Featured Artist… Ann Larsen!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Winter Color” by Ann Larsen

This is a beautiful winterscape. Look at all those colors that make up the snow. Just like in real life… snow certainly isn’t all white when you look at it, since reflections and shadows appear as different colors. I love a snowy painting WITH SUN. It just makes everything pop. Nice brushwork and great flecks of light throughout the painting! Her paintings lack the fine details that end up making a painting ‘fussy’. Take a peek, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them!

Here’s a blip about Ann from her website:

Ann is an award winning artist living in upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains.  Born in Louisivlle, KY, Ann began traveling and living throughout the United States at the age of 18.   After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, she and her family moved to Denver, CO where Ann began to focus on her painting and fell in love with the western landscape.   Even though she lives in a beautiful part of the country, where plein air painting is a challenge almost any time of year, Ann also spends time painting on the coast of Maine and throughout the Southwest.   

Ann’s approach to the landscape is to simplify as much as possible in order to create the strongest paintings.  “I want my viewers to know how I felt about a place when I painted it.  I’m not trying to copy what I see nor am I interested in lots of detail.  I want to suggest a subject with the buildup of paint and exciting brushstrokes.”

Northlight Gallery in Kennebunkport, ME states, “Ann’s work exhibits the careful, thoughtful hand of an artist deeply committed to both her medium and her environment.   Ann is able to suggest the power, grace and mood of her subject as she captures the essence of New England in her landscapes and seascapes.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Flatbread Company, Portland, Maine – Pizza with a view!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment

Waterfront dining… there’s nothing like it! Especially when the atmosphere is casual, the food is delicious and there is a great view! We had heard wonderful things about the Flatbread Company, so, on a recent stop in Portland, Maine we decided to check it out. Located on Commercial Street, right in the heart of things sits this amazing restaurant. I’m not sure we would have run across it if someone didn’t tell us about it. I am so glad they did! Especially since it’s only a few minutes from the airport. It’s good to have a plan when your plane lands and you’re are ravenous with nowhere in mind to go! Check out their MENU; it’s not typical pizza, it’s different, and absolutely delicious. The salads are so beyond wonderful, very different, very, very good! So wonderful that as soon as it arrived… WE. ATE. IT. Ok, so that’s what normal people do, but I have to TAKE. A. PHOTO. FIRST. Well, you don’t see what we ordered (it was so good, just trust me on that!), but I did take photos inside the place. We got there before they opened (on our way to the airport), so that’s why there aren’t many people yet…

They have a neat website showcasing each of their restaurants… check it out!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Eleinne Basa!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Afternoon Light” by Eleinne Basa

Normally I like to feature a painting that is still for sale. This is an exception. Even though this gorgeous painting has sold, I just had to share it with you. STUNNING! LOOK at that light. Absolutely incredible. That beautiful warm golden light alongside the dark sky is perfection! This painting won the $15,000 First Place Award in the 1st Annual Plein Air Salon Online Competition! Woohoo Eleinne!
The awarding was announced during the 1st Plein Air convention in Las Vegas.

Here’s a blip about Eleinne from her website…

A Classically trained artist, Basa began painting at the young age of 8. Her early training still influences her as it is when she is painting “en plein air’ that she is brought back to a time in her childhood when “painting was pure and comes from someplace deep within.”
Basa’s landscapes allure the viewer to move into the work with their radiant light and luminescent qualities reminiscent of the early Luminists and Tonalists of the American School. She is inspired by painters like Thomas Moran, George Inness and is continually striving to achieve a certain timelessness to her work.

A professional and full time artist since 2004,
Basa participates in several national shows and have been invited to participate in prestigious events such as the Maynard dixon Country show in 2009 . She has also been invited to show her works at the National Arts Club and at the Salmagundi Club in New York, New York.

D. Eleinne Basa lives in Jackson New Jersey with her husband and two children.

Check out Eleinne’s website, see all the amazing paintings…  and I’ll Catch you back here tomorrow!

CHILI RECIPE: How to make a great pot of chili!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe4 Comments

Best Chili Ever!

