Homestyle Baking: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies with Walnuts

How many of you still have apples hanging around your abode?  Well, if you're like me, you still may have some stragglers.  Even after a couple batches of homemade canned applesauce and some baked apple crisp, I still have some leftover apples that I am determined not to waste.  These particular apples are the same ones I picked in late September with my mom and sister, so I've got a very limited window of time to use them off before they start heading West.  The past couple of years I've bakes them in pies, muffins, crisp, and into applesauce; so putting them into cookie form was still a comforting twist on a lingering autumn flavor. 

I adapted the recipe from Serious Eats: Apple Cinnamon Cookies, using half the batter to bake some cookies one night then baked the rest the next day; with the batter resting the in the fridge overnight.  I also found out I didn't have precisely all the needed ingredients, so had to improvise a smidge with what I had on hand. (I really didn't want to make a trip to the supermarket.)

Ingredients:

1 c. flour
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. olive oil (optional)
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter (melted)
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. applesauce*
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
4-5 small-medium sized apples (peeled, cored, chopped into small chunks)

Directions: 

Mix together rolled oats, salt, cinnamon, flour, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.  Using a large mixing bowl as your main bowl, mix butter, both sugars, egg, vanilla, and applesauce.  Add the dry ingredients from your medium bowl to your large.  Add remaining apple chunks and walnuts.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rest in fridge for at least an hour (or overnight).  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.  Scoop dough about 1-1/2 inches in size and leave about 1 inch space between each cookie (they won't spread much).  Bake for 15-20 minutes and set on wire rack to cool.

These are great to have midway through the day with the chunks of apple and cinnamon oatmeal.  Also pairs well with any leftover apple cider you may have still left in the fridge too.  


*I chose to use homemade spiced applesauce that I canned in September, because it was on hand and already opened in the refrigerator.  Even though the original recipe calls unsweetened applesauce, I thought mine came out fine with sweetened.

Gallery of Mo: First Mo'trait Request

Mo'trait #1
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper.
2013

I wanted to share my first finished Mo'triat request from the Gallery of Mo.  This particular portrait will soon be shipping out acorss the pond to the United Kingdom to a sweet contributor, Keshia.  I've got one more portrait on deck of my good friend's father and three more opportunities to create portraits with mustaches for the Gallery of Mo project all during the month of November.  

Would you like an awesome portrait of yourself with a mustache drawn by me?  Or by another fabulous artist?  Sign up and contribute to the Gallery of Mo today!

Spread the word, spread the awareness, and spread the art!

Homestyle Cooking: Acorn Squash Soup with Bacon and Kale

I've mentioned a little through some posts how much I enjoy cooking and consuming squash during the autumn.  This love has definitely been cultivated over the last recent years and only just started when I started around college.  I find squash more enjoyable if it's in a soup, or baked in a quiche with other root vegetables.  Honestly, I could have fresh butternut squash soup at least five times every autumn and be happy as can be.  It's pureed and oh-so comforting sipped from a large mug!

Though I do love my butternut squash and a spaghetti squash or two, today's focus is on the little acorn squash and roasting it into a soup.  I had bought one acorn squash at a local farmer's stand in hopes of cooking it in a different method that strayed from simply putting brown sugar on it and baking.  I will acorn squash this way, but I personally like my squash my herby and savory tasting.  This recipe was adapted from Williams-Sonoma's book, Soup of the Day: 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year.  I also tend to improvise on spices, preference, or what I have on hand already in the fridge or cupboard.

Ingredients: 

1 acorn squash (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
4 Tbsp. olive oil
4-5 thick-cut slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 onion
4 cloves garlic* (minced)
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch of ground clove
a good sprinkle of seasoned salt or pinch of salt
1 bunch kale (stems removed, rinse and chop leaves)
6 cups chicken stock
1 can white beans (great northern or cannelini) 

optional soup toppings:
french-fried onion pieces
grated parmesan cheese
sour cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.  Prepare the acorn squash by washing and peeling it.  Slice squash in half and scoop out seeds.  Place in bowl and set aside to roast seeds later.  Cut up squash in chunks the size of your choice.  I cut mine on the smaller side to about 1/2" cubes, but if you're a big acorn squash lover you can choose to cut larger chunks too.

