Featured Artist… Colin Page!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist10 Comments

“Underneath” by Colin Page – Image: DowlingWalsh.com

I’ve featured Colin a few times over the past few years. His work is outstanding, and now… some of his paintings have a new twist. Edgy. I am really liking his new work, I love this painting, how you see “underneath”… its wonderful how he can mix a  traditional painting with some abstractness to come up with something totally unique, that works so well! If you haven’t checked out Colin’s website in the past, I highly encourage you to do so. Colin is an amazing person. He gave a workshop in Charleston, SC this past spring that was a huge hit, everyone loved him, and thought he was a fabulous teacher! Oh! I don’t want to forget to mention his JOURNAL. Full of great information, it’s a “must read” if you love art!

Colin’s show opens at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine TODAY! The opening reception is from 5-8PM, so if you’re in the area, give his work a peek! You will be thrilled that you did. The Dowling Walsh Gallery is a nice place to hang out and check out some of the best art around. Colin’s show starts today, August 3rd through August 26, 2012. I hope every painting has a red dot!

Look at this piece… (to me) it’s reminiscent of a painting done by Charles Movalli entitled, THE PATRIOT, oh how we loved that painting… if memory serves me correctly it was the stern of a sailboat, and an American flag, those two things I remember… it was big and it was at Bayview Gallery in Camden, ME many years ago. I’ll never forget that piece!

“Angelique” is one classy painting, with the dark hull, the dark water with pops of the sky and the pop of the flag… whoa!

“Angelique” by Colin Page – Image: DowlingWalsh.com

If you’re lucky enough to make it to the show, let me know how you liked it! It’s going to be fabulous! Read more about Colin on the Dowling Walsh website (fabulous website!), so much to read! Catch you back here tomorrow!

A quick and tasty dessert for a hot blistery day!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

How is this for a nice tasty dessert on a day that is so hot and steamy? The temperatures are brutal throughout the country… so once in a while you need a little treat… something quick and easy, and SOOO good!

I bought some fabulous ice cream cones at EarthFare, they’re organic, I bought these because I didn’t want all the other unpronounceable ingredients… these had REAL ingredients, and they are C H E A P, no sugar and barely a calorie!

That along with some good ice cream and WELLA! A treat that can’t be beat! Sometimes a little cone just makes the day even better! This is a fast and fun dessert that will make your tastebuds smile!

Enjoy!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Shelby Keefe!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Alterations” by Shelby Keefe – Image: StudioShelby.com

Best Painting with an Architectural Subject
Easels in Frederick (MD), Painting Competion, June 2012

Isn’t this a fabulous painting? The fabulous architecture, the shadows on the building, the reflections in the window, the vibrant blue facade… gorgeous! Check out Shelby’s website, she’s a fantastic painter. I really enjoy her work!

Here’s a blip about Shelby from her website:

Impressionist Oil Painter

Shelby Keefe is a contemporary impressionistic painter, teacher and performance artist. Born in Whitewater, WI in 1958, she graduated in 1981 with a BFA from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI.  After retiring from a career in graphic design in 2005, she operates her own art studio and exhibition space in Bay View, on the south side of Milwaukee. Her award-winning urban landscape paintings have earned her participation in prestigious national juried shows, plein air painting competitions, and arts festivals as well as garnering commission work for a variety of corporate clients and private collectors. Her oil paintings are found in collections such as The Bradley Foundation, Acuity, Northwestern Mutual, Ozaukee Country Club; WE Energies; University School of Milwaukee; and other businesses around Milwaukee, and in private collections in Wisconsin and around the country.

Artist Statement
“I am influenced by Impressionism and the brighter Fauvist palette and generally specialize in urban architectural subjects. I use my own photographs as reference as well as painting “en plein air”. My creative intentions are to put the viewer in the scene; transporting them to the location and transforming their mood through color and composition. I’m attracted to scenes where the subjects are dramatically lit, which adds a vibrancy and a sense of immediacy to the paintings. I like to apply the oils freely and liberally over brilliant acrylic underpaintings, creating a juxtaposition of contrasting colors that vibrate and illicit emotional engagement as well as excite the eye. I believe that a work of art has a longer lasting, “multi-generational wall life” when the viewer continually finds something new in the work, and the paint, itself, is allowed to do the “talking.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Homemade BBQ sauce, easy and so much better than store bought!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

BBQ Sauce ready for the chicken on the grill!

This is a quick and easy BBQ Sauce that is so delicious you simply will not believe it! Recipe from Cooks.com!

