Robert (Bob) LaDuke has some of the coolest art… what an imagination! Fun, happy, wonderful work that truly makes you smile! Check out his website for more information…
Painting by Robert LaDuke
This is another fabulous painting… it just feels like a good old fashioned happy home to me, complete with a full moon, lights on inside the house, cool old car, fabulous tree… I love this painting… and did you notice Bob’s signature… way cool!
Painting by Robert LaDuke – Daily Paintworks…
Robert also paints some fabulous smaller paintings that can be purchased through Daily Paintworks – Robert LaDuke, these paintings have so much character and they are FABULOUS! Most are sold, so don’t hesitate if you really love a piece!
Robert LaDuke’s paintings are identifiable for their crisp, clean style and colorfull scenes. Painting professionally for over 20 years, he began his journey as an artist by attending the School of Art Institute in Chicago. He received the Presidential Scholarship to attend.
His first gallery show was in 1996 at Mendenhall Gallery in Pasadena, CA and he has been showing his work ever since.
Isn’t this the sweetest house ever? I like to refer to it as “my house” (it’s not!) on the West Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI… Many of the homes are very, very large… this one is just right! I love the screened porch, and the view… are you kidding me? Heaven! This is near the Pontiac Trail for those of you who are familiar… I love that little trail… breathtaking views!
Ahhh, beauty at its best! Several years ago, my mom, sister and I got together for a little weekend getaway on Mackinac Island in Michigan. We had the best time ever celebrating the end of my mom’s chemo treatments, woohoo mom! We stayed in a beautiful room at the Island House, ate in their dining room each evening which was such a treat… walked and rode bikes until we wore ourselves out! On this day, my sister and I rode bikes around the island after dinner… we really had to pedal fast to make it off the back side of the island (no lights) before it was completely dark… that was something! This isn’t the best photo, taken with my Blackberry, but you get the a feeling of how gorgeous that golden light is! If you ever get a chance to go to Mackinac Island, please do! Like I mentioned, the Island House is a treat… its also worth strolling through the Grand Hotel and all its shops (note: there is a fee). They have a great little bistro where you can eat, lunches are reasonable and so delicious!
Meet Gus… a sweetie, right? Just look at those soulful eyes… this little painting caught my eye… If you haven’t checked out Margaret’s work, you just may want to! I love how she has a little description about each painting. That makes it so interesting.
Little Chickadee by Margaret Sheldon
This little chickadee painting is sweet and looks like it could be made in to wallpaper. Wouldn’t it be pretty in a powder room? Margaret paints just about everything, which really makes it fun!
Born in NYC, I studied Fine Arts at St. John’s University. There I had the privilege of studying with the brilliant and talented Claude Ponsot, beret and all. After graduating with honors and a BFA in Painting, I continued my education studying Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. But after many years as an architect and designer, my love of oil painting resurfaced and has led me back to the easel. Where I intend to stay put.
New Vintage Lowcountry SL-1831New Vintage Lowcountry (SL-1831) is a 2,735 square foot home with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 fireplaces… this is an exclusive design for Southern Living by Group 3 Design. This plan is larger than most that I feature… it’s not too big, and the space is well used. This home looks like it could be in a quaint village where it has lived happily for many years… it takes tact to design a home that is new that doesn’t look so new. This home has charm and character… Lets take a peek…
Main Floor
This is a nice open plan. I like the way that the kitchen looks into the great room, and I love the office near the kitchen (with a separate entrance!). When I’m cooking I run back and forth from the computer (with my recipe) to the kitchen and its handy that way!
I have to say I really would enjoy the nice screened porch off of the great room. Wow, what nice air flow in the nice weather months… open all those doors and let the fresh air in! It would be dreamy to have a fireplace on the screened porch… get all comfy in your chair with a good book, a roaring fire and a cup of hot chocolate… ahhhh, life is good!
