You can see the schedule of events online, basically artists will be painting around Sonoma County from September 15-19, 2014. Quick Draw is Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 4:30-7:30 at Sonoma Plaza (during the Farmers Market)!
The Gala Dinner and Auction is Friday, Sept. 19 at 5:30 at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. This is a silent auction consisting of each artists favorite painting from his or her week painting in Sonoma Valley. (Psssst: This event sells out.)
The Art Sale & Community Festival is Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 10Am – 4PM – Sonoma Plaza – Don’t miss it!
All the proceeds of the weeks events support art education for the Sonoma Students. The artists donate 40% of the purchase price of their pieces. See what great people these artists are?!!!
If you’re anywhere near Sonoma, you may want to get in on the fun! Here’s a bit of info from the Sonoma Plein Air website:
Not only will you meet nationally renowned plein air artists and watch as they create Sonoma County-specific works of art, but you’ll also experience Sonoma during its inspiring and awesome harvest.
Purchase one-of-a-kind paintings knowing that your purchases make possible art classes in Sonoma Valley schools. Without your support these classes would not be offered.
Come and enjoy our community as you’ve never before seen it, meet the artists, and change lives with your support.
Imagine our world without art.
On second thought, don’t. Instead, please support art education for Sonoma Valley students.
Sometimes the best views can be had from the most unlikely places. Especially in Charleston, which is full of quaint streets, back entrances and out of the way spaces… one being a parking space with a very cool view!
I received the most beautiful orchid for my birthday… what a surprise! And, may I say, what an awesome gift! I am trying hard to make it live forever! If you have tips on how to make that happen, let me know!!
[Art] Top painting is Ride Down Powell by Darrell Hill. Bottom painting is Bowens Island by Ken DeWaard. Wooden Bowl by Joe Fidler (Thanks dad!!)
Bright orange key chain… made by me, hee hee… why did I hang it there?
The Ark of the North Country Girl and the Cape of Curiosity by Sarah McRae Morton, Oil on linen, 36″ x 48″
Sarah McRae Morton – Wow. Such interesting subject matter. Her paintings are phenomenal and it shows by the number that has sold. There is a show for Sarah at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine. It began on September 5 and runs through September 27, 2014 – if you’re in the vicinity, try to make it! See Sarah’s paintings in person. Experience one of the most amazing galleries ever.
CURRENT SHOW: “The Impossible Sight of a Ship” – SEPTEMBER 5-27, 2014
A family tie brought me to Maine. I have returned, following windy curiosity to see whereseafarers fed my favorite painters, find the “Grim and Wild Maine” described by Thoreau, follow water veins he coursed with Penobscot guides, and hear the wrath of the ocean onthe fortress walls of Monhegan.
The subjects in “The Impossible Sight of a Ship” are the people from whom I am descended, by blood or by the “marrow of artistic tradition”, all of whom led me to a place and time in Maine. The present, as a culmination of chances, is one lock of a braided theme joining pieces in this suite of work. The other two lineages of the binding braid are the history of a family, and that of a string of artists. From each I have inherited substance to make paintings.
These paintings are maps of retraced steps, records of the roads taken to try to capture images of people long gone. They are invented portraits of the shells of tenacious spirits who have survived because their stories are transmitted around campfires, between rocking chairs, and under moth eaten black skies. They had memorable lives or unforgettable brushes with death and left enough legacy, artifacts or genetic residue to retell their stories. What they all have in common is me, a common descendant.
As there is an optimal viewing distance for every painting, it seems true of history too – perspective clarifies some facts and can obscure what we wish not to see. It’s a metaphor I elude to by rendering some detail finely while blurring other passages within the same frame.
My paintings mimic American academic construction. The compositions draw from a canon of western paintings where a common goal was to deceive the viewer- to build a believable window view to an invented scene by an alchemic process using dirt, stone oil, sap, gems and flax. The style of the pieces varies according to the prevalent style of art during each character’s lifetime, displaying facets of aesthetic traditions, or challenges to convention that made American art history.
