Featured Artist… John Pototschnik!

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“Another Snow Coming” by John Potoschnik

I ran across a painting by John Pototschnik on Facebook and it caught my eye right away. What fabulous work he’s got! I love how this painting captures the light, and those cool blue undertones of the snow with the pinky highlights just set such a mood for this painting. Gorgeous… Also love the tree with the sunlight hitting it so nicely. Great work! If you get a chance, check out his paintings AND his blog! His blog is absolutely amazing, he keeps you up to date on what’s going on as well as interviewing other artists. These are not fluffy interviews, these are MUST READS! He is entertaining and articulate, check it out!

Here’s a blip about John from his website:

John Pototschnik (Poe-toe-sh-nick) was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, England but grew up in Wichita, Kansas. He received his art training at Wichita State University in advertising design, followed by instruction in illustration and design at Art Center College in Los Angeles. Most recently he has studied human anatomy at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut. 

In 1982, Pototschnik began painting professionally in the fine arts. Prior to that, he worked as a freelance illustrator for ten years with many of Dallas’ major advertising agencies and companies. 

Since beginning his fine art career, Pototschnik has become a popular speaker and juror among art organizations. His paintings are in many private collections from Hawaii to Rhode Island and also in several public collections including : cities, banks, corporations and museums. 

Pototschnik resides in Wylie, Texas with his wife Marcia. They have two grown sons. He is a past president of Artists and Craftsmen Associated and the Plano Art Association. He has been honored with four George Washington Honor Medals from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, the John Steven Jones Fellowship, plus many other regional and national awards. He is recognized in “Who’s Who in American Art” and “Who’s Who in the Southwest”. His work has appeared in “First”, “The Artist’s Magazine”, “Southwest Art”, “American Artist”, “PleinAir Magazine”, “American Art Collector” and “International Artist”, plus six books…”The Best of Portrait Painting”, “200 Great Painting Ideas for Artists”, and “Expressing the Visual Language of the Landscape”, “100 Ways to Paint Landscapes”, “100 Ways to Paint Flowers and Gardens”, and “100 Ways to Paint Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes”. Several of his paintings have been published by the New York Graphic Society and Bentley House Publishing. He is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and the Outdoor Painters Society. 

“My artistic influences are diverse, ranging from the Barbizon painters of Corot, Daubigny and Millet to the American tonalist, George Inness. I believe all I need to know of the principles of art are to be found in the works of the masters. My paintings are not flamboyant, mysterious, trendy or shocking but I am interested in depicting the truth about life, as I see it, in a naturalistic way free of frills and bravado. I enjoy depicting simple, common, everyday life and its objects as things of beauty and worth. I intend to show the dignity and value of the subjects I paint – just as my artistic influences have. Through continued hard work I want to give to society paintings that transcend the culture and it’s ever changing tastes. . . paintings that speak to the heart.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Have you seen the movie LINCOLN?

LINCOLN imdb.com

Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It seemed fitting to mention the movie LINCOLN that was about his life. It has a fabulous cast! I have not yet seen the movie, have you? If so, what did you think? I heard that the acting was amazing. This movie had to be good! Daniel Day Lewis, who plays Lincoln won a Golden Globe Award, not too shabby… I read that Sally Field, who I just love, gained 25 pounds to play the part of Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd… bless her!

Here’s a blip about the movie from IMDb (love this site)!

In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience — end slavery or end the war.

Here’s an interesting blip from IMDb… GOOFS… this will make it fun when I do watch this movie… the little things that most people would never notice… check it out HERE

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: IMDB

Featured Artist… Diane May!

DianeMay PointTheWay dm

“Point the Way” by Diane C. May – Image

Diane May is an artist from Tennessee who is part of PAPSE (Plein Air Painters of the Southeast). I urge you to check out Diane’s website… take a look at her paintings. Wonderful, fresh and a wide variety. I really love her style! It wasn’t easy to choose only one! Also check out the JOURNAL tab! It shows which plein air events she’s participating in as well as workshops she is giving. I wish her studio was here in Charleston! I would take the Growth Edge Class that begins in the spring! It sounds wonderful! So if you’re in the Nashville, TN area, you might want to check it out!

