Purity… you just may not have found the right one yet…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS1 Comment

Philosophy PURITY MADE SIMPLE

Image: Nordstrom

If you don’t absolutely LOVE your facial cleanser have I got news for you! A while back I bought the small sample size cleanser by Philosophy called PURITY. I had read a lot of great things about it, it consistently got 4.5-5 stars on every site I checked. How could that many people be wrong? They weren’t, and that’s why I’m a big fan of researching things before I buy. I read the reviews and if they seem pretty consistent I’ll give it a shot, and am I glad I ever did!

Here’s a blip about the cleanser from the Philosophy website:

our award-winning daily facial skin cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse, tone and melt away all face and eye makeup in one simple step, while lightly hydrating the skin.

features & benefits

  • deep cleans pores and eliminates makeup build-up
  • natural oil extracts help condition skin
  • fragrance-free formula

I have to agree, it removes makeup effortlessly and when you’re done your face doesn’t feel tight or dry. It’s perfect! It says fragrance free formula, but there are natural oil extracts that have a clean fresh smell that I absolutely love. Also… you only need a small amount, so it will last a while! Share this with anyone you know of who may not be too happy with their current product. This stuff is awesome. If you don’t have a store close by, you can order from Nordstrom.com and it’s FREE shipping… you just can’t beat that!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Michael Baum!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Manitou Meadow” by Michael Baum

Image: MichaelBaum.com

Michael Baum is an extremely talented artist located in the Manitou Springs area of Colorado. I was happy to find Michael on Facebook. Another artist had commented on one of his paintings, which is how I saw his work. Ahhh, the magic of Facebook, eh? I later saw photos that Michael posted of the fires in Colorado. It broke my heart… so much devastation. Evacuating, coming home, evacuating… some not coming home to anything at all… Can. You. Imagine? Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone dealing with this and to those who are fighting it… As I write this (Friday, June 29) I see that there was a break in the heat (down to the 90 degree temps and the wind was down to 10mph, which allowed firefighters to begin to get an edge up on this massive fire. I pray that continues. HERE is the link to Michael’s photos and first hand account of what’s happening in his area. So far, his house is OK…

Here’s a blip about Michael from his website – you can tell he’s a nice guy by his bio alone!

“Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950, my first home was a trailer traveling from Oklahoma to Ohio, where my family settled. I was always drawing or painting (dinosaurs mainly). Most years, we would take driving vacations to Florida or Michigan, or go camping at the local parks. These experiences are among my fondest memories and set the course my life would take.

 In the late 1960s and early ’70s, I attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, studying psychology, anthropology, and art. In 1973 I earned a BFA in fine art. 

I came to the West over 30 years ago, drawn by its spectacular landscapes. I pursued thelandscape in art through a variety of styles and media, now working exclusively in oil. 

 I love getting out on the road and exploring the country, being overwhelmed by its grandeur and amazed by its subtlety. I love painting the landscape, whether I do it right there on the spot or
later back in the studio. It is a wonderful challenge to try to recreate the essence of a place with paint and canvas.”

Michael Baum specializes in contemporary representational paintings of the western and southwestern landscape. 
He is represented in many private, corporate, and public collections nationally and internationally.

Michael lives and works in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Marc Dalessio!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

A sketch by Marc Dalessio – Image: Marc Dalessio Facebook

What a fabulously loose painting. It’s got so many features that I absolutely adore… the masts against a cloudy sky painted thickly, the loosely painted buildings in the distance, the shadows on the dock, the bright white of the boat deck. This “sketch” was done in Bergen (Norway). The pictures of Bergen are stunning, it looks like a great place to paint! Marc has a great website, so check it out… I enjoyed reading “about” Marc. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I read about an artist and it’s creative and interesting. Personally I think that  “About” the artist should contain either thoughts on the way they paint or their subjects or who their inspiration comes from or something personal, and not just a bulleted list of achievements (I never read those, especially the really long ones, sigh). Those are ok too, at the end, but I like to hear where the artist lives, and it’s nice if they mention family, pets, places, other artists, that’s very cool… Here is a blip about Marc from his website (actually his blog, which is a good read), and I think you’ll have to agree:

Welcome to my blog. I’m 37 years old as I write this, and I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I can remember.

