Featured Artist… John Michael Carter! ART WALK TONIGHT!

Through the Window by John Michael Carter
Through the Window by John Michael Carter

John Michael Carter. His portraits are so realistic yet warm and fabulous. Listening to people react to his work has been amazing. I only have heard positive comments. People who aren’t “in to” portraits are amazed by them. I thought one man described it quite well. He said John’s work is quite like John Singer Sargent, he said he could easily hang a Sargent piece in his home, because the portraits become people who almost tell a story rather than just being “someone you don’t know” hanging on your wall. I thought that was a great way to describe it. Fred and I don’t collect any portraits, but I could easily see that change with John’s work. The eyes… they draw you in. The hands… amazing and life like. Stunning in every way. There are a few portraits at Galerie on Broad that are breath-takers. Seriously! Reminder: Tonight is the art walk in Charleston, SC – hope to see you there!

Fishing Boat by John Michael Carter
Fishing Boat by John Michael Carter

John is not limited to portraits. The scope of his work reaches far. Fishing Boat is a great example… this is a painting of Martha’s Vineyard, and it’s a great one! He captures that wonderful New England charm so well.

Read a blip about John from the Galerie on Broad website:

John Michael Carter was born in Chicago, Illinois and began his first studies in drawing at the age sixteen with his father, a commerical artist. He attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, University of Louisville, and Los Angeles Art Center College of Design. There he studied the classical schools of painting and received a B.F.A.

In his paintings, Cater recreates memories of family and friends, landscapes and street scenes from his travels, and images of people he admires. “I choose subjects that are part of my everyday experience.” The artist captures his immediate feelings about a subject and paints “from the heart.” Carter has traveled throughout the United States, and considers Italy, southern France and Spain among his favorite places. He prefers to paint on location, but works from sketches in the studio when limited by time or weather. Carter works with oil paint because it allows him to “create most of the characteristics of other mediums.” He considers himself a “painter of the moment,” using the technique of alla prima.

Carter has taught drawing and painting through the University of Kentucky, and has been a frequent guest instructor at art workshops across the country. He has had over 38 one-man shows and participated in numerous group exhibitions. 

If you get a chance, stop in the gallery and check out his work!

Info on the Gallery Row Art Walk (from CharlestonGalleryRow.com)

Located along Historic Broad Street, Gallery Row opens its doors for “First Fridays on Broad” and a variety of other events hosted by the 15 galleries, restaurants, shops, and boutiques on the Row.

GALLERIES ON THE ROW…

 Ellis-Nicholson Gallery

Martin Gallery

COCO VIVO Fine Art | Interior Design

Galerie on Broad

Edward Dare Gallery

Spencer Galleries I & II

Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art

Mary Martin Gallery

F L A S H  B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:           White cheddar, kale and tomato omelet!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:       A monthly/weekly planner to die for!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:  For the irreverent and Slightly Jaded!

Images via GalerieOnBroad.com

House Plan: Port Royal Coastal Cottage SL1414 – Southern Living!

SL1414
Port Royal Coastal Cottage – SL1414 (All Images: Houseplans.SouthernLiving.com)

This is the Port Royal Coastal Cottage, a house plan from Southern Living. This is an exclusive design for Southern Living by Allison Ramsey Architects. They have the most amazing house plans I have ever seen, and this is no exception! They have a unique ability to make a new home look like something that could fit in an older well established neighborhood. Remember the detail that made homes in the “old days” so special? Well, Allison Ramsey Architects keeps that wonderful detail.

Continue reading “House Plan: Port Royal Coastal Cottage SL1414 – Southern Living!”

Wishes…

 

I WIsh...
I WIsh…

“I wish”… I’ve used this image before in a tribute to a friend… I love this photo. I took it on Monhegan, Maine as the boat was pulling out. If the flowers come back towards the wharf that means that you’ll be back. It’s such a cool tradition.

