayo entirely and it was still good, just a little less creamy and a wee bit more tart. Having a teeny bit of mayo seemed to take care of that!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Sharon Weaver. Loving the light in this tree – it’s that fabulous light that makes everything look so breathtaking! Paintings give you a feel for a place an artist has been – this is a beautiful spot!
See more of Sharon’s work via these links:
Website | Facebook | Blog | Classes
Read a bit about Sharon, from her website:
Landscape oil painter
To experience an emotion
Trigger a memory
Communicate a mood
Through the use of
Color
Composition
And light
Martha Graham described the artist’s state of mind as “divine dissatisfaction,” a condition which “keeps us marching.”
Finding this quote helped me to understand my constant restlessness with my art, the feeling that I have more to do. I now embrace this condition and direct my passion at the task of creating. Harnessing that energy has been instrumental in my continuing efforts to grow, improve and learn.
I experiment with color, reduce my subject to abstract shapes and design my painting to my liking, all the while using my impressions from the natural world. How I translate my surroundings into art is what inspires me. Realizing that I always will have more to learn keeps me motivated.
Sharon Weaver was juried into the Oil Painters of America 20th Annual National Exhibition and an award winner at the Carmel Art Festival. She is a founding member of PAC6 Painters; a group dedicated to painting the beauty and grandeur of the American landscape. The group exhibited at the Santa Paula Art Museum in a show with over 80 paintings in 2017. Her recent work was featured in a four page article in the February-March 2017 issue of Plein Air Magazine and she was invited to the San Dimas Art Festival and received the Bronze Medal for her work. Sharon teaches an ongoing studio landscape class with Kline Academy of Fine Art. She also teaches a recurring workshop called Landscape Bootcamp.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Fall skies are so amazing to me. Just look at these clouds with the light filtering through. Out walking when I snapped this photo. The sky was FULL of these stunning clouds. Take time to look up and enjoy the beautiful view!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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