I was born in Los Angeles in 1972. From the age of 6 to 10 I lived in the Fiji Islands where my father was a regional director of the Peace Corps. The beauty of Fiji and my native California instilled in me a love of the natural world.

For the last 17 years I’ve lived in Florence, Italy, though I spend a few months every year painting in the US. At present I have a beautiful 19th-century painting studio in Piazza Donatello and the use of a farmhouse near Tavarnelle val di Pesa in Tuscany which I use as a base for landscape work, as well as teaching small workshops in the summers. I also teach a plein air landscape course at the Florence Academy of Art in the spring.

Every winter I travel with a group of like-minded plein air painters to warmer climates to keep working outside. Past destinations have included Kenya, India, Greece and Albania, the Caribbean, Morocco, and this year, Myanmar.

I created this blog to share information about techniques and materials as well as to keep people updated on my paintings and exhibitions. Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks for visiting,

Marc

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Yellow Crowned Night Heron in Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

This photo was taken in my neighborhood (Charleston, SC). It’s a photo of a yellow crowned night heron. Ooooooh you say? Yep, they’re interesting creatures, they’re here during breeding season, then they all fly away. They come back to the same (exact) area each and every year… As neat as they are, they aren’t the friendliest, and they get rather pushy… they’ll stand in the street and won’t move. They build their nests (or go back to their old nests) and in a short time you start seeing eggs in the street/sidewalk, the most beautiful Martha-Stewart-blue. (I would like to have one color matched and paint a room that color.) Right now it looks like the little ones (not so little anymore) are out and about, I see them in people’s yards during the day. We watched one on a neighbors roof and it was almost like it was thinking, “hmmm, should I try to fly”? It would start to put its wings out and then quickly tuck them back under, he did that for quite some time, I was starting to get worried about him, but I guess he was working through it, ha ha… A few mornings I have seen the birds up on some neighbors front porches. EEK. You don’t want to go out when they’re there. They make very impressive (read SCARY) sounds, that’s enough to keep me far away! They’re cool nonetheless, but I will be happy when they move on. They really stink once it starts to get hot and humid… yikes!

Interesting fact: a few neighbors called to have trees trimmed and the city cannot trim until the birds have left because the birds are protected. So be nice and keep your distance!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Charlie… in his happy place!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS8 Comments

Charlie has his own sofa. We moved it near the window when he was a puppy so he could see down the street. Fred and I like to move furniture. Actually move entire rooms (i.e. the dining room is the study and the living room is the dining room, yep, see what I mean, just try to keep up with us)… well, we DID move entire rooms. Now we’re stuck in a situation. WE CAN’T MOVE THE SOFA! Ahhhh, there are worse things that could happen… Charlie is so content staring out the window during the day (half the time with his eyes closed) that we just can’t change it.

Ahhh, what we do for our pets, huh? Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

A classy drink dispenser and recipes to go with it… Beat the heat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

On a hot sunny day what can be any more refreshing than a something nice and cold to drink? These dispensers are from Pottery Barn. I love how they have them displayed… makes you want to reach right out and pour a glass!

Do you need something different to drink? Are you in a rut with water or tea? Here are a few suggestions…

SPA WATER – think it still sounds like “just water”? Think again! If you fill a pitcher with cold water, ice, and then add some sliced cucumbers and a few sprigs of mint, give it a stir, you won’t believe how refreshing that plain water becomes! It makes you drink more water because it just tastes so good… If I’m going to throw cucumber with the skin in a pitcher of water I buy organic, you don’t need to be drinking pesticides. Or you can peel the cucumber first, it’s not as pretty, but the taste is the same. I use an old Brita pitcher and it works great!

