14th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational… begins SUNDAY 10/14/12!

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

Looks like a beautiful place to paint, doesn’t it? Phew, I would imagine these plein air events are lots of work. Lots of painting, not a lot of sleeping. The competition is fierce. The days are long, but this is a group of artists that can take this kind of pressure. I wish each and every one of you luck. If you’re in the area head on over! This event begins on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

Here is a blip from the Laguna Art Museum’s website:

Each year forty of the nation’s top plein air landscape painters compete for prestigious prizes and participate in week-long festivities including public paint outs, environmental awareness activities, and educational events during the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. There are many opportunities for you to watch these artists in action including the Quick Draw Paint Out on October 14, the Laguna Canyon Foundation Paint Out on October 16, the Paint Out at Crystal Cove on October 18, and the Outdoor Artist Demonstrations on October 19. Or you may just happen to see an artist in action around town throughout the week! There are also many opportunities to meet the artists in person during the Meet & Greet Reception on October 14, the Collectors’ Soirée on October 20, and the Public Art Show & Sale on October 21. Click here for a complete list of events.

Click HERE for contact information…

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Ebrahim Amin (Laguna Beach, CA) Debra Huse (Newport Beach, CA) Scott Prior (Oceanside, CA)
Jacobus Baas (Laguna Beach, CA) Mark Kerckhoff (San Juan Capistrano, CA) Camille Przewodek (Petaluma, CA)
Gavin Brooks (Owings Mills, MD) Thomas Jefferson Kitts (Portland, OR) April Raber (Laguna Beach, CA)
John Burton (Carmel, CA) Paul Kratter (Moraga, CA) Ray Roberts (Angels Camp, CA)
Larry Cannon (Sonoma, CA)
 Peggi Kroll-Roberts (Angels Camp, CA) Frank Serrano (Montrose, CA)
Hiu Lai Chong (Rockville, MD) Greg LaRock (Newport Beach, CA) Jeff Sewell (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
Josh Clare (Queen Creek, AZ) Joan LaRue (Tucson, AZ) Randy Sexton (San Francisco, CA)
Rick Delanty (San Clemente, CA) Calvin Liang (Corona, CA) Michael Situ (Irvine, CA)
Ken DeWaard (Viroqua, WI) Kirk McBride (Berlin, MD) W. Jason Situ (El Monte, CA)
Robin Hall (Capistrano Beach, CA Clark Mitchell (Cotati, CA) Bryan Mark Taylor (Lafayette, CA)
Carolyn Hesse-Low (La Jolla, CA) Larry Moore (Winter Park, FL) Jove Wang (Alhambra, CA)
Darrell Hill (Kameula, HI) Michael Obermeyer (Laguna Beach, CA) Jim Wodark (Orange, CA)
Jeff Horn (Costa Mesa, CA) Billyo O’Donnell (Eureka, MO) Jeff Yeomans (San Diego, CA)
  Morgan Samuel Price (Altamonte Springs, FL)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

To do in Charleston… CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

OK, I’ve lived in Charleston for over 23 years now and I just made it to the Charleston Tea Plantation a few months ago! It was a wonderful place to visit! We visited during our staycation this summer. The grounds are stunning. You can watch things happening… all in our little Charleston! Literally a few minutes away, Charleston Tea Plantation is located right off Maybank Hwy on Wadmalaw Island. Visiting a tea plantation doesn’t seem like such a big deal until you realize that Charleston Tea Plantation/American Classic is the only place in North America that produces black tea commercially. It’s fascinating AND bonus… you can sample all the teas… and they have a wonderful gift shop!

This was one of my treasures from the gift shop… that and the peach flavored tea, a favorite in the summer for iced tea. You can buy this tea at some grocery stores under the AMERICAN CLASSIC name!

Look at these gorgeous old oak trees, they are all over the places. I wonder to myself… where are all the artists?? What a great place to paint! This is one place to bring a camera, that’s for sure! Lighting isn’t great, it was mid day and very hot, but you get the idea… those trees are gigantic!

Tea plants everywhere… more on the process in a future post, it’s so interesting!

From The Charleston Tea Plantation’s website:

ABOUT US

The Charleston Tea Plantation is located on historic Wadmalaw Island in the heart of the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The history of the Island dates back to mid-June of 1666 when it is believed that Captain Robert Sanford and the crew of the Berkeley Bay landed on the shores of what is now known as Rockville, South Carolina. On June 23, 1666, he and his crew claimed the land for England and the Lords Proprietors. Today, Wadmalaw is considered to be one of Charleston’s most unspoiled islands. It is approximately 10 miles long and 6 miles wide. The Island’s only connection to the mainland is a bridge that crosses over Church Creek.