My wishes for you…

…you have all the happiness your heart can hold, and pass that happiness on to others…

…that you all have your health. Without your health it doesn’t matter WHAT you’ve got, things are just things… health is everything… and if you’re fortunate enough to have good health maybe help someone out who isn’t in the best of health. Whether you bring them soup, the newspaper, cut their lawn or help pay their bills. Anything you can do is better than nothing.

peace… I wish that for all the conflict in this country (and beyond) there is peace and that conflict subsides…

Happy New Year friends! I am so blessed to have met so many truly wonderful people through this blog. Who would have thought??!! I look forward to sharing more with you in 2014.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:        Kale and White Bean Soup Recipe (2013)

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:   Happy New Year I wish you the best! (2012)

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:         Happy New Year and New You?? (2011)

Make a wish… and watch it drop with the confetti from Times Square tonight!

TimesSquareAllianceNYC.org
TimesSquareAllianceNYC.org

Whew, this post concludes year THREE of daily posts. I didn’t think I would make it through year one… but TWO and now THREE… WOOHOO! Thanks for reading!!

Each year, at the Times Square Museum and Visitor’s Center you can write down your wishes and they appear on a wall for all to see… if you aren’t in the NYC area, then you can submit a wish online via the link below!

How cool is this??

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A WISH AND HAVE IT DROP WITH ONE TON OF CONFETTI ON NEW YEARS EVE (TONIGHT!)

From  TimesSquareAllianceNYC.org:

Virtual Wishing Wall

Can’t make it to Times Square? No worries, your wishes can still fall from the sky this New Year’s. Just submit your wish, your dream, your first, online. We will print it onto a piece of confetti for you, so that no matter where you are on New Year’s Eve, your wish will be part of the Times Square celebration. Happy New Year

Wishing you a safe and Happy New Years Eve!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Well it’s New Year’s Eve, Where did the year go?

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Challenge Complete!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Palms in Charleston…

Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC

Another photo from our walk the other morning… Look at these palms. Awesome tall they are! The homes here are nothing short of magnificent. If you don’t live here, you’ve got to come visit! You will love it!

Trying to catch up on all that’s got to be done, back to normal after the first! Happy New Year’s Eve eve to you!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        An orchid… Simple beauty!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Artist to watch… Douglas Martenson!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A walk in Charleston…

A walk in Charleston, SC...
A walk in Charleston, SC…

Fred, Charlie and I headed out on Saturday morning fairly early for a walk downtown. Something different. It’s hard to walk day after day after day in the same location. Time flies when you move on to new territory! Charlie had lots of new smells and I was trying to be sneaky with my phone camera as we were whizzing by at a quick pace. I did manage a few shots. It makes me crazy to be without a camera!

Enjoy your Sunday!! The New Year is almost upon is!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Goodbye Charlie (mailman)!!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   New Year’s Eve, Make a Wish! (2012)

The beast and I…

Me and… Charlie...
Me and… Charlie…

We had an early Christmas at Fred’s parent’s  house – it was so nice… the food was tasty, the house was decorated beautifully and there were photos taken (thanks for this one LTS)! This is me with a grip on Charlie enough to get a photo… I felt like a wrestler… ha ha…

Normally I schedule my posts ahead of time… I got up this morning, and went to check to see what I had to say… Hmmmm, nothing? Ohhh nooooo! So here is a quick post of the beast and I. Hope that your holidays have been bright and that you are getting back to normal now… My posts will return to normal after the first of the year, let me know what you want to hear more about!

Wishing you a great day! If you’re in Charleston, SC I will be at Galerie on Broad (29 Broad Street) today. It should be a beautiful day to walk around downtown and check out the local galleries. Hope to see you there!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Featured Artist… Bill Davidson!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Artist to watch… Scott Hamilton!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

You got something to say?? Speak up! Let me hear you!

WordPress

I use WordPress software to write my blog. There has been a steep learning curve since I am not of the younger generation and my brain is not wired to “think like this”… I’ll admit at times there has been smoke coming out of my ears from so much thinking. BUT, that is a good thing right? Recently I’ve had several people tell me that they would have liked to comment on my blog, but it requires signing up for something or it’s just too darn hard to figure out. I promised I would address this, so here are some step by step directions. Once you’ve done it, you’ll see it’s a breeze. Although, trust me, I know how you feel, so give it a whirl! I usually do try to comment back to everyone if possible. If you would like to see my response (emailed to you) as well as anyone else who comments on that particular post, you can click on a button to see just that… Also, DO NOT WORRY THAT YOU DON’T SEE YOUR COMMENT RIGHT AWAY. Because of all the spammers out there (people who “comment” but put links to all kinds of creepy things) I have the comments set to moderate, meaning that I click to approve them. So hey, if you’re creepy and try posting a link to pretty much anything I will most likely mark you as spam and be done with you, please don’t waste your time with me.

