Tag: postaday2012

Hard to believe she would have been 12… a painting and a memory…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS5 Comments

Streamers After by Tollef Runquist / Image: Dowling Walsh

This painting is special to us. It isn’t ours, it’s for sale at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine.  Today is a special day… Isabelle would have been 12… hard to imagine. This painting is what Fred and I both imagine Isabelle would have been like if everything went OK. Unfortunately, things with the pregnancy didn’t go well… You have to figure that things work out for a reason, although it’s hard to understand “why” at that moment…  We’re so fortunate to have each other and for that we are extremely thankful!

This painting is so happy and bright. Just like a little girl after her birthday party. See how paintings can evoke memories? Every painting that we have has a great memory attached to it. Hope yours do too!

Happy 12 years Isabelle… We love you…

Featured Artist… Brian Blood!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Fishing Boat, Monterey by artist Brian Blood

Brian Blood is a fabulous artist, no question about it. But this little number caught my eye in the biggest way… (Thank you Bridget for forwarding me that email!). I love everything about this painting. The water… perfect! The pop of orange, and all that detail without anything being too specific. Absolute perfection!

Many of you have probably seen Brian’s work in magazines… if you’re fortunate enough to be near a gallery (click here for list) stop in and say hello, otherwise he has a wonderful website! Brian teaches workshops, which I would assume would fill up rather quickly, he also gives a demo workshop… now THAT is something I would be interested in… I learn by watching… and yes, it does help if you actually pick up a paintbrush… sigh…

Here’s a blip about Brian from his website:

Brian Blood, a resident of Pebble Beach, California, is widely recognized as one of California’s most important plein air impressionist artists. Married to award winning artist, Laurie Kersey,  www.lauriekersey.com they live their childhood dreams.

He began his professional life as a graphic artist and art director in Boston, Massachusetts.  Although Blood’s career was successful, he was frustrated personally and realized he wanted to be a fine-art painter. A leap across the continent to California took him to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for both undergraduate and graduate studies.  Blood and Kersey were both later instructors at the Academy of Art University for 12 years.
From the 1990s, Brian Blood has been painting full time as well as conducting landscape painting classes at his alma mater.  He also conducts ongoing workshops in his studio, and surrounding areas of Pebble Beach, California.

Primarily a plein-air painter, Blood creates hundreds of studies directly from nature, observing the ever changing light of day.  He then takes his studies and supporting reference photos back to one of his two studios, either in San Francisco or Pacific Grove, to paint. He uses these studies as the basis for his larger scale works.

Blood has had his work featured in articles in Southwest Art Magazine (May 2002, and March 2005); Art of The West Magazine (March/April 2004); American Artist Magazine (January 2004); Plein Air Magazine (December 2005); and The Central Coast Journal (October 2005); to name a few. 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Ahhh, the history of leap year… explained here!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Haven’t you wondered what leap year was all about? I never really thought much about it, but I can say I’m a better person for having read this… after you read it you will be fully informed and will never have to wonder again!

Found this great info from Inventor.About.com (click HERE to see the full page)
THE HISTORY OF LEAP YEAR…
Leap years are years with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. Leap years are necessary because the actual length of a year is 365.242 days, not 365 days, as commonly stated. Basically, leap years occur every 4 years, and years that are evenly divisible by 4 (2004, for example) have 366 days. This extra day is added to the calendar on February 29th.

However, there is one exception to the leap year rule involving century years, like the year 1900. Since the year is slightly less than 365.25 days long, adding an extra day every 4 years results in about 3 extra days being added over a period of 400 years. For this reason, only 1 out of every 4 century years is considered as a leap year. Century years are only considered as leap years if they are evenly divisible by 400. Therefore, 1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years, and 2100 will not be a leap year. But 1600 and 2000 were leap years, because those year numbers are evenly divisible by 400.

 Julius Caesar, Father of Leap Year… read more HERE

So now you know! Catch you back here tomorrow!