CITRUS WATER – add slices of whatever citrus you’ve got. Oranges, lemons, limes, they all make plain water taste amazing! It’s a nice subtle flavor that is just so refreshing. Once again… organic if you can…

ANYTHING GOES WATER – a mixture of lime, strawberry and mint, or any other concoction you can come up with… let me know if you find an especially good one!

I mentioned how to make good ole iced tea in a previous post (click HERE), it’s easy and black tea is so good for you! I just read in HEALTH Magazine  “lemon juice may increase your absorption of the antioxidants in tea fivefold (suggest a Purdue University study). You can also make iced tea with green tea, peppermint tea… the list goes on and on!

And of course… there’s nothing like ice cold fresh LEMONADE on a hot summer day… Ever wonder how to make lemonade? Well what you make is so much better, give it a whirl some time, perfect for a family get together or a cold drink to surprise the kiddies with! No chemicals or yellow dyes added!

PAULA DEEN’S LEMONADE RECIPE

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 1 gallon cold water
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

In a 1 gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon. Stir until well mixed. Pour lemonade over glasses of ice, squeeze slice of lemon on top of each, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

You can also make a healthier version of lemonade by squeezing lemon into a glass, add water and a squirt of honey, stir then add ice!

Quench that thirst, stay cool and beat the heat! Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images from PotteryBarn.com (in 2012)

Links updated 3/4/25

Featured Artist… Kevin Beers! New show opens TODAY!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Fitzgerald’s Dory” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

I normally post the artists I feature on Monday, Wednesday and Friday… Occasionally I need to rearrange my schedule so I can let you know about an upcoming event… this would be one of those times. Kevin Beers… a cool guy that Fred and I met on our first visit to Monhegan Island, Maine. There he was set up with his big easel, painting on this huge canvas. What artist does Kevin’s paintings remind you of? If you said Edward Hopper we’re on the same wavelength. Amazing work. His love for Monhegan truly shows through in his paintings! Kevin shows his work at Gleason Fine Art Gallery in Boothbay Harbor  – if you’re in the area stop in!

KEVIN BEERS

JUNE 28 – JULY 28, 2012

RECEPTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 30, FROM 5 TO 7PM

I’ve included a few of his new paintings… let me tell you how difficult it was to choose only two! If you aren’t in Boothbay Harbor, check out the gallery website! Hey, if you make it to the show please tell him (and his wife Amy!) that Fred and I said HELLO!

“Night Shed” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

Here’s a blip about Kevin from the Gleason Fine Art website:

Kevin Beers

Each summer Brooklyn resident Kevin Beers returns to his beloved Monhegan Island to paint for 4 months, mining a fresh treasure trove of subject matter from this tiny island off the coast of Maine. Beginning in 2009, Beers has also been making annual trips to Monhegan in winter in order to capture the islands special light in snow.

“Monhegan is a dazzling place with incredible, beautiful light. It is such a remote and untouched island. I love to paint the buildings on the island–the color and structure of weathered buildings, the patterns of sunlight and shadow, and the sharp contrast between a red roof, white clapboards, and bright blue sky,” says Beers.

Kevin Beers has received increasing attention for his work, including features in Maine Home + Design, DownEast, American Art Collector, and American Artist. Avid collector, actor Remak Ramsay, says of Beers: “Unlike so many contemporary artists, Kevin Beers is well trained in the basics. Combine that with a genuine affection for the people and places he paints and his love of slanting light, and you get a rare magic that, eschewing trendy gimmicks, is as honest and sincere as it is beautiful.”

