CHARLESTON, SC – recently named the 2014 Friendliest City in America by Conde Nast Traveler! Not to shabby, eh? Charleston is a magical city to live in. I wasn’t born here (GASP), I’m from Michigan, but I have lived here for over 25 years! So I know a little bit about what I talk about. There is so much to do in Charleston. With the close proximity to the beaches (yes, not just one beach, but many beaches), great food, and I do mean everywhere, gorgeous historic homes that make you proud to say you live in Charleston!
Ok “y’all” let’s keep up the good work and try for next year as well!
FRIENDLIEST CITIES: #1. Charleston, South Carolina
Several visitors praised this “quaint and special little gem” for embodying Southern hospitality at every turn—so much so that they “would consider living there full time.” The historic town earned accolades for its blend of “undervalued local culture,” history, and natural beauty, as well as the “incredible food” and Charleston City Market, with its boutiques and art galleries. In short, Charleston is the total package, landing it atop the list for the second year in a row.
OCTOBER 22 – 26, 2014 NEWNAN, GA WORKSHOP WITH KEN DEWAARD AND GREG LAROCK!
Do you see what I see? A workshop by two amazing artists… a 2 FOR 1 workshop! Ken DeWaard and Greg LaRock – If you’re going to be anywhere near the Newnan, GA area, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Two highly respected, award winning artists who will guide you through learning how to to take your paintings to the next level. I love how they’re starting this workshop with a meet and greet dinner, so that participants have a chance to get to know each other, as well as Ken and Greg – this is where the information gathering will take place! Key to a good workshop!
I would love to see the side by side demo by Ken and Greg of the same subject matter. I think it’s so interesting how artists all see things a bit differently, that makes it so interesting! I have not personally met Greg, yet… but I do know Ken, and he is as nice as they come. Full of information that he is more than willing to share. This will be an informative, enlightening and fun workshop!
I envy those of you who are able to sign up for this workshop! If you’re thinking about it… don’t hesitate, space is limited and October will be here before you know it!
If interested contact Millie Gosch: EMAIL: milliegosch@gmail.com or call 770.301.0674
Botany Bay (Edisto), South Carolina. Stunning beauty everywhere you look! Winding paths, wildlife, birds, water, gorgeous old oaks, palm trees, unspoiled beach. You just can’t beat it!
Summer is so good for fresh food, isn’t it? Do you take advantage of your local farmer’s market, or do you have a garden? Oooh, there is just nothing like fresh produce! This was a fabulous dinner, grilled chicken topped with a mango salsa, some great cucs and scrumptious tomatoes bedazzled with a little olive oil and vinegar… and some home made slaw… with vinegar instead of mayo, and for dessert… corn on the cob! Pretty isn’t it? Enjoy your summer time meals while you can!
Me and Fred… got married 22 years ago today… best day ever!
This is a photo from our last visit to San Fran in 2005 (need to get back there!) on the ferry to Sausalito to check out the art and grab a burger. I’m a tad wind blown, ha ha. Good times right from the beginning. I’m super blessed and I know it… I don’t take this man for granted. It’s rare to find the love of your life I think. And he… is mine!
Flatfish Island Design… a cool architectural firm based on Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina. Many of their plans have wonderful porches where you can spend time and appreciate the beautiful area that we live in… For living in the South, these wonderful porches would also help keep some of the heat at bay so that the strong sun isn’t beaming in your windows warming your home up even more. This is a very attractive plan both inside and out. I love this one! The Curlew Cottage is 1,922 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms!
This plan has a first floor master suite, which is located in the back of the house. Perfect! The living, dining, kitchen is all located in the front part of the house and is an open plan. Look how open! Can you imagine the ways you could change your rooms around when you got tired of them? The possibilities… ENDLESS!
The upstairs has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry. For just Fred and I personally, I would try to have the laundry downstairs (stackable perhaps??) and one bathroom upstairs, maybe two guest rooms and storage! I love storage, ha ha! That’s the good thing about Flatfish Designs, they will work with you to make a plan work for you and your family. What’s not to love?
Be sure to check out their other HOUSE PLANS, and their FAQ! Do you love this house plan, but you don’t need the upstairs? Check out Nippers Escape house plan! It’s basically the first floor… Also check out their Facebook page: Flatfish Island Designs great photos!
