A summer salad for dinner… quick, easy and waaaay too good!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

You know when the temps heat up and cooking just doesn’t sound so great anymore? Well… the time has come… already! We’re looking for quick and easy meals that don’t involve turning on a gas stove or oven and heating up the house! We are very fortunate in Charleston to have a top notch Farmer’s Market… I encourage all of you who live within driving distance to go… it’s more than a place to get fruits and veggies, it’s an event all in itself. There are so many people, so much going on, and so much wonderful produce, YA-HOO! For this salad that I made for the two of us, I bought a bag of Butter Lettuce at Whole Foods… at the Farmer’s Market I got THE BEST radishes, cucumber, tomato and green onions… give those all a chop and toss them in the salad, however much (or little) that you prefer. I tossed it with dressing in a large stainless bowl (neither of us like much dressing, so this is the easiest way to do it). I boiled a few eggs and cooked 2 pieces of bacon to add to the top.. whoa, is that sweet! Also, added 1/2 avocado to each salad on top…

Served with Naan bread and olive oil… but you could serve with a baguette, or pita, or whatever makes you smile!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Marc Hanson!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments

“Dusk” by Marc Hanson

Facebook is a great thing for many reasons… one reason I enjoy it so much is that I can see when artists post new work or comment on another artist that I may not have heard of which opens up new doors big time! Marc Hanson is an amazingly talented artist, and when he posted this image on Facebook, he got a lot of feedback… all positive… when I say a lot, I mean A LOT… over 500 so far (between likes, shares and comments). Without a doubt I would say it’s a hit.

Those clouds. AMAZING. I love the light peaking through near the top, and that warm light deep under the clouds off to the left… and the orange light on the horizon line. BRILLIANT. It seems tumultious yet inviting and even serene to me. I was trying to think of a way to eloquently put into words what I felt about this painting… drama, peacefulness, calm but almost stormy, yet the marsh is so relaxing at the same time. It’s nice when a painting makes you stop and say WHOA!

Then one note… I have to say painting PLEIN AIR IS NO EASY TASK. If you’re not used to it it presents challenges that will give you brain freeze, oh… is that just me? Hmmm. Yet, there are so many of you artists out there that are so darn good at it. I know, practice. (Thanks Ken, hee). For now I will practice and APPRECIATE what the rest of you do!!

Here’s a blip about Marc from his website:

Marc Hanson – About the Artist

A viewer of my paintings wrote to me recently and had this to say, “Your  landscapes are so evocative, for me so emotional. You have a gift for portraying more  than realism in your landscapes-not something fantastical, but something  simultaneously approachable and not. Not everyone will do what you do, but so many of  us are deluded or ambitious enough to aspire to.”  This very generous and kind  statement describes exactly how I would hope that my art is received by those who view  it.  I try to live up to this ideal with each painting.     One of the reasons that I’m a visual artist is that it has always been more  effective for me to share my excitement about the natural world through visual means,  painting or drawing, than it has been through writing or speaking about it.  My love of  the land, the Midwest in particular, and my desire to communicate that deep seeded  love is what drives my work.  Painting is the vehicle for my expression of that love.  My  purpose is not to replicate the specific or dwell on the spectacular, as much as it is to  observe the specific and to discover the beauty in the seemingly unspectacular.  My  goal is to paint a sense of place and what that means to me as an artist.     Typically my work is painted on location during all seasons of the year.  The  paintings created on location are painted on a smaller scale in oils.  The smaller scale of  these paintings allows me to capture those fleeting moods, and quickly changing light or  weather effects.  I’ve painted this way, en plein air, for many years now, and have  completed many, many hundreds of these studies.  Most of these small paintings are  painted either on linen or primed board and are completed in one to one and half hours.  The studies represent my immediate reaction to the subject matter and are a record of  that short period in time. Just as importantly, they build an enormous library of visually  recallable information that is indispensable to me in the studio.  When working on larger paintings in  the studio, studies and the memory of the time and place are  invaluable to me and form the basis for much of my studio work.  My most recent work has been to create large landscape paintings, as large in  scale as those painted in the studio, entirely on location.  Some of these paintings are  completed in one session, others are completed over a longer period of time lasting  several sessions.  The challenge that working from life in this way presents is  overridden by the benefit to my understanding of light and color on the landscape, and  the authenticity that it brings to my paintings.  I foresee my art continuing to move in this  direction, major works mostly completed on site.

 Mark is in several galleries, click HERE to see the list… One is the RS Hanna Gallery, which is high on my list to visit one day! Lots of great artists in one location (Frank Gardner, Gene Costanza…) Catch you back here tomorrow!

To contact Marc about this piece, you can email him at marchansonart@gmail.com.