The process of learning to see gave me the title of the show, “The Impossible Sight of a Ship” .It has been theorized that when European vessels first appeared on the horizon of the Americas, native people could not “see” the ships. Having never laid eyes on such objects before, they were not primed to recognize the shapes of the bow, hull and sails…or see the apparition as portent of a storm.
The concept that it is an acquired ability to recognize objects, illusions, constructions, pictures is a useful analogy for my process of painting. My work is a continuation of the endeavors of others. The ship is impossible for me to see without the ghosts of earlier images on my retinas. I relied on the work of the Wyeths, Homer, Peal, Sully, Eakins to compose these pictures.
Read a bit about Sarah from the Dowling Walsh website (I love bios that tell a story!):
I began painting in a barn loft turned studio when I was eight. The surrounding Amish farmed fields, livestock, barn raisings and quilt auctions were my repeated subjects. Creating pictures led me to an understanding of my place adjacent to that world, and it was art that inspired me to move away from it. Reading through a trove of art history books in the barn ignited my curiosity to pursue art seriously. During and after my high school years I studied drawing and color theory with Myron Barnstone in Coplay, Pennsylvania. For four years I attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and took history courses at The University of Pennsylvania. When I was awarded a PAFA fellowship to travel to Europe in 2006 I took the opportunity to study art restoration and conservation in Rome. Then, in Norway, I studied with painter Odd Nerdrum.
When I returned from abroad I settled in a coal mining region of West Virginia to create a body of work about the local history. Based on these paintings, I was awarded a Matisse Foundation Fellowship to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine in 2008. Since then, I have painted series in Cerillos, New Mexico; Carmel, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Freiburg, Germany; and Johnson Vermont at Vermont Studio Center. Painting is my means to relay stories and share ideas. I depend on themes and symbols from western art history to create allegory. When I paint about events I am ever aware of how my lens has been curved, my point of view determined by travel, books, past artists and new meetings. I currently live in Cologne, Germany, but my paintings undoubtedly reflect the setting of my upbringing in rural Pennsylvania. I often return to work in my childhood studio above the horse stalls.
This is an modern take (to me) of a country farmhouse type plan, I found this house plan on Houseplans.com – it’s very cool, I love the layout, the wide porches
This Signature Plan 888-7, designed by Nicholas Lee, is 2,168 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The layout of the first floor is nice, it’s open, and most importantly it offers wonderful deep overhangs for the porches which help keep the house cool in the hot months.
FIRST FLOOR – A country farmhouse plan (888-7) via Houseplans.com
It’s nice how this floor plan separates the guest rooms from the master bedroom. On the left hand side you have the office, master bedroom and bathroom and on the right hand side you have the guest rooms which share a bathroom, and in the center of the house you have kitchen, dining, great room. For Fred and I that would be more than plenty, we would do without the upstairs…
SECOND FLOOR – A country farmhouse plan (888-7) via Houseplans.com
The loft is accessed by a ladder from the main floor. You could always use that space as storage (much like you would use an attic with a pull down staircase). If the ladder was in the way or you didn’t want to draw attention to it, you could move it when not needed. A climate controlled attic… at least in the south that would be really nice! I remember the first time I put red and white taper candles in the Christmas decoration box. When I pulled it down the next year the candles had completely melted. Many of our good ornaments ruined (not by the candle wax, but from the heat).
You may see this quite a bit. You see the big cable and telecom companies want to divide the Internet, making some areas fast speeds, and other sites very slow… so slow that you would see this loading wheel more often than not. I signed a letter to stop this from happening – I hope you do too.It only takes a few seconds!
Sometimes we have to take a stand for things we believe in. This is your chance to let your voice be heard. Will you send an email to let your voice be heard?
If you see the actual loading symbol somewhere on this blog (not the image above, but the real one, where it’s moving), click on it and it will also take you to the www.battleforthenet.com website where they have lots of great information!