The steps are simple

At the bottom of the daily post you will see a LEAVE A COMMENT or 1 COMMENT (2 COMMENTS, etc.) link, click on it.

Then you will see a box pop up to enter your comment. Place your cursor in that box.

Once you place your cursor in the box you will see a few more things. Ways to show me who you are. You have the option of entering your email address (that no one who reads comments will see, only I will see it), and the name that you want to appear to anyone who reads comments. You also have the option of signing in with WordPress [if you have a blog], Facebook, Twitter and Google +). Then click the POST COMMENT button. As soon as I look at the comment to make sure you aren’t a spammer it will appear. You can also click a box so that you receive an email with all comments on that post, mine included… 

Here it is step-by-step… I have lots of screen shots, and am probably over-explaining everything, but it truly is easy. Give it a whirl!

Ok, here goes… Step one… click on the “Leave a Comment” link. You’ll see it at the bottom of each daily post on the left hand side…

Step One...
Step One…

Step two… You will see a box appear. Place your cursor inside the box (click your mouse/trackpad inside the box).

Step two...
Step two…

Step three… and this is it! Enter your comment. Then enter your  email address on that first line. Enter your name on the second line. If you have a respectable website address you can enter it on the WEBSITE line, otherwise, just leave that one blank.

What appears you’re wondering? Your name as you enter it. So if you prefer to only enter a first name, that’s ok… Your comment appears. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS DOES NOT APPEAR… the only person who can see that is me! If you want to see other comments (mine included) for this post only check the NOTIFY ME OF FOLLOW-UP COMMENTS box. Then… CLICK the POST COMMENT button on bottom right of screen.

Options… Of course WordPress likes to give people options. So if  you don’t want to sign in with your name and email, they give you the choice to sign in with your WordPress account (if you have one), Twitter, Facebook or Google +. Ignore this if you don’t have one of these accounts! Just use your email address and name!

Don't forget to click on Post Comment!
Don’t forget to click on Post Comment!

To clarify… You can click on LEAVE A COMMENT as shown in the first screen shot, or on the number of comments. See how it appears after someone has made a comment? You see 1 Comment (or however many there are), you can click on to either read the comments or to leave a comment.

So to leave a comment, click on LEAVE A COMMENT or on 1 comment (or 2 comments, etc) - you can also click that link to read other comments.
So to leave a comment, click on LEAVE A COMMENT or on “1 Comment” (or 2 Comments, etc) – you can also click that link to read other comments.

I just noticed one more scenario that makes it even quicker for you… sometimes you will not see the comment link (either Leave a Comment or 1 Comment, etc) – this is when you click on the title of the post, or if you click and are looking at a specific post. It will appear with a comment box, so you’re ready to go… Follow the steps above… woohoo… tell me what you’ve got to say!!

Easy as pie… oooh, did someone say pie?
Easy as pie… oooh, did someone say pie?

Hey, THANK YOU, to those of you who have commented over the past (nearly) three years! I have “met” some of the coolest people on earth through this blog!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        I think I’ve found where I want to live… finally!!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Recipe for a crowd, Chicken Sausage Jambalaya with Shrimp!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Are these wicked good people or what?

Collecting… even in wicked conditions...
Collecting… even in wicked conditions…

This post was originally entitled “Happy Christmas Eve Eve”, but then I switched things around… well, most things… forgot to update the title, so for those of you who receive this post by email, and then look at it online… you aren’t going crazy! ;)

This was our drive to the airport a few weeks ago… let me tell ya… snow, snow, snow… cars off the road, a few spun around, and these brave souls… collecting money for a local charity. This was a cold, windy day, but they are dressed for it!

Hard core collecting!
Hard core collecting!

This is some hard core collecting no doubt! These photos serve as a great reminder to give what you can to someone in need. Whether its merely a visit, a small gift, or a meal… you can brighten someone’s day who is alone this Christmas season. This can be a sad time for many, so keep your eye out and do what you can do to help out. You will be richer because of it!

