Whole Foods Market – you won’t believe what they do!

WF Mkt Mt P Customer Advisory Panel
Pictured from left to right: Amy Dillmann, Marketing Assistant; Tracey Trombino, Director of Catering; Celia Ballou, Prepared Foods Supervisor

Whole Foods Market Mt Pleasant Customer Advisory Panel – did you know there was such a thing? Well there is, and it’s quite amazing. Whole Foods selects a group of people each year to inform and share information with them about their store. It’s amazing information. You would not believe all the work that goes into making that store so very amazing! Specifically, I’m referencing the Mount Pleasant, SC location.

They want to know what we think. What they can do better. What they are doing that we like. What would we like to see in the future? Each month there is a new topic. The first meeting was PRODUCE. It was EYE OPENING to say the least. After learning of the care that is involved with being a certified organic grocery store, we want to buy all of our groceries at Whole Foods! We are buying more since being on this panel, I guess after you learn all the work that goes into getting the produce where it is, and how the organic produce is treated very carefully. Special cleaning techniques are used in those areas, temperatures are taken as they are taken off the truck, storage is handled separately for organic and conventional fruits/veggies. They are not just inspected by DHEC, they are also inspected by EVERCLEAN because they are a certified organic grocer. It’s an impressive list of accomplishments that they strive for every single day. Quality is number one! It’s no easy task. That store runs like a well oiled machine. There are massive amounts of teamwork involved. No doubt about it!

You know how it is when you buy something that you think will taste good and then you get home and it’s just not your taste? Whole Foods will let you sample just about anything in the store, just find a store associate and ask them if a package can be opened or if you can have a sample. Fruits and veggies aren’t excluded… wonder what that Honeycrisp apple taste like? Wonder no more! They will give you a slice and ahhhh, you will see why they are about the most amazing apple on the planet!

I think a lot about a company that wants to strive, year after year, to make things the best they can be (despite being profitable anyway!)… Whole Foods not only wonders, they care, they WANT TO KNOW, they spend a great deal of money and effort to get our opinions. Just last week we had an entire Thanksgiving Dinner, the topic was PREPARED FOOD, and we tasted all of the sides that are available for Thanksgiving, and let me tell you… YUM! They even send us home with a Whole Foods bag packed with goodies from whatever the current topic is. Brilliant. Now I buy those same products that they gave us. Just think I might have never tried them otherwise! Now I am hooked!

On top of it, the people who work for Whole Foods are about as nice and sincere (not to mention FUN) as they get.

There were better photos to be taken, I was trying not to cause a scene… therefore you are missing photos of their Thanksgiving spread, which was the best EVER! Each and every dish we tasted was out of this world! So if you are wondering about Thanksgiving, give them a call (or order online) and order your Thanksgiving, it couldn’t be easier!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston icon John Carroll Doyle – Gone, but will never be forgotten…

John Carroll Doyle via JohnCDoyle.com
John Carroll Doyle via JohnCDoyle.com

Charleston lost a legend on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

John Carroll Doyle, prolific artist, photographer and writer. John was an icon. He was a character. He was so very interesting and would spend so much time with us telling us his amazing stories. I’ve always loved hearing the stories behind his paintings. John was an amazing person, storyteller and human being. John wrote his own obituary, and it is brilliant! His wish, in lieu of flowers, brought a tear to my eye. What he said is just… SO JOHN!

John truly made the world a better, more interesting, colorful, delightful place. His presence will be missed.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… William Wray!

The Bannister (2014) by William Wray
The Bannister (2014) by William Wray –   21.5 x 21.5″ Oil

Hey! A special note: My blog looks a bit different, and you may see some ads appear. Let me know what you think! Also, the name of my blog now matches the address http://www.artfoodhome.com I just moved my name underneath it where art. food. home. used to be… 

One more note… to comment, just click on this icon (its located to the right of the title of the post): Comment

Ahhh, this is one amazing painting. The light, depth… the wonderful dark areas that make the light areas just really stand out… stunning in every way. William Wray has the uncanny ability to take a subject, from super hero to bannister and make it one heck of a painting! Check out his work at WilliamWray.com – his Superhero series never fails to put a smile on my face. The urban landscapes are moody and incredible… the abstracts – WHOA! Check out all of his paintings, I truly believe this man can paint absolutely anything!