Grilled chicken… again… WHAT to have as a side? Something different. Something QUICK. What’s on hand? Trader Joe’s rice. Yay! Grape tomatoes, feta, olives, all staples… there ya go… add more or less it’s good any way you make it!
Brown Rice with Feta, Grape Tomatoes, Green Onion, Feta, Olives…
You can also add Olives, Banana Pepper or anything else that you have on hand that sounds good!
DIRECTIONS
I cook the rice, prep and cut the veggies.
In a bowl I add just enough olive oil to coat/moisten the rice and I add pepper (1-2 tablespoons would be my guess). If I’m using Feta I do not use Salt.
Mix the oil and spices, then add the sliced tomatoes. Top with hot rice and let sit a few minutes to soften the tomatoes a bit. Then give it a good stir, add the veggies and the feta, olives, banana pepper and anything else that sounds good. This literally takes a few minutes to make when using frozen rice (microwave). It’s a great side dish and believe it or not is good hot or cold!
*You can use refrigerated leftover brown rice, make a fresh pot of rice, or use the frozen packets (Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice, each pouch makes about 3 servings) – super quick, you zap for 3 minutes in the microwave!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
NOTE to my subscribers: This recipe originally said olive oil amount was 5 swirls around the bowl… that is for the pasta salad… eek, my apologies, this uses far less! (Always check the blog (via the email) by clicking on the title of the post (it will take you to my blog). If there are any errors I usually catch them in the morning, and have them corrected!
Robert Lemler. Wow! What fabulous work! Check out his website to see more of his style. This is a great opportunity for a three day workshop with Robert! Fun and informative, you can spend a better three days!
Click HERE to sign up for any of the Fine Art Collaborative (FAC) workshops! (Michelle Dunaway, Tom Balderas, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Ray Roberts, Robert Lemler, Leon Okun, Vanessa Rothe and Leslie Saeta).
Leon Okun. Drawing… The foundation of a good painting. This man’s paintings are incredible. This is quite the opportunity, and a lot will be learned in this two day workshop. Drawing is so important, the more you can learn, the easier it will be! Another great workshop!
College of Charleston (Charleston, South Carolina)
College of Charleston. A beautiful, historic campus founded in 1770 and located in the heart of the city! Recently, my nephew was in town, and we stopped in the Admissions office at College of Charleston. I was so impressed with not only the guy that was giving us the information (a student!), but with all the students on their way to classes. Each and every one of them were so helpful. They offered advice, directions, and things we should check out. I truly felt like I was in the “Friendliest City in America” (which Charleston is again this year, for the second time in a row!). The amount of information that they share is wonderful and so helpful when it comes to deciding on WHICH college.
Read a blip about the college from their website:
About the College A superior public university with personality to spare.
Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities and cutting-edge programs, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.
Over 10,000 undergraduates and approximately 1,200 graduate students at the College enjoy a small-college feel blended with the advantages and diversity of a mid-sized, urban university. They work closely with a committed faculty, made up of more than 500 distinguished teacher-scholars. And the city of Charleston – world-renowned for its history, architecture, culture and coastal environment – serves as a living and learning laboratory for experiences in business, science, technology, teaching, the humanities, languages and the arts.
FAC – the Fine Art Collaborative – what an opportunity. Do you see all these wonderful artists? Each so talented and highly sought after for workshops… Guess what? There is another workshop coming up with ALL OF THEM! I’ll feature a few this week and for the next few weeks… Don’t miss out! Sign up while there is still a spot available!
Leslie Saeta. Everyone has heard of Leslie, she’s done very well marketing her art and really making a name for herself. Have you listened to the Artists Helping Artists Blog Radio show? It’s fabulous! She interviews an artist once a week, along with a cohost. The interviews are full of information, and so entertaining! You can listen to past episodes, so check it out! In this lecture, Leslie is going to talk about promoting your art. Who doesn’t need that? Learn from the master!