Place cubed squash in a large mixing bowl.  Toss squash with 2 Tbsp. olive oil, a good sprinkle of seasoned salt (or a pinch of regular salt) and a little pepper.  Transfer squash to baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes, or until you can easily stick a fork through a squash chunk.  

Cook bacon in a medium sized pan over medium heat until crispy.  Transfer to a plate with a couple folded paper towels on top to soak up bacon grease.  Dab excess grease off the top of bacon with a paper fowel.  Let bacon sit until cool and crumble with hands into a small bowl.  Add the onion to a large soup pot and cook with 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil for about 5 minutes on medium-low heat.  Add minced garlic once onions start softening down in the pot and stir frequently.  Cook for a little while longer, until garlic and onions become aromatic, but before they start browning.  

Add remaining spices as well as squash to the pot.  Next add the kale, chicken broth, and bacon to pot and cook on low for 30 minutes.  I tend to let my soup cook on lower temperatures for a longer amount of time to let them simmer and enrich itself with the flavors in the pot.  Plus it adds a great aroma to the apartment that you can smell going up the steps to the front door.  Also, the squash could be substituted with a butternut, small pumpkin, or other hearty root vegetable if you're using up what you have around your kitchen.  This comforting autumn soup also pairs well with grilled cheese for a weeknight dinner for two.  


**Once again, garlic lover here!  If you do not share the same sentiments towards this aromatic friend, please feel free to cut down on the amount used.  I also add a little more than recipes ask for to add more flavor to a recipe, and to help with staying healthy (espeically when customers are starting to come in under-the-weather).    

Volunteering Artwork: The Gallery of Mo

"My Favorite Scarf (self portrait)"
Self portrait with mustache created for The Gallery of Mo
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper.
2013

I signed up to be an artist to help create some portraits of people with mustaches on them as a part of the Gallery of Mo for the month of November.  What is the Gallery of Mo and what's up with mustaches and November all of a sudden?  November has become dedicate to mustaches and raising awareness and funding for prostate and testicular cancer. Movember supports programs focuses on awareness and education of men's health as well as living with or beyond cancer or mental illness.  Thus re-creating November into "Movember."  

Would you like a self portrait from an awesome artist with a mustache on it?

Here's how you can one and participate in this fundraiser:

1. Visit www.galleryofmo.com

2. Select an artist who is participating based on their created self-portrait...with mustache (like mine above)

3. Upload a photo of yourself that you would like made into a artistic creation…with a mustache

4. Donate however much that artist is asking to commission a portrait for the fundraiser (some artists ask for different prices based on how they create their portriats, how much time it takes them, how much they would like to help donate to the fundraiser, and things like materials;etc.)



I plan on mailing the original illustration of requested mo'triats that come my way, if it's requested.  I'm also excited to share that I have had two mo'trait requests with one in the works and the other completed, scanned, and shared with the recipient.  This project has been pretty fun and very rewarding…and we're only about the first week into the month of November.  

I have to say, reading the feedback from the first mo'triat request I received from the United Kingdom was truly uplifting!  Even though at times I felt a little like I was creating  a caricature (maybe because of the mustache?), it was still a great experience to create a piece and have such positive feedback.  I've got one in the works, of one of my good friend's fathers, and three more empty slots to create some more mo'traits!   

Also, if you'd rather have another artist create your mo'triat in a different style, there are a myriad of others willing to create one for you.  You've got until November 30th, 2013 to request a self portrait with a mustache, a mo'trait!  Get on it!