Photo: Owls Head Lighthouse… Maine!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL2 Comments

Several years ago we went to the Owls Head Lighthouse, what a neat place. That dead tree to the right of the stairs added such character to the place. And… have you ever seen a bluer sky?

A treasure that we found in Owls Head is the Owls Head General Store. If you’re in that area, check it out, GREAT food (haddock melts, hamburgers, and more!), and it’s like coming home to family. They’re the nicest group of people ever!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Gardenias… the party is almost over!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

When the gardenias start to bloom in Charleston, SC there is the most fabulous aroma that drifts through the air… usually during that time we are able to have our windows open, which is an added bonus for sure! The gardenias are on their way out… We’ve enjoyed them so much and look forward to them again next year! Thankfully, now the hydrangeas are in full bloom… woot woot! Need to go grab that mason jar… makes a nice little vase!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Plein Air Painters of the South East… In Charleston, SC THIS week/weekend…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART3 Comments

Painting by Anne Blair Brown via PAP-SE website

JUST A REMINDER… the PAP-SE (Plein Air Painters – South East) are in town and have been painting up a storm… their work will be on display at the following locations… Come on down and check it out! I think this is an event not to be missed!

Here’s a blip from the PAP-SE website:

PAP-SE Returns to Charleston

Opening Reception:  June 1st 2012  5-8pm
Show Closing Date:  June 22nd 2012
Show Locations & Participating Artists:
(Bolded = Artist in town and participating)

Galerie on Broad, 29 Broad Street

Dee Beard Dean 
Richard Oversmith 
James Richards 
Lori Putnam
Andre Lucero 
Daine C. May 
Gwen Nagel
Katie Dobson Cundiff 


Hagan Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 27 1/2 State Street

Karen Hewitt Hagan 
Brett Weaver 
Paula Frizbe
Stuart Roper 
Beverly Ford Evans
Trey Finney 
Bill Davidson 
L. Diane Johnson 

Horton Hayes Fine Art, 30 State Street

Mark Kelvin Horton 
Chris Groves 
Larry Moore
Dawn Whitelaw 
Junko Ono Rothwell
Hodges Soileau 
Richard Christian Nelson 
Kevin Menck

Smith Killian Fine Art, 9 Queen Street

Shannon Smith 
Roger Dale Brown, OPA
Loryn Brazier
Robert Morin Isley 
Scott Boyle 
Anne Blair Brown 
Sue Stewart 
Participating artists will paint on location in the vicinity
of the galleries (Queen Street, State Street, and Broad Street) starting
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 through Friday, June 1, 2012.

Go see!! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Pasta with zucchini and onions from the Farmer’s Market… delish!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe4 Comments

Aren’t these just the sweetest baby yellow squash, pattypan squash and zucchini that you’ve ever seen? Here is a quick and easy meal to prepare that will make you want it again and again and again… you don’t have to use baby zucchini/squash, you can use regular. However, if you can find the baby, it’s a treat, we got this at the Farmer’s Market (Charleston, SC)…

This time I decided to try Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguini… it was tasty! I didn’t have any strong flavors in this pasta, so the chives and spinach flavor were a nice touch… You can use whatever kind of pasta you like… often times I cook whatever kind strikes me, cappelini (Angel Hair), Linguini, Spinach pasta of any type, whatever sounds good to you!

Cut up the zucchini and onion… if you have anything else to add, go ahead, it only gets better… red pepper, mushrooms, tomato. Sauté in olive oil (or canola oil) on medium high heat until zucchini starts to brown and onions are translucent… Cook your pasta, drain, and add to the pan with the veggies… stir around, dish up and sprinkle with copious amount of parmesan (ok, so my ‘copious’ and your ‘copious’ may differ, I get my parmesan cheese “habit” from my mom…) and TADA… dinner is ready in no time and it is KILLER! Fresh and tasty…

Here’s the “recipe” which as mentioned above can be changed however you like! All measurements are approximate, you can’t mess this up… well… for the most part!

QUICK SUMMER PASTA – Serves 2

1 medium zucchini (or an equal amount of baby squash)

1 small yellow squash, pattypan squash, etc.

olive oil

pasta of your liking

parmesan cheese

salt, pepper

In a large pan, boil water for the pasta. Depending upon the cooking time for the pasta, start the veggies… give them about 10 minutes.

Cut up the squash. I don’t peel (especially baby squash) but if its tough (or not organic) then go ahead a peel it, it has good vitamins in the skin, so I try to eat it… dice the onion.