Upper Level
The upstairs is nice, but for just the two of us, I would probably make the study a bathroom, and make the two bathrooms into storage… and then have one bedroom with the treadmill for bad weather workouts and the other bedroom for guests! Either that or pick a bathroom and work around it…
John Burton’s work really catches your eye. It’s the way he captures the light. Most paintings seem to be the western part of the country, but look at this jewel that I ran across… I love it! I would guess this is Maine? But its purely a guess…
John has several pieces headed to the Mesa Verde Foundation… From John’s Facebook page… (Image and words):
Last spring a select group of artist were invited to paint the Mesa Verde National Park. We had incredible access to paint inside the Native American ruins. This October 22nd we will be exhibiting our paintings in Denver. Here is one of the peaceful early mornings I witnessed. To see more go to… http://www.mesaverdefoundation.org/News-Events.aspx
John Burton painting from Mesa Verde National Park
Just look at that light! Isn’t it remarkable? Such nice texture and distance, you get a feel for how big this park really is! I encourage you to take a peek at John’s website… wonderful!
John Burton is an American original. After years of being an accomplished figure painter he changed gears mid career to focus on the incredible landscapes of the American west. He has the ability to capture the essence of a landscape through the poetry of his brushwork. Mr. Burton says, “It has been an incredible opportunity to hike out to the Pacific Coast or deep in the Sonoran Desert with a canvas and paints and walk out with art.”
A Westerner at heart, art has always been in the soul of John Burton. Whether it’s a figurative work of Native Americans or a plein air oil of a desert or coastal landscape, John’s paintings are always filled with life, light, and color. Having lived his whole life in the West, John graduated from Arizona State University and continued his formal studies at the Academy of Art in San Francisco to study oil painting. John commented, “It was my Utopia, surrounded by people who loved art and had the same high level of dedication.” Upon graduation he realized that it was just the beginning and that “art is a lifelong study.” John considers himself fortunate to have studied with such noted artists as Scott Burdick, Morgan Wiestling, and Kim English. An avid traveler, John has painted worldwide, having been highly influenced by such movements as the Russian Impressionists specifically artists Nicolai Fechin and Dean Cornwell. Today, John is an artist of note in Arizona, as to see the West captured through the eyes of John Burton is a true privilege.
The depth of feeling he inspires with his brushes has won him many accolades. Just recently he placed third in the national Oil Painters of America show in Taos, NM and and second in the National Oil and Acrylics Painters Society’s annual competition. His work has been juried into the Arts for the Parks Mini Fifty show, the Howard Mandville Gallery miniature show in Kirkland, Washington. In 2003 he was invited both into the Tucson Plein Air Show and the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters where he painted side by side with other artists who also had a quest for painting western landscapes.
Artist’s Magazine sums up John’s passion for painting, “I can’t live without it. I paint all day long, even at night, and I just can’t imagine doing anything else.” Collectors and art critics from across the nation appreciate his work, Art Talk calling it “must see” and The Arizona Republic named him one of the 5 artists to watch in 2004! His work has been exhibited at over a dozen galleries and museums throughout the nation.
A much sought after teacher as well, John has taught workshops in San Francisco, and multiple locations in Hawaii and the Valley of the Sun.
Tuna Casserole! Creamy (above) bake with lid, or bake without the lid for less creamy…
Don’t laugh! This is the ultimate in comfort food and sometimes its just what you need! I remember this from when I was a kid and I still love it to this day! One weekend Fred and I were brainstorming what to make for the week for dinner… I said TUNA CASSEROLE… Ick, pew, nasty and a bunch of other words popped out of his mouth… What? That’s when I realized the entire world did not love this as much as I did. How could that be? I looked up recipes for tuna casserole and the majority do not have cheese. Well… ick, pew, nasty comes to mind! NOW I know why people don’t like it… trust me on this… this will make you smile, it is delicious beyond belief… you can add the peas (or not)… I prefer them on the side… Fred likes them all mixed in… so we make it both ways. Its quick, easy and very good… even better heated up the next day… have this and a salad and you will be happy camper!