New Illustration: Wise Picea (pines)

"Wise Picea (pines)" 2013
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper

Yes, this illustration is a little different from what I normally create.  It was originally created to submit for a local call for art at the Gallery at the Syracuse Tech Garden.  Unfortunately, this piece did not make the cut.  However, that doesn't mean I won't try and submit it to future calls for art and/or try and get it exhibited in another gallery setting.  "Trees: Symbols of Powerful Experiences," will be exhibiting November 14-December 31st 2013 with the opening reception on November 21st 2013 @ 5-8pm.  The Gallery will be open Monday-Friday 9-4pm.  
 
I'm still an emerging artist and there's still plenty of room for growth, acceptance, rejection, and new opportunities.  I try and apply my work, or create new work for a many opportunities as I can physically can in between working my retail job and living my life (like cooking good food, reading, running, shopping;etc.)  I strive to continue to create my work and continue to apply to exhibitions to simply get my work recognized.  I am determined to be a successful artist with my illustrations and my re-purposed sculptural/installation work.

What can I say?  It's a rollercoatser, like most of life is.  Sometimes I feel on top of the world and so joyful and proud of my work.  Other times I feel frustrated, defeated, and disappointed; however that doesn't stop my momentum.  I cannot say enough how I love simply just making things with my hands; creating new art and cooking good food.  

Now, back to the illustration.  I've been wanting to create an illustration that essentially pays homage to both my deceased grandfathers, who both cultivated enriching experiences within the Adirondacks.  I wanted to create an illustration that would remind me of the times spent in the woods with each grandfather and my family, and something my family would aesthetically appreciate in their home.  

Donald, my maternal grandfather, was a New York State Conservation forest ranger for over half his life.  He would even check fire towers on various trails in the Adirondacks in the earlier experiences of his career.  Mario, my paternal grandfather, was an avid fisherman and camper and influenced a lot of my own camping experiences still I was an infant.  I associate both my grandfathers with the love and appreciation I have with this great forest that was practically in my backyard growing up in Gloversville, New York. ( I was literally less than 10 minutes away from the blue line of the park.)  I have represented both of them with their first initial on each side of the piece.

The illustration also depicts the view from the top of Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, New York; specifically depicting Lake Placid in the background.  I have specifically revisited this location with my family many a time; literally driving up the mountain road (it was paved in the 1940s) in one of our Chevrolet station wagons. (I'm proud to say we've been a station wagon family for generations).  The area is magnificently beautiful and is great for camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking.  I have so much love for that protected woodland and the memories and experiences I have within the Adirondacks.    

Halloween 2013

This year for Halloween I was determined to do something, even if it was small, after work to celebrate the holiday.  No one I knew was hosting any sort of Halloween party and some of our friends weren't even going to be home, which led to the decision of hosting my own small party with Gregory in our quaint apartment.

I celebrated Halloween dressing up a child and going trick-or-treating for candy until about adolescence.  The toilet papering and shaving creaming friends (who would return the favor to you) came next, as well as dressing up for Halloween parties.  More dressing up, then drinking was introduced.  My current young-adult years have been consisting of working on the holiday and scrambling to do something to appreciate the one day where playing dress-up is socially accepted.  A lot of the girls I would dress up with and plan these things have moved elsewhere and life has just become a little more hectic with bills and living expenses. 

The first photo shown above is the Halloween inspired backdrop I created with a roll of brown craft paper and paint.  I figured it was cheaper than buying something premade and I was really proud of it when it was finished.  Next are Jeff, Greg's brother-in-law, as an awesome homemade pirate and his sister, Lara, as a spirit in a creepy mask.  Greg is slicing up hot meatloaf as Dave Mustane, and I'm a DIY Velma from Scooby-Doo (yes, my hair is getting quite long).

The party was a little splash of fun amongst the mundane, even if it was a little low-key party of four that night.  We served homemade warm spinach dip with baguette slices and tortilla chips, a cheese platter consisting of: Dubliner, goat, and Swiss cheese, crackers, Mediterranean olive spread, homemade meatloaf (Greg made this spontaneously the day of and I think this has become a new Halloween tradition), as well as some store bought Halloween candy.  Greg's sister Lara and brother-in-law Jeff (pictured above) brought homemade stuffed mushrooms, oatmeal cookies, and sliced apples with pumpkin dip.  We also made up some mulled cider, a pitcher of El Diablo (from thekitchn.com), and served some beer.