Check out William’s work at The Vault Gallery, Cambria, CA – that’s where you’ll find The Bannister!

I love how he has a List of influences… very cool indeed! I am a big fan of his and have been for many years now.

Read a bit about William Wray from his website:

William Wray has lived in California most of his life and studied painting at the Art Students League in New York. 

Making his living as a cartoonist who specialized in painted subjects, he spent many years coalescing a eclectic array of art styles, ultimately finding his voice in a contemporized reflection of traditional California regional painting that focus on humble subject matter rarely considered as fine art. 

Wray blends traditional skill sets of realism and the sheer energy of abstract expressionism in an ongoing evolution to find the balance between two seemingly unrelated styles. Wray has challenged himself to create a brand of realistic expressionism he hopes to use a bridge into the customarily circumspect contemporary art world.

Image via William Wray – used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Moser Design Group – TNH LC 11A (Coastal Living 2002 Cottage of the Year!)

TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf

Hey! A special note: My blog looks a bit different, and you may see some ads appear. Let me know what you think! Also, the name of my blog now matches the address http://www.artfoodhome.com I just moved my name underneath it where art. food. home. used to be… 

One more note… to comment, just click on this icon (its located to the right of the title of the post): Comment

TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group.  What a cool plan this is! This is the plan for those of you who need more room to spread out. I love the look of this house. Many times plans can be wonderful on the inside, but lacking on the outside and vice versa – but Moser has a way of harmonizing and making them gorgeous on the outside and well thought out on the inside!

This plan is 2,717 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

Main Floor - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
Main Floor – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The main floor has a master suite/master bathroom and a porch all by itself, linked by a vestibule to the main living quarters. In the main area, you enter from the front porch into a living/dining area that looks into the kitchen. All open and wonderful in every way. Then… (and this is the part I love, love, love), there is a guest cottage! The guest cottage is linked to the main living area via a screened porch. The guest cottage has  it’s own bathroom, kitchenette area and living area downstairs….

2nd Floor - Main House - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
2nd Floor – Main House – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The main house has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a walk in closet upstairs!

2nd Floor Guest Cottage - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
2nd Floor Guest Cottage – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The guest cottage has an open loft upstairs for sleeping, painting, exercising, an office space, etc… the sky is the limit! Check out their plans, you’ll see they are quite wonderful!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Lori Kiergaard!

Passing Light by Lori Kiergaard
Passing Light by Lori Kiergaard

Hey! A special note: My blog looks a bit different, and you may see some ads appear. Let me know what you think! Also, the name of my blog now matches the address http://www.artfoodhome.com I just moved my name underneath it where art. food. home. used to be… 

Lori Kiergaard. Wow… the way she can paint light in the darkness is incredible, she has a way that just makes it glow! I have a few more favorites… Train Station and Dinner at John’s, but you’re going to have to check out her website to see them ;) hard to pick just a few!

Wonderful work, a nice variety, the bar interiors with the reflected lights all over, really quite wonderful… wonderful city scenes and a few interiors as well! All are very nicely done!

Read a blip about Lori from her website:

ABOUT THE WORK

Lori paints a wide variety of subject, from still life to cityscape, figures and one point perspective interiors and landscapes. Lately she has enjoyed working on a series of bar paintings. “I believe that people leave something of themselves on the things that they create, the things that they love and the things that they use. The ghost of a moment becoming ghosts of many moments. That is what I try to paint. You can see the way it thrills, when light falls on this ting or that, filling the moment with memories or hope”.

