Lately I've been working on some smaller projects, softer finishes and just plain old painting, so there's not much in the way of photographs to show you. So instead of new work, I'd like to show you some details from past projects. It's the fine details of the larger works that really make the difference between the work I do and some other artists. I like to put a bit of the personal touch into my work, including special family interests, history and favorite animals of the clients.  Click on the details to see the entire work.

Windwept Apple tree

A little wren sitting on the blooming branch of the tree.

Waiting by the Lake

Two sweet little shelties waiting for their mistress patiently

Village on the Stairs

That's Jack's own Superbee in the garage

Arizona Window

Mission crosses are 'carved' into the weathered shutters painted on the side walls.

Arizona Window

the blooming cactus seen through the window-

a cactus wren is in the detail when you click on the picture.

Tuscan Window

The family's own wine label  and favorite grapes on the sill

This Month's Recipe:

Herbed Butternut Squash-Apple Soup with Chicken

Yummy!!!

3 TBSP olive oil or canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 TBSP Curry powder (more if you really like curry)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2  to 2 quarts chicken stock
3 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut up into 1 inch chunks
2 tart apples like Granny Smiths, peeled and chopped
1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp dried
1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup frozen sweet corn
2 cups frozen chopped leaf spinach
salt and pepper to taste

In the oil in a large soup pot, warm the curry powder and saute the onion, garlic and carrots until the onions begin to brown.. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Add in the squash, apple, rosemary and thyme. Simmer covered for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables are soft and tender.  Puree in batches in blender or food processor and return to pot. Add in the chicken, corn and spinach and heat everything through, about 10 minutes.  Season to taste. Garnish if desired with sour cream, thyme and rosemary leaves or chopped roasted peanuts.  Enjoy!!!

PS: Buy a 3 to 4 lb squash- there is some waste when peeled and seeded.

The best way to print off the recipe, if you'd like to, is to copy and paste the recipe only onto a new document in 'Word Pad', then print it.  You can also then make the font different, larger, or whatever you need to do to it, for your filing system.

Quote of the Month:

"What is harder than rock, or softer than water?

Yet soft water hollows out hard rock. Persevere."
– Ovid

–I love quotes and have a huge collection of those that have real meaning for me as this one does.  One of my favorite things to do is to include them in my fine art projects, in a collage, or as part of a painting.  It's amazing how just the right words at the right time, and in the right place can make all the difference.

That's all the news for now- I hope you enjoyed my little Newsletter- You can subscribe for free below, (unsubscribe at any time).  I only send out one mailing a month, I know how it is to have to go through all those e-mails every day.

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Finish of the Month:

The beauty is in the details here- a crackle finish with an antiqued glaze, plus a subtle cream stenciled detail on the panels. Great look on cabinetry like this project, or on furniture.

Available in the Studio:

'Faith'

No, I'm not getting into carving marble now- this 18" by 18" painting is acrylic on canvas using a variety of techniques. It's light enough to hang on your wall easily. Finished frameless $200.00

  Want to see the pictures larger?   Click on the smaller pictures to view them  in another window to see more of the detail.

Click on the button above to take a quick peek at some of my work.

  Spring Special!!!

Since everyone likes a bargain, I'm offering a 15% discount on any new project scheduled before June 21, 2010.  Summer will be here before we know it, and vacation time, so don't delay getting your project underway.

Purchase this print!

The holidays are coming up and Fine Art makes a very special gift.  Home portraits, pet portraits, or perhaps something from my gallery  can be a very memorable gift for a very special someone. I have set up a gallery on line where you can purchase prints of the above painting, or prints of some really great photographs from out west. Check it out! Click Here

Quicklinks:

In the Garden

Contact Me

  Additional Services

With the housing market the way it is, lots of people are either staying put and redecorating or doing whatever they can to make the home they are selling more marketable.  There are lots of ways I can help you improve your home, or get it ready to move.  Did you know that I am available for consultations and other types of work besides murals and faux finishes?  Below is a list of some of the other things I do on request.

Contact me for pricing information on any of these services:

Interior Design, space planning, color consult
Furniture rearrangement, staging for listing your home
Kitchen and bath design
Straight painting, including color and paint selection
Wallcovering removal
Garden Design and Garden Coaching

Recipe web site

I'm working on setting up an on-line recipe book with lots of great recipes, some invented here in my kitchen,  some family favorites, and some that I've collected through the years.  I love to try new recipes even though I really don't cook much.  If you have any that you'd like to contribute, just let me know.

Want to see previous "What's New" pages?  Click on the word 'Archives' above to find all the previous pages.