I'm really content with how the night went and everyone's costumes.  It was a quaint night of yummy hors d'oeuvres and good company in costume.  We listened to Pandora on the "David Bowie" station over John Carpenter's: Halloween II and III.  I hope your Halloween night went just as well, whether it was shared with others or in the comfort of your own dwelling.

Where did October go?

Photo taken using A Beautiful Mess' iPhone app (using Greg's phone)

October flew right by!  Thankfully I can say I enjoyed it from start to finish.  As you can see I hardly blogged on here at all during last month and wanted to share a little of what kept me busy.  

Greg and I went camping with my mom and dad in the Adirondacks.  I made homemade butternut squash soup twice and roasted the seeds.  I went to a cool exhibition as a part of Project-U Arts in Utica, New York.  Donated my small illustration, "Soup Loving Mouse" to a local non-profit gallery, ArtRage: The Norton Putter Gallery, for a cheap art auction.  Created a new illustration for a call for art, applied (and declined) from a local exhibition. Baked up some apple crisp and had a little Halloween party.  Whew!

How was your October?  Did you make the most of the mid-autumn?  I hope you're doing a lof cooking/baking of tasty and comforting autumn dishes as well!  Squashes are still in season!

I've signed up for the Gallery of Mo creating mo'traits (self portraits with mustaches) to help raise funds to fight prostate cancer.  Click here to visit my profile.  That will most likely be occupying my drawing, as well as some good late-autumn cooking.  I still have two butternut squash, an acorn squash, and some pumpkins to cook up!

Homestyle Cooking: Fresh Butternut Squash Soup

I love the autumn in central/upstate New York.  I love making and eating soup.  I love buying produce from local farms and farmer's markets (when I am able to).  With all this love around, a homemade squash soup was bound to manifest sometime or other.  

A couple days ago I made a batch of homemade butternut squash soup from a butternut squash purchased at Bellinger's Orchard, local/regional farm (close to my hometown) in Fultonville, New York.  My mom, sister, and I try to make it a tradition to go apple picking once a year at this orchard, despite the fact we all live in different parts of New York State at the moment with college and work.  It's a pretty large orchard with a pick-your-own-apples (whatever the variety) and a pumpkin patch.  `

It's very much in the middle of country fields and farms, but it has grown quite dear to our hearts.  They also have a small general store in one of their barns when they make fresh apple cider doughnuts, sell jams, jellies, honey, produce, and other yummy foodie things like maple syrup and local cheeses.  Each year I go with my family, I bring back an armful of various squashes to bring back to Syracuse to cook up in the fall and winter.  I thoroughly enjoy a hot bowl of squash soup every autumn and look forward to it with late summer.   

The recipe for this soup comes from Williams-Sonoma's book, Soup of the Day: 365 Recipes for Ever Day of the Year.  Yes, I really love soup so much that I asked for this book last Christmas.  Whether you're as much of a soup fanatic as I am or not, this book is really great for choosing soups with vegetables and ingredients that are in season; which is a great plus.  

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash (peeled and diced in medium-sized cubes)
3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion (chopped)
4 cloves of garlic* (minced)
4 cups vegetable of chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon dried (or fresh) thyme
about 4 fresh sage leaves (chopped)
salt and pepper for taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with either waxed or parchment paper.  Toss cubed squash in a large bowl with extra virgin olive oil and a little salt and pepper.  Place on lined baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes (or until you can easily stick a fork through the squash).

Melt unsalted buter in a large pot and add the onion.  Let the onion cook for a couple minutes, and then add the garlic.  Saute until the onion is translucent, but before garlic browns.  Add the roasted squash and broth of choice in large pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.

Remove the soup from heat to allow it to rest for a couple of minutes.  Puree the soup (in batches) with an electric blender or purree soup in pot with a hand-held immersion blender.  (Personally I love my immersion blender for soups like this-it make things so much easier!!)