 EDUCATION

Mostly self taught, I have had many teachers along the way. I have also studied next to some amazing and well known realist painters, my animator husband and one very special comic book artist. I had a lot to learn when I started painting, and still do. The best thing about being a painter is the opportunity to continue learning and growing for the rest of my life.

All images via Kiergaard.com, used with permission from the artist…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Pompeian Spray Oil – a wicked cool find!

Image via Pompeian.com
Image via Pompeian.com

 

First of all, you aren’t going crazy… you have reached the same blog… art. food. home. by barbara stroud… some changes have been made in the look of the blog, let me know what you think!

Have you read the ingredients in spray oil? You know the stuff you spray baking pans with? Yikes! AND if you’re supposed to steer clear of soy, most of it has soy in one form or another, so this was a welcome sight. There are a few brands now available and this is great news! Keep an eye out for them! Also gluten free for those of you who need that!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

I See A Pattern – Opens at The Vendue (art hotel) Nov 21…

Night Painting by Francis Sills 22x27"
Night Painting by Francis Sills 22×27″

The Vendue. Robert Lange Studios. What a combination! The art work at The Vendue is curated by Robert & Megan Lange – and promises to always impress the viewer! The Vendue is a stunning ART hotel that one must see to believe! Can you believe that? Read more about the art program on their website!

The Vendue will host a preview party open to the public on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6-8 pm. Complimentary wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

 There will also be an exclusive, ticketed, art-centric dinner at 8:30PM in The Drawing Room Restaurant. There will be four courses paired with wine and a short talk given by one of the featured artists from the show. There is a total seating of 40 people. Make reservations via The Vendue and ask for Pietro Giardini, the General Manager, or email him pgiardini@thevendue.com.

A bit about the Vendue from their website:

The Vendue is the first and only hotel in Charleston dedicated to the arts – in all forms.  Our goal is to inspire guests at every turn.  The hotel’s public areas feature 2-3 different exhibits per year.  At the end of each exhibit, the current art is removed and the hotel becomes a “blank canvas” for our curators (Robert and Megan Lange of Robert Lange Studios) to create the next exhibit.  In addition, all corridors and our Gallery Rooms also feature a collection of original art.

But we just don’t display art.  The Vendue is also home to Charleston’s only Artist in Residence Program.  Our fully functional artist studio is found just off the lobby of 26 Vendue.  Guests and visitors alike are invited and encourage to stop by the studio and meet our resident artist.

We also offer a full-time art docent that provides daily tours and is available to answer any questions about the exhibit or our art program.  Our docents are also able to assist with purchases should you wish to acquire any piece within our collection.

A Gorilla Preceded the Illusion by Robert Lange 12x24" Oil & Vinyl on Panel
A Gorilla Preceded the Illusion by Robert Lange
12×24″ Oil & Vinyl on Panel

 

About the show from RobertLangeStudios.com:

The exhibition space at the Vendue, Charleston’s art hotel, had its inaugural event in June and since then has become an art hub within the city. In November the next show, titled “I See a Pattern”, will open. This show will be a visual candy land of ideas, sculptures and paintings with the aim of propelling creativity in Charleston using the theme of pattern. Over fifty artists from around the globe have been invited by Robert Lange Studios to display works. The massive five warehouse space, a cross between a hotel, museum, and gallery, provides the backdrop for the show.

Dynamic works will be presented from artists living locally, regionally, and around the world. In the request for submissions, artists were only given the name of the show and asked to provide their own interpretation of the theme. Robert Lange, co-curator of the exhibit with his wife Megan and owner of Robert Lange Studios said, “We could not be more pleased how much the art community has responded to the idea of an art hotel in Charleston. We announced the theme for this next show in August and received over 500 submissions.”

This show combines artists from a diverse range of artistic disciplines at differing levels of their careers. Of the over fifty artists selected for the show, including renowned painters Marco Battaglini, Victor Grasso, and Alan Jackson, many artists will be showing work in Charleston for the first time. “I stayed in the hotel just after its re-open and spent the whole trip imagining one of my paintings on the wall,” said painter Mathew Bober. “I was honored to be selected for this upcoming exhibit.”