Daniel Kany, arts reviewer for the Portland Newspapers, writes of Beers: “Kevin Beers respect for Hopper is apparent, but he quickly takes his quiet volumes and glowing tonality away from Hoppers slow, cooled lines. Beers brushwork flows at a strong pace that never hurries or abandons thoughtfulness. The masterful bow to Hopper is worth applauding–especially when a closer inspection reveals Beers flowing brushwork is nothing like Hoppers.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Thomas Reis!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Reader” by Thomas Reis

Image: M Gallery, Charleston, SC

“The Reader” by artist Thomas Reis is another fine painting… Fred and I were in M Gallery a few weeks ago (when I told you about the painting “Life” by Scott Christensen) and wanted to share with you another amazing piece of work. It’s a captivating painting and it definitely keeps your eye in the painting, amazing! Here’s the blip about the painting as shown on the M Gallery website:

My model posed wearing a traditional dress called a hanbok, which is still worn in South Korea– generally on special occasions. The painting process involved the appropriation and merging of disparate elements in order to create an overarching narrative and mood. I was struck by the glowing light in the studio and the model’s contemplative absorption in her text. I was also interested in depicting a still ubiquitous dress that is so deeply rooted in Korean cultural tradition. The painting’s composition is circular–that is, I’ve attempted to lead the viewer’s eye from the subject’s face and book down to the baskets, along the hem of the dress, up the arc of the bamboo and, finally, along the arching arrangement of frames, back to the model’s face. The leading lines of the sofa also intersect at her face.

I think the artists’ information is so interesting. What they were thinking when they were painting, the circumstances, what was happening, it’s just so interesting! I bought a book at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine one year, ANDREW WYETH AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Andrew Wyeth and Thomas Hoving, (click HERE for more info on the book!), and it was a description of each painting. It was so interesting! I loved that book!

Here’s a blip about Thomas from an M Gallery newsletter…

Thomas Reis began work as senior art director for JP Morgan Chase in New York City, shortly after receiving his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1993. Two years later, he was illustrating for nationally-known publications, including Time magazine, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Business Week, TV Guide, Barron’s, Forbes and Smart Money. Corporate clients have included MGM, Dupont and Colgate. Throughout his career, Reis has also worked as a fine artist, producing work with all the refinement that one would expect from a classically trained painter. His paintings are represented in numerous permanent and private collections throughout the United States. Tom currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Text provided courtesy the Museum of Arts and Sciences.)

If you’re in Charleston, SC pop in and check out this artist at M Gallery of Fine Art on Broad Street. Catch you back here tomorrow!

What to do if you get a blowout AND Cellphone Highway Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

Image: Ou.edu

This information may come just in time for a road trip you may be taking… good to have this info handy! The other night Fred, Charlie and I were taking our after dinner walk around the neighborhood… we stopped and spoke to a couple who had just pulled in from a trip they had made. Their car had a blow out. They were on the Interstate. Thankfully he handled things well and they were OK, but the tire was blown out. Boo… interstate and a bad tire is a horrible combination, especially with the text-instead-of-look-where-you’re-going-era we’re in… As luck would have it the Highway Patrol pulled up right behind them, they had the tire changed and the couple was on their way within 15 minutes! The Highway Patrol told them any time you break down (or see someone who has) to call them *HP (*47) for South Carolina. Every state is different, so here is a handy dandy chart that I got from the University of Oklahoma Police Department website (click the link to read, they also have an expanded chart state by state for all details). Here’s a blip from their site:

Talking on your cellphone while you drive can certainly lead to distraction and accidents — but having a cellphone in your car can be very useful in an emergency situation. 

In almost any state, you may dial 911 for emergencies, but due to the high volume of calls that 911 operators receive, in some cases it might be better to use the phone numbers listed below, particularly to report highway-safety related “non-emergencies.” If you have difficulty reaching these numbers, you can always dial “0” to request help.

Some states have special cellphone-only numbers such as *SP (star 77)for State Police or *HP (star 47) for Highway Patrol, to report highway/vehicle related problems. You should use the numbers, below, only to report vehicle breakdowns/problems, accidents, hazardous material spills, or other highway hazards/problems, as well as impaired or aggressive/reckless drivers and other criminal behavior.