Now your soup is ready for a fresh lunch or supper!  Feel free to add a little half-half or milk into your bowl or even add some toppings to your homemade soup like French-fried onion pieces, croutons, or parmesan cheese.  I feel like a little crumbled goat or feta cheese would also pair nicely.

Enjoy!

**Note: I really love garlic and will add more than specified in recipes.  If you don't feel the same way concerning this aromatic friend, please feel free to cut down the amount you use in your soup. 

Mural Painting

             

                                     

                    

 

[detail of] Untitled mural (pink hair) 2013.
Acrylic and latex paint on plywood. 4 x 8'

I've had a busy stretch of days starting on Friday September 13th 2013 (my last blog post) involving a lot of driving with my car (and it's loud exhaust) as well as the death of a close and dear family member.  I've been home to be with family for a good chunk of days and have otherwise been entangled in life's responsibilities.  My busyness will continue to keep up the consistency until the weekend with an early trip back to Buffalo, New York to pick up "La Petite Gateau" from 464 Gallery, a 4-hour managers meeting at work, and a long closing shift,  but I'll make it through it.  Luckily, I'll be able to enjoy  a small holiday to Delaware with Gregory, his sister, and brother-in-law to a brewery tour and then stress over the 10K run I signed up for.  Eeek!

The photographs above were taken at the I <3 Utica Music and Arts Fest/Greensfest on Saturday September 14th 2013.  Overall, it was fantastic day of creating art publicly (a very new thing for me), talking with other artists, meeting new people, and being a part of community festival.  I painted alongside another amazing artist in the art collective, Project U Arts, for about 7 straight hours (with the exception to use the indoor plumbing, get water, wash brushes, or clean paint off of myself).  It was truly a great experience.  

I was stressing over what to paint for a couple days, because of the large size of plywood I would be painting on.  The content wasn't anything new...I do love drawing ladies with detailed coiffures, but the scale certainly was!  Between you and me, I really sort of just went with things and simply just started painting.  If I had more time to dedicate to the mural, or the space to house it, I would have enjoyed adding layer and layers of more detail.  Also, though the photos may not depict it, the plywood was not all smooth to paint over which added more time to it all.

Unfortunately the murals were only up during the time of the festival at Mohawk Valley Community College from about 10-6pm.  They are currently nestled safely in storage at an artist residency called Sculpture Space  also in Utica, New York for the time being.  I've also donated my mural to a skatepark in Canastota, New York, because of it's size.  Maybe my mural will inspire a skater or bmx girl.  I thoroughly enjoyed the community experience of all while doing something I absolutely enjoy doing; creating art.  I'm very pleased with my completed mural and look forward to being able to work and paint at that scale again.  

Limits

Today I loaded up my car with my three selected framed illustrations ("Tangerine Dream", " "keeper.", and Untitled (Muse)) to drop off for the small pop-up show @ Hotel Utica as a part of Project-U Arts, Greg's GPS (because last time I drove there I got lost twice and had to ask for directions), and a road sandwich (to eat after my shift and on the drive to Utica, NY).  I went to work at my part-time (very nearly full-time) retail job, unloaded the second merchandise shipment of the week (yes, I physically unload stock for the company I work for as well as manage my staff and help make sales).  Scrambled to "package" my frames a little better by creating make-shift bubble wrap pouches and then headed on the the thruway to deliver my work and help with any needed maintenance and assistance for tomorrow's mural paintings @ MVCC for the I <3 Utica Music & Arts Fest/Greensfest.  

I managed to drop off my bubble wrapped protected work successfully, but without remembering to include some business cards with it, and hopped back on the road to head to MVCC.  I found the actual campus of Mohawk Valley Community College fine, however trying to find where other members of Project-U Arts would be on campus was a different story.  I ended up circling the whole campus twice, looking around for any signs of a group with large pieces of plywood, all while my car is attracting the attention of any surrounding students with its loud exhaust.