I get so much out of a demo. I can see how the artists approaches the subject, what they do first, what they don’t do. Sometimes its the little things that make the biggest difference! This lecture and demo is sure to be a hit! Michelle Dunaway‘s portraits just come to life! Don’t miss this chance. I would sign up for as many workshops as I could fit in! So many great artists, all offering a workshop of one type or another, but act quickly, the workshop begins in three weeks!!
Let me start by saying… if this post looks familiar to some of you, you aren’t crazy. I write my posts ahead of time and schedule them to publish. I was using the software’s new updated version which had a bug that allowed the scheduled post to publish immediately. Sigh… Did you have a deja vu moment just now? ha ha…
Moser Design Group. One of my favorites. This Guest Cottage (TNH-GC-02A) may be small but it packs a powerful punch in terms of livability! If you use this as a guest cottage your guests may stay indefinitely! I think this would be a great house for a single person without a lot of “stuff” that wants to live on a smaller scale. I like that philosophy and you see more and more tiny houses popping up!
Guest Cottage TNH-GC-02A by Moser Design Group
I think I would screen the entry porch, it not only allows you to open the front door and windows across the front, it also gives you a little privacy since your living area is on the front of the house. This plan has a nice and efficient size bedroom with a bathroom right across the hallway, as well as a utility room!
And… this small house/guest cottage has stairs that lead to a loft, which could always be a spare bedroom, storage space, office, etc. I love endless possibilities!
Guest Cottage TNH-GC-02A by Moser Design Group
Check out the Moser Design Group website for more information on this Guest Cottage (TNH-GC-02A) by Moser Design Group – it is also know as KC-697… do you remember seeing the Katrina Cottage plans that were available through Lowe’s? This is one of those plans. I loved those from the moment they appeared on the market! It doesn’t appear that Lowe’s is still in the house plan business, but lucky for you… Moser Design Group is!
Reconnected by Logan Hagege “Reconnected” oil on linen 50×40
Logan Hagege. An iconic superstar Southwestern artist. You see a painting and the style is all Logan’s… you can tell one of his paintings a mile away. Such history and emotion come from them. This piece, above, Reconnected is part of the CHANGING LIGHT – Solo Exhibition at Trailside Galleries in Jackson Hole, WY.
All works at this show are to be sold by draw on September 13th, 2014. SOLD BY DRAW… do you know what that means? It basically means that you put your name in the hat, if your name is picked, then you can buy the painting… if your name is not picked… well, you need to find another painting. I think it’s amazing to be able to sell paintings so quickly! To have so many collectors wanting your paintings! I see why – Logan’s work is stunning!
If you’re in the Jackson Hole, WY area, don’t miss the CHANGING LIGHT SHOW Sept. 1 – 14, 2014 with Artist’s Reception Sept. 13 from 4-7PM.
Trailside Galleries is pleased to present a show of new works by California artist Logan Maxwell Hagege. With approximately 20 new paintings, the American Southwest comes to life in a series of angular images that capture the spare beauty of an arid landscape and of an ancient and enduring Native American culture shaped by the extremes of its environment. The artist will be in attendance at the reception held on September 13th from 4-7pm. .
All works to be sold by draw on September 13th, 2014
Logan Maxwell Hagege is a talented artist who excels in depicting the figure and landscapes. Serious study in art started for Logan when early interest in animation sent him to a local art school, Associates in Art. His interest quickly moved from animation to fine art while attending life drawing classes, and later the Academy`s Advanced Masters Program, which was modeled after the old time French Art Schools where students spent more than six hours per day studying from live models. Logan also studied privately under Steve Huston and Joseph Mendez.
This artist has drawn inspiration for his subjects from his native Southern California as well as by traveling extensively to view various landscapes in the American Southwest and the Northeast Coast of the U.S.
Logan finds encouragement and guidance in masters of the past such as Gustav Klimt, N.C. Wyeth, T.W. Dewing and Maynard Dixon. One idea that drives Logan`s work is that evolution in art is never ending. He is constantly challenging himself with new ideas and new ways of looking at the same subject.