Home to The Charleston Tea Plantation, Wadmalaw provides the perfect environment for propagating tea. With its sandy soils, sub-tropical climate and average rainfall of 52 inches per year, Wadmalaw possess idyllic conditions for the Camellia Sinensis plant. This plant is currently used to produce both black and green teas and exists in over 320 varieties on the 127 acre grounds of the Charleston Tea Plantation.

The Plantation sits right off Maybank Highway. Driving down Maybank is like taking a step back in time. Wadmalaw has not and cannot be commercially developed, therefore much of the land remains untouched. The Island is also home to other unique and historic attractions such as Irvin-House Vineyards, the only domestic winery in Charleston, South Carolina as well as theAngel Oak, a Live Oak tree that is believed to be over 1,500 years old.

Open 7 days a week, with the exception of a few holidays, the Charleston Tea Plantation is the perfect place to take a day trip. Bring the family, pack a lunch and enjoy the beauty of the tea fields. The experience is not only educational but more importantly one-of-a-kind. You will learn first-hand how tea is made during an informative Factory Tour. You can also take an enjoyable Trolley Ride through the tea fields, shop our unique Plantation Gift Shop and help yourself to all of the iced American Classic Tea you can drink.

Please feel free to call us for more information or questions-843-559-0383.

Another bonus!  If you aren’t in the area, check out their online gift shop (photo above) – NEAT stuff I’m telling you!

Hey, I think it’s tea time! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… David Kasman!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

David Kasman painted the Johnson House (Monhegan Island, Maine) – amazing! Hangs in our “Monhegan room”!

Several years ago Fred and I were on Monhegan Island, Maine… we walked into the Lupine Gallery  (love that gallery!) and saw this painting by David Kasman. We had an immediate response to it… both of us. Music we don’t always agree on, but art… we both love the same thing, and this was it. It had that wonderful looseness that in my mind is so difficult to achieve… and it held a great memory. For those of you familiar with Monhegan, the Johnson house sits at the top of Horn’s Hill past the Novelty on the left hand side. The views from this cottage are breathtaking (what I’ve seen photos of, we haven’t stayed there… )

This year, after hiking we were sitting on the porch at the inn. An artist set up an easel overlooking the wharf/buildings looking toward Manana. I was thrilled to watch someone paint… I did manage to get a few photos of David. From watching him paint I can tell you this man is focused. He has an absolute plan. Nothing appears to happen by chance. Every move… deliberate. I can see the slight Sovek looseness in his paintings that I adore so much. Very unique! All I could think the entire time he painted was WHO ARE YOU?!

David was a joy to watch paint. After he was finished we spoke to him. What a nice guy! I cannot say enough good things! I highly encourage you to check out his work, it’s on display at the Lupine Gallery on Monhegan, as well as other galleries, check his website for details! It’s fabulous! David started out in sculpture, which is a feat in itself. A sculptor, an artist… jeez, some people have the talent, but let me tell you, he wasn’t sitting on the porch relaxing… he was PAINTING!!

Here is another painting… of fishing boats in Provincetown…  (Image: DavidKasman.com)

Here is one of the public sculpture’s he created (Image also DavidKasman.com):

The description from David’s website: “Resurgence”, viewed from Harvard Street, Harvard Square, unveiled on June 11, 2011. This piece marks the 25th Anniversary of Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre and honors its founder, Jose Mateo. While not overtly religious, it is intended to exude a positive, spiritual effect on those who see it. Kasman hopes it will inspire viewers to learn more about dance, sculpture and the arts, in general.

YEP! I know, amazing, right?

Here’s a shot I took of David in the beginning stages of the painting…

And THIS is the final painting… a masterpiece indeed!