Use cellphones safely — be aware of laws which prohibit using cellphones while driving.

While we work to keep this list current, at any point in time, some of the listings (below) may be out of date. Before you travel, as part of your travel/itinerary planning, we’d urge you to check with the state public safety departments (or their websites) on your planned route for updated/current cellphone contact listings.

If you’re wondering to yourself “what do I do if I get a blowout”?? I found  HOW TO HANDLE A TIRE BLOWOUT from Howcast. Click the link to see the video… I hope you never need this, but if a blowout is ever in your future, at least you’ll know how to react… Here’s the information from their link (above):

  1. Stay cool

    Ignore your natural instinct to hit the brakes or jerk the steering wheel when you have a blowout.

  2. Step 2

    Accelerate slightly

    Accelerate slightly to maintain control of the vehicle. Keep going straight.

  3. Tip

    Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands at 10 o’clock and two o’clock on the wheel to avoid losing control.

  4. Step 3

    Decelerate

    Ease off the accelerator slowly.

  5. Step 4

    Coast

    Maintain your course while the vehicle slows.

  6. Step 5

    Apply brakes

    Apply the brakes gently when your car slows to 30 miles per hour.

  7. Step 6

    Turn on right turn signal

    Turn on your right turn signal.

  8. Tip

    Never stop on the left side of the road, if possible. This is the most dangerous place to be.

Drive safely… pay attention… be prepared for the unimaginable, stay calm and call the cell highway emergency number if you or someone you see needs assistance! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Calvin Liang!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Golden Gate Bridge” by Calvin Liang

Image from TheEnglishmanUSA.com

If you Google Calvin Liang, you will see some pretty fantastic paintings. You will read some pretty interesting stories about his life, his accomplishments and best of all his great attitude! This man has worked so hard to be where he’s at and it shows. The featured painting “The Golden Gate Bridge” is breathtaking. THOSE. CLOUDS. I love them, they just seem to go on forever! The warm color of the bridge with the sunlight, ahhh, makes me want to be there, actually it makes me feel as if I AM there! This is a fantastic painting and I found it at “The Englishman”. If you get a chance check out his work!

Here’s a blip about Calvin from his website… there is a fascinating story about him on the Waterhouse Gallery website… click HERE to read it in its entirety!

Calvin Liang was born in Canton, China. He began painting in high school and completed his art education at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, recognized as one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In China, his skills as a fine artist were applied to the theatrical industry where he designed and created sets for operas and musical dramas for the Canton Opera Institute. Liang moved to the United States in 1987 and continued his profession as a full-time artist. He had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation, which included the Walt Disney Studios and Nickelodeon Studio where he worked for the Little Mermaid and Spongebob Squarepants. However he decided to quit working for the studios to pursue a full-time career as a fine artist, painting themes of his choosing. Since leaving his animation career in early 2002, Liang has definitely been noticed. His accomplishments include winning several top awards in important exhibitions including Juror’s Best of Show-38th Annual C.M. Russell 2006, “Art-Talk Award of Excellence” Oil Painters of America Juried Exhibition 2005, “People’s Choice Award” 6th  Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Event in Bowers Museum 2002, “Best of the Show” American Impressionist Society’s 4th Annual Juried Exhibition 2002. Thus assuring his position as one of the nation’s leading artist. National art magazines also took notice. In 2004, Liang’s work graced the cover of Art of the West’s special 16th Anniversary Edition; and in 2006, 2007, and 2008 three years he had a full feature article in American Art Collector Magazine. Also he received a full feature article in Southwest Magazine in 2005, American Artist Magazine in 2005 and American Artist Workshop Magazine in 2007.
Calvin Liang is a Master Member of Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, and a Signature Member of California Art Club and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.   