[Image: ThemesBank]

Coconut Oil… what’s looking to be a very healthy oil that doesn’t get stored in the body as fat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, HOMELeave a comment

Image: Amazon

Coconut Oil… have you heard the rave reviews about all the wonderful things it can do? From what I’ve read this past weekend it can aid in losing weight, help prevent or even help those with Alzheimer’s, moisturize skin and hair, increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, the list goes on and on. We’ll have to wait for long term studies, but for me, I’m jumping on the bandwagon, and taking 1 tablespoon a day. It can’t hurt. Let me know if you’ve tried it. WHY are YOU taking it?  HOW are you taking it? I tried eating it off the spoon (it’s like lard), that was a little difficult, so I heat it ever so slightly and swallow… a tablespoon is doable, I personally chase it with a Triple Ginger Cookie from Trader Joe’s :) some people but it on toast, in coffee, in oatmeal, in smoothie’s, use it as oil and topping when making popcorn… AND the reason I bumped into the health benefits about coconut oil was because I saw a recipe for Double Coconut Muffins on the Smittin Kitchen website… whoa, they sounded good, and I had just spoken to my mom who told me about a video that someone just told her about (click HERE to see it) about how it’s helping Alzheimer’s Disease, and also helping to prevent. I’m sure long term studies are a ways off, but if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s you know how devastating it can be. I vowed to try this, it’s worth it to me… so now, I think everyone I know is taking this for one reason or another. I just didn’t want you to be left out of the loop!

Google Coconut Oil  and you will see so much information it will make your head spin. Try to read from reputable sources and realize that anyone can post anything to the Internet… From what I’ve read, you should buy VIRGIN coconut oil. Ideally Organic virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. UNREFINED, since they alter the makeup of the oil when it’s refined. Refined is good for using as a moisturizer for skin and hair. One more thing… you can often find it in the grocery store in the baking aisle, however, often times these are NOT the virgin organic varieties… those are mostly found in the health aisle… ask if you are unsure. Read HERE the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil by Charles Mattock, I got this from Dr. Oz’s website…

Here is a blip from Nutiva (extracted from Amazon):

A deliciously healthy cooking oil. Better than butter. USDA organic. Unrefined & no trans fats. Rich in lauric acid. A soothing body oil. The coconut oil myth. Coconut oil has been mistakenly described as not healthy. The fact is, coconut oil is cholesterol-free and rich in medium-chain good fats that doctors recommend. Why is it that baby formulas often include coconut oil? Because coconut is one of the world’s most nourishing super foods. Nutritionists suggest enjoying up to 3 tbsp of extra-virgin coconut oil each day, so help yourself to this heavenly, creamy taste of the tropics. Nutiva’s cold-pressed Coconut Oil is: Extra-virgin & pure white: not refined, deodorized or bleached! Organic: so it’s free from pesticides, GMOs and hexane. Versatile: Ideal as high-heat cooking oil (up to 350 degrees), as a nutritious substitute in baking, a better-than-butter replacement on bread, vegetables or popcorn, and as a luscious oil for skin care, hair care, and massage. America needs an oil change. While doctors suggest we consume a 4:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, the average American diet provides a ratio of 20:1 or more – contributing to heart disease, skin disorders, and arterial inflammation. So avoid out of balance soy, corn, and canola oils with their trans fats, oxidation, and GMOs. Cook with coconut oil (with only 1% Omega-6), and use olive oil (also low in Omega-6), and hemp oil (with the perfect 3:1 Omega ratio) for unheated recipes. Nature’s ideal all-purpose cooking oil. No trans or hydrogenated fat; no cholesterol or hexane. Unlike other brands, we press our coconuts within 2 hours of chopping. No refrigeration required. Solid at room temperature and melts at 76 degrees. Any coconut husk fibers at the bottom of the jar are indigenous to the processing and harmless. Coconut oil contains medium-chain good fats with 50-55% lauric acid – a healthful nutrient that supports the metabolism. Certified organic by QAI. Product of the Philippines.

A disclaimer… I in no way am trying to provide medical advice, only passing along what many others have told me. Ask your doctor if you need to know if this is OK for you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Betty Anglin Smith “On a Limb” show March 2-16, 2012…

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

Old Oak by Betty Anglin Smith

Just a reminder to mark it on your calendar… March 2-16, 2012 artist Betty Anglin Smith’s new show opens. Entitled ON A LIMB, this show features exhilarating new work. If you’re in the Charleston, SC area the opening reception is March 2, 2012, from 5-8PM.