Here’s a blip about David from his website:
David Kasman (born 1962, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
David Kasman is best known for his bronze sculptures as well as his direct observation oil paintings of beaches, Boston and Maine.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in Mechanical Engineering. While at Cornell, he also studied sculpture with Jonathan Squire and Jim Cole. At that time, he primarily worked on wood, abstract sculptures, though he was also reintroduced to representational modeling in clay, something he had enjoyed as a young boy.
From 1985-1999 he ran the family business, designing and manufacturing laboratory instruments, including the well known MEL-TEMP®, melting point apparatus, which was invented by his father, Sidney. During those years, he invented and patented several additional instruments for use by scientists. At night and on weekends, he used the large, open space of the companies’ warehouse to create sculptures with live models. In 1994 he spent a month in the Loire Valley of France to study sculpture with Martine Vaugel. In 1995, he studied artistic anatomy and sculpture at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art with Dean Keller, Don Gale, Laci de Gerenday and Elizabeth Chandler.
In 1998 he won the 1st place award, the Roger T. Williams prize, at the National Sculpture Competition, sponsored by the National Sculpture Society. In that year, he married Katy Coughlin and the two moved to Newton, Massachusetts. In 1999 the family business was sold and David decided to devote his full efforts to his art. He converted his garage into an art studio.
In 2002 he began to study oil painting. He attended a workshop taught by David Leffel and another by Charles Sovek. He also learned from his favorite art instruction books by William Morris Hunt, Charles Webster Hawthorne and Robert Henri. In 2003, he returned to the Lyme Academy of Fine Art to study painting with Jerry Weiss and life drawing with Don Gale.
He was accepted to the Copley Society of Art in Boston 2002 and his work has been included in many juried shows there as well as by several other New England galleries.
He was awarded a residency at the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center in September of 2008. In that year, he also began to make large-scale versions of his most successful sculptures.
In 2011 his sculpture, Resurgence, a permanent outdoor sculpture that was commissioned by Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, was unveiled in Harvard Square.
His paintings and sculptures are in numerous prominent collections which include:
The Bush Family, Kennebunkport, ME
Jamie Wyeth
Ernie Boch Jr.
Jack Connors Jr.
Remak Ramsay
Joseph and Kathy O’Donnell

 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

TREATS of Maine located in Wiscasset. It’s a tradition!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

Oh boy do we ever love this place! TREATS is the perfect blend of, well treats, wonderful desserts, coffee, tea, sandwiches, homemade soups that are unusual and out of this world. We are never disappointed with what we order! When we visit Maine, we land, get in the car and head straight to Treats. If you’re in the area, stop by, say hello and pick up a treat and a coffee. It’s all good! They also have bread, wine, cheese and assortment of other goods. Can’t wait to get back, hmmm, wonder what i’ll order, hee.

Treats is a wonderful place to sit and talk to both locals and tourists, we’ve met some fascinating people!

One of our sandwiches…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Christopher Columbus… 1492!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Image: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3b51259/

Today is the celebration of Christopher Columbus arriving in America on October 12, 1492… 520 years ago today!

Here’s a blip from History.com

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years.

History.com has some fascinating articles… here’s one of them, check out their site for more, video’s too!

Christopher Columbus

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic in search of a water route from Europe to Asia. He never found it, but he did accidentally “discover” the Americas along the way.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How Did I Get So Lucky?

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

That’s my mom on the left, the one that looks like a movie star… then that would be me and my dad (just call me FLASH I guess!) and my grandma… we had great times in her pool! (Watch me! Watch me!). Today is my mom’s birthday and she hasn’t aged a bit… of course this photo here was taken in the 60’s, I am a bit taller, and I tend to not run around topless…

I’m not sure how I lucked out and got such great parents, but I did. Believe me, I don’t take it for granted. I thank God everyday for giving me the life I’ve got. My mom and dad are cool and happening, they always have been. They were so awesome growing up. My mom was so nurturing, but tough when she needed to be (“Go read a book” she would tell me… I DON’T WANT TO I would say… then she sat me down and gave me her first Nancy Drew book… I haven’t stopped reading since! Now, maybe she just wanted some time alone, ha ha… smart lady!)

As I got older and moved away (going on 23 years ago, boo hoo), she remained a mom with advice when I needed it, as well as a friend to share recipes with, to talk about good books to read, places to go, where to go out to eat and all that wonderful conversation that I absolutely adore. Even though we aren’t big talkers on the telephone (neither of us has ever been), when we do talk, once a week or so, it’s quality time… not always important info, but stuff that keeps us close. Oh how I wish we lived closer. I know how fortunate I am to still have my mom. Some kids never have a mom, or have a horrible childhood. Others moms are taken too soon. So thank you God for keeping my mom around!

How did I get so lucky? I have the world’s best husband, the best parents (and inlaws too!) and the funniest sister ever! I am truly blessed beyond words!