Here’s a blip about Diane from her website, click HERE to read more:

Diane May is a representational artist with a contemporary expressionist sensibility.  “My paintings celebrate what I find good and right in the world.”  Her work explores light and color in the landscape as well as in the constructed reality of the still life.   She paints on location and from life whenever possible.   When creating larger works in the studio, she references her ‘plein air’ paintings and outdoor sketches in order to maintain an authentic reaction to her original inspiration.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Time to move the pavers… Gotta save the oak tree!

before

We had pavers that have been down for years. They’re beautiful, but… they’re close to a live oak tree… the roots are getting big and uprooting the pavers. It’s become a challenge to walk across them. I Googled to be sure it was OK to cut the roots. Whoa, am I ever glad I did! No, it’s not ok to cut the roots… it can weaken the tree and if you have a big wind it can topple the tree. AHHHH! So, Fred has begun the process of digging up the pavers and MOVING THEM. The man has energy like I’ve never seen.

 

Image 6

Here it is in progress… will post another once it’s completed! The yard is low right here and tends to flood during big rains, so we’re going to build it up a wee bit. We will have a happy tree and a beautiful walkway soon! Stay tuned!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Mark D. Nelson!

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Mark D. Nelson. A fabulous artist and I wish I knew how I ran across him… I wrote his name down in my day planner, as I do any artist who pops up who’s work I truly admire and I want to feature. Is this striking or what?! I am loving that GORGEOUS orange, the delicate yellow flower POPS against the dark background. This is fabulous on so many levels! Mark has the innate ability to add a modern twist to a painting. I would like to be able to paint like this. But I know me. I would cover up all the color from underneath that I love peeking through… I do it every stinking time. One day…

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You can FEEL the chilliness of this ride… Oooh, I’m looking forward to getting to the sunlight ;)  Fabulous without being tight…

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“Trees” by Mark D. Nelson – Image: Gallery 1261

Need I say… I LOVE THAT ORANGE… mental note Barbara… orange against the darks is making my heart sing! LOVING this!

Here’s a blip about Mark from the Gallery 1261 (Denver, CO) website:

As a high school student, Mark Daniel Nelson was awarded the prestigious National Scholastics Art Scholarship, which he used to attend the Colorado Institute of Art. Graduating with Best Portfolio honors, Nelson earned a living as an illustrator working for clients including Coors, University of Denver, The Miami Herald, 5280 Magazine, and legendary photographer James Balog.

Nelson has since shifted his artistic focus to painting abstract geometric forms – natural as well as structural – in pursuit of what he terms “a contemporary sublime”. Nelson’s work has been placed in a number of prominent regional and national collections and has been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

(First two images from artists Facebook page)

How to make homemade hot chocolate mix!

AltonBrown hot cocoa foodnetwork

Hot chocolate. The epitome of comfort food during the cold months. There is nothing better then a warm mugful of the tasty treat that satisfies your need for warmth, sweet and chocolate craving all in one fell swoop!

I have previously posted how to make Hot Chocolate from scratch (using milk). It’s a treat, a real treat!

But… if you’d like to make  a hot chocolate mix (like the store brands) that is healthier (because it’s minus the strange ingredients) that you mix with water, just like the pouch you buy at the store, Alton Brown from the Food Network came up with a recipe to make it quick and easy.

This recipe received five stars by all those who reviewed it… that’s the highest… how convenient to whip it up yourself!

5stars foodnetwork

This recipe received FIVE STARS

Hot Cocoa

Alton Brown

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown – (Food Network) – Yield 5 1/2 cups of hot chocolate mix

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
  • Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk.

How easy is that?!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Paula Holtzclaw!

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“Study for Sunlit Pines” by Paula Holtzclaw

I first saw Paula’s paintings on Plein Air Painters of the Southeast’s Facebook page. Ahhh, the talent!

When I see that artists have their paintings categorized on their websites I always go to the plein air group first. Those are the paintings that are typically the loosest and most representative of what the artists see’s when they’re painting. I went straight to this study of the sunlit pines (NFS). It’s a beauty isn’t it? I love those trees, the clouds, the shadow and sun… gorgeous!

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“For Miles and Miles” by Paula Holtzclaw

What a great name for this one! “For Miles and Miles”, I mean it feels like you’re sitting right there on that rock, looking out over the sea for miles and miles, while the sun hits your face… ahhh, this painting gives you a nice feeling, doesn’t it?