Guests to the hotel have quickly found that there is always something new to discover with each revolving art exhibit. “Hotel guests have been truly inspired by the art that surrounds them and many have already committed to return once the next exhibit is installed,” said Pietro Giardini, The Vendue’s General Manager. He adds, “The combination of contemporary pieces of art with the architecture and charm of a hotel from the 1780s is what has created a completely unique experience for our guests.”

The Vendue will host a preview party open to the public on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6-8 pm. Complimentary wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Immediately following the preview, The Drawing Room Restaurant will also be offering an exclusive artsentric dinner following the current shows pattern theme. The dinner will begin at 8:30 and each of the 4 courses will be paired with wine and a short talk given by one of the featured artists from the exhibit.

All images via RobertLangeStudios.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Introducing… artfoodhome.com & the Realism Show at Robert Lange Studios!

Screen Shot 2014-11-07 at 6.00.00 AM

I’m so excited to announce my very own domain… from now on, you don’t have to type in https://barbarastroud.wordpress.com – you have the option of entering www.artfoodhome.com and tada! It will take you right to my blog. However, if you’re used to entering the barbarstroud.wordpress.com it will redirect you, and you’ll end up at the same happy place! Woohoo, let the fun begin!

He Got Game by Scott Royston 26x22" Oil/Linen
He Got Game by Scott Royston
26×22″ Oil/Linen
On another note… a little something extra to mention… tonight is the art walk in Charleston, SC – it should be a good one! Robert Lange Studios will be hosting the International Guild of Realism’s 9th Annual Exhibition. Up to 75 works! They will be on display from November 7-28, 2014! Opening reception is tonight!
International Guild of Realism’s 9th Annual Exhibition
Up to 75 works on show

Click HERE to view images from this show.

CHARLESTON BECOMES REALISM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

NOVEMBER 7 – 28 2014

Charleston will become the Realism art capital of the world from November 7 through November 28, 2014, when 68 international Realism artists showcase their latest masterpieces at Robert Lange Studios, voted Best Art Gallery in Charleston from 2010 to 2013. This represents one of the largest Realism shows ever displayed for this genre in the southeast.

“When an artist knows their work will be hanging along side some of the best realists in the country they tend to paint a little longer and add even more final touches than perhaps they normally would. The end result is a polished show where each painter has put their very best foot forward,” says Robert Lange, co-owner of Robert Lange Studios.

The exhibition is the International Guild of Realism’s ninth annual gallery show and will open with a gala reception Friday, November 7th from 5 – 8PM at the gallery’s historic location. Over 20 of the artists will be in attendance including artists from Sweden, Iceland, Canada and Norway, according to co-owner Megan Lange.

“Realism is having such a resurgence in the last twenty years. One can’t help but recognize and respect the staggering amount of hours required to create a technically exceptional realist painting. We’ve curated a show of traditional realist works, choosing paintings that demonstrate the artists undeniable technical skill first and foremost,” she added.

The show will have 73 juried paintings in categories including landscapes, still lifes, figurative art, photorealism and trompe l’oeil. The prices will range from $950 to $60,000. The works were juried into the show from over 350 IGOR member entries.

For more information, preview the artworks at www.RobertLangeStudios.com or call (843) 805-8052. The International Guild of Realism’s own website at www.RealismGuild.com features 340 worldwide artists.

Image via RobertLangeStudios.com, used with permission…

For those of you who subscribe to this blog, you may notice there has been some technical difficulties this morning… while working on my blog it published (while set to publish 2015 to be safe that nothing would be sent out until I had it how I wanted it)… and it didn’t publish but it DID send an email to subscribers. I have reported this issue…  Thanks for your patience!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 137-21 – from Houseplans.com

Plan 137-21 from HousePlans.com
Plan 137-21 from HousePlans.com

Houseplans.com 137-21. Plan 137-21 has 1,643 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I’m still stuck in my smaller house plans which I just adore, but I promise I’ll be posting some larger homes soon!