6 oz. (½ package) Egg Noodles (I use Manischewitz or Publix brand)
1- 10 ¾ oz can Cream of Celery Soup
1 soup can of Milk (I use 2%)
8 oz Cheddar Cheese, shredded (I use Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp 2%)
1 Small Onion, chopped
1 – 7 oz can tuna, drained
Pepper
Baby Peas (optional) – a handful or two
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the egg noodles…
Boil the noodles…
While the water is getting hot…
In a large bowl, add the cream of celery soup, milk, chopped onion, tuna, pepper and peas (optional).
Stir or whisk ingredients together in large bowl…
Once the pasta finishes cooking, drain it in a colander, and then add the noodles to the large bowl with ingredients. Give it a stir.
Add hot noodles to soup/milk mixture…
Add the cheese and stir to mix, reserving a handful or two to sprinkle on top. Sprinkle with pepper and top with the remaining cheese.
Stir together, save a little cheese for the top!
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly. I usually keep the lid on because I like mine creamy. If you like a crunchy texture on top, you can bake it without the lid.
Magnificent! These dynamic colors just pull you right into this painting. Back in the spring/early summer this painting was part of the Oil Painters of America National Juried Ehibition of TraditionalOils held at Insight Gallery in Fredricksbury, Tx. What an honor! Such interesting subject matter, it makes you want to know more… what are the costumes for? Who is wearing them? This painting is by artist Pauline Roche. She has done several with a costume theme and they are utterly spectacular! Check out her work… beautiful!
Here’s a blip about Pauline from her website, its impressive… click HERE to read more:
Pauline Roche was born in London but grew up in Australia from the age of seven. In 1995 she moved to the United States. She lived for a number of years in Boston, and also in Tucson, Arizona, and has recently settled in San Diego, California with her husband and two children.
Pauline’s work has won a number of awards in juried exhibitions, including the Gold Medal of Honor at the Audubon Artists Annual exhibition, New York and others in exhibitions at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, the Salmagundi Club and the American Artists Professional League, New York. Her work was selected as a Top 100 Finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s International ARC Salon (2007 and in 2011-2012). Recently she received an Award for Artistic Excellence from Southwest Art magazine (2012) and won 2nd Prize in The Artist’s Magazine 29th Annual Art Competition (2012).
She is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women. A feature article on Pauline’s work and technique, ‘Contemplating the Past, Painting the Present’ appeared in American Artist magazine (May 2007).
Pauline’s figurative pieces usually portray people in distinctive settings. She loves to capture the unique gestures of people in quiet contemplation and reveal a connection between the people and their surroundings. In particular, she looks for connections between her figures and art. Museum settings with paintings and sculpture, historical buildings with grand architecture, people involved in dance and musical performance are consistent themes in her figurative work. In addition to her figurative work, Pauline paints still life, and plein air landscapes. She believes in continually painting a variety of subject matter, enjoying the varied challenges and stimulation that different subjects offer.
Pauline’s early art training was in the studios of practicing artists in Australia, where she received extensive training in traditional painting. Her subsequent art education has included studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Art, Boston and The Florence Academy of Art, Italy.
Pauline has exhibited her work annually in Boston since 1998 and has also continued to exhibit in Australia where she was the recipient of a coveted prize for oil painting in the prestigious national juried exhibition, The A.M.E. Bale Art Awards, known as Australia’s premier awards for traditional realism and figurative art. During her time in Tucson AZ, she was artist in residence at Ventana Medical Systems Inc., where she developed a number of paintings of scientists at work and created a portrait of the founder of the company, which now hangs permanently in the company headquarters.
This is the first time that we met Charlie… November 2009… he was scared of people (we were told later)… especially men. Hmmm, not sure what happened to the little guy, but someone didn’t treat him right… He went from this scared little puppy… to this wild little beast in no time!