Here’s a blip about Paula from her website:

 Far horizons and infinite skies are the hallmark of Paula Holtzclaw’s art.  Paula is best known for her landscapes celebrating areas still untouched by industrialism.  Her depictions of its beauty, unspoiled by man show her concern that these last wild places may soon vanish.  Her compositions, often large in scale, have a classic and universal appeal.  
     Paula’s love of art began at an early age, passed on to her, she believes, by her grandmothers, both of whom were artists.  After time spent raising her twin sons, she returned to her original passion for painting.  In 2002, Paula left her 20+ year medical career to paint full time.  Always a willing and eager student, she remains committed to honing her artistic skills.  “Travel has been an important impetus for my art, always stimulating my desire for plein air painting, and quick studies which provide the opportunity to learn from nature itself, the greatest of all teachers.  I have been fortunate to study under such fine mentors as Joni Falk, Linda Glover Gooch and Scott Christensen and Jeff Legg.”    
     Paula Holtzclaw’s paintings are collected throughout the nation.  Her paintings have been displayed in many national juried and museum exhibitions, a few of which are the American Impressionist Society, Salon International, Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art, The Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists National Exhibitions,  Bosque Conservatory, Texas , and  ASMA ‘s New England and West Coast  Exhibitions.  Paula was a finalist in American Artist Magazine’s 29th annual competition 2012, and their 2010 and 2009 Cover Competitions.  She was a semi-finalist in their 70th Anniversary Competition, 2007. She has just been selected as one ofSouthwest Art’s “21 over 31” Artists, (November 2010) and also by Southwest Art Magazine as one to collect, July 2009.  A member of Pap-se (Plein Air Painters of the SouthEast), Paula is also a Signature Member of: American Women Artists, The American Society of Marine Artists, Women Artists of the West, and  The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society.  She is  Associate Member of  California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, and American Impressionist Society. 
      Paula resides in Waxhaw, N.C., a small community just south of Charlotte, (where the horses outnumber the people),  with her husband Chuck, and  constant companion Timber, her “Velcro” Golden Retriever.

And… YES! If you’re wondering if this website looks different… it does. Again. Ha ha…  I think I’m really liking this one! Catch you back here tomorrow!

In search of the perfect wall light…

industrialsconce urbanoutfitters uo

Industrial Sconce by Urban Outfitters 

We’ve been searching high and low for the perfect little wall light for our sunroom. The walls are exposed brick, so hardwiring isn’t the best option, we are looking for a plug in wall light. I’ve found several pretty cool ones, all price ranges. The sconce above is an affordable $49 from Urban Outfitters. I like the cool look of the cord. It comes in white and what looks like stainless… I’m thinking about the white right now…

Lite Source LS-16350 Contemporary : Modern Swing Arm Wall Sconce from the Rhine Collection (litesourceinc)

Modern Swing Arm Wall Sconce from the Rhine Collection – Image: LightingDirect.com

The Modern Swing Arm Wall Sconce offers a contemporary twist to a typical reading light… very chic for only $103!

SwingArmWallLight CircaLighting

Swing Arm Wall Lamp by Circa Lighting  – Image: CircaLighting.com

You can never go wrong with the lighting at Circa. They have the most gorgeous options! We’re fortunate to live near a Circa Lighting in Charleston, SC, but if you don’t then you’ll be happy to know that they ship… for FREE! The Swing Arm Wall Lamp by Circa Lighting is a classic style with a contemporary edge to it. I like that it has a dimmer so you can leave it on for ambient lighting… and turn it up for task lighting, so you can see what you’re reading!

COUNTERPOISE SWING-ARM WALL SCONCE BRONZE RestorationHW

COUNTERPOISE SWING-ARM WALL SCONCE BRONZE – Image – Restoration Hardware

The Counterpoise Swing-Arm Wall Sconce is another classy option from Restoration Hardware. Classy lighting at this place, and this is no exception. My concern for where I want to put it is that I will hit my head on it when I get up? Hmmm, a consideration!

TolomeoMicroWallLamp Lumens.com

Tolomeo Micro Wall Lamp by Artemide – Image: Lumens.com

Fred and I have long admired the Tolomeo lighting collection, especially the micro wall lamp. Very cool on either side of a bed, but hmmmm, might be neat in the sunroom as well?!

Scissor Arm Pharmacy Wall Light Robert Abbey Lampsplus.com

Robert Abbey Bruno Collection Scissor Arm Pharmacy Plug In Wall Light LampsPlus.com

And finally… the Robert Abbey Bruno Collection Scissor Arm Pharmacy Plug-In Wall Light so very cool!

