Beautiful NOrth Shore weather

We are having a very relaxing time before the wedding. There are details we can help with that gives the bride at least a little break. I brought some watercolors and acrylics and canvases and panels on which to paint. The watercolors are by Reeves and don't give me the colors of my regular palette, I can't complain as I won the watercolors in a raffle back in New York.

The acrylics I paint with are bright and vibrant and I prefer them. There are some beautiful, tropical flowers that I wish I had at home. The papaya we eat every morning is sweet and delicious. The tropics agrees with us.

Soon some of the guests will be arriving. It is a wonderful day here and we do hope for clear skies on the day of the wedding.

Entering shows

It is always a challenge to enter an art show competition. You may know a few details but so much is not known, who is the juror, what type of work does he or she do, what is your competition, what painting do you feel best represents your own work? Many times a painting is acceptable to one competition but not to another. Right now I am debating whether to enter a competition for the Regional Space landscapes showing open preserved, space in parks such as San Antonio or Saratoga Gap. Do I have the time? the talent to match against some very realistic painters and photographers.

I have a painting shown of a visit from three years ago to Arches National Monument. Is this what the juror is looking for? or is something more abstract acceptable? Right now I have other things to attend to and will have to wait until November for time to review the open space landscape paintings. It should be interesting.

Burlingame Reception

We had a fabulous reception for the 95th Anniversary of the Studio Shoppe at 251 Primrose in Burlingame, It is the oldest business in Burlingame, and what a unique situation in today's economy.

The painting to the left is "Wind Storm" which is made on hand-made paper with a collage from a yupo paper painting I had. I really enjoy the hand-made paper experience, even though it is so delicate that aggressive brush strokes will cause the paper to tear.

Soon we will be off to a wedding in Hawaii. It is a joyous occasion, of course, for us as a family, but also a time to be in a country setting on Oahu, the North Shore. So different from downtown Honolulu and crowded Waikiki. Here is a small photograph taken by the bride-to-be, Kim.

Finished painting and view of fireball in San Bruno

Finished the paintings (2) on site when I was asked to do a public demo. It turned out to be a nice enough day that I actually enjoyed the experience. You must understand a studio painter such as myself rarely enjoys "plein aire". However, these show the details of the finishing touches. The one called "Boots" sold on the spot.

However, I just want to comment on our traveling from San Francisco at 6:30 last Thursday. We saw a huge ball of fire and it probably doesn't show up easily, but it was the devastating fire in San Bruno. We were just 15 minutes after it started. Very scary and we feel for all involved.

Western Themes in Watercolor and Acrylic

These boots are my recent painting of a Western Theme coming this Sunday. I still have more work to do on the painting which will be a good activity in public. I felt I had to start a painting so it would look like I was accomplishing something. If I just started it, what a bland looking piece of paper it would be.

The other image is of a lightning storm and a cactus will go into the right corner and will be finished in front of a crowd of people...I hope.

Light of the World

"Live as Children of the Light" is a watercolor with highlights of ground glass on the light. It is presently shown at the Sequoia Hospital exhibit, "Light of the World" arranged by the Arts of the Covenant. Do you recognize the passage of scripture?

The address for the exhibit is: 170 The Alameda in Redwood City. It is open to the public and is displayed in the corridor near the entrance.

This is a reminder of the trip we had with our daughter's family to Hawaii. She is not shown in the picture, but her husband was down at the water's edge with two of our grandchildren. Soon we will be traveling to Hawaii for a wedding. What a fun place to be married. Both the bride and groom live on the North Shore of Oahu.

"Final painting of "Morning Has Broken" and fave recipe

This is why I wait a week or more before I feel something is finished. I just stare at the painting to keep checking what is it that bothers me. I found the "Morning Has Broken" was too light in value. In other words, there needed to be a lot more contrast with the dark of the water and sky and the light peeking through the clouds. Now I feel,for sure, I am finished.

The next painting will be one of the Heavenly Light series I will be doing. I am very into collage with the water media on hand-made paper.

In thinking about writing a blog, I think I should share a part of my life. I spend time trying out new recipes. I love to try two or three new ones a week...not always an entree, but a salad or cookie or something. This one has been requested. No I didn't create the recipe, I am just passing it along. It was a hit with some friends recently and it is good to have because it can be made ahead and reheated with the cheese at the last minute. Hope you like it...Lasagna Soup

Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Soup

Serves 4 generously

1 pound Italian sausage, squeezed from casings

1 large onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons dried basil or 2 Tablespoons fresh basil

2 teaspoons oregano

`1 teaspoon anise seed

4 cups of chicken broth

1 141/2 ounce can petite diced tomatoes

1 8-Ounce can of tomato sauce

1 cup mini farfalle pasta

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced ( I used smoked mozzarella)

1/2 cup fresh Parmesan, cheese shredded

Brown sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat until crumbly. Remove the sausage from the pan and drain all but 1 Tablespoon of fat. Add the onion to the pan and saute over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes

Return the sausage to the pan, stir in the garlic, basil, oregano, and anise seed, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the package directions, until the pasta is al dente.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the spinach and mozzarella. Serve the soup immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese.

Per serving: 303 calories.