Read a bit about Flatfish Island Designs from their website, they seem like a really cool company – check them out!
At Flatfish Island Designs, we believe that comfortable living begins with great design, and that great design should be accessible to everyone. This sounds like a simple concept, but bringing those two aspects together has been difficult in the past.
Great Home Plans are not often Accessible
Great design is certainly available. There are capable architects in every city that can design a house plan to truly suit your lifestyle and your location. Of course, this takes extra time, effort, and cost. So, for many potential homeowners, this option is out of reach.
Accessible Home Plans are not often Great
Accessible, affordable design is also available, if you don’t mind making lots of compromises. At any home center you will find an entire wall of house plans-for-purchase. Or, you can choose from your homebuilder’s limited inventory of generic home plans. Unfortunately, there is very little connection between these cookie-cutter house plans and the people who will live in them. Until now, you have had to choose between skilled, personal design and accessible, affordable design. Now, one home design team offers both.
Introducing Flatfish Island Designs
For years, Stephen Herlong and a team of talented designers have been creating exceptional quality custom homes for clients from around the country. Our team has worked through every detail of both the exterior and the interior of each house plan. This experience has given us an ingrained sense for purposeful design – that is, design for the way people live in their homes. Today, Steve has created Flatfish Island Designs, a compilation of house plans for sale that capitalize on this experience. Each home plan in this expanding collection offers beautifully detailed architectural style and superior livability, without the significant investment of time and money that a truly custom home plan requires.
Flatfish Island: Purposeful, Livable, Accessible House Plans
So, whether you are looking for a cozy cottage house plan, a breezy bungalow beach home plan, or an expansive luxury open floor plan, there is a Flatfish Island design for you. And, if you don’t find precisely the house plan you desire, you are free to make modifications to your home plan using skilled Flatfish Island home designers, or the architect of your choosing.
For a truly livable, purposefully designed home plan that fits your personality, your lifestyle, your neighborhood and your budget, choose Flatfish Island Designs.
We invite you to view our Designs Gallery of house plans. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Elizabeth Pollie. Amazing person. Stunning artist. Just look at this image of Charlie, our Jack Russell… in his favorite position looking out the sunroom windows… watching for those “kitty cats” that make him run from room to room having a big time!… Elizabeth had seen this photo and asked if I could send it to her, if it would be OK to paint a study of him. Absolutely! She called them studies. I called them masterpieces! Each one was so spectacular it truly boggled the mind. Clearly Charlie and Elizabeth have a connection!
Study 17 (Charlie) by Elizabeth Pollie
Meet “Study 17” by Elizabeth! Whoa, right! I’ll never forget when she posted it on Facebook. We were speechless. At first I thought it was the photo, and then I noticed the background which I love so very much! This is SO CHARLIE, isn’t it? She captured his very essence without ever meeting him! Look at the hair! How? Isn’t there a magical quality to this painting? Charlie looks like he could turn his head and look at you, doesn’t he? The background is so stunning. I love how Elizabeth eliminated the clutter and left the heart and soul… We will love this painting forever and ever!
Elizabeth is an amazing person, if you ever get a chance to meet her I highly suggest it. She is full of life. If you’re in the Harbor Springs, Michigan area, she has a gorgeous gallery there ELIZABETH POLLIE FINE ART. Please do stop by and say hello!
Recently she was on blog talk radio for ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS with host Leslie Saeta… I listened to the interview. It was fabulous! For those of you who love art, I highly suggest listening to the weekly ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS show, and if you can’t listen to it live, they archive the programs, so you can listen later! Artists Helping Artists is the #1 Art Show on Blog Talk Radio! It’s easy to see (or hear) why!
A short post today… taking my birthday off, woohoo!
It’s funny, the older you get, the older “OLD” is! Hey, it’s true!
When I was young I thought “old” was around 30, and then 40, then 50, now it’s 99+++! I imagine that number will keep going up as long as I’m alive. I still don’t feel my age, and for that I am thankful!
Celebrate the good times! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Jacalyn Beam. I really like her paintings. This painting, Dusk, has that wonderful moody sky. The stark tree against the stunning sky with the cool building makes for a great painting! I love how dramatic the sky is!