Mom, we wish you the happiest birthday ever! I hope dad makes you a wonderful cake! E N J O Y  Y O U R  B I R T H D A Y !  LOVE  YOU!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo Weekend: Charleston… a walk downtown…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME6 Comments

For those of you who aren’t from Charleston… these shots are taken near Hominy Grill. Now if you’ve been to Charleston, SC you’ve most likely been to Hominy Grill. Nice restaurant, great breakfast, haven’t been there for dinner, but I’m sure it’s all good! If you take a walk around that area you can see the most amazing things. For instance, this house. You wouldn’t believe how narrow it is, but how incredibly charming is it? It’s quite like a treehouse! And lucky for them, they can walk to Hominy Grill!

This also happens to be very near the Ashley Hall Private Girl’s Day School. A prestigious school in Charleston that dates back over 100 years! Their grounds are beautiful from what I could see!

Look at this unique building on the Ashley Hall campus! I believe it’s called the Shell House? Very interesting! Take time to walk around and see what YOU discover!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jeffrey Watts!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

JeffreyWatts 2009 Facebook painting

Work by Jeffrey Watts via Jeffrey Watts Facebook (image from 2009)

Isn’t this fabulous? This amazing face depicting every hard earned wrinkle. It looks as if this person could walk right out of the painting. To top it off and make it even more spectacular is the way the white of the canvas shows through in the background. In my opinion that just adds to what makes it so utterly amazing! This was painted by artist Jeffrey Watts an artist that hails from California…

One more fabulous painting… entitled “Babushka”. Image from Jeff’s website:

Here’s a blip about Jeff from his website (which is also amazing… check it out!)… click HERE to read in it’s entirety!

ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

Jeff WattsJeffrey R. Watts is a southern California native. Growing up in rural San Diego county with an artist father, Watts demonstrated an early aptitude for the visual arts. But it was competitive sports that held his interest as a teenager. After an injury cut short his budding career in professional cycling, Jeff turned his focus back to art, enrolling at the California Art Institute in Calabasas. Watts was soon asked to teach at the institute and began to work as an illustrator in the movie industry. However, Jeff’s goal to become an easel painter would draw him back to San Diego where he started a small life drawing and painting studio known as Watts Atelier of the Arts. ( www.wattsatelier.com ) Jeff’s aesthetic sensibilities have long drawn him to the figurative art of nineteenth century Europe and Russia. His Atelier allows him to work regularly from the live model, grounding his work in traditional principles. Recently, Jeff’s work has been compared to that of Nicolai Fechin, an influence he is quick to acknowledge. “I never tire of looking at the work of Nicolai Fechin” Watts says, “his work is the perfect combination of control and chaos.” In 2008 The Taos Art Museum and Fechin House honored Watts with a Solo Exhibition in the original Taos home and studio of Mr. Nicolai Fechin.

Jeff’s oil paintings have won numerous awards including First Place Portrait category and Second Place Landscape category from the Artist’s Magazine, two consecutive Second Place Awards at the Salon International Exhibition, an Honor Award and an Award of Exceptional Merit from the Portrait Society of America, 3 Awards of Excellence from Oil Painters of America and 3 Top 100 Awards from Arts for the Parks among others. Watts is a regualr participant in the prestigious Prix de West Invitational held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Watts’s work has been featured in Southwest Art , American Artist, Art of the West, Western Art Collector, American Art Collector, Drawing and Workshop magazines. Jeffrey R. Watts is a Master Signature member of Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of both the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and the California Art Club, and holds membership in the Portrait Society of America.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

39 Rue de Jean, a fabulous Charleston restaurant!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD3 Comments

My birthday was back in August… it fell on a Sunday this year, so Fred and I went to Rue de Jean for brunch. Let me tell you. WE. WERE. IMPRESSED. The service, the atmosphere, the food, the experience, it was all fabulous. We had the BEST coffee, wonderful food, and they brought me a dessert with a candle for my birthday! Oh, not any ole dessert, this was so special I can’t get it off of my mind, ha ha… POTS DE CRÈME AU CHOCOLAT  – when you go, order it! Trust me, you will have a big smile on your face! I mean LOOK at this! Pure delight in every way!

Even the simple things had that classy French twist…

A glimpse into the restaurant… they also have an upstairs. Check out their website, and their MENUS! I know where you’ll be soon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Robert Norieka!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Lobster Buoys” by Robert Norieka – Image: Sylvan Gallery

I love Robert Norieka’s style… loose and dramatic. His colors… intense… in a very good way. I LOVE the color of that little shed and how the buoys really stand out and make a statement. What really makes this painting stand out is how a good part of it is in the shade and the rest in the sun. The part in the sun is so colorful. This is such a fantastic painting done by an artist who can paint watercolor, acrylic and oil (i’m sure there’s more he does, but that’s what we saw the other day at the Sylvan Gallery in Wiscasset, Maine).