These are the ingredients that I used:

I found this recipe on Cooks.com, and I pretty much used it as it was written, omitting one evil ingredient… Worcestershire Sauce. (I had to avoid soy (one alias is ‘natural flavors’) it was so good without it that I still don’t add it… Here’s the link to the BBQ SAUCE recipe on cooks.com (as shown below) so that it’s quick and easy to print (or read below):

BBQ SAUCE 
2 tbsp. butter
1 c. water
1 c. ketchup
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. salt (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
Melt butter. Saute onion until soft. Add remaining 9 ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes. Makes about 2 cups of BBQ sauce.

I make this recipe, then I split into smaller batches (1/3 cup is about how much we use on two chicken breasts). I freeze each serving in a labeled freezer bag, then flatten out and refrigerate. Once cold pop into the freezer. Then next time you need it you can set it out for a few minutes and it will thaw, then snip the corner and squeeze contents into a dish. Too easy!

Here is the final result… let me tell you, Fred cooked this chicken on the grill to perfection. It was awesome! There is nothing like barbecue chicken on the grill, fresh corn on the cob and a nice crispy salad!

What are YOU making for dinner? Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… David Santillanes!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“String Lake” by David Santillanes

Don’t you just feel as if you right there on the edge of the water, overlooking the lake? This painting brings me into the moment, which is pretty cool! “String Lake” received an Award of Excellence at the 2012 RMPAP (Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters) Plein Air for the Park in Grand Teton National Park. I especially love the reflections in the water, the hazy trees on the horizon and the more vivid foreground. Very nice! 

Here’s a blip about David from his website:

As my painting style continues to evolve my goal with each piece is not a literal rendering of the scene.  Instead it is to capture and convey its essence.

In terms of composition, I look for simplicity.  I’ve found that there are many opportunities to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of ‘place’.  Therefore I’ll seek out the big abstract shapes in the landscape and  use them for the underlying design concept.  And because I’ve departed from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit this concept.  In this way I am able to describe the scene in my own “words”.

Finally, capturing the essence of a landscape involves a realistic rendering of color, light and atmosphere.  This requires direct observation and is why most of my paintings begin in the field with a plein air study.   But studying the physical aspects of nature isn’t the only reason I paint outdoors; for me, the sensory experience of being there is equally important. There’s no better way to get to know a place on earth than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting. This intense observation brings a spiritual intimacy with the scene that can’t be achieved in mere passing and allows me to “speak” with complete sincerity in each painting.

Dave Santillanes
Fort Collins, Colorado 2011

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: David Santillanes Facebook

Photo: Ahhh, the way life should be! Relax and enjoy!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Now don’t you think this is the way life should be? Like a nice summer vacation. Where there is time for sitting and reading, or sitting by the river and watching all there is to see (it can be more entertaining than television, that’s for sure!). My parents live on the St. Clair River in Algonac, MI… the views are amazing… the sunsets are out of this world! My dad made these adirondack chairs, they have nice fluffy cushions, and it makes a great place to sit.

Wouldn’t you like to be sitting in that chair right now? Me too! These chairs remind me of the Island Inn on Monhegan (Maine). Nothing like sitting and reading or watching the water!

Monhegan Island, Maine – Island Inn Adirondack chairs… Fred reading while he waits for me… 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Italian Cypress Trees = Dramatic Photo

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Dramatic, eh? Photo taken while walking around downtown (Charleston, SC)…

I need to get up and go take photos early or late in the day… this was more around noon judging by the bright light, but you can still see what a cool place Charleston, SC is… everywhere you look there is a photo to be taken! If you are affected by heat, come in the winter! That’s when I really love Charleston! I wonder how many artists have painted this scene?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Katie Dobson Cundiff!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

“Merriewoods” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

I just love this painting for so many reasons. The cabin feels rustic and like something that fits within a perfect vacation, the trees are loose and full of character, the shadows are amazing and the clothes on the line, whoa! Those nicely added pops of color just make this painting extra special. This was one of the paintings that Katie had done for the Cashiers Plein Air Paint Out (Cashiers, NC) that just ended on Saturday. What a delightful time that must have been. How great to be a spectator in such a beautiful location full of fabulous artists!

Another painting that I just love, also from the Cashiers Plein Air Paint Out:

“Toll House” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

I absolutely adore how the underpainting shows through, it just adds so much! The little bits of light on the house, the cool picket fence and gate, the bright green sunlit grass and the beautiful flowers in the foreground all make this painting what it is… fabulous!

If you happen to be in the Charleston, SC area, you’re in luck! You can see some of Katie’s work at Galerie On Broad… if you aren’t in the area, check out their website!