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston, SC Photo: From a different perspective…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME4 Comments

I love a different angle on things. This photo was taken looking up at the gorgeous windows of a beautiful home in Charleston, SC. When you walk around the streets of Charleston there is SO MUCH to look at. If you’re anything like me you can’t help but snap away! I’m so thankful for my digital camera! Remember taking photos in the “old days”?  In addition to buying a battery, you had to buy film, then you had to take the film in to be processed and have prints made. It always seemed like the ones you were really looking forward to turning out were the ones that weren’t quite right… eyes closed, mouths open, etc. So woot woot for the inventor of the digital camera! Now I can snap away, come home and load them on my computer and delete the ones that aren’t stunning!

Speaking of cameras… if you’ve got a good camera, tell me about it… I currently have  a Kodak Z something or other, what do you have? Why do you like it so much? What are its limitations? How have you adapted to no view finder? (I don’t think I could, I really like a view finder)… Is it worth getting one that you can set manually to manipulate how you like or is point and shoot the way to go? Is it a pain to have a camera where you have to switch lenses? I would think so? What’s the thinnest, sharpest, camera with a viewfinder with at least a 10x zoom? If you get a chance please let me know… if you’d rather email, my email is bstroud1@comcast.net !

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Hop on and take a spin…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

Charleston, SC… a great place to live. We do move a lot around this area. You always see people out walking, running, biking, skateboarding or in their cars with surfboards or kayaks strapped to the roof. It’s a great thing to get out and move. My nephew who was here for one day visiting from MI noticed that people are out and moving a lot! It’s what we do… if you can walk, run, bike to the store, do it!

Then come home and either jump in the pool, the sprinkler or the shower, at least for the next few months, it’s going to get a tad warmish… look at it this way…

F R E E   S A U N A !

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Peter Justl!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“School’s Out” by Peter Justl – Image: PeterJustl.com

Today I visited the 2012 OPA National Exhibition Associate / Signature Division page on Facebook. I felt like I hit thejackpot! The most magnificent art, you must check it out! Facebook is a fantastic tool for finding artists that you haven’t heard of before. With each and every find I am amazed. This time I am blown away. I love the composition of “School’s Out”. The dark background and the light sunlit mane make for one heck of a combination. Breathtaking! I went to Peter’s website and I’m telling you this man can paint anything. I highly encourage you to check it out. The way he portrays horses is especially appealing to me. I love horses, yet I am not a true “horse person”… that’s my husband. He showed horses on a National level for quite some time. I saw the amount of work it took to get to the top. He didn’t drop his horse off with a trainer, he WAS the trainer. You don’t typically see any of the riders at a national level be the owner and the trainer. It’s a different world. Remember the TV show Dynasty? Being at those horse shows is like being on the set of Dynasty. Everything is over the top. I can’t remember all the different stars that had horses that either they showed or a member of their family, one was Patrick Swayze, I remember him because I didn’t actually see him, but kept my eye out for him… and another I ran smack into. I saw this rather tall man in front of me, and I whispered to Fred that he looked like Elvis… while I was whispering in Fred’s ear, the man stopped… of course I plowed right into him full speed and thought I was going to be taken down by his body guards. Too funny. Apparently I looked rather harmless… it was Wayne Newton (HOW did I get off on such a long schpeal?), very nice man. My long winded point is that I saw the hard work, the number of hours of riding and the careful way Fred trained that horse. I so admired the beauty of those horses. It was just breathtaking. And to see someone capture it in a way that Peter did makes you step back and say WHOA! Brilliant. Not much more to say…!

“Running with the Wind” by Peter Justl – Image: PeterJustl.com

You must check out Peter’s website. “Running with the Wind” is in the section entitled “Spirit Therapies Paintings” and they are unbelievable. The story of Honey Bear will leave a lump in your throat. Here is the description of “Running in the Wind” from Peter’s website… check his site for more!

I did and donated this painting for Spirit Therapies, a non-profit therapeutic riding center in Las Vegas that positively impacts the lives of physically and mentally challenged individuals through connecting with trained therapy horses, certified instructors, and compassionate volunteers.