So many options and we’ve just begun to search! Having Google makes finding just exactly what you want so much easier!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Martha Burkert!

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“Daisy” by Martha Burkert

There is something refreshing and different about Martha Burkert’s work. Brilliant colors, happy composition and style. Very nice! Check out Martha’s website.

Here’s a blip about Martha from the Maine Home + Design website:

MARTHA BURKERTMartha Burkert grew up in Texas and received a BA in English from Tulane University in New Orleans. She took studio classes at the Maine College of Art in Portland and the University of North Texas in Denton. Burkert was invited to an artists’ retreat at Maine Audubon’s Borestone Mountain Sanctuary in Monson in 2008, and she has exhibited widely at galleries in Maine and Texas. The artist now divides her time between Dallas and Yarmouth. She is represented by the Elizabeth Moss Galleries in Falmouth.Martha Burkert was compelled by the beauty of Maine to learn the technical skills needed to capture it. While she has been painting only since 2000, the artist already had a keen sense of design—she was a location scout and photo stylist for Thos. Moser and for home-furnishing catalogs. Burkert’s mature work shows the influence of some of Maine’s best colorists, including Fairfield Porter (1907–1975) and Alfred Cheney Chadbourn (1921–1998), who worked representationally but leaned toward abstraction.Burkert often creates small paintings and oil sketches on-site. Additionally, she takes photographs in black-and-white instead of color because the chromatic range is too limited for her needs. Yet all these direct responses to nature only serve as references and jumping-off points. In the larger paintings she executes in her studio, paint application, color resonance, temperatures, and commanding shapes become the artist’s focal points. “The bigger the canvas, the more I push color and form in a more exaggerated direction,” Burkert says.

Complex landscapes are often arranged into a repoussoir of more detailed flowers or trees in the immediate foreground, with expansive planes of loosely painted color in the background suggestive of the sea, clouds, or other major landscape formations. In Queen Anne’s Lace, Burkert evinces the liberties she takes with naturalistic representation, and water and sky have turned into bands of yellow and pink. The artist often experiments with color combinations until they feel right to her—an emotional and intuitive process that the artist confesses she doesn’t fully understand.

Growing up surrounded by the landscapes of Texas, Burkert appreciates the beauty of vast unfilled spaces. Maine’s landscapes, on the other hand, are more visually complex and seasonally changeable. The artist therefore likes to distill her paintings to their basic elements. “There is a beauty in simple things,” she says.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Head on down to the Ferry Building!

Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

I took this photo years ago at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, CA. Have you been there? If you’re in San Fran, I highly suggest it. It’s a feast for your eyes! I’m not kidding, so many wonderful things, fresh food, drink, you name it! Here is a list of VENDORS. I’m not sure if the flower place is still there or not, it was magical! I could picture us living there, going to the Ferry Building each weekend for fresh flowers and produce… well, except for the $$PRICE$$ of living in San Francisco… oh well, I’m happy with my life here in Charleston, and the fact that Trader Joe’s, EarthFare and Whole Foods are close by!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cheers in San Francisco at The Grove Fillmore!

Barbara@FilmoreStreet

Me at a cafe on Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA – 2005!

Yes, for those of you who think I just don’t age… this photo is from 2005, ha ha… that’s my no aging secret, use old photos, works better than Botox! We had such a good time at this place. This was at a cool place called THE GROVE FILLMORE in San Francisco. I remember they had huge cups of coffee (as you can see), they had wonderful pies… ooooh, fabulous organic fruit fillings that made it worth the trip each time! They also had a macaroni and cheese that was to die for! Look at their MENU!

grove-fillmore sanfranciscodays.com

Image via

I was telling this older couple we had met along the way, about this place, and she told me “Honey, we used to live to eat, now we eat to live”. How sad I thought at the time. But we do the same thing with occasional splurges. I mean you are what you eat, right? That’s why I eat lots of shrimp. Hee.

Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!

National WEAR RED day! Go Red for Women

MarkRothko OrangeRedOrange GalerieMelkiOrange Red Orange by Mark Rothko / Image: Galerie-Mikel.fr

I normally feature an artist today, BUT since this is a pretty important subject, I think Mark Rothko’s “Orange Red Orange” ties in quite nicely with the WEAR RED FOR WOMEN theme, don’t you? I love his work!