Here’s a blip about Katie from her website  (click HERE to read in full), she sounds like such an interesting person!:

I am primarily a landscape artist, although I enjoy painting many different subjects including portraits and figurative, animals, still life, rural landscapes, boats, and urban scenes.  I think my work differs from that of other artists because of the influence and instruction I received from my father.  As a child, I loved to sit and watch him work on his illustrations, and would often pose for him.  He would let me look through his art books and by the time I was a teenager, we had long discussions on art and artists.  He showed me the works of master artists Degas, Lautrec, Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn (to name a few). Frequent visits to the Art Institute provided me the opportunity to study these and other great painters. This strong foundation in drawing and painting, and exploring the works of fine art masters has been the most important element in my journey and quest to becoming a “painter of life”.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Images: Katie Dobson Cundiff Facebook

A beasty birthday!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS5 Comments

The birthday boy, Charlie!

H A P P Y  3 R D  B I R T H D A Y  C H A R L I E !

It’s Charlie’s 3rd birthday today, boy how time flies! If you would like to be entertained by a funny blog accounting for the first year of LIFE WITH CHARLIE, click the link). Initially I created this blog because the only time Charlie would sleep is when I was sitting in my desk chair at the computer. He would curl up behind me and fall into a deep peaceful (for me) sleep… so I created a blog to vent entertain myself, then Charlie started getting people who wanted to know what was going on each day, it was a hoot… after a year he calmed down and I stopped the blog, but it was a great year!

Preparation for Charlie’s birthday hat photo shoot!

Charlie is going to have (another) good day! He’s been so much fun these past several years, here’s to many many more Charlie! May your birthday candles never blow out : )
Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Robin Weiss!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“White House” by Robin Weiss

Artist Robin Weiss works magic with a brush! His subject matter is very diverse, which makes it so interesting to follow his career, see what he’s painting. This painting is so sweet. It is amazing. I absolutely love the light and how it hits the house, the picket fence, and plays with the shadows in the road. So much detail has been added, the gingerbread on the peaks, yet this is not tight… not an easy task! Robin clearly knows when to stop and not overpaint a painting!

 Images: Robin Weiss Facebook

I love it when artists post photos of the art as well as the location, so that you can SEE what they’re painting. Most of the time whatever they’re painting looks much better than the real life scene. I wonder if that’s how they naturally see the world… hmmm… interesting! The first painting above entitled “White House” won the poster contest for a plein air event sponsored by Gallery North… (Image: Robin Weiss blog: In Plein Air).

Here’s a blip about Robin from his site on Daily Paintworks:

I began drawing at a very early age. In the early seventies my high school art teacher , Louis Penfield , took on the role as my art mentor. We spent many hours collecting material for massive found art sculptures made of metal. We would draw and paint from life, in class, after school and on weekends at his estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright . Wright also designed an art studio for Lou that was never finished . We hauled stone from the Chagrin river in northeast Ohio flowing through the property and worked on the studio. Then we would set up still life compositions and paint in watercolor.

After a stint in the US Navy I moved to Washington and started studying for architectural engineering. While attending Olympic college I began taking art courses and made the decision to focus on my art. At the time I was working in watercolor and started taking workshops from successful local artists. Deanne Lemley, and Jane Wallace were among them.

In 2006 , I joined the daily painters movement after reading about Duane Keiser and Julian Merrow Smith. I was desperate for more motivation to produce art and while I never actually achieved daily painter status , that is, completing a painting every day for an extended period of time, it was a good move for me to get involved with dedicated artists online. This resulted in a vast improvement in the quality of my artwork and I am now very thankful to be a full time artist.

Now working in oil I continue learning as much as I can from other professionals in the field. I have attended workshops with Darrell Anderson, Jim Lamb, Ned Mueller and others. 

I am currently painting and teaching at The Knowles Studio in Poulsbo WA. alongside printmaker and art instructor , Leigh Knowles Metteer.

My paintings are represented by The Directors Gallery on Bainbridge Island and Alki Arts gallery in West Seattle.

I have work published in, City Living; The Longborough Festival Opera, UK; Daily Painters, Color, Obsession and Joy; and others.

I have sold hundreds of paintings from my blog site and have work in private and corporate collections worldwide.

I wish Robin continued success, he is an amazing artist! I look forward to seeing his paintings in person one day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Farm Fresh Tomatoes, Pasta, Italian Sausage & Molly’s Basil = DELICIOUS!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe2 Comments

WARNING: THIS WILL TURN YOU INTO AN ADDICT. A TOMATO-BASIL-SAUCE-ON-PASTA-WITH-ITALIAN-SAUSAGE-ADDICT. Consider yourself warned.

