New Painting

I've finally finished a new painting, please forgive the crappy photo.  I'm happy with it, it was done from a photo I took years ago on Boston Common.  

I have a new one started...do stay tuned!

Mossy Slope

One of my necklaces was chosen to be in another Etsy Treasury called "Mossy Slope".  It is a beautiful treasury, check it out!

Vermont Open Studios

Over Memorial Day weekend, the girls and I went to Vermont to enjoy the clean air and check out some artist's studios.  It was also the "at long-last" grand opening of my brother's studio.  

  

He had a successful weekend, made lots of friends and connections, and some money as well!  He did demonstrations on the pottery wheel, so I *finally* got to see him throw a pot after all these years!!  I love his work, and he gets better all the time!  If you are ever in the Rutland area, make sure you stop by and check out his stuff! 

           

Pit-fired hand-burnished pots

Cups

 

On our journey we saw tons of pottery and jewelry, some painter/printmakers, a couple of galleries, a wonderful woodworker, and a lady who was as cute as a button named Nancy Benoit . She makes beautiful shoes by hand in a cute little tiny workshop.  

There was also a woman who painted and sold Equine art, so you KNOW C and I had to check her out.  Her name is Terry Lindsey .  She not only paints and sculpts horses but its also a dealer for some wonderful Equine artists.
 

Racing Dreams -  Oils

A new one I discovered was Katie Upton  I couldn't afford one of her prints or paintings, but I bought a calendar you can use every year.  Her art is great!
                                            

White Horse # 40  

Our last visit was at the Torak Studios.  They are the nicest couple, they both are very talented and successful painters, they make their own paint! I felt I could of sat down with a bottle of wine and talked to them all night.  They were so enthusiastic, and very encouraging. It was the highlight of our trip.  

                          Sunny Side up  -  Oil on linen   Elizabeth Torak 

                         Silent Symphony - Oil on linen  Thomas Torak

We did manage to enjoy the gorgeous outdoors as well, we hiked "White Rocks" in Wallingford, quite the hike up, but what a view! 

It was a great weekend, I've been inspired to pick up my brush again and start one of my "waiting list" paintings.  Also, a big thanks to my friend C who drove us all over creation and back again!

ETSY

One of my necklaces was chosen to be in an etsy treasury called Sunset Over Butterfly Gardens

                                   Fruity Pebbles

Cool!
                                 

Citrus and Lilacs

This past Wednesday night was the last one of the month, so no models at the MFA.  Christine and I decided to continue with our own still lifes...  Since C hosted the last one, I was up this week.
  
I don't have any cool skulls lying around the house, so it being lilac season I decided we'd start with some lilacs from my community garden sitting in a pot my brother made.  I added the last bottle of limoncello Tim and I had brewed this past holiday season, some oranges, grapefruit, limes (also in a pot by D.) and a coconut.  Also a pewter tray that was my grandmother's.

Not a bad little still life, although those lilacs are a bitch to draw!  Didn't think of that ahead of time....

We also did a color sketch with some colored pencils

I'm not as happy with this one, I'd much rather paint it than use colored pencils, I'll add it to my long list of  "to be painted". 

For snacks I made a batch of Kale Chips.  These things are so yummy, and good for you!  I just love them.  I'm going to try and make beet chips next.






While we were drawing, Tim was smoking up some BBQ ribs and chicken with the delicious Kentucky Bourbon bbq sauce I received as part of my swap gift from Katherine They came out SO good!  We also had collards and cole slaw, and T's famous chocolate bread pudding with marshmallow sauce for dessert. 

OH YUM!

Missing model at the MFA

Another Wed. night live model drawing at the MFA.  Arriving early once again, this time I perused the Chinese and Japanese areas.  It's been awhile since I wandered in these areas of the museum, and I spent some time chillaxing (...I still haven't taken that meditation class yet)  in the Bhudda room until a bunch of very noisy children came in.  Damn vacation week. 

Our model was running late, so naturally I started sketching some horse statues while I was waiting.  Some of my fellow artists posed for 1 minute sketches, but it became apparent our model was pulling a no-show.  The gallery we were in was dark and very crowded, with many children...
...Damn vacation week.  
The guy sitting next to me had a rather pungent emanation, and he drew VERY LOUDLY.  Even the woman in front of me was shooting him looks, it's not just me!  He also was sitting way too close, bumping my arm.

We weren't feeling the love, so we decided to take our creativity in another direction.  Instead of trivia night and beemos at the Squealing Pig,   we headed downtown to the ladder district.  A new restaurant named Stoddard's recently opened that I've been wanting to check out, and was glad when C's friend suggested it.   It used to be a cutlery store dating back to the 1860's.   The hardwood floors and walls are from the 1800s, the mezzanines (c. 1912) have been salvaged from the old Filene's Basement and the bartenders (dressed in era-correct attire) manned an old-timey handmade mahogany bar.  With the old gas lamposts, tin ceiling, and upstairs platform, it has a wonderful ambiance.  I didn't really get the corset art when you walk in, perhaps it was hailing from the burlesque days in Scollay Sq. which was down the street?

I wanted a cider, but alas, there was none.  (but it is coming soon according to our super-friendly waiter).  He did suggest a delicious beer called Ephemere, from the Unibroue brewery in Canada.  It was sort of like a cross-breed beer and cider.  Delicious!!!  We enjoyed it very much with the fondue plate.

I'm looking forward to our next venture...

Sweet Spring Swap

I just love reading creative people's blogs.  Foodie blogs, crafty blogs, I love them all.  This past winter I took part in my first 'swap'.  Jen from The Gregarious Homebody hosted it.  I had to spend exactly $25 on the "Winter Gastronomy Swap" no more, no less.  Obviously, these crafty people create many of their gifts to stretch their dollars, plus it makes it all the more fun!  I enjoyed it so much, when Laura from A dozen Eggs  decided to host a "Sweet Spring Swap" I had to join in!

I was paired with Katherine, an amazing cook and baker.  She owns and runs The Yellow House Cakery   in Kentucky.  If you're ever in Kentucky in need of a cake, she's the gal to go see!

For Katherine's package, I found some cute flower shaped silicone baking cups.  (She makes amazing cupcakes!)  and some cute pink polka-dot cupcake papers.  Some spring cookie cutters, and candied pink and yellow grapefruit. 

For the creative part, I made her one of my custom slates with her logo on it.  I've made quite a few slates in the past, my brother used to work in a stone quarry and they had a bunch of slate shingles from an old church.  Sadly, I'm almost out.  

I packaged it all in springy tissue and some shredded purple paper.

Yesterday, I received her swap gift to me, enfolded in a mass of sparkly spring tissue, I found a whole bunch of spring booty!  Very cute plates, napkins, and tissues with my initials on them.  (I am oddly very excited about these tissues...)  A very pretty journal with my beloved paisley, and some bath confetti. :)

Some cute springy ramekin bowls, 

..and my favorite gift was some Kentucky Bourbon BBQ sauce, and some sweet pepper jelly from her own garden.  I think, via her suggestion, I will slather this yummy jelly on a block of cream cheese and eat it with some crackers, yum! 

We are both thrilled with our gifts, and I've made another friend. 

 Can't wait for Tim to stoke up the giant smoker and make me some ribs with my new sauce!!!