In a nonstick frying pan add 1 Tablespoon (roughly, if it needs more, add it) of Olive Oil… (If using a regular pan you’ll need more oil)

Once the oil is hot, toss in the chopped squash and onion. Don’t stir around too much, if you can let it sit for a bit before stirring it will brown nicely. Don’t let it brown too much… just some crispy edges are nice…

Once the pasta is done, drain in a colander. When the veggies are done you can turn the heat to very low and add as much pasta as you think you’ll need (it’s hard to judge when cooking pasta, but when you put it in the pan you can tell if you have way too much pasta for the amount of veggies). Stir it around to coat the noodles (add a splash of olive oil if necessary if it appears to be dry). Dish up the pasta and sprinkle with S&P and parmesan… and ENJOY!

Variations: sometimes I cut up fresh tomato and add it after it’s on my plate… also wedges of avocado are so nice… sometimes I will dice up some banana pepper and add that with the zucchini and sauté it… it adds a nice flavor!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Ignat Ignatov!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Portrait of Alexy Steele”  by Ignat Ignatov

Ignat Ignatov can capture a persons soul in a painting. I go back to this painting every time… it’s captivating. He painted Alexy Steele, a Russian artist living in Los Angeles, CA. I love how the background is very loose, busy and calm all at the same time, there is a sense of urgency to it, and then the face, it looks as if he could step out of your computer screen and walk right into the room. Amazing!

You know how you hear of some people just being born with the talent to do certain things like sing… I believe Ignat has that talent with his painting… without a doubt! Here’s a blip about Ignat Ignatov from his WEBSITE:

Ignat Ignatov – (b. 1978) is a young artist with exemplary talent. His interpretation of the spirit of fine art saturates his paintings with a unique expressive richness. Although each new subject seems to dictate the style and approach, his paintings are always alive with color, light, texture, atmosphere, energy and emotion.

Ignatov was born in Veliko Tarnovo and grew up in Sevlievo, Bulgaria. At age thirteen, his promising talent in drawing, painting and sculpting gained him one of only thirty positions to the renowned School of Arts in Tryavna, Bulgaria. In the 5 years there, he established the foundation of his academic Art training. Following graduation in 1996, Ignatov was accepted into the University of Arts in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria where he studied under the demanding atelier approach to fine art. In 1997, using proceeds from the sale of his art, Ignatov financed his move to the United States and is now a U.S. citizen living in southern California. He then studied at the prestigious California Art Institute in Westlake Village, Associates in Art in Sherman Oaks and the American Animation Institute in North Hollywood. In 2005 Ignatov began teaching painting classes at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art.

In the course of establishing for his own “artistic roots”, Ignatov was influenced by Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn and Joaquin Sorolla. Ignatov’s work includes figures, portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. His goal is to continue to develop his ability to express the anatomy and form as well as color and composition in terms of the artistic disciplines employed by the Old Masters.

Ignat Ignatov is a Signature Member of the California Art Club.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

BBQ and hotdogs… what could be better?

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

The Great Organic Uncured Hot Dog by… APPLEGATE! Let me tell you… this is one AWESOME hotdog… full of flavor, less fat because it’s made with grass fed beef (and NO it doesn’t taste “light”)! You’ve got to try it!

Now here’s a hotdog that is waaaay tasty AND not so bad for you… no evil nitrates, not as much fat, thanks to the grass fed beef. Owie! I can’t wait for Fred to throw a few on the grill! Also… they freeze well! So you can just pop a few out instead of eating the entire package at once!

From the Applegate website:

The Great Organic Beef Hot Dog

Made from 100% organic grass-fed and finished beef, these lean hot dogs are bursting with old-fashioned classic hot dog flavor—juicy, flavorful and delicious! These dogs have only 8 grams of fat compared to the average 15 grams in most brands, and because they’re made from grass-fed beef, they’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids (the good fat). Great on the grill or steamed on your stovetop any time you’re craving a taste of summer.

/uploadedImages/Products/winner.jpg Men’s Health – 2011Woman’s Day – 2011
Cottage Living – 2008		 Kiwi Magazine – 2008Men’s Health – 2008Consumer Reports – 2007

This is a great tasting hotdog that makes you feel like you’ve fallen off the eating healthy wagon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

“Flag’ by Frank Gardner… an amazing painting!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS4 Comments

“Flag” by Frank Gardner – Image: Randy Higbee Gallery 6×6 show


I just want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for all of you who have served, are serving now, or have lost a loved one serving our country. Thank you just isn’t enough. YOU are what makes this country great! Just know that…

On a side note… I wanted to select a painting appropriate for today, and a house with a flag seemed to be spot on. I’ve always loved this little 6×6 painting. This was done by artist Frank Gardner. Just love his work… check it out! I LOVE a flag in a painting, it draws me right in!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: St. Phillips Episcopal Church…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME3 Comments

Here’s a photo of St. Phillips Episcopal Church (founded in 1680!) located in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s a gorgeous church, one that has been photographed and painted oh so many times. It’s in the heart of the city, near the market and all the other happening locations.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Wow, Memorial Day… ALREADY!?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

Well the Spoleto Festival is here! The city is packed with people and the Dock Street Theatre is a happening place! Don’t you just love this door color… it’s so… Charleston! Click HERE to read about the history of the Dock Street Theatre!