This is one fast and easy recipe. This chili is so tasty you absolutely won’t believe it, especially when you see how quickly it comes together… Not too many ingredients:

CHILI

1 pound ground sirloin (or whatever hamburger meat you prefer, I find whatever I can that has no antibiotics, etc.)

1 onion, diced

2- 28oz cans of diced tomatoes

2- 16oz cans of chili beans (I use Bush’s Chili Beans, whatever heat level you desire. Today I used Medium)

Chili Powder (to your taste, I use about 1-2 Tablespoons)

Crackers to crinkle on top when served… can also top with cheese, sour cream and any other topping. I just use crackers, oyster crackers are best!

Step One:

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Add onion. Cook until translucent.

Add hamburger and break up with spoon while it cooks. Cook until meat is no longer pink.

Step Two:

Add two cans of tomatoes and two cans of chili beans WITH the juice. Now take each can that you used (tomatoes and chili beans) and fill each can about 1/3 of the way with water. Add the water to the pot (this also gets the extra juice from tomato cans/bean cans).

Now add the chili powder, you can also add pepper… if you used no sodium tomatoes/beans you can also add salt at this time. (I don’t use it because I buy regular tomatoes and chili beans, so there’s plenty of salt).

Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for about an hour. Add more water if it needs it. You can make it as thick or as runny as you like! As it simmers it will reduce over time.

Serve in a bowl. Can top with saltines, oyster crackers, cheese, sour cream, green onions or whatever sounds good to you!

NOTE: Last time I made chili I didn’t have chili beans and didn’t want to run to the store. What I did have is cannellini beans, so I DRAINED those beans and added two cans and I doubled the chili powder. I think I also tossed in a tablespoon or two of diced jalepeno’s… I buy them in the pickle section, that way you don’t have to cut them up… good time saver! This chili was awesome. You can use whatever beans you like. Most common are red kidney beans or whatever you’ve got on hand!

ENJOY!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Kathryn Turner!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Outcrop” by Kathryn Turner

Look how simple and loose this painting is. Why is that so hard I wonder? Kathryn did a wonderful job on this painting. Fabulous brush strokes and that one white wave is INCREDIBLE! I can SMELL the ocean air, ahhh, I can HEAR the waves as they brush the shore. The color of the water… beautiful! Check out Kathryn’s website, it’s a good one!

Here’s a blip from Kathryn’s website:

Artist Statement

The Miraculous Process

My need to create flows from the privilege of participating in the miraculous nature of the creative process rather than rendering some notion of a perfect product. The creative process is a confluence of nature’s inspiration and my personal interpretation of what I am experiencing. I strive to create paintings that record my own experience of the subject’s essential spirit and energy, not an imitation of a fixed surface reality. This process requires my presence, enthusiasm, open-minded appreciation, playfulness, courage and honesty. In this way, creating art is transformative, universal and timeless.

Thanks

When I think of the blessings in my life I feel overwhelmed – I don’t know where to begin to say thanks. This is my humble expression of deep gratitude for teachers who have instructed me, fellow artists who inspire me, and family and friends who support me faithfully as I pursue this dream of being an artist.

Bio

The artwork of Kathryn Mapes Turner has unfolded from the mountain valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here she was born as the fourth generation to be raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. She grew up riding the trails of the valley, learning wilderness lore and gaining an eye for landscape amid what she believes to be the most spectacular scenery on earth.

Turner began studying art in her teens from noted local painters. She then left Wyoming to attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Studio Arts. She spent an influential semester in Rome, Italy and then studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. Turner now has a master’s degree from the University of Virginia.

Having been passionate about painting since childhood, Turner is now nationally recognized as a emerging artist. Turner has been awarded with such honors as Wyoming Best Watercolor Artist and was included in SouthwestArt Magazine’s “Annual Profile of Young Artists with Promising Careers.”

Turner believes that growing up in Grand Teton National Park, a place with such dramatic light and dramatic natural composition, gave her an intimate appreciation for art. “I believe the valley of Jackson Hole evokes expression,” says Turner. She now travels all over the world to paint. With watercolors and oil paints, Turner responds to what she sees in hopes of sharing this love of the sublime with others through her work. Turner believes beauty, which can be found everywhere, is a true richness in life.