From a postcard from Smith Killian Gallery:

“Every now and then a seasoned artist needs to reach and stretch and push their work to a new level. It is the exhilaration of going “out on a limb”.

                                                          -Betty Anglin Smith

PS/ a reminder… Colin Page has an upcoming workshop in Charleston, SC through the Smith Killian Gallery… Click HERE to read more about it… or call the gallery.. Catch you back here tomorrow!

Does it feel like spring where you’re at?? This weather is heaven!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

This has been the craziest winter that I can ever remember in all my life. I grew up in Michigan, where (at least in my memories) it snowed in the winter, and snow pretty much stayed around until spring. Now it comes and goes, and this year??? Lots of places are without their regular amounts of snow. Wonder why the big change all of a sudden? Here in Charleston, SC it was downright freezing last winter (well, to our standards it was freezing)… this year it’s been so nice. Lots of days in 60’s and 70’s. A few in the 80’s! We slept with the windows open recently… I love that! I’m wondering what that means come summer? It certainly can’t be any warmer than it normally is here in Charleston! Heat index in the 120’s. It’s barely tolerable, and makes me want to pack and move to the Antarctic! We were talking to a woman in a store yesterday, she said many customers were telling her that if we have a warm winter that means our summer will be cooler… OH YAY! HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD THAT? Personally I don’t think there is any science behind it… it’ll be what it’ll be and we’ll just have to go with it… Dump a few bags of ice in the pool and move on, ha ha… Hope the weather is lovely where you are!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fenwick Hall, a gorgeous plantation in Charleston, a plantation with a history!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Fenwick Hall, a gorgeous plantation that is also referred to as a castle. We drove by this the other day on the way to daycare for Charlie (woof)…

A pretty impressive place, wouldn’t you say? This is a true southern plantation… look at those beautiful old live oak trees, they’re so graceful and stately. I ran across the most interesting website about this wonderful place called FENWICK HALL… It’s been around since approximately 1730. It has wonderful stories! Hidden tunnels, secret rooms, ghosts, you name it! Read about the history on the website… it’s fascinating to say the least. What I’ve heard about this place was that it used to be a drug and alcohol treatment center for the wealthy. When reading the history it looks like that began in the 1980’s, the  history is a must read!

This is now a private residence, and the writer of the Fenwick Hall Plantation website cautions you not to trespass, because the owners will prosecute. So warning warning… unless you’re looking to visit the big house (and I don’t mean Fenwick) some time soon? Hee.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy President’s Day… I will leave you with an abstract presidential portrait by artist Robert Joyner…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Portrait of George Washington by artist Robert Joyner

Robert Joyner is painting a few of our presidents and they are outstanding. So far (that I’ve seen), Washington, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt… I love the wild way he portrays each one. You can tell who they are, but it’s that cool abstract version that makes it so interesting. I will feature Robert again at a later date, closer to the Kentucky Derby… he is the official 2012 Kentucky Derby artist. Check out Robert’s website… it’s a good one!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charlie (Jack Russell Terrier) visits Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Charlie loves to go for a visit to Shem Creek Park in Mt. Pleasant, SC. It’s a nice long dock/walkway with plenty to see and smell… a great place to go to watch the boats, people fishing or just to enjoy a beautiful sunset. If you haven’t made your way there yet, it’s worth it! Near Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant Seafood, etc.) you can’t miss it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Jose de Juan!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Le Chat s’amuse” by artist Jose De Juan / Image(s): JoseDeJuan.com

Don’t you just love this painting? I do! It has all the detail without being tight… I’m not sure how that happens, but it makes a painting spectacular, don’t you think? I love this style home, one of my favorites!

Great job with the shadow and the light… Check out the rest of Jose’s work, it’s fabulous!

Here’s a blip about Jose from his website (great website by the way!):

Jose De Juan - Biography

Jose L. De Juan  graduated from the Madrid Art Academy in his native Spain. He is a veteran of the film industry and has worked in several studios as a computer lighter. His passion has always been painting. Watercolors, oils , computer or any other medium, it’s all part of a desire to give visual shape to the moment.  