Hope you had a nice Christmas!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Featured Artist… James Richards!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Artist to watch… Ulrich Gleiter!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Christmas Eve… peace be with you…

Peace by Joe Fidler
Peace by Joe Fidler

I love this! This is a Christmas card my dad made 21 years ago! We had it framed and it’s next to our front door so we see it every day. So simple in design yet so incredibly cool!

May peace be with you and yours this holiday season…

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Twas the Night Before Christmas!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Christmas Eve…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The best cookies for decorating… a holiday tradition!

Christmas Cookies!
Christmas Cookies!

Growing up we had a tradition in our house… Christmas cookies… bake them and decorate. There was nothing better! To top it off they are the tastiest you will ever eat! The frosting sets so they don’t get smushed into each other. You don’t need any special tools (we use zip top storage bags). Make and bake the cookies. Then make the frosting. Scoop some of the “white” into a zip top bag, then divide the frosting into bowls of whatever other colors you like. (Red, green and blue is what we usually did, in addition to white). Add food coloring to each bowl and get it the color you like. A good “grinch” green mix blue and yellow food coloring until you hit that great green… or if you don’t feel adventurous, just use the green food coloring. Next, snip the very corner of the bag, and the frosting will flow through that to decorate. Easy and so much fun. You really see the artsy folks stand out here! Click HERE to print the recipe minus all the photos, etc.

Decorate however you like, neat, messy, in whatever colors you create!
Decorate however you like, neat, messy, in whatever colors you create!

 

CHRISTMAS BUTTER COOKIES

Sift 2 3/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

In mixer bowl add 3/4 cup soft butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Beat until fluffy and light. Slowly beat in flour mixture. CHILL ONE HOUR.

Flour your work surface and roll out dough. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

YIELD: 4 dozen (IF you don’t eat the dough… good luck to ya!)

FROSTING

Mix 1/4 cup butter, 4 cups (1 box) confectioner’s sugar, 1/4 cup scalded cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend until smooth. Scoop into separate bowls and add food coloring (hint: yellow and blue mixed makes an awesome ‘grinch’ green). Scoop colored frosting into Ziplock bag (doesn’t have to be Ziplock, any zip top is fine, I use freezer quart size bags) and snip a little off the corner. Squeeze onto cookie to decorate! If you need the frosting thinned a bit more, I have great luck just using light cream, add a little at a time until it will easily come out of the bag to decorate.

 

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Plans to make, gifts to take… remember the reason for the season!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Thank you to artist Dan Corey, an artist who knows the reason for the season!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Handmade wooden painted ornaments… treasures!

Christmas ornaments made by Joe Fidler
Christmas ornaments made by Joe Fidler

I have a gorgeous collection of Christmas ornaments that my dad made. I made one, can’t remember which one, I think it turned out too thick for my liking…  he really made each one so different, and they look festive displayed in this wooden bowl that he made. He’s a handy kind of guy. If I was in MI I would be learning how to make all this stuff… treasures!

Are you getting everything on your list accomplished? Well, no worries, me either, ha ha! It’s what the holidays are all about! Have a great day!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        Yet another wicked cool sky!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Recipe for butter Christmas cookies with frosting – beautiful to decorate!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

This photo gives me goosebumps…

Ice flowing along the river in Algonac, MI
Ice flowing along the river in Algonac, MI

G-g-g-g-g-ives ya goosebumps doesn’t it? This photo sends a shiver down my spine… (note to self: make a poster of this for summer in Charleston!)… this photo was taken in front of my parents house on the river in Algonac, MI. The ice is flowing nicely, but at times jams up and a ice breaker (Coast Guard) has to break it up. Pretty entertaining! I used to think the big glacier-like hunks were cool… would be neat to hop on and go for a ride! You really have to respect the river this time of year. It can look frozen and safe to walk on, but there is a swift current that usually keeps that from happening… never a good idea. However, we used to drive out on the lake (frozen with ice) and have a big time! I’ve even been to bonfire’s on frozen canals in my younger years. It truly makes no sense to me that you can have a fire on the ice and not melt, but I’m here to tell you… it happens!

Happy First Day of Winter! The days start getting longer from here! For some of you that is welcome news…

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…        In the wilds of the North on this first day of winter…

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…   Artist to watch… David Scriven Crowley!

Catch you back here tomorrow!