Today is National Wear Red day to help raise awareness of heart disease in women. Did you know that heart disease was the #1 killer of women? Do you know the signs? There’s a great little video, reminds me of the show Modern Family in a way… it’s funny, but so true at the same time, shows you the signs of “Just a Little Heart Attack“! Symptoms in women are different than they are in men, so it’s worth knowing what to do!

Here’s a blip from the GOREDFORWOMEN.ORG website:

Symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, the most common heart attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. But it’s important to note that women are more likely to experience the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

What to do during a heart attack

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:

  • Do not wait to call for help. Dial 9-1-1, make sure to follow the operator’s instructions and get to a hospital right away.
  • Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
  • Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.

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All too often we don’t want to “bother” emergency folks with our aches and pains, but time is of the essence… you have a good outcome you have got to react quickly. So read up on it, be aware, and if you’re body is telling you something is wrong… listen!

Remember, if you have symptoms CALL 9-1-1 FIRST. Then if they tell you to take an aspirin, do so, it can be of great benefit (if no aspirin allergy, etc.), they will tell you whether or not to take one. I’ve heard from Dr. Oz that you should CHEW it so it gets into your bloodstream quickly. Also, unlock your door (after you call 9-1-1)… so they can get in to help you!

If you see someone having a heart attack and they need CPR, this is a great little blip from the goredforwomen.org website:

Research shows that Hands-Only CPR (without mouth-to-mouth breaths) performed by a bystander is just as effective in the first few minutes of sudden cardiac arrest in an out-of-hospital setting. Here’s how to do it.

“Stayin’ Alive” in two easy steps

No matter where you are, if you witness a teen or an adult suddenly collapse, you need to act fast – a delay of just a few minutes could be the difference between life and death. So check out this video from The American Heart Association, and remember these two easy steps:

  1. Call 9-1-1, or have someone else call immediately
  2. Push down hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the Bee Gees’ disco hit “Stayin’ Alive”

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use Hands-Only CPR, but in the event of an emergency, your preparedness could save a life. Learn more about Hands-Only CPR and read these true survivor stories for inspiration.

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Oh! Wear red today if you can, spread the word!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

 

Lake Flato Porch Houses… Efficient, architecturally appealing and downright JAW DROPPING!

LakeFlatoPorchHouse LFPH

I KNOW! GORGEOUS! CONTEMPORARY! ECLECTIC! Whoa, awesome design coupled with energy efficient these architects have come up with a masterpiece! It would be really neat to have the main part of the home with a master bedroom/bathroom, living area, kitchen and powder room and have a separate area for guests or a studio! Imagine this situated where you can watch a sunrise/sunset?! Heaven. On. Earth!

Continue reading “Lake Flato Porch Houses… Efficient, architecturally appealing and downright JAW DROPPING!”

Featured Artist… Randy Sexton!

RandySexton PeaceHogs RS

“Peace Hogs” by Randy Sexton

I first saw this image on Facebook. Ahhh, Facebook, gotta love it. It’s the most awesome tool when looking for the latest and greatest art. I love how artists are posting their work, its fascinating!

This is amazing on so many levels. I have always admired Randy’s work. I featured Randy back in September 2012, but couldn’t resist another post… this painting is so full of life. No harsh edges, just strokes of genius smattered here and there and TADA… a painting so fabulous that it takes your breath away! There is so much going on, yet not too much detail. The colors and strokes… INTERESTING. There is so much to see you don’t want to look away.

I love that the info about Randy on his WEBSITE isn’t just a bullet list of accomplishments. I never make it through those… I like to hear the story behind the person, why they paint, how they paint, who they studied under, who they look up to, where they live, about their dog, ha ha… anything other than the regular blah blah blah… Randy’s website is very, very nice, I encourage you to check it out! Here’s a little blip about Randy from his website… for more, either check out his website, or click on the September link above to see more info… Here goes…

“A ‘painters’ painter’, Randall is one of the premier contemporary California landscape painters, also paints still-lifes, figures, and portraits with equal mastery…His work evokes deep feelings, whether it’s the solitude of a deserted street at night or the exultation of a beautiful landscape, each speaks softly to the viewer.”
Jean Stern, Executive Director -The Irvine Museum of Art

  • Randall currently teaches at Pixar University
  • Randall was honored with the coveted “Artists’ Choice Award” in Laguna Beach at the 10th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Event held at the Laguna Museum Of Art
  • Randall is proud member of the artist group known as “The Outsiders”

Catch you back here tomorrow!