Jose is a devoted plein-air artist and finds constant inspiration in the city and its surroundings, from freeways and dilapidated structures to the canyons and marinas. He likes to plant the easel and look around for any subjects surprised by light and weather.  Jose strives to show respect for the materials,  honesty of rendition and a representational approach. Jose hopes his work finds an echo in the viewer’s luminosity within.    

He is an artist member of the  California Art Club , the Pasadena Society of Artists and the National Watercolor Association .  He has enjoyed the inspiration of  masters like  Jennifer Mc Christian, Peter Andrews, Sheri McGraw , Tony Pro,  Clayton Beck III and many others either in workshops or simple admiration.  Jose has  exhibited widely around Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

From me to you… Happy Valentine’s Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

A little something from me to you… H A P P Y V A L E N T I N E S D A Y !! What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Ahhh, the dreaded question for many? Fred and I typically stay in… we save going out to a nice restaurant when we can savor it and not be rushed through it… Flowers… Crazy prices for Valentine’s Day… we usually have something on our table (beautiful “winter” tulips from Whole Foods right now, gorgeous!) – and trust me… I need candy like I need a hole in my head (ok, another really creepy saying…)… so we’ll undoubtedly whip up some fantastic dinner… (last year it was filet mignon, mushrooms, baked potato, hmmm, that’s what I’m remembering anyhow),and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day… but then again, we always manage to have a great time no matter where we go or what we do. Life is what you make it! Or as a card says that my mom sent to me a while back… LIFE’S SHORT… PICK THE FLOWERS!

Enjoy your day!

Did you realize that Valentine’s Day has been celebrated since at least the 1600’s? Get out! Interesting about the history… read HERE…

And a quick I L O V E Y O U F R E D ! I am a very lucky Valentine!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Leslie Saeta!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Hazy Afternoon” by Leslie Saeta – Image: SaetaStudio.com

Let me start by saying there is something about this artist that makes you instantly like her… I don’t know why, but she appears to be such a likable person, and her paintings… so different! I saw that someone commented on this painting on Facebook and instantly had to know more about this artist. She paints all her paintings with a palette knife. I love how this painting shows the haziness, but also shows the crisp clear foreground. It’s visually interesting… Very striking! I’m telling you, you need to check out this artist… she does more than paint, she has a radio (blog radio) program for artists, and she helps other artists become successful, take a peak at her website!

Speaking of… here’s a blip about the artist, from her website!

Leslie Saeta is an award winning artist who paints fresh and colorful paintings using only a palette knife. She paints in her studio full time and has over 30 years of marketing experience.  In addition to painting, she is devoted to helping other artists sell their art, especially on-line. She hosts a weekly talk radio show titled “Artists Helping Artists”  which is a great resource tool for all artists.  The show is currently listened to by over 1100 artists per week.

Leslie has always been interested in art but officially entered the world of fine art as a novice painter in her mid forties. Her art may appear to include energetic brushwork, but she paints exclusively with a palette knife and a heavy build-up of paint. Working with a limited palette, Leslie strives to create beautiful colors and capture the light perfectly in every painting.

In addition to being a full time artist, she is a wife and mother of three teenage boys. 

Education: U.C. Santa Barbara, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena

Memberships: Oil Painters of America, California Art Club, Pasadena Society of Artists, American Women Artists, Women Painters of the West, San Gabriel Fine Art Club, Verdugo Hills Art Club.

Leslie has studied with the following artists: Scott Christensen, John Cosby, Ken Auster, Calvin Laing, Marc Hanson and Peggy Kroll-Roberts.

 Leslie can be reached at:  lsaeta@saetastudio.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Merrill Irvin!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Photo by Merrill Irvin (SEWE website)

We take our dog, Charlie, to West Ashley Veterinary Clinic in Charleston, SC. He loves the doctors there, one of his favorites is Dr. Merrill Irvin, who besides being a fabulous vet is an amazing photographer. His images make you feel like you are standing right in front of whatever he has captured (as I reread this, let me clarify by saying whatever “image” Dr. Irvin has captured… he doesn’t run around capturing animals…  ha ha)! Most of his images are of animals that I most likely will not see in my lifetime, so it’s extremely interesting to see them so clearly and close up! Dr Irvin is as wonderful with a camera as his is with an animal! He will be at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition this year, so be on the lookout! Check out his website, you can order images, they are fabulous! Some of these wonderful images hang in the veterinary offices (one in North Charleston and one in Charleston)…

A blip from the photographer’s website:

Merrill Irvin grew up on a farm in rural southwest Georgia where he spent much of his childhood and adolescence exploring the rivers, creeks, swamps, and forests of this region.  In this environment he developed a serious interest in the natural world he saw around him.
His mother had an old “Brownie” camera with which she took black and white photos of members of their large extended family.  Merrill developed a casual interest in photography from exposure to this influence, but did not become serious until after he graduated from college and became a veterinarian.