Oliver seemed to be one with the wind as he moved proudly around the riding ring.  Do horses know how beautiful they are?  I am confident that Oliver was well aware of his own fluid grace and gorgeous good looks as he put on quite a show for me.  Breathtaking!

YES, Peter! Breathtaking indeed! I can’t imagine the number of people who have benefitted from your kindness…

Here’s a blip about the artist from his website!

Peter Justl - Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Peter Justl was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, immigrated when he was a young boy with his parents to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and ten years later once again immigrated to Harlingen, Texas, United States.

After attending college in Houston, Texas, Peter began a distinguished career in architecture during which time he was involved in the design, development, and management of numerous high-end, high-profile projects.

Drawing upon his years of experience as a gifted architectural illustrator, Peter began to paint commissioned works for private clients in the 1990s.  Although Peter’s work reflects his knowledge and appreciation of architecture which often serves as the subject or setting of his paintings, it is his understanding of the complementary qualities of composition, balance, and light that stimulate and energize his paintings in a variety of subject matters and themes.

Peter’s painting “Behind the Scenes” was selected as Best of Show for the 2010 Las Vegas Art Competition.  He is a member of Oil Painters of America to which his painting “We’d become Old and Fragile, Irrelevant, Still Beautiful” was selected to the 2011, Twentieth Annual Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the following year his painting “Beauty” was selected to the 2012, Twenty-first Annual Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Evergreen, Colorado.

Peter currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife Barbara, greyhound dogs Tiffany and Toulouse, and cats Gigi and Maurice.

He has two sons, Christopher and Nicholas. Christopher and his wife Catherine reside in Seattle, Washington. Nicholas resides in Houston, Texas.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT

After a rewarding career as an architect and illustrator for the design, presentation, and management of numerous high-profile projects throughout the world, I decided to pursue my life-long dream of a career as a full-time artist.

Beginning in the 1990s, I began to paint commissioned works for private clients, first in watercolor and then later moving to oils. I felt more comfortable initially painting landscapes and cityscapes because I was able to draw upon my many years of experience as an architectural illustrator. But my interests soon expanded to include urban scenes, seascapes, still life, portraits, and animals. I enjoy painting each and have found that all paintings share the common components and elements of light, color, composition, technique, and emotion in order to be considered, at least by myself, to be interesting and successful. I believe that realistic painting, done well, can satisfy both the modernist and the traditionalist, but I detest the saccharine qualities so often found in the genre. I’m interested in creating art that provokes profound feelings, thought and endless joy.

 Endless joy indeed! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Its going to be a long day… do you know why?

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

Charlie at Folly Beach…

Last night at 7:09PM the sun reached the farthest point north of the equator… “Really” you say… ok, in English… IT’S OFFICIALLY SUMMER! 

I grew up in Michigan… so after a long winter and a wet spring IT’S OFFICIALLY SUMMER would have gotten a WOOT WOOT out of me… however, after moving to Charleston, SC in 1989 (just in time for hurricane Hugo, yay (omg, a future post for sure!) and trying to “get used” to the most hot humid air imaginable I no longer say WOOT WOOT… Many of us here dread summer as northern folks dread a long winter. We know we’ll be closed up in our houses for months at a time, unless we can escape to a beach, pool or anywhere with A/C! I’m not complaining, you can’t have it nice all the time or you wouldn’t be able to afford to live there… so we take the good with the bad… as I write this (6/19) look what I see…

Do you realize what that is? It’s an OPEN window in Charleston, SC MID JUNE! To that I say WOOT WOOT!

Today is the longest day of the year… To read some interesting facts about Summer, check out the Almanac’s website… then head out to the pool or the beach…! Enjoy your summer! Hey, speaking of summer and beaches, what good beach books are you reading this summer? Let me know!

Catch you back here tomorrow!