In addition to her dedication to creating artwork, Turner also owns and operates Trio Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with fellow artists Jennifer L Hoffman and September Vhay.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Holiday shopping… with the beast!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

I love dog friendly stores… there are quite a few in Charleston, SC. As long as the dog is well-behaved and listens to its owner it’s a good time! This weekend is a BIG shopping weekend… this isn’t a weekend I would take Charlie shopping. It seems like there’s barely enough room for humans! We aren’t big Black Friday shoppers, the deals would be nice, but…

Hope you are either out and about getting great deals or cuddled in front of a fire somewhere with a good book! Make sure to take time for a walk/jog so you don’t slip into a turkey induced coma… ha ha…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

WHAT are these? Bought these stamps at the Post Office via the do it yourself machine…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS4 Comments

Some people like pretty stamps, and others just get the basic “Forever” stamp. I’m in the pretty stamp group. Especially if I’m sending a card to someone, I like to choose a pretty stamp instead of the basic “Forever” stamp, (good for bills, or mailings that aren’t personal). We went to the Post Office on a weekend, Fred ran in to purchase a book of stamps from the machine. He came out with the flag stamps you see above. I thought something had gone screwy with their machine. There are numbers all over the stamps and they’re… well… ugly. So I ran inside and tried it… basically the same result. Flowers instead of flags.

If you’re old enough, you’ll remember when there was no such thing as “generic”. Then the grocery stores started carrying a few “generic” items, packaged in bright white. I think these stamps look GENERIC!

I created the “pretty” flower stamps. Humph! They come in sheets of 10 ($4.50). So beware, if you like pretty stamps, stand in line and go to the Post Office on a weekday! These look like something someone printed in their basement… but they work, I hope!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jane Barton!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Pit Stop” by Jane Barton

I think this is an incredible painting. Obviously the white box with the word “NEXT” that you see on the image is the only way I could retrieve it. It’s not part of the painting… ha ha. I love the colors, textures and light in the foreground, and the looseness of the background. The car and the people… fabulous. Such a cool old car with the light hitting it oh-so-perfectly! Very nice. And I have to say… I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the license plate… that little blip of orange, WHOA! This piece was one of the juried pieces in the American Impressionist Society (AIS) Exhibition. Very nice work by Jane… check out her work!

Here’s a blip about the artist from her website:

After twenty-five years as a nationally recognized graphic designer, illustrator and portrait artist, Jane Barton is the recipient of numerous national awards. Originally from Chicago, where she studied at the American Academy of Art, Jane holds a B.A. from Boston University. In 1997, after writing her thesis entitled, “Drawn West: Illustrators Who Became Fine Artists,” which included personal interviews with the Tucson Seven and 11 other renowned artists across the country, Jane earned a Master of Art degree from the School of Visual Arts at Syracuse University. Ironically, 3 years later, she, too, joined the ranks of former illustrators who became fine artists. Jane studied plein air painting with such masters as Skip Whitcomb, Matt Smith and Ned Jacobs. She paints on site in both oils and water colors, using these paintings as the basis of larger, studio work. Jane also makes time to teach painting to enthusiastic students of all ages.

Inspired by the Sonoran desert of her home in Arizona, as well as her world travels, Jane enjoys exploring the patterns of light and color she sees in extreme close up as well as distant views of a subject. Her choice of subject is very immediate, whether it is a flower that blooms for only one day in the desert or the colors of a market she is standing in half way across the world. Continuing the legacy of 19th and early 20th century artists of the American West, Jane is intent on preserving the beauty of a changing, vanishing world.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Thanksgiving…Thank YOU! I am grateful…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTS4 Comments

Thanksgiving. The perfect day to think about all the things that you’re thankful for. I try to do this on a regular basis, because I have many things on my list!