Fred and I went to a local Mexican restaurant after work one night. We ordered the rice bowl with chicken, which was out of this world. While eating… it occurred to me, this recipe isn’t rocket science. While it IS really nice when its made for you, it’s not difficult to make yourself… a little time consuming perhaps, but not too bad! And the taste? Ohhhh, Mmmmmm, Geeeeee!
Here’s what you do! Click HERE to print only the recipe!
RICE BOWL WITH BLACK BEANS, PICO, GUACAMOLE, CILANTRO, QUESO FRESCA and JACK CHEESE
2 servings
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (or a rotisserie chicken equivalent amount)
1 can of black beans seasoned (and I add minced red onion) or unseasoned and add, cumin, coriander, jalapeño and red onion
1 large very ripe avocado
1/4 cup red onion, minced – divided between beans and guacamole.
Lime
Brown Rice – Can use 1 packet of frozen brown rice (Trader Joe’s) or you can cook brown rice, just start earlier!
Pico de Gallo Salsa (again… Trader Joe’s!)
Queso fresco (I had to ask where the “crumbled queso” was located at Whole Foods, I couldn’t find it anywhere else?)
Jack cheese just a small amount. I use a microplane and grate maybe 1-2 Tablespoons for each bowl.
Here are the steps:
1. Poach the chicken 2. Heat the black beans and season 3. Make the rice 4. Make the guacamole 5. DISH. IT. UP.
Step 1: Poach the chicken. Super easy! This step can be done ahead of time, which comes in handy! You can also use a rotisserie chicken if you like… But I like to poach 2 chicken breasts, it really is so easy. Start by putting the chicken in a large pan. Add water so that you’re about 2″ above the chicken. Turn the pot on high until it starts to boil. Once it starts to boil set the timer for 15 minutes and TURN IT DOWN AND COVER IT so that you only see a little bubble here and there! If you used very large chicken breasts it may take 20 minutes. I set the timer for 15, pull it out, make a slice in the thickest part and check to see if its done, if not, back it goes for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Heat the black beans and season. I buy black beans from Whole Foods in the carton instead of the can (no BPA!) rinse them good and place in a saucepan. I add chopped red onion, jalapeño, some cumin and coriander (to taste). OR you can buy a can of SEASONED BLACK BEANS, that will work great too!
Step 3: Make the rice. Brown rice is perfect for this recipe. I cheat a little on this step and use a package of frozen brown rice from Trader Joe’s, you just zap it in the microwave for three minutes and POOF, you’re done! One packet of frozen rice is perfect for two people with a little to spare! (Or you can make brown rice the regular way, according to package directions, just start about the same time as the chicken!).
Step 4: Make the guacamole. You can buy this made at Whole Foods and that’s fine, or you can spend less than a minute and make it yourself for a fraction of the price. Select one good soft avocado. I cut it in half, then make cut marks and scoop it out and smash with a fork, squeeze lime juice from a nice side wedge of lime. Add some minced red onion. Stir it up good.
Step 5: DISH. IT. UP. Get out 2 bowls, take a wedge of lime and give a little squeeze in each bowl (not a lot). Spoon however much rice you would like, then add the poached chicken, black beans, Jack cheese (I use a microplane and grate very finely), fresh cilantro if you like it, the pico de gallo (super fresh, I buy the Trader Joe’s brand, it’s wonderful). Then crumble some queso fresco on top! Is there anything better than queso? Healthier than feta! Oh, and put a few tortilla chips on top, they’re pretty and the crunch is so nice!
Happy Labor Day! It’s officially the “end” of beach season, not that there isn’t plenty of sun to be had on the beaches for the next several months. But things will slow down a bit with kids back in school. Enjoy your day off if you have one! One more beach day, a nice BBQ in the evening… sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Personally I would like to be on Monhegan Island (Maine) right now. Just look at this vast ocean view… so peaceful! For those of you who ARE there, enjoy!
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