We’re so glad he’s home with us… he’s on the mend! Pancreatitis is a tough thing to watch your dog go through… Scary! Life is good…
If you are in the Laguna Beach area, this is an event not to be missed! Do you realize how many fabulous artists are going to be in one place painting their hearts out? Lots… this is the LIST OF ARTISTS, and it’s a doozy!
Click here to buy your tickets (for lectures and collector’s party) – I saw some great photo’s on Ken DeWaard’s website, paintings from last year at Laguna as well as images of artist painting, it’ll give you a feel for how fabulous this event is!
Each year Laguna Beach, a famous seaside community and historic artist colony, turns into an outdoor studio with the always-exciting Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. This event showcases the nation’s top plein air landscape painters who compete for prestigious prizes and participate in the week-long festivities including public paint outs, environmental awareness activities, and educational events. Culminating with the highly anticipated Collectors’ Party and Public Sale. Proceeds from this event will benefit Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art organization.
This year the Invitational will be held at the Aliso Creek Inn in the majestic Aliso Canyon – The “Yosemite” of Laguna Beach and the location of the area’s original homestead built by the Thurston family, the ancestors of current Laguna Mayor Kelly Boyd. This event celebrates the artistic legacy of Laguna Beach.
Our visit with Charlie at Vet Hospital in Mt Pleasant. This is the first day that he ate!
Written Wednesday 11:30AM
For those of you who aren’t on Facebook… Charlie has been sick. Very sick. We took him to the emergency vet at 11:30 Saturday night and had to leave him at 2:30 AM, he was such a sick dog… vomiting, weak. He hadn’t gotten in to anything that we could think of. He was his happy self on Friday night, we went to bed and he hopped right in… we all slept. Saturday morning we woke up and normally he runs to his food dish… not this morning. No food. Later in the day he vomited… and that night he started and couldn’t stop… we took him to the er vet, they said he was in pain. Ugh…??? Their thought: Pancreatitis. Normally dogs who are given fatty table scraps are the dogs that get that. Charlie gets very limited table scraps and we don’t eat fatty… he eats mainly frozen green beans, carrots, lettuce and his dog food… but he does get a little smidge of cheese now and then…
They got him through until Monday AM where he was transferred to the Internal Medicine group. They did an ultrasound on him and confirmed pancreatitis. IV fluids, pain meds, anti-nausea meds, Pepcid. He hadn’t eaten since Friday at 3PM… he took his first bite, yesterday (Oct 8/Tuesday). He seemed so great when we saw him yesterday, a big difference from the night before. They’ve done an ultrasound each day, and the vet noticed that the lymph node near the pancreas is getting larger each day… not good. We just got the pathology report back and it showed no cancer cells! However, she said that cancer cannot be ruled out, so he will still be monitored and if the lymph node doesn’t start getting smaller then they will biopsy it.
We let him know that his future diet would consist of low fat food, and he is ok with that…
He had a slight fever last night, but is otherwise doing great. Because of the fever we can’t bring him home this morning… We call at 3PM today (Wed) to see if we can pick him up!
LIFE IS GOOD!
WRITTEN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 7:30AM
UPDATE: Charlie came home yesterday (WED 10/09) We all camped in the living room and he did well, he is eating on his own this morning (YAY!!) got all his meds and can feel all your well wishes!
WRITTEN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 8PM
Charlie had a good first full day home! This morning he woke up raring to eat which was fabulous… then he kind of fizzled a little… no fever YAY! He rested all day and was very perky by evening… he’s now curled up sleeping unless someone walks down the street… then he needs to check things out, then goes back to sleep… he’s a happy little beast!
Thank you so much for all your good thoughts, prayers, vibes and anything else you’ve got! You’re all the best!