Here is a tiny fraction of some of the things I’m grateful for…

Health. Family. Husband and Best Friend. Charlie beast. Color in the trees. A roof over my head. Electricity. Water. Freedom. Chocolate. Waking up in the morning. And…

YOU! Thank YOU for taking the time out of your busy day to stop by and read my daily post!

Like I said… a tiny fraction!

I wish you a very Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving! We’re going to eat good food today, visit with family and hopefully fit in several walks…!

Hey, just in case you need this today… from the Butterball Turkey Talk website, you can call the Butterball people if you have ANY questions about what to do with your turkey today:

Turkey Talk-Line Info

Phone Number: 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372). The Butterball®Turkey Talk-Line is open annually in November and December.

Open to residents of the United States and Canada. Bilingual assistance is available (English and Spanish).

Over the years, the Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line experts have solved some puzzling turkey situations, like which pan to use, what to do when the turkey is on fire, and when to start roasting the turkey so it’s ready by halftime. Read the answers to their most frequently asked questions.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: CybelePascal.com/

Scandinavian Bean Salad recipe, GREAT with Turkey!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Years ago my mother-in-law made this bean salad as one of the side dishes for Thanksgiving… Cold bean salad… hmmm… thank you, but no thank you… I wasn’t a big bean fan, and definitely not cold beans. She urged me to try it… it’s good with turkey she said. Trusting her, I took a tiny taste. Bite of turkey, yummmmm, ok, here goes nothing… bite of bean salad… HOLY COW! This stuff is GOOD! Is that hilarious or what? We’ve had it every single Thanksgiving since, I know we’ve had this recipe at least 17 years. So trust me when I say, THIS IS GOOD… and it’s a great dish to make to take with you. You can make it ahead and it’s even better!

SCANDINAVIAN BEAN SALAD

1 can (16 oz.) small green peas, drained (I buy Le Sueur very young small sweet peas, I buy low sodium, but you don’t have to)

1 can (16 oz.) French style green beans, drained

I use a small bag of frozen shoepeg corn (sometimes I use 1/2 bag, original recipe calls for 1 small can white shoepeg corn, drained)

1 1/2 – 2 cups diced celery

1 onion, chopped (this time I used red onion, which is oh so pretty!)

DRESSING

(2024 update: 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil)

1/2  – 3/4 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like things)

1 cup red wine vinegar

1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil (or canola oil)

DIRECTIONS

Mix together beans, peas, corn, celery and onion. If you haven’t already drained the veggies, drain them now.

Mix up the dressing and pour over the bean/corn/pea mixture. Let stand 2 hours or overnight in refrigerator.

Serve by scooping out with a SLOTTED spoon. This keeps indefinitely (kinda like those toaster pastries, hee hee, but this is better for you!).

You. Won’t. Believe. How. Good. This. Is!

Wow, tomorrow is the big day… take time to think about all the things you have to be Thankful for…

I am thankful for you… reading this…

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How To Make An Apple Pie…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Apple pie. It’s the most American dessert on the planet. I call it “health pie”, ha ha… apples are fruit and fruit is healthy! Ok, so that may be pushing it, but it’s better than a pie without fruit, look at it that way! With the use of a good pie crust (thank you Pillsbury!), this recipe comes together so quickly you won’t believe it. People will want your recipe… the paparazzi will be snapping pictures of you and following you around like a movie star, seriously, it’s that good!

APPLE PIE  (adapted from Better Homes & Gardens  New Cookbook, 12th edition):

Ingredients

2 3/4 pounds of thinly sliced peeled tart apples (Granny Smith)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (or a wee bit less)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour  (I also sprinkle maybe a few teaspoons in the bottom of the empty pie crust before I add the apples)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use a little more)

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Milk to brush on top crust (optional)

Raw Sugar  to sprinkle on top crust (optional)

2 pie crusts (homemade or I use 1 box Pillsbury Pie Crust in a red box, refrigerated section in grocery store)

I use a deep dish pie plate, that way I can sneak in more apples… generally buy a 3# bag and use about 2 3/4# of them… leaves a few to munch on as a snack!

Personally I use Granny Smith and no lemon juice… the original recipe calls for whatever type apple you like, if it’s not granny smith, then add 1tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.