One more, because this is one I just fell in love with… image from Chadd’s Ford Gallery in PA – just look at that tree… I LOVE THIS!
Nap Time by Jacalyn Beam Image: Chadd’s Ford Gallery
Jacalyn seems like a cool lady. I haven’t met her but we have emailed back and forth. She’s got great stories about painting plein air, like the time she was all set up and painting in DC and a road crew showed up and started jack hammering. Yow! They gave her ear plugs but that just wasn’t enough, she then moved on to a Georgetown Canal and painted a stunning painting!
Jacalyn painting at Biddeford Pool, Maine – stunning, eh?
Jacalyn Beam was born in Chester County, PA. Her early training in art was rooted in the history and beauty of the Brandywine Valley. She holds a B.S. in Music, M.Ed. and Ed.D. and has always held a passion for painting. The Wyeths, Sorolla, Sargent, Sotter, Schofield, and Thayer are a few of her favorite artists.” I paint outdoors because the world is rich with beauty and it’s the optimal way to see three dimensional objects, the subtleties of light and shadows, atmospheric perspective, and ?real’ colors. Plein air painting is also a lot fun! You meet new friends – animal and human, have fleeting conversations with bicyclists and joggers, and experience the sounds and smells of the outdoors.”Jacalyn is a member of the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Society. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the Chaddsford Historical Society and chairs the annual Winter Plein Air Event. Recently, Jacalyn was selected by state officials to draft and edit National Core Performing Arts Standards that will reach performing arts teachers and students K-12 across the country.Jacalyn is included in the book “100 Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters” published by Schiffer and scheduled for release in 2014. You can find her art at the Chaddsford Gallery in Chaddsford – PA, Peninsula Gallery, Lewes – DE, Strode’s Mill Gallery in West Chester – PA, the Station Gallery in Greenville – DE, and in 2014 a New England Gallery.
Hee hee… I love weather. I love a good storm or at least cloudy skies during the hot summer months. While I know that cloudy skies make some people sad they put a smile on my face!
Everything in moderation… sun included ;)
Have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
As I sit at my desk writing this blog day after day, I have someone who cracks the whip… someone who makes sure I finish what I start… that would be Charlie! Look at how he sits. I look at him and laugh. This dog cracks me up!
Enjoy your weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Tubing Duo 2 by Sally Shisler – 4 x 4″ Oil on Board
I love Sally Shisler’s work. It’s so different. So loose and free, so happy!! Most paintings are fairly small, all are fabulous! I have an affinity for all the tubing paintings… reminds me of my childhood, the days when we would get up and jump in the river and spend the entire day there. Sometimes we had tubes and would walk down the street, jump in the river and float home with the current, and repeat, many times! Nothing better! You know a painting is good when it can remind you of something or just bring happiness. Sally’s paintings do just that! Sally also has a wonderful blog, so check it out!
Here is what Sally wrote about Tubing Duo 2 (above):
Here is one of my favorites images from an exhibit earlier this year. The image had been with me for a few years and I’ve been waiting for the right time to paint it. The photo was taken at my son’s baseball team’s end of season party at Wekiva Springs in Florida. Lots of sun and fun; lots of color; lots of great photo ops. I always love the opportunity to paint “black”. Though I don’t use tube black. Most artists are taught to mix it so that there’s depth. I use alizarin crimson, sap green, and ultramarine blue. I mix it to lean towards one of the 3, so that it retains some color. It’s the value of it that makes it read as black.
But wait! That’s not all! Sally has another side… she paints more serious work, dramatic, love these knife strokes!