I love this painting! It reminds me of an area on Monhegan where there are always colorful clothes or towels hanging on a line amidst beautiful flowers… what nice work by artist Janet Ledoux! I remember one of the first few paintings I tackled on Monhegan one year involved a clothesline… if memory serves me correctly that was the only part of the painting that I liked, ha ha… this is wonderful in every way. Janet captured a delightful scene… she also captured the movement, I swear I just felt the wind! Nice job, great work… with a touch of Sovek to it. Check out Janet’s website!
After a career as an award-winning illustrator and art director, Janet Ledoux turned to full-time painting in 2000, working on the Maine coast and exhibiting her paintings, collages, drawings and monotypes in numerous venues. A graduate of the Paier College of Art, Ledoux is an elected member of the Ogunquit Arts Association and a recipient of a fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center. She regularly paints in Stonington.
I wish I could give credit to whoever snapped this photo, pretty darn cool, huh? EVO Pizzeria Facebook
WHAT A COOL PLACE! If you haven’t been to EVO Pizza (Extra Virgin Oven), you must go! I cannot wait to go back! We went with some friends and had the absolute best pizza and salad ever! Everything was top notch… The Farmer’s salad was so fresh, the roasted corn was delightful and the dressing was out of this world… We split the Margherita pizza and I have to say it’s the best we’ve ever had. Does TO DIE FOR explain how wonderful? I was so excited when the food came that I forgot to take a photo… that’s too sad, but it’s also a good reason to go back! Even the tea was remarkably good… No bitter taste, just pure delight!
We also went to the EVO bakery located behind the restaurant… the best looking breads you’ve ever seen! We bought a loaf of bread and a few chocolate chip cookies that were the best… just like the kind you make without all the mess! That night I made a pot of soup and had a slice of bread… heavenly!! Not expensive… better than any store bought bread could ever be!
Here is a little blip about the restaurant from their website:
About Extra Virgin Oven, LLC:
In 2005, Ricky Hacker and Matt McIntosh wheeled a cart into the Charleston Farmer’s Market, built a fire, assembled an array of ingredients: handmade dough, homemade sauce, hand-pulled mozzarella and the freshest local produce. The result seemed simple enough: Extra Virgin Oven: fresh, honest, uncomplicated Neapolitan pizza. The line in front of the pizza cart grew longer…and longer. What was happening was delicious – and different.
EVO began as a family business in 2005 baking pizzas on a mobile wood-fired oven for farmers’ markets and catering. In 2007, we opened our restaurant in lovely Park Circle to further pursue our passion with fresh, local, house-made, uncomplicated food. We’ve been passionate about supporting local farmers and visiting farms since 2005 and continue to work closely with our local producers.
In addition to pizza, Extra Virgin Oven serves an array of homemade soups, salads, cured meats and paninis on artisan breads, fresh from our wood-fired oven. Artisan beers and distinctive wines are the perfect complement to our honest food.
We make our own quality ingredients in house with the freshest local produce and meat available. We prepare and pull our own mozzarella twice daily, as well as make our pizza dough twice a day; we bake our own breads in our wood-fired oven; we slowly cook our sauces and soups daily; we make our house-made sweet sausage daily; our aioli is hand-made each day; our dressings our house-made, not from a jar. We believe it’s our job to let the essence of each ingredient speak for itself and know you will taste the difference.
Wow… after reading that you see that their food is REAL… it’s homemade and I swear you can tell the difference! EVO is located in the Park Circle area of North Charleston, SC, a very cool spot! – Check out their MENU!
There has been a lot of great press about this restaurant! I’m telling you, if you haven’t been… I would high tail it over there!!
I would like to dedicate this post to my mom… have I mentioned I have an uber cool mom? Actually, I’m very fortunate that both of my parents are really happening… they’re actually FUN to be around.
Well, today is my mom’s birthday!
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y M O M ! ! !
Now that the weather is getting cooler in your neck of the woods, you need to come back to visit for some of this…
and this…
and this!
Wishing you the best birthday EVER!! Love you so much! xxoo, me!
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