If you’re in the Wiscasset area, I urge you to pop in Sylvan Gallery and take a peek! Then run down to TREATS for some… TREATS!  Hee hee…

Here’s a blip about Robert from the Sylvan Gallery (Wiscasset, Maine) website:

Robert is a graduate of Paier School of Art and has been a professional artist for thirty-five years. His passion for art is matched by a natural talent to paint a wide variety of subjects, highlighted by expressive coastal scenes, intimate woodland pictorials and seasonal treks through the countryside. He has been inspired by the many pleasurable memories of his boyhood; which was spent joyfully fishing, and catching turtles and frogs.

A prominent national award winning artist and illustrator, Robert’s paintings hang in both corporate and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. His painting Catfish and Turtles is in the permanent collection of the New Britain Museum of American Art. He is represented in numerous galleries and teaches and lectures throughout New England. He has illustrated magazine editorials and seven books. He is an elected member of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic, the Salmagundi Club, the Lyme Art Association, the Connecticut Watercolor Society, the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts and he is a signature member of the New England Watercolor Society.

So far in 2012 Robert Noreika has already won two significant awards including the Robert Sanstrom Prize – $5,000 and GOLD MEDAL, at the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic, and the Second Prize Award at the National Open Show of the New England Watercolor Society. Awards in 2011 include a first award in the New England Watercolor Society’s regional show at the Attleboro Museum as well as awards at the Salmagundi Show in NYC and from the New Haven Paint and Clay Club.

Noreika is a featured artist in 100 Artists of New England published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. in 2010.

And through October 29, 2012…

Logo
A New Exhibition at Sylvan Gallery 
  
“Bold Impressions”
The Paintings of Robert Noreika
September 28th – October 29th

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Laura B – Monhegan bound…

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

The Laura B is a magnificent boat that takes you and your belongings to Monhegan Island, Maine. It departs from Port Clyde, Maine. It’s about a one hour ride, the shortest ride of the three boats that are Monhegan bound. This year while we were on Monhegan there was a storm. It rained that night and the winds howled. It was exciting. I love weather, can you tell? The next morning all boats canceled their first trip to the island. Word had it that the other boats might cancel the rest of the day, but Monhegan Boat Line would go at some point. Their route is through more protected water (or they have that option anyway…). So good to know that we’re on the boat line that will trudge through most weather to get you where you’re going! Ha ha…

Here’s an image from Monhegan Boat Line… can you imagine the winter?! Oh, I would love to be on that boat at least once in the winter!

Read a blip about the Laura B from the Monhegan Boat Line website:

The world-famous Laura B makes the early-morning trip to Monhegan every day during the summer season, and delivers all the freight to the island year ’round. She has both indoor and outdoor seating. She is also available for private charters and for hauling freight to any of the islands.

Built in 1943, the 65-foot Laura B is rigged as a heavy-duty work boat. Originally designated a U.S. Army T-57, she spent World War II in the Pacific, where she served as a patrol boat and carried troops and supplies. She came under fire during those days, and carried two 50-caliber machine guns on deck. This rugged vessel was brought to Maine in 1946, and spent the next few years transporting lobsters from Vinalhaven to Boston and New York City.

For the past half century, the beloved Laura B has been ferrying passengers, freight, and mail between Port Clyde and Monhegan Island. A prominent marine surveyor has described her as the best-maintained wooden vessel on the Eastern Seaboard.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sonoma Plein Air Event… Starts TODAY! October 1-6, 2012

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

The Sonoma Plein Air Event begins today! So many fabulous artists in one location! As you can see the gala is SOLD OUT! Here is a list of events from the Sonoma Plein Air website:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR 2012:

Artists check in on Monday, October 1st
Artists paint in various locations throughout Sonoma Valley during the week of the event.

Tuesday, October 2nd
“The Quick DRAW”
Please join the artists on Tuesday in the Sonoma Plaza at 5:30 p.m.
Take a look at the 2011 Quick Draw here.
Easels will be set up all around the colorful Sonoma Farmers Market for paintings to be created and sold on the spot!

Artists will have an hour and a half to take in all the vivid colours, sights and smells of the Farmers Market while creating a painting for you to take home with you that night!
4:30 Quick Draw begins
5:30 Farmer’s Market begins
6:00 Artists finish
6:30-8:30 Art available for purchase
Check out at the Charles Creek tasting room on the Plaza….