Bio: In 2006, as one of the original members of the Daily Painters* Online Art Gallery, I committed to the discipline of painting 1 painting every day and posting it on my blog for all the world to see. Crazy endeavor and totally exposing, as any other artist who undertakes the mission will tell you. This provided lots of insight into how life as a full time painter might be, and after deciding that I wanted to be a real painter, I began working and practicing hard. I soon settled into a routine where my creative endeavors grew to match the dedication I have given to a 22 year career in medical illustration, (a field that demands both content and technique precision). With new outlets that offered truer creativity (included plein air painting events) I moved from watercolors to oils, and brushes to palette knives. One day during a plein air painting event, I picked up a knife, threw caution to the wind and let things rip! Since that day, I have welcomed a remarkable transition from realism to impressionism. Happily, touches of abstract expressionism are also beginning to emerge. Palette knife painting holds the promise of lively and fresh work. It’s my best opportunity for both technical and spiritual growth. Sally has a lot going on, if you’re in the Winter Garden, FL area you may be in luck! Check this out…
Opened new studio in Winter Garden Florida in June where I paint and teach private palette knife lessons.
Active gallery member of SoBo Gallery in Winter Garden Florida where I teach a variety of workshops and exhibit regularly.
Three day palette knife workshops at Sobo Gallery this September 24-26 and November 19-21, 2014. (Contact me at scshisler@gmail.com)
Workshop scheduled at The Sandy Springs Art School in Atlanta Georgia for early June of 2015. (Contact Donna Thomas).
All images courtesy of Sally Shisler, used with permission…
Another great cottage house plan by Moser Design Group out of Beaufort, SC. Amazingly talented, brilliant design in every single plan. This plan is the TNH-B-06A (Oh, I do wish they had names, I think that would be easier…) it is 1,471 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This home has 9′ ceilings so it’s not squatty, it’s classy in every sense of the word. Who says small can’t be anything short of spectacular? Great porch on the front, and a nice covered stoop so if you’re going in the side entrance in pouring rain you won’t be soaking wet! Nice feature! Note they have two different elevations (check out their website via the link above to see the other elevation), which is the one I would choose…
I would tend to make the guest bedroom as you come in the door, that way guests have their own peace and quiet. There is a Jack & Jill bathroom between Bedroom #2 and the front bedroom. Which is plenty. I would make bedroom #2 a study. I like the Living, Dining, Kitchen areas. I see one thing that Fred wouldn’t care for, the island on a diagonal, but that could easily be put straight (listen to me, I sound like I know what I’m talking about!)… I like it either way. Do I spy a pantry?! Woohoo! A great use of space for sure!
Check out the Moser Design Group website they have guest cottages, petite cottages, small cottages (which this is) right on up to homes over 2,800 square feet, so their website is definitely worth your time. Quality homes, I’ve seen them in person. Gorgeous!
***Some of you may have seen this post before… in your IN BOX. Anyone who signed up to receive an email version of this post would have received this on 8/12/14 (when I actually wrote it), because I didn’t enter the scheduled date, sigh… Also, if you want to get to the easier to read version from your email, just CLICK ON THE TITLE of the post via your email and **POOF** it’ll take you right there!
Vanessa has wonderful paintings from all over the world. She is also participating in this years out of this world workshop being held in September “The Fine Art Collaborative 2014” (there is still time to sign up!)! Wonderful paintings by an artist who really knows art… read on! Here is a bit that Tom Balderas wrote about Vanessa on The Fine Art Collaborative 2014 site: Vanessa, a founder of the ‘Realism Without Borders’ group is the California Editor of the Nationally acclaimed art collector magazine ‘Fine Art Connoisseur’ as well as a long time contributing writer for ‘Plein Aire’ magazine. A highly collected painter, she brings to the table the highest professional standards that are certain to make this September’s event another huge success.
Vanessa Rothe – “Travel Sketching, Studies in Watercolor” – 1 Day Workshop – September 26, 2014
Bonjour welcome to my travel sketching class! Weather you are a world traveler or a simply a wanderer in your own town, an artist always stops to admire their surroundings and often takes notes. Some use photography to capture the moment or scenes they see, others sketch or make watercolor studies. A fine artist often uses both. Photography can help to capture the moment, and the line based aspects of the scene but color and perspective can often be a bit off. For capturing the light, shadow and important color, a nice watercolor sketch is great to have… and often very charming!
Learn to create beautiful “color studies” that can be helpful later to make a larger watercolor or oil paintings. These color studies can actually be in and of themselves a little “chef d’oeuvre”, a charming addition to your portfolio, or a sketchbook of memories from a trip you never want to forget.