Other than the crust, there aren’t a lot of ingredients… see, quick and easy!

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Peel and slice your apples…

Line a pie plate with one pie crust…

In a large mixing bowl add the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Give it a good stir, then toss in the apples… and gently toss to coat the apples with the sugar mixture.

Add the apple mixture to the lined pie plate… and place the second crust on top of the apples, then pinch to form a seal, you can do this with your fingers then press with a fork, or your thumbs to make it look nicer… doesn’t really matter what it looks like because it’s going to taste so darn good! Hey, who’s old looking hands are those??!! Egads! Do you realize how difficult it is to crimp a pie crust with you non-dominant hand while taking a photo of yourself with your other hand? Hmmm, awkward, but wanted to show you it’s just pressing the two together, however you can do it…

Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. This is important so that you don’t end up with a soggy pie crust! I cut the slits in the crust and then use the knife to separate it a wee bit so it doesn’t fall back together… soggy pie crust = sadness, trust me… hmmm, sounds like I know from experience…

Some people like to brush the top crust lightly with milk, then sprinkle sugar. I did it this time, sprinkled (very lightly) raw sugar. Sometimes I do this, most of the time I don’t. I like it both ways. Top with a pie crust shield like Mrs. Anderson’s pie crust shield if you’ve got one, otherwise foil works, it’s just more cumbersome. You cover the edge of the pie to prevent over browning. Usually with this shield I can leave it on the entire time (60 minutes), but check it after the pie has been in the oven for a while and make your decision…

I place the pie dish on a foil lined cookie sheet. Sometimes it gets wacky bubbly and overflows and turns to glue. Very time consuming to get clean. Foil is my friend.

Ok, it’s ready to pop in the 375 degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil/shield and bake 20 minutes more or until fruit is tender (I stick a fork in a slit and if it goes through the apple easily then the fruit is tender) AND the FILLING IS BUBBLY. That’s how you know it’s done. Watch the edges where the juice leaks out, it should be bubbling.

When done, take out of the oven and cool on a wire rack. And may I say… good luck with that part! The waiting is a killer, sometimes you just have to dive in with a fork to “see if it’s ok”… oh, so what if it’s runny until it cools. My secret trick for waiting for it to cool without eating it… LEAVE. THE. HOUSE. It’s foolproof!

Warm pie and vanilla ice cream is nice, but if you don’t make it too sweet you really don’t need the ice cream, and if you leave off the ice cream then this dessert is HALF THE FAT… ha… boy, can I justify a pie or what?! Enjoy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

Owieeeee, isn’t this beautiful! So much more appetizing than the stuff that comes out of the can, don’t you think? Well, this is going to be one of my small contributions towards Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you to Martha Stewart for the photo and the recipe (Everyday Food, November 2008). I am probably most excited about this recipe! I guess I never thought to MAKE cranberry sauce when you can just open a can. But it’s quick, easy and it’s GOT to taste much better! So I’ll be making it along with you this year! Hope you enjoy. Can you believe Thanksgiving is Thursday??! Wow… time flies!

Basic Cranberry Sauce

Yield Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 bag (12 ounces) cranberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup water

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, lemon zest, and water; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook until cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and let cool to room temperature.

UPDATE!! (11/21/12): I just made this cranberry sauce and it is the best I have ever tasted in my life! It couldn’t be easier! I will never buy canned again, especially after I looked at the ingredients (cranberries, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water… ugh!). I was surprised at how easy it came together. After it cools completely refrigerate until you serve it! Simply divine!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

CFADA Fine Art Weekend Photo: Mark Horton

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

I love Charleston Fine Art Dealers (CFADA) weekend… specifically the first Saturday in November. Watching these amazing artists paint is always a treat! There was a nice turnout. I packed my camera and off we went, headed downtown… ran into several road blocks, there was a run in town that had streets blocked off. Eventually we made it… we jumped out of the car, camera in hand and headed to Washington Park. I turned my camera on, ready to snap away, and what did I see?

B A T T E R Y  E X H A U S T E D ! 

ooooh…m…geeeee.