HP 137-21 Houseplans.com first

I always like to play architect… or at least like to figure ways I would change plans to make them work for us best… I really like this plan. I would use bedroom 3 as a study giving space and privacy to a guest in bedroom 2. We don’t need a whirlpool tub in the master bath or two sinks, so I would see if there would be a way to rearrange the master bath to accommodate a washer and dryer, then make the existing space for a washer/dryer a coat closet and shelves for storage of items that you just don’t have somewhere to store. I would then take the closet in the hallway beside the pantry in the kitchen and turn it all into storage from the kitchen side! Whew! Probably not cheap all those changes, but if it makes your house more functional in the long run it will be worth it!

All images via Houseplans.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Don Stone!

Setting on the Backside by Don Stone 30x36" Oil
Setting on the Backside by Don Stone
30×36″ Oil

Don Stone. Amazing artist. Gifted in his ability to paint what he truly loves. Most of the paintings that I am familiar with are paintings of Monhegan. They are just breathtaking. Setting on the Backside (above) is one of those paintings. This painting is available at his gallery in Exeter, NH. My husband and I have visited him at his studio on Monhegan several times and I cannot tell you what a treat it is to see work that is so very stunning. I can stand in his beautiful studio forever just looking at his paintings. If you ever get the chance… don’t miss it!

There is still time to catch Don’s show at Roux & Cyr International Fine Art Gallery – it should be hanging until November 25, 2014! If you’re in the Portland, Maine area, don’t miss it!

Read a bit about Don from his website:

Internationally known modern impressionist painter, Don Stone, has been elected to full membership in the National Academy of Design, the American Watercolor Society (Dolphin Fellow), American Society of Marine Artists (Fellow), Salmagundi Club (Honorary Member), and the New England Watercolor Society (Lifetime Honorary Member).

In addition, Stone is a member of the Guild of Boston Artists, Allied Artists of America, the Hudson Valley Art Association, the Rockport Art Association (Lifetime Member), the North Shore Art Association and a number of smaller regional art associations with whom he has exhibited over the years. His work has been exhibited in various public museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Museum of Mobile, Alabama, and the Canton Art Institute, Canton, Ohio. He has won numerous awards, including two Greenshields Foundation Grants .and most recently First Prize in Juried Shows at both the Rockport Art Association and the North Shore Art Association.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Meet John and Christy from Magwood Seafood – Mount Pleasant!

Great FRESH shrimp at Magwood!
Great FRESH shrimp at Magwood!

Shem Creek. One side of the creek has the wonderful park and dock that goes way out over the water and then there is the “other side” of Shem Creek (other side of the water) where it seems to be quaintly tucked away. It is heavenly. Like something from days gone by. Hard working people bringing you the freshest seafood there is. If you’ve ever been to “The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene” (great restaurant), you’re right near Magwood Seafood!

What an amazing place Magwood Seafood is. Talk about hard work, fair prices and an undeniable gorgeous location! They have some of the freshest seafood around!

John - Magwood Seafood
John – Magwood Seafood

Meet John – he owns Magwood Seafood, and is quite an interesting guy. He had many wonderful stories, and after talking to him, I’m telling you, seafood is all that really sounds good!

Christy - Magwood Seafood
Christy – Magwood Seafood

Meet Christy – this girl has the most fabulous attitude in the world. Life is about giving people a chance, working hard and staying strong. That’s Christy. She can pop the head off shrimp faster than I can tap my finger – she explained to us the process (I wish I would have taken a photo of the shrimp!) I guess I had never seen an entire shrimp with the red legs (is that what they’re called?) and the long dark antennae looking “thing” – very cool… they explained that when you see red legs the shrimp are very fresh (just caught an hour or so before we saw them), very interesting!

I’m heading down there this week for my weekly gathering! Hope to see you there! It’s a happening place that’s for sure!

Catch you back here tomorrow!