We have been getting THE BEST tomatoes this year. I was inspired to create something new, not the typical spaghetti sauce I usually make, but something fresh and delicious where the tomatoes were the star and I think I did it…

There is no real recipe, use whatever quantities you like. The first time I made this (photo above) I used six large tomatoes. The last time I made it, I made enough to freeze, I used at least 11 tomatoes, big juicy fresh tomatoes from Boone Hall Farms, located in Mount Pleasant, SC. Also, the first time I made it I used penne pasta, which was a good fit, because this is NOT a thick sauce, so the tomato, garlic and onion juices got all wrapped up in the penne quite nicely. The last time I made this I used white whole wheat pasta which has more fiber, and tastes just like white (Barilla is the brand I used)… this sauce is so good we both think we can use it on whole wheat pasta with no problem. So, being the adult that I am, I bought some whole wheat pasta, so next time, we will give it a whirl…

A special THANK YOU to MOLLY WEAVER for the BEST. BASIL. EVER. She grows the sweetest basil I’ve ever tasted and she’s been incredibly generous to share it with me!

TOMATO BASIL SAUCE with GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Ingredients:

Fresh tomatoes, at least 6-8 large tomatoes, or as many as you like!

Onion, chopped

Garlic, chopped (or I use a microplane, it’s much faster!)

Fresh Basil, chopped

Olive Oil

Pasta of your choice (my favorite so far was the Barilla white wheat mini penne)

Italian Sausage (I use Al Fresco, Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, no nitrates!)

Wash, core and chop the tomatoes. Put in a big bowl so they’re ready to go…

Chop the onion (as small or large as you like), grate or mince the garlic (the smaller it is the healthier it is for you).

In a large stainless pan (I use a heavy pan, less likely for the garlic and onion to burn), drizzle some olive oil. Enough to keep onions and garlic from sticking to pan.

Once oil is warm, toss in the onion, once they begin to get translucent, make a little well in the center and toss in the garlic (make sure you still have olive oil, if not add some), cook for ONE MINUTE or until fragrant (on medium heat).

Now toss in the tomatoes… and stir it all around, get the onions and garlic mixed in with those tomatoes and wait until you start to see some bubbling. Then you can turn the flame down to low/med low and put a lid on the pan. (I do not leave the kitchen during this step in case they start to boil over). Let them cook for about 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and it will look like you have tomato soup! Take a handheld potato masher and slowly and carefully mash the tomatoes into the juice (you can omit this step if you prefer). Now let it cook with the lid off until it reduces at least an inch… right when it’s about there add the fresh basil, salt and pepper.

Cook your pasta according to package directions… about the same time, throw your Italian Sausage on the grill (I use chicken Italian sausage, oh is it ever delicious!) until done. Then slice thinly. (Note: if you don’t want to mess with the grill you could use scissors and cut the pasta and saute it, but I think the grill adds a nice crispiness to it that goes so nicely with this sauce.)

Scoop out some pasta, add some sauce, top with the Italian sausage and some parmesan cheese.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT. TRUST ME.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

UPDATE: I’ve made this again since I wrote the original post. I used Barilla Whole Grain pasta (51% wheat), and it was delicious! Thought I bought whole wheat because it was so dark, but noticed when I got home it was whole grain… NEXT time will try whole wheat!

Also… since tomato season is winding down, I’ve been making this and freezing it in batches. I don’t have a lot of freezer space, so this is how I do it.

Chill the sauce in the refrigerator. Then scoop enough (for the two of us I use 3-4 ladles) for one dinner into a labeled quart freezer bag. Put the bags on a cookie sheet and make sure they’re nice and flat. Once frozen, remove cookie sheet. You can store them standing up (like a file) or store flat. When it comes time to defrost, I just set out on the counter OR run under cold water for a few minutes. Because it’s not thick it defrosts quickly. Snip off one of the bottom ends of the ziplock and squeeze contents into a pan to heat. Toss the bag. Easy, right?

DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR – begins today!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART4 Comments

There are so many Plein air events throughout the country, I’m going to do my best to let you know when and where they’re at! If you live anywhere near one of these events I highly encourage you to check them out, what a great opportunity to watch great artists at work! Know of an upcoming event? LET ME KNOW!! I would hate to miss one! Ok, here goes…

Door County Plein Air Festival 2012 begins TODAY! Events are happening throughout the week from July 23, 2012 – July 28, 2012! Here’s a quick blip about the festival, from the Door County Plein Air Festival Website:

The Door County Plein Air Festival is the largest annual fundraising event hosted by Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek. Peninsula School of Art is a not-for-profit visual arts education center which is open year-round, and serves students ages 3 1/2 through adult.  Proceeds from the festival are used throughout the year to maintain access to our free community programs. For more about the Peninsula School of Art, membership and giving, visit PeninsulaSchoolofArt.com.