We will start with sketching basics to learn some fundamentals that will give your drawings a little structure for about an hour. We will have a short coffee break, oui? Then I will explain the “How to” of watercolors and a little basic color understanding, mixing and technique. I will show you how to use and to “not use” white. After a short lunch, we will be working from print outs of colorful fruits, charming scenes of Europe, boats with water, and some simple gestural figure in the landscape.
I will be doing demonstrations for you to watch all along the way. You will be given helpful hand outs, learn how to pack and set up to paint, I will suggest some great inspiring books, give you photos to work from and of course lots of instruction and inspiration!
Prior basic drawing skills and beginning watercolor are recommended but not required. Please note: this is not an extensive classic beginning watercolor class that would include full basic how to instruction and full color explanation of each of the watercolors. It is focused on fun travel sketching and making great color studies. Private lessons can be offered separately for this.
10 student maximum
$100
http://www.vanessarothe.com/ Read a bit about Vanessa from her website: Once a successful Graphic Designer/Art Director working with Disney Press, Walter Foster and Sony, Vanessa has taken to a more traditional color palette as she paints in oils.Vanessa Françoise Rothe grew up in the artists colony of Laguna Beach, CA, the daughter to a hand painted silk and well known German clothing designer to the Stars, Detlev Rothe, and her French mother Jacqueline Ricaud. She received top art scholarships to study at the University of San Diego, University of CA, Irvine, and at the Laguna College of Art and Design as well as Ateliers in France and Italy and has learned directly from professional painters. Vanessa has been fortunate and honored to exhibit alongside some of the Nations most well known painters. She has had many successful solo exhibitions at Wendt Gallery in Laguna Beach, along with an impressive list of group shows including Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, the Annual American Impressionist Society Exhibition, Artists for a New Century at The Bennington Center for the Arts, and California Art Club exhibitions. After exhibting at WENDT GALLERY in Laguna Beach for 4 years, and now at her own Studio Gallery at 418 Ocean Ave, Vanessa is also proud to exhibit at Gallery McCollum in Laguna Beach. She also can be found participating in various group exhibitions such as The Bennington Art Center Vermont, Gallerie DDG Paris, Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, J. Willott Gallery, and the Annual American Impressionist Exhibitions of which she has been named a signature member. She is honored to be a Signature member of the American Impressionist society, a member of the California art Club, Oil Painters of America, and LagunaPlein Air Painters Association. Vanessa is also proud to be the California Editor of the Nationally acclaimed art collector magazine FINE ART CONNOISSEUR as well as a long time contributing writer for PLEIN AIR magazine. She has had both classical training in the US at University of San Diego, University of CA Irvine, Laguna College of Art and Design as well as abroad at Ateliers in France and Italy. She continues to study the figure at Laguna College of Art and Design. She has been a graphic designer and Art Director for such companies as Walter Foster Publishing, Disney Press, and has owned her own successful graphic design and fine art studio for over 20 years. In addition to showing at fine art galleries worldwide, she now teaches atelier style private art lessons and workshops, is the Author/Artist to a new series of art instructional books by the leader in art instructional books, Walter Foster Publishing entitled “An Art School Approach to Oils”. Influenced by a blend of classical traditional representational art, Impressionist works, artists such as Sargent, Sorolla, and Chase, as well as modern master friends such as Scott Burdick, Susan Lyon, Ray Roberts and Peggi Kroll-Roberts, she takes the essence of a subject and captures its charm with the use of color, shadows, and light. The natural simplicity of her work, her visable brush strokes and pleasing color combinations form a realist yet slightly impressionistic style which her collectors admire. Her subjects include the beautiful pastoral landscapes of France, Switzerland and Italy, the allure of historic cities such as Paris and Venice, classic California seascapes and landscapes, vibrant still life as well as some new figure work.
You’ve done it, you know you have… pulled into the gas station and can’t remember which side the gas tank is on… I know I’m not the only one! What I didn’t realize is that there is an indicator by your gas gauge. Did you know that? In the example above it shows a little gas tank on the right, which means that your gas tank is on the right hand side! I just thought they placed that symbol there for whatever reason! I had no idea there was a reason behind it, ha ha…
I’m sure cars do it all different ways, this one shows a gas tank and an arrow indicating the tank is on the right.
ARTFOODHOME.COM 