Finally I decided to park my car and just walk around the campus until I could locate an information building or someone to ask for directions.  Thankfully I noticed large tents and also large pieces of plywood in the middle of campus and new I was on the right path.  Now, the campus center (or "quad" as we referred to it @ Cazenovia College) was not visible from any parking lot or road on campus that I was aimlessly driving around.    In the end I found the people I was looking for and they were all set with help in both areas.  I had 4 hours until the start of the exhibition tonight and no formal clothes with me, and no knowledge of Utica whatsoever.  I decided to drive back to Syracuse and make the drive back again to Utica tonight to show my support for the art collective, meet new faces, and familiarize myself with other artists at the exhibition.  

At this point while I'm driving on the thruway, barely going above 65 (max 70mph) out of sheer noise volume of my exhaust, I contemplated the following:

"Should I really go to this exhibition tonight or should I stay home?"
"Will my car make it to Utica and back tonight and tomorrow?"

"Will my exhaust fall off?"

"How much longer can I drive before I HAVE to get it fixed?"

"Will my car be able to all this silly driving to Utica and Syracuse, then to Buffalo and back next week?"

"Can I afford to ultimately fix this?"

I am going to need to get my exhaust repaired in my car very soon....like in a couple weeks soon.  It's the loudest I've ever heard it and as my Mercury Grand Marquis came to me being already used, I really have no clue how old the exhaust actually is.  After all my inner turmoil I decided it was best to not go to the exhibition tonight and save the driving for tomorrow's festivites and mural painting.  I've been working hard and badgering friends and co-workers for free old house paint to complete this mural project tomorrow, and I really can't say "no" to that.  

With that said, I need to go work on sketches for a design to paint on a giant 4 x 8' piece of plywood set upright for the I <3 Utica Music & Arts Festival/Greensfest.  This in itself is a brand new adventure and a brand new medium and challenge I've put myself up against.  Sometimes I put too much of a workload on myself and sometimes I think I don't do enough.  I'm 25 years old and I'm still trying to find my own limitations as a person through all my endeavors, passions, and good intentions.

-Caroline

To sell or not to sell?

This week I've been blessed artistically with opportunities of both exhibition of my work as well the potential sale of work.  I have one illustration that I just drove west to Buffalo to be included in a short exhibition at the quaint 464 Gallery.  Moments ago I was just mulling over what other illustrations to select for a pop-up exhibition in the lobby of the Hotel Utica in Utica, New York as part of Project U (this neat art collective I recently joined based out of, yes, Utica...lol).  

Once decided, I hopped on my computer to look over the information, as well as any new information added to the online group, and started feeling that lump in my throat when the word "sale" appears.  I've kind of sold some artwork in the past, which includes: a handful of recycled brown coffee cozies with little illustrations on them; and two illustrative painting (acrylic with marker added for detail) donated to a silent art auction and then bought by a very good friend and photographer, Shanna B.  In reality, I haven't sold a framed illustration "officially" as of yet.

Honestly, the thought of losing a piece scares me a little.  Ultimately I want to have prints made of all my pieces, so that I can at least have a physical copy of the original.  I want to be able to exhibit prints to sell without the worry of the heavy sense of loss.  I haven't found the right printing shop yet, or the right amount funds to set aside and do so, but it is on the horizon.  

It all may sound silly, I being the ring-leader, but until I can have prints successfully made, I feel I'll be attached to the originals I show.  I just feel that I work so hard to think of and physically create a piece that when I actually do sell it, it will be well worth my hard work and effort...hopefully.  Maybe I'm holding myself back or maybe I'm doing what I need to do for the moment....or until I figure things out.

-Caroline

The long drive to Buffalo

"La Petite Gateau" 2010-2013.
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 14 x 17"

Yesterday I made the 2 1/2 hour drive (one way that is) to Buffalo, New York with this illustration framed and wrapped next to me on the passenger seat.  I dropped it off yesterday afternoon at 464 Gallery for the 2nd Annual Vision Art Awards (same competition as Online People's Choice Awards. Basically anyone can vote online for your work or anyone else's anonymously and then the votes are tallied and voted again by a couple curators or art