Featured Artist: Zac Retz!

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

Painting by Zac Retz

Zac Retz is a Visual Development Artist at Sony Pictures – never heard of a VisDev artist? Click on the link to learn more.

I haven’t really explored the world of digital paintings much, but let me tell you, after looking at Zac’s Instagram and Facebook, I am hooked! He has such a way of portraying feeling with his work – it amazes me the amount of talent in one person. Zac is very good at what he does, and in his spare time it looks like he paints (as shown above). Lunch breaks or any free bit of time is spent doing a small painting that is STUNNING. There are so many, you’ve got to look for yourself! I can’t wait to see what he paints next!

See more of Zac’s work via these links:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via instagram.com/zacretz, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.
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How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Pair With Boiled Shrimp)!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

During the hot summer months we have boiled shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce, corn on the grill, cucumbers and Greek yogurt with dill quite often. It’s a quick mostly do ahead meal that is as pretty as it is delicious.

It’s so quick and easy to make your own cocktail sauce and you can tailor it to your tastebuds (i.e. I like a lot of horseradish).

HOMEMADE COCKTAIL SAUCE

Ingredients:

Ketchup, Lemon and Prepared Horseradish

In a small bowl add ketchup, (the amount of cocktail sauce you think you’ll need – for just the two of us I would guess about 1/3- 1/2 cup for 1 pound of shrimp – more if you use a lot of it. Squeeze in a wedge of lemon (again, more if you like it lemony, less if you do not), this will brighten the flavor, and finally add a teaspoon or two of prepared horseradish (to your taste). Give it a good stir and it’s ready!

I know, right? WHY did you ever buy it in a jar when it literally only takes 2 minutes to whip up and tastes far fresher! Enjoy!

BOILED SHRIMP

We boil the shrimp 3-4 minutes (don’t boil too long!), then into an ice bath, drain when cool and into the fridge until ready to eat!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Patrick Saunders!

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

Mercer and Congress by Patrick Saunders 16×20″ Oil

Patrick Saunders. This guy is one prolific artist. Painting at various events around the country (check his website for details) – so many great paintings. Hard to pick just one (go look – you’ll see what I mean) – I selected this painting because it has such character and is so different. Those vibrant greens with the purple -whoa! Like magic!

Find more of Patrick’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog  

(Check Patrick’s website for more social media links!)

Read a bit about Patrick, from his website:

Patrick Saunders is an artist, painting and creating art while traveling across North America in an Airstream Bambi with his photographer wife, Kimberly. He has studied with many renowned painters, including Mark English, Malcolm Liepke, Wilbur Niewald, Richard Schmid, and Burton Silverman. Painting a variety of subjects including portraits, pet portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and florals – Patrick’s work is sold internationally.

Always seeking the next challenge, Patrick has worked as an illustrator, designer, animator, educator, musician, entrepreneur, and a fine artist. Throughout his career, Patrick has been recognized by his peers for outstanding work, earning awards – continue reading HERE!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

 

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

SORRY to those of you who don’t deal well with the creepy crawly things – I can certainly relate!

Oh the memories… I had a realistic size black plastic spider 🕷 when I was a kid. On occasion I would leave it somewhere to surprise my family (sorry about that) – I would hear a SHREEEEEK – AH! They found it, hee hee. Undoubtedly I would forget about it and go about my business and when I least expected it, there it was  🕷 😳 A shreeeeeek would erupt from deep within, heart palpitations ensued. Ah, they got me back! There were long lapses in between spider hidings – I think I had to let the memory wear off, ha ha… Hmmm, wonder where that spider is?

You’ll hear me if I find it!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED

Reflections: Tenants Harbor, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph2 Comments

Tenants Harbor, Maine

Just look at this water – it’s like glass, which really made the reflections stand out even more. I took this photo several years ago – I remember walking around Tenants Harbor, near the East Wind Inn. We had dinner reservations and arrived early, so I was able to get some amazing photos before dinner. Woohoo!

Enjoy your Saturday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED

Featured Artist: Maria Reardon!

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

Sunset by Maria Reardon 12×16 Pastel

Maria Reardon creates lively pastel paintings. You can see the sun setting through the trees in this painting, aptly named, Sunset. I like the various colors that are going on. Very nice!

Check out more of Maria’s work, via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Read a bit about Maria, from her website:

Maria Reardon paints the world around her. Working primarily in pastels, she loves being outdoors, immersed in the world, observing and experiencing everything going on around her.  She’s drawn to the unique and ever-changing relationships of form and color.   She is intrigued by the unexpected combinations of light and color which characterize her work, while working within the confines of physical forms and the spaces they inhabit. 

“A painting is an opportunity to explore something new. A new subject matter, a new color or technique.  That’s one of the things I love about plein air and painting from life, the experience will be different and exciting every time. I am seeking to represent a mood or an emotional quality but also be representative of the specific location.”

Maria is a Virginia native and received her formal education from Virginia Commonwealth University earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in illustration. She studied portraiture with Daniel Greene and continued her study of landscape by attending workshops with Albert Handell, Lorenzo Chavez and other nationally known artists. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Richmond area and is in private collections.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

The 78 Biloxi Street House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

This is the 78 Biloxi Street House Plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 2,473 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Two stories of front porch, can you imagine? This plan can also be situated on a lot in a few ways – which makes it quite a gem! I love a screened porch upstairs – when the mosquitoes come out you can head up to your very own sanctuary – what’s not to love about this?

Another nice feature with this plan is the carport that attaches to the house. It’s a sharp look! This plan has an open Living/Dining/Kitchen – it also has a pantry/laundry (woohoo!) as well as a downstairs Study/Den – which is so convenient, a great place to read, or as a separate Den or guest room. It’s also nice to have a little nook to set up your computer, perfect for pulling up recipes while cooking! Click HERE to see some real life photos, from the OurTownPlans.com website!

There are three bedrooms upstairs, each with their own bathrooms. Two of these bedrooms have a private screen porch. Heavenly! You can always count on Our Town Plans to deliver top notch plans with so many quality details.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

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