Merrill has traveled widely across the globe, and has spent much time exploring locally, enjoying nature photography.  He has accumulated a body of work and is now interested in sharing it with others.
Merrill wants you to enjoy these photographs and encourages you to read the info about them.  Perhaps you can learn something new from the captions and photographs you are viewing.  He hopes you enjoy viewing these images as much as he has enjoyed acquiring them.
Artist Hometown: Charleston, SC
Artist Email: merrill@wornbootsphotography.com
Artist’s Website: Merrill Irvin

I’ll leave you with one more image (from his website, Worn Boots Photography)… I love the captions he has on his website! Catch you back here tomorrow!

How to make hot chocolate from scratch… Quick and easy!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe4 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to make hot chocolate from scratch? Well wonder no longer… here’s the scoop, and you will flip when you see how quick and easy it is! I have fond memories of hot chocolate! Growing up in Michigan as a young kid my mom told us we had to drink something warm before we walked to school (you heard me… back in those days we walked… miles i think it was, over mountains, through streams, in extremely cold temperatures. Ok, so I exaggerate a little but not a lot!) – so it was usually hot chocolate. I didn’t grow up drinking a latte for breakfast while in kindergarten, darn… that would have been nice, ha ha… Anyway, a tasty treat indeed… 

Ingredients include… UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER (like Ghirardelli or Hershey), Sugar and Milk

Fill your liquid measuring cup with 1 cup of milk (I use organic 1%, but any milk will work). Place it in the microwave until it’s hot (every microwave is different, mine takes 1 minute 30 seconds). (If you prefer not to use a microwave you may certainly use your stove! Heat the milk on low until hot.)

Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons of sugar (I use unbleached cane sugar, but any will do). [A note on the quantities here… this recipe is from Ghirardelli, from the actual container of unsweetened cocoa, if it’s too chocolately for your taste, cut the amount the next time, same with the sugar…] 

Stir the cocoa powder and sugar together until it’s all mixed up…

Now add the hot milk to the cocoa powder/sugar mixture… 

Stir it well. Get all those hunks of chocolate sweetness mixed in. Give it a taste… if it’s not hot, toss place it back in the microwave for a few seconds till it’s warm again!

Ahhhh, now the best part (and it’s totally optional), give it a good swirl of whipped cream (REAL whipped cream or Redi-Whip, but not that chemical laden “non-dairy” whip stuff that comes in a tub in the freezer section… *GASP!* Just say NO! Friends don’t let friends eat Cool W… oops, sorry, got carried away…

Enjoy, you will be surprised how quick and easy… and remember… cocoa… GOOD FOR YOU!!! Not so much the sugar… if you can wean that down, pat yourself on the back!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Rick Reinert!

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

“Second Sunday In December” by Rick Reinert

Across from the Reinert LePrince Gallery is a neat little antique store, John Pope Antiques. I think Rick did a fabulous job of capturing this colorful storefront! In his traditional loose style, he depicted this perfectly, from the brushstrokes and color to the thickness of the paint. It all made for an interesting painting!

The Reinert LePrince Gallery is located on King Street in downtown Charleston. Last time we were there both artists were painting away. So it’s a great place to visit if you want to see artists actually painting… If you’re in the area, check him out, also check out Kevin LePrince‘s work, very nice! Otherwise, their website is very informative!

A blip about Rick from his website:

Nature and sunlight have provided me with the ultimate reference library. I believe that it is possible to study painting for a lifetime and never have to venture more that one square mile for constant challenges and a wealth of subject matter. Every day offers unique and exciting opportunities for the artist who follows the light.

Catch you back here tomorrow!