Friday, October 5th
The Gala Dinner and Auction with the Artists
This year’s Gala Dinner will be held at the Lasseter Train Barn
Be sure to join the Live Auction at the Gala….

THE GALA DINNER IS NOW SOLD OUT!
Contact us to join the waiting list….

Sonoma Plein Air Foundation
19201 Sonoma Highway
Number 321
Sonoma, CA 95476

Saturday, October 6th
ART EXHIBITION & SALE
Historic Sonoma Plaza
Napa Street East and First Street East
Public invited

10 a.m. EVENT OPENS
Meet the Sonoma Plein Air artists
Fine art they created during the week on location
in Sonoma Valley will be on display and for sale

LIVE MUSIC
To be announced

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hands-on-Art classes for children
Thank you Sonoma Community Center staff and volunteers.

ART DEMONSTRATIONS:

11 a.m. Oil painting demonstration
12:30 p.m . Water color demonstration
2 p.m. Pastel Demonstration

4 p.m. EVENT CLOSES

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo: Monhegan Boat Line – Laura B

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL2 Comments

Laura B – Monhegan Boat Line

Isn’t she a beauty?! We usually catch this boat when we leave Monhegan. It gets to the wharf and unloads cargo, you name it, mail, wood, furniture, lots of lobster traps. They have such an efficient system down on the wharf. Then we all pile on and head to the mainland, in this case, Port Cldye, Maine. It’s a wonderful ride when the seas aren’t rough. Once in a while you get the route that takes you by Allen Island, where Betsy Wyeth lives (Artist Andrew Wyeth’s wife). It’s a beautiful place… photos coming soon!

Wouldn’t this make a cool painting??

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Weekend Photo: Sometimes it’s the little things…

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL3 Comments

When I saw this pallet sitting on the wharf in Port Clyde, Maine, I had to snap a photo… the way the sun hit it so nicely. Sometimes its the little things that can make you smile! We’re all so busy and it’s easy to take for granted the little things in life… make an effort to notice at least one thing every day, something small and insignificant, but something that makes you smile! Have a great weekend!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Brad Betts!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Teaching” by Brad Betts – Image: DownEastGalleryFacebook

Brad Betts is usually known for painting waterfront scenes… boats, ships, water… The above painting “Teaching” is a deviation that I think is wonderful! The light on the chicken… fabulous! I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to that window with the shelf and blue bottle. Drawn in a good way. You can feel the bright light penetrating through the window, can’t you? Nice painting indeed… the dark background with the nice sunlit chicken makes for some pretty snazzy contrast! Great job!

“Cozy Harbor” by Brad Betts – Image: ArtCollectorMaine.com

“Cozy Harbor” is one of the paintings along the lines that Brad normally paints, very nice! I just love all these seaside villages throughout Maine!

Read a blip about Brad from the Art Collector Maine website:

Brad Betts has been an artist for over 20 years and is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).  His paintings have appeared in solo and group shows throughout New England, including the Mystic Seaport Gallery’s acclaimed “International Marine Art Exhibition” for the past 7 years. In 2006, he received the “Maritime Gallery Yachting Award” at this exhibition and in 2008, was recognized as one of “Four Distinguished Artists” at the Mystic Seaport Gallery.

In 2011, Brad’s maritime painting “Cup Challenge” was selected by internationally renowned author Ferenc Maté for the cover of “Sea of Lost Dreams”, the second book in the Dugger / Nello series.  Brad is currently working on a book cover for Maté’s first book in the series, “Ghost Sea”.

His inspiration to paint all things nautical is an outgrowth of his youth, which he spent around the Gulf coast waters, deep sea fishing and sailing.  Today, his paintings reflect his life-long appreciation of the sea. His work is filled with movement: schooners under full sail battle through wind-driven seas; and Friendship sloops glide through the calm waters of Maine’s inlets. The classic Betts oil is a summer day in Maine—blue skies, billowing sails, and shimmering seas.

In 2007, Brad and his wife Danielle made the decision to move to East Boothbay Maine, the beautiful seaside village famous for boat building. Living in an area with a rich maritime history and active working harbor offers Brad the opportunity to connect daily with classic scenes that most inspire him.

Brad has achieved his mastery of maritime painting through a blend of both technical discipline in the studio and a focused effort to retain his natural, inspired style. He seeks this through outdoor painting, “When you paint outside, the light and conditions change constantly. This forces you to simplify your decisions and rely completely on practiced techniques and natural instincts. In these moments, you connect most with yourself as an artist and the energy that comes from within.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!