Lincoln Hills Fine Arts Show

Over 200 pieces of art were on display for two days this past weekend at Orchard Creek Lodge in Lincoln. Despite the economy and a rainy Sunday we had 30 sales. Attendance was good, and we received many comments on the quality of the art displayed. Pen and ink, watercolor, oils bronze sculpture, wood turning, ceramic and glass pieces were part of our inventory.
"Best in Show" was awarded to Judith Huth for her stunning oil of a glass vase filled with purple and yellow blooms. Six hundred and tweny nine votes were tabulated in the "Popular Vote" which was awarded to Allen Adler for his amazing photography.

New Painting - Lake Tahoe

This 11 x 14 oil was done from a photograph I took last summer . The shape and formation of the rocks was fascinating and challenging to paint.

"Salt of the Earth"

Salt has become a gourmet food item. Two of the stores I frequent, Whole Foods and Nugget, have big displays of various kinds of salt and salt blocks. Some have heavier grains, like Kosher salt, and other are finer and have flavors added. Two of the ones I have tried are wonderful, "gris" (grey salt) which is fine and very favorable, and another has blood orange bits added, terrific on seafood.

These are pricey so don't use them to salt the water for pasta, but rather add a very little at the end just before serving. Delicious - remember a little goes a long way as we should try to limit our salt intake!

Update on Framing

Just one day after placing my order for a $100 frame; I was notified that it was out of stock. Searching other sources, I found one at Dick Blick for $57.21 including 3 day shipping! Both were gold plein air style frames. I received it this monring and am very pleased with the quality.

Mount Hood - Oregon

Finished this 18 x 24 oil today and it came out well. Now I can't wait to get it framed.

Framing can make so much difference to your art, the wrong choice can ruin a good painting. I know, several years ago I did an still life of tomatoes on a cutting board and framed it in a formal gold plein air frame. It was too ornate and on the advice of an artist friend I changed it. The painting worked so much better in a simple "floater" type frame.

"Graphic Dimensions" - Pictures Plus is having a sale, so I ordered a frame for "Mt. Hood". It will still cost about $100 even at the sale price!

Recipe for a Winter Week-end

Found this recently in a local food column!

"Easy Pot Roast"
1 3 pound brisket of beef
1 cup ketchup
1 package of onion soup mix

Method:

Place brisket on heavy duty foil. Coat with ketchup and sprinkle with onion soup mix. Wrap brisket completely in foil
Place on a baking sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 2 1/2 hours.

This is very good, and it nakes a lot of delicious sauce.

Winston!

I'm adding quotes from Winston Churchill to my blog , since I was born in England and he is one of my heros.

Yosemite In Winter

This 11 x 14 oil on canvas was recently in a local art show. The reviewer commented in the newspaper that I had "brought a magnificent snowy Yosemite winter to life". I'm flattered and pleased! This painting will be in the Lincoln Hills Art show on February 21 and 22. The original as well as note cards and prints are available.

Normandy Village

This is a recently completed painting of a village in Normandy, France. .This scene greeted us as we drove in the French countryside. It has been submitted to the Lincoln Hills Arts Association show - February 20 and 21, 2009.
I have made note cards and 5 x 7 prints of this 16 x 20 original canvas.