The sixth annual Door County Plein Air Festival hosted byPeninsula School of Art celebrates the tradition of outdoor painting with some of the finest painters from Door County and across the country. Over 40 artists will put brush to canvas, capturing the summer light over the waters and fields of Door County, Wisconsin. Painting from life and the landscape has long been a Door County tradition, and one that has endured evolving styles. The festival’s painters bring a fresh eye to the changing lights and colors, and a variety of styles that draw from the rich traditions of plein air painting.

Listen and learn from daily artist demonstrations. Tour local partner galleries as artists paint on site. Relax with great music and food at our sunset concert* and paint out.  View presentations by the festival judge, award winning artists, and knowledgeable collectors. View fresh paintings at our Collector’s Preview Gala Auction.* Children can try painting plein air during our Kid’s Paint, Saturday, July 28. Be at the heart of festival excitement during the Quick Paint competition. Vote for your favorite artists at our Open Door Reception. Take home an original piece of fine art. (*Denotes ticketed events, otherwise all are free and open to the public.)

There are SO MANY fabulous artists in attendance, I can’t mention them all, but here are a few that I’m familiar with… I look forward to seeing everyone’s work!

Dan Corey, Frank Gardner, Marc Hanson, Mark Kelvin Horton, Kyle Martin, and Randall Sexton. Click HERE to see the full list!

If you are in the Door County area this week I urge you to take advantage of watching these artists (and the many others, I believe 40 overall) do what they do best… paint! Most of the events are free, there are a few that require tickets, click HERE for the printable schedule (it will say if it requires a ticket). Hey, by chance does anyone know who did the painting that is being used on the .pdf (image at top)? Fabulous!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Bocci’s Restaurant… special memories!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

This is a neat old restaurant located on Church Street in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s where we ate dinner on our wedding night almost twenty years ago! I love this neat brick and the cool awning, it’s a very authentic feeling space. We haven’t been in years, have you? Let me know if you’ve been recently, what did you get? Here’s their MENU. I don’t recognize any of our old favorites from long, long ago…  Strolling around downtown makes for some fabulous photo taking! I’ve seen artists paint Bocci’s and it’s always such a cool painting! Hmmm, Italian food is sounding mighty tasty right about now!

Charleston restaurants have such character…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Sweetgrass Baskets!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART2 Comments

I took this photo one day while walking around downtown Charleston, SC. This was taken across the street from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. The women that weave these baskets are utterly amazing. So very talented. It’s very cool thing when your craft has been passed down for generations! These baskets aren’t cheap, but they will last forever. They’re worth every single penny. If you’re in town, this is THE PERFECT souvenir to go home with. It’s classy, you can use it and it’s absolutely beautiful!

I’ve heard that the basket ladies don’t like to have their photos taken, so I was able to snap this without revealing the artists identity… Just know that she was a very talented woman indeed!

Whether or not you are located in Charleston, hey, what better wedding, anniversary, birthday, gift would one of these beautiful baskets make?!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Vincent Giarrano!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Communique” by Vincent Giarrano – Image: GalleryHenoch.com

I first saw this painting on the January 2012 cover of Southwest Art. That great blue in the building… the woman very busy with her phone… the newspaper showing more of a days-gone-by era. This looks like a scene out of a normal day, which makes it that much more interesting. I think Vincent is an amazing artist. His subjects are so interesting, I urge you to check out his website, and the list of galleries that represent him.

Here’s a blip about Vincent from Gardner Colby Gallery:

Connecticut artist Vincent Giarrano is a representational painter. His work is focused on creating a realistic image, but also important to Vincent is the concept of realism in his paintings. “What I love is painting subjects that relate to real life experiences….I want my paintings to resonate as sincere and true moments of life.”

Quality of light is another major aspect in Vincent’s paintings. The cool even light of Vincent’s recent series about life in New York City, creates a believable impression and triggers a feeling of reality for the viewer. The New York City series deals with the dynamic between people and their environment, as well as the interplay of classic and contemporary elements in the setting.

Vincent earned a BFA from The State University of NY, and a MasterofFineArtfromSyracuseUniversity. Hisworkhasbeen show in galleries across the county, including the prestigious Salon International at Geenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX, where Vincent’s work was accepted three years in a row, and the Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT, “Faces of Winter 2008” exhibition judged by Daniel Greene.

Giarrano’s work has been featured as the cover story of The Artist’s Magazine (Oct 2011) and Southwest Art magazine (Jan 2012). 

Catch you back here tomorrow!