Ok, next I resorted to my Blackberry. I was so disappointed not to get the photos that I wanted. Fred offered to go home and get my spare battery (WHY didn’t I put that in the camera bag??!!). But we made do… so here’s the first photo… Mark Horton, from Horton Hayes Gallery in Charleston, SC, painting away. Effortless. Or at least it appears that way. I don’t suppose you can look like you paint effortlessly unless you do a heck of a lot of painting!

Great work Mark! Next year… I will have ALL my batteries!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The beauty of the greenway… Charleston!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

I  would like to congratulate the City of Charleston on a job well done! The job hasn’t been completed yet, but the results are amazing. The greenway used to be a great path if you had the type of bike that could handle the ruts and rocks. However, if you have a beach cruiser, it’s not a good time… I tried once… got about 5 miles out and back… parts fell off my bike and my guts were shaken. BUT… it was one beautiful ride! Especially towards the end, absolutely amazing! We’re so fortunate to have it so close! A quick two block walk and we’re there! This section has been paved, the barrier remains until they’ve completed it. So pretty at sunset with the big old oak trees.

I love seeing so many people with grocery bags, or bags from other stores. Which means they’re utilizing the Greenway by walking/biking to the store instead of hopping in a car… great for you, great for the world. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s mighty nice. You can park at South Windermere Shopping Center, go for a walk, and when you come back, you can grab a hot drink, some delicious food at one of the many places, pop in the antique store, the dog store, the library, Half Moon Outfitters, etc. etc…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Quang Ho!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Daily Sustaining” by Quang Ho

It’s as if you are there, kneeling beside this woman watching her work her magic. Can’t you smell the wonderful food being cooked? Quang Ho captured this in such a fabulous way. Not overworked, with just enough detail to leave the rest to your imagination. A well accomplished artist without a doubt! And versatile, whoa!

Image: AnselAndTheGreatTree.com

Quang illuststrated one of the coolest children’s books I think i’ve ever seen. ANSEL AND THE GREAT TREE is one children’s book that I would love to have in my library. The illustrations are OUT OF THIS WORLD. To me, that’s what makes a children’s book. (Well, the writing has to be there, without a doubt, it has to be a good story)… without those wonderful images a children’s book wouldn’t be a children’s book now would it? I can still remember some of the images in books I’ve read growing up. MAGICAL. The book’s website has a link to purchase a limited edition print of certain images and they are nothing short of amazing, click HERE. Here is one example… Oh! I love it! How would one of these look in a child’s bedroom??!!

Illustration for Ansel And The Great Tree: “Jollyman” by Quang Ho

Here’s a blip from the International Masters of Fine Art website:

Artist’s Biography

Quang Ho was born in Hue, Vietnam. He immigrated to the United States in 1975 and is now a U.S. Citizen. His artistic interest began at the early age of three and continued through his schooling and led him to an exciting and successful painting career.
In 1980, at age 16, Quang held his first one-man show at Tomorrow’s Masters Gallery in Denver, Colorado. The exhibit was a smashing success. In 1982, Quang attended the Colorado Institute of Art on a National Scholastics Art Awards Scholarship. Ho graduated from the CIA in 1985 with the Best Portfolio Award for his graduating class.
In 1982, Quang’s mother was killed in a tragic auto accident, leaving him with the responsibility of raising four younger brothers and a six-year-old sister. After graduating from art school, Ho launched a very successful career as a freelance illustrator from 1985 through 1991. His clients included Adolph Coors Company, Upjohn, Safeway, the Colorado Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony.
Today, working mostly in oils and occasionally watercolor and pastels, Ho’s subject matter ranges from still life, landscapes, interiors, and figurative.
“Subject matter is not really important to me. I can find visual excitement all around me as well as on the canvas – from a knot on a tree to the graceful limp of a flower wilting to a juxtaposition of a few simple shapes and colors…inspirations are inexhaustible.” Quang currently resides in Colorado.

This is one amazing artist. You can feel emotion in his paintings. They are out of this world! Great work Quang!

Catch you back here tomorrow!