Enjoy your time here if you’re visiting… and if you live here, are you attending any of the performances? Let me know, I’m excited to hear about what people are going to see and how they liked it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Laurie Meyer!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

“And On It Goes” by Laurie Meyer

We have the most beautiful old oak trees here in Charleston, SC… boy, if only trees could talk, the stories they could tell! I think Laurie captured this one nicely!

Here’s more about Laurie from the  Wells Gallery website:

Laurie Meyer has lived and painted in Charleston, SC for over twenty-five years. Following careers in education and corporate sales, Laurie devoted her life to her first love – painting – in 1997. Life in Charleston has provided Laurie with countless subjects and rich inspiration for her award winning paintings. Her frequent travels have also given Laurie varied and interesting ideas for many of her works. She paints with rich color and broad “brushy” strokes and palette knife to express the unique and recognizable softness in her work. Art has also played a role in community involvement for Laurie. She is the past president of the Mt. Pleasant Artists Guild, serving two terms. Laurie also served eight years on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association and originated the Art of Alzheimer’s exhibit, now under the auspices of the Charleston Artist Guild. Laurie is past Program Director and past Director of Artistic Growth for the Charleston Artist Guild.  She is a member of the Oil Painters of America, Charleston Outdoor Painters Association, the SC Watercolor Association, and the Portrait Society of America. Laurie resides on Daniel Island, SC with her creative and supportive husband.  Her three daughters, on their own or in college, are also creative with art and writing. “I am thankful to be blessed with the opportunity to do something I love. Painting has been part of me since I was a child and I still live for the artistic journey. I love rich color and textural strokes painted with gesture and spontaneity. I seek interesting designs with playful shadow structures in my street scenes and rich natural colors in my landscapes. Capturing light is a challenge and a thrill. Painting “en plein air,” nature’s studio, is a luxury and a great teacher, but weather and time constraints mean I also paint in the indoor studio. Either way, my challenge is to interpret what I see and express it in my unique style.”

We would like to wish Fred’s mom a very H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y ! ! We hope it’s the best! xoxo US

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Piccolo Spoleto 2012 Outdoor Art Exhibit, Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART2 Comments

The Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit start T O M O R R O W ! The outdoor art exhibit is located in downtown Charleston, SC at Marion Square. Get out and see all there is to offer! Lots of artists, as well as some artist demonstrations which are always so much fun to watch! There is so much talent situated in one park, it’s a great time!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jerry Rose!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Dockside Conversation” by Jerry Rose  /  Image: Bayview Gallery

I think Bayview Gallery is full of some pretty fabulous artists. We were in Camden, ME one year and were so excited to visit the gallery, it was the first time we saw Charles Movalli’s work in person. STUNNING. HUGE pieces everywhere. We signed up for their mailing list which notifies you of any new artists, etc. We received an email the other day introducing artist Jerry Rose. Don’t you love this painting? The water looks like glass… I love the brilliant white boat against the oh-so-dark water… and those fabulous reflections… makes for a very nice painting! If you’re in Maine, Bayview Gallery has two locations, one in Camden and one in Brunswick. Stop in, say hello and take a look at all the fabulous art!

A blip about Jerry from the Bayview Gallery website:

Jerry Rose  Sedgwick, Maine painter Jerry Rose uses dynamic brushwork and luscious textures to capture the ever changing landscape of the mid-coast and neighboring islands. He has an affinity for the working waterfronts and vernacular architecture of the small villages that make up his local scene.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

This will be Fred and I moving to Maine… 137 sq feet!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTS6 Comments

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses – Fencl Plan

This is how I picture Fred and I moving to Maine… we’ll pack up the house and find a nice little spot near water, a general store, a bakery, and a grocery store… ha ha. IS THIS NOT THE COOLEST PHOTO? Look at this house! This is one of the bigger in the Tumbleweed Tiny House plans... it’s the Fencl plan. Could you do it? I’m thinking we could maybe do it if we parked the U-Haul under a tree to store all of our stuff in, ha ha. Click on the link under the photo to see the interior shots (shown furnished). Is it ever SWEET! Take a look at the other houses they have, it’s just so interesting to me! I first heard about these tiny houses on Colin Pages Journal. Colin is a cool guy that mentions not only art, but all kinds of neat things, this being one of them! The smallest house starts at 65 square feet AND INCLUDES A KITCHEN AND BATHROOM! The larger cottages range from 261-874 square feet. These things are cool, check out the interior photos!

Catch you back here tomorrow!