Decorations at Belmond Charleston Place Hotel…

Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, SC

*FEATURING PHOTOS THIS WEEK; WILL RESUME REGULAR POSTS NEXT WEEK!

This photo is from an outing with Fred & Charlie a little over a week ago. Beautiful decorations everywhere. Belmond Charleston Place is beautiful, full of wonderful shops, it’s a treat to visit! There are also a few restaurants, Palmetto Cafe, which we have only been to for brunch (highly suggest) and Charleston Grill. If you’re in Charleston, you definitely want to walk through the hotel.

Update, this hotel is no longer owned by Belmond, but it remains beautiful (links have been removed).

Afternoon Tea at the Thoroughbred Club. Afternoon tea at this hotel is exquisite. It’s been many years since we have splurged, but what a treat it is! Not to be forgotten!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charlie in his happy place!

Charlie in his happy place!

*FEATURING PHOTOS THIS WEEK; WILL RESUME REGULAR POSTS NEXT WEEK!

A little over a week ago all was right with the world. Fred, Charlie and I headed downtown, to see the Christmas decorations and visit a few stores. Charlie has a big time and so do we. It’s an adventure from start to finish.

Then… a jump off the bed tore his CCL (ACL in humans), so today, after much research and consultation, he is having surgery. Please keep him in your thoughts, prayers, good vibes or anything else you’ve got. He’s a sweet beast.

Do you have a suggestion for how to keep a Jack Russell calm for an extended period of time without being able to walk him? If so, let me know! For now, George Winston keeps him calm… unless a dog, cat, squirrel, bird, person, car, bike or anything else that moves goes by…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Window Dressing… brilliant!

Window in Charleston

*Featuring photos this week; will resume regular posts next week!

 

How is this for a unique holiday window in Charleston? I love how Ooh Ooh Shoes! used the bottom part of the Christmas tree as a “skirt”, topped with a fitted jacket, a clutch bag, and pearls, of course!

I also like the subtle reflections of the stores across the street – get downtown if you haven’t been! It’s beautiful!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Lost Art of the Painted Photograph with Corlis Caroll!

Corlis Carrol Lost art of the painted photograph ccfb

Corlis Carroll. What a dynamic soul! She has such a big heart, and she is as full of life as she can be! Corlis has mastered the art of the painted photograph. Be sure to stop by her show, it’s sure to be a treat!

Location: 1855 Western Avenue, (1 mile west of of Crossgates Mall), Albany, New York – Look for the colored bee boxes.

Corlis Carroll - Monhegan, Maine

One thing about Corlis, she is enthusiastic about her art. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She brings a smile to your face, and so do her paintings. She has a joie de vivre that cannot be denied!

There was a wonderful article in Spotlightnews.com about Corlis, to read, click HERE.

Read about the process, from her Facebook page:

In 1990, at the University at Albany, Corlis Carroll took a class in “Alternative Methods in Photography”. Upon graduation from UAlbany, (Phi Beta Kappa, 1994, major in art), Corlis soon moved to a remote island off the coast of Maine and lived there summers, first working as a house keeper for lodging and wages. In her “off” hours, Corlis could be seen in the village, on the cliffs or in the forest with paints and easel. Beginning in 1981 with a camera, she later turned to painting in oil and gouache for the study of light, composition and color. In 2013, she returned to her earlier love of the painted photograph and found a new world and a treasure trove of beautiful possibilities.

The painted photograph is an art form that has only been seen minimally since middle-class women found a hobby in it during the early to mid-twentieth century, and portrait photographers used it to color the hair, cheeks and lips of their subjects.

It is how color was commonly achieved in Photography.

There are only two methods in painting that begin with the gray scale: Grisaille, a paint medium and the Painted Photograph.
Covering gray with color creates a palette that is oddly familiar and visually pleasing though slightly confusing. 

Corlis is often asked: “what am I looking at? Is it a painting? Is it a photograph?”

It is both.

A blip about the show, from Corlis Caroll’s Facebook page:

Stickley Furniture delivers 9 thousand dollars in gorgeous Furniture for the show TODAY. They have been so supportive, so generous. Thank you John Hanson, 10 year designer for Stickley. Your guidance and expertise is so appreciated. You and Stickley have been so supportive. See you tomorrow.

I was paid the highest compliment of my life yesterday by a gentleman and business owner who has been active in the arts for over 30 years in the Albany area.

He said: “You are a great artist.” 

Be still my heart. I wanted to cry. It was 1980 when I first picked up the camera. 35 years later and these are, without a doubt, the most wonderfully affirming words that I have ever heard.

Thank you Gary Weitzman, owner, Artforms, Guilderland, NY. You are too kind. 

THE LOST ART OF THE PAINTED PHOTOGRAPH
12-6 through 12-9, from 3-7. The Irish Coffee, Cookies and Krause’s Chocolates are calling you…and the Art too, of course.

So grateful. Thank you for taking time out of your busy holiday schedule to take a look. Bring the children. They are my favorite people.

All images via Corlis F Caroll Facebook page, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A little something to make you smile…

Charleston!

I have lived here in Charleston since right before hurricane Hugo (1989). I can’t believe it’s been nearly 27 years that I’ve been here.There are so many things I love about Charleston. The architecture is out of this world. The food.. ohmygosh, every possible type of restaurant and cuisine that you can imagine. We are a foodie city for sure. We are big on the arts and entertainment.

Charleston has class without a doubt. When you meander your way through downtown streets, as well as some streets around the outlying areas, you see such beauty.

Then there are the unexpected treasures like this frog. A little something to bring a smile to your day…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: William Harmuth!

The End by William Harmuth

The End by William Harmuth  12×12″  Oil on Canvas

I think this is a fabulous painting by Will Harmuth. All the wonderful reflections in this cool camper. It’s such a happy painting! It’s also a perfect size to tuck in a small area to brighten a room! This would make a great Christmas gift!

First Snowflakes of Winter by Will Harmuth

First Snowflakes of Winter by Will Harmuth  24×30″  Oil on Canvas

What a striking composition! Very regal. Another great painting by Will Harmuth! I love snow paintings. Be sure to check out Will’s website, he’s got so many gorgeous paintings!

Read a bit about Will, from his website:

Paint What You Know…

Early on I knew that I had a great interest in making art and have furthered that passion with the help of a great deal of academic training and mentoring from many gifted artists and instructors on my path to becoming an artist.

Whether it’s the first light of day, the beautiful textures of an old sycamore tree, or a local stream trickling over icy rocks in the woods, I find great satisfaction in painting those special moments in time.

Early art school training from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and the Art Students League lead toward a career in Manhattan illustrating art works for Invisible Man, Call of the Wild, and Kafka for the Franklin Library. Just recently I was commissioned to portray The Red Cross 9/11 comfort dog “Rusty” son of Lassie for the 9/11 Museum in Manhattan.

My early fascination with watercolor painting has helped me to have a more free direct brush work that I now have with oil painting in an alla prima or as I like to say Robert Henri’s One Go method of painting. I always try to focus greatly on what emotionally grabs my attention and work feverishly to get that feeling onto the canvas.

Reading the works of Robert Henri, “The Art Spirit”, was great help in my awareness in creating art. It is a conversational book of lectures, anecdotes and personal thoughts of the very inspiration of creating art. Many artists ask me what are the secrets, tips, or tricks to make art…
​I always respond by suggesting they read The Art Spirit. I always say there are no simple or easy tricks to creating art, but great persistence and passion thru disappointments will bring you out to the other side.

I look forward to working further with oils, studying atmosphere, color, form and nature, and have become most comfortable in creating the paintings want to create.

I have exhibited with the American Water Color Society, NJ Watercolor Society, and many other various art groups and organizations.

There is no end to the possibilities of inspiration from nature.

All images via willharmuth.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 200 Madison Street by Our Town Plans!

200 Madison Street Our Town Plans

This is the 200 Madison Street house plan by Our Town Plans, and it’s a beauty! This plan is roughly 1,719 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Don’t you just love the wrap around porch? The lines of this plan are so nice. I would have a table and a few comfy chairs on the front porch. On the table I would have a lamp that gives off nice warm light. I think that makes a house look so warm and inviting.

200 Madison Street Our Town Plans

When you come up the front steps onto the porch of this plan, you enter into the living rom. The Living, Dining and Kitchen are open and share a wonderful space.  There are French doors off of the Dining room giving you the option to screen part of the porch so that bugs don’t get in or leave it unscreened for parties, keeping doors open, there is quite a bit of real estate on those wonderful porches!

200 Madison Street - Our Town Plans

The upstairs is kept nice and simple. A great Bedroom, Sitting room and Bathroom. What a luxury to have another Sitting room! This is one classy plan!

Our Town Plans has wonderful house plans, large home, small home, outbuilding, you name it!

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!

Featured Artist: Chris Wilke! (Show through January 7, 2016)!

Blue Buoy by Chris Wilke

Chris Wilke. Wow! Her paintings are dynamic. Her colors are profound. Not the overly bright, or too toned down variety. Her paintings are wonderful, lively and just beautiful! I just love this painting. Those wonderful shapes, colors, shadows and light. Wow!

If you’re in the Easton area, be sure to check out the Small Treasures Show at 717 Gallery. The show runs through January 7, 2016. A collection of paintings by Chris Wilke and Louis Escobedo!

Read a bit about Chris, from her website:

I’m an Eastern Shore native and art has always been part of my life. I kept up my interest in art by becoming a collector of works of art and antiques and about three years ago I refocused my interest in art by returning to the studio.

I worked in watercolor and graphite and currently I am focusing on oils. I devote all of my time to studying and painting and have taken numerous workshops.  Currently I study principally with my mentor Louis Escobedo.  I am inspired by many artists, chief among them, Louis Escobedo, John Singer Sargent and the Russian Impressionists, principally Fedor Zacharov and Sergei Bongart.

My current focus is on the immediacy and freedom of alla prima painting. I am inspired by light, color, and composition to represent a moment in time. Working predominately in still life, my creativity is driven to capture and reflect the diversity of everyday life. I take a painterly and impressionistic approach to color and light.

I had the honor recently to become a partner with Louis (Escobedo) and his wife Yolanda at 717 Gallery in Easton, MD.

All images via ChrisWilkeFineArt.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Recipe: Kale, Sausage & White Bean Soup with Potato… Easy!

Kale Sausage & White Bean Soup with Potato

This soup is so wonderful during chilly weather. It is incredibly quick and easy to make, yet tastes like something you worked on all day! I ran across the original recipe on the 100 Days of Real Food website. I made a few changes, just because I had an extra large bunch of kale to use and because I wanted to add thinly sliced potato which really added quite nicely, reminiscent of a soup at Olive Garden restaurant.

Here is my version of the 100 Days of Real Food recipe for Kale, Sausage and White Bean Soup, (click HERE to print):

Kale, Sausage, White Bean Soup with Potato

Olive Oil

½-1 Onion, peeled and diced

2 cloves Garlic (I use microplane, but you can mince)

1 pound Chicken Italian Sausage links, cut into ¼” slices

6 cups Chicken Stock/Broth (48 oz)

1 bunch of Lacinato Kale, washed stalks removed, and chopped

2 cans Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed (or other white bean)

1-2 Yukon Gold potatoes (large), quartered and sliced thin.

Pepper, taste before adding Salt.

Note: If you have a large bunch of kale, you can add more chicken broth, I added 4 cups (32 oz.), I also added one more can of cannellini beans (rinsed and drained).

Instructions

Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 2-3 minutes. Remove onion and put in small dish to add back later.

Add sausage (in batches so that it browns slightly) – cook for 5 minutes (if sliced rather thin, or 10 minutes if thicker).

When sausage is almost done add the garlic and stir while it cooks about 30 seconds or until fragrant (if pan is dry use a little olive oil before adding garlic).

Add onions back into the pot with sausage and garlic.

Add chicken broth, and stir to loosen browned bits on bottom of pan.

Add the sliced potato, and cook until you can pierce with a fork.

Now add the chopped kale, beans, Salt (if you need it) and Pepper. Cook 10-20 minutes, until beans are hot and kale is wilted.

Original soup recipe from 100daysofrealfood.com!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Louis Escobedo!

20 Shades of Blue by Louis Escobedo

20 Shades of Blue by Louis Escobedo  17×16″

Louis Escobedo. His paintings are fantastic. The colors that he uses draw me in. I love his abstract strokes amidst the reality of what he’s painting. It is the perfect combination! Louis is an award winning artist with such a wonderful array of subject matter. Be sure to check out his website!

Summer Bouquet by Louis Escobedo

Summer Bouquet by Louis Escobedo  16×20″

Another fabulous painting with those abstract strokes. I think it really makes the focus of his paintings stand out even more. This is just beautiful!

Don’t miss the Small Treasures show at 717 Gallery (Easton, MD), featuring both Louis Escobedo and Chris Wilke. It will be a show not to be forgotten – it runs through January 7, 2016!

Are you interested in taking a workshop with Louis next year? Here is his WORKSHOP link!

Read a blip about Louis from his website:

As an artist I believe composition and values are the most important elements in a painting. I look for dramatic lighting effects, depth, and abstract shapes. I strive to evoke a feeling about the subject, even very ordinary ones in my paintings.  

Color is a person’s signature, a personal form of expression and another sense an artist can use to communicate.  I intermingle abstract shapes and color to energize my subjects, which include landscapes, still lifes, and figures. Sometimes I have to watch myself and not use color as a crutch. Color are my kids, you have to watch your values before they can come out to play. Sometimes they want to come out to play real fast, and I have to say, wait until I’m ready for you! 

All images via Louis Escobedo, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hawk Alert for pets under 12 pounds.

Hawk

Recently one of the veterinarians in the area posted a warning on their Facebook page. If you have small animals (under 12 pounds typically), to be aware of the hawks.

WHAT????!!!!

I read that post and then saw a hawk swoop into the azaleas, grab some poor soul and take off. It happened so fast I couldn’t believe it. The next day I let Charlie out the back door, Fred saw the hawk in the tree right there. It was eyeing Charlie (trying to figure the weight?? ha), and then it flew off. We went outside with him.

Can you imagine? This hawk looked young, I’m no expert, but it didn’t look as big as the one I think we saw the other day…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Tis the Season…

 

Tis the Season!

Tis the Season! Charleston is decorated and ready. So many of the storefronts are just beautiful. Every time we come downtown I swear there is a new restaurant, store or other cool place that we have yet to see! So many wonderful things happening in one city. People playing music. Outdoor lounges with heaters and beautiful furniture. Rooftop dining and drinks. This little city is something else!

It’s all dressed up for the Christmas and holiday season. A wonderful way to spend the day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Quiet Reflections…

Coastal Maiine

Look at this sky! This photo from the coast of Maine is very fitting for this time of year. Short daylight hours, the wild clouds in the sky. That wonderful light, however fleeting.

I think spending time after Thanksgiving reflecting on all you have to be grateful for is the perfect way to fast forward you into the upcoming year. Time flies so quickly!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Elliot Appel!

Quintessence by Elliot Appel

Quintessence by Elliot Appel  20×16″

What a wonderful painting by artist Elliot Appel. Light is what usually draws me to a painting, and it does here as well, but it’s the shadows that seem to take center stage. All the shadows make the light in that fabulous orange awning really stand out! Just beautiful!

Elliot also does commissions, so if that is of interest to you, be sure to check it out. He does wonderful house portraits!

Read a bit about Elliot, from his website:

Elliot Appel was born in New York City, in 1952, and has been painting for over 30 years. An independent artist, he is self-taught, having taken art history classes at New York’s City College, then fortifying his education soon afterward with trips to France, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, and Greece, where he spent time observing, sketching, and painting. 

Working primarily with acrylics, Mr. Appel’s cityscapes and storefronts call to mind the iconic images of American artists like John Sloan or Edward Hopper, who were influenced by film, and whose crisp, light-flooded takes on modern realistic street scenes inspired American film sets in the 1940s and 50s. Mr. Appel’s images of old New York City storefronts, with their dispossessed air, graffiti-covered doorways, and grime, both repel and draw the viewer into the cinematic-like worlds that he creates. His method is simple: walking around the city, one neighborhood at a time, camera in-hand he searches for an eye-catching subject- an antiquated doorway, an interesting street performer, an eye-catching reflection in a window. His use of vibrant color, unique perspective as well as his uncompromising eye for detail add his own personal style every subject he paints and contribute to a singular view of life in the big city. In general, his paintings take about two to three weeks to complete, depending on the amount of detail involved. 

His commissioned paintings of houses and pets, as well as his portrait paintings, are very popular and widely praised for their individually personalized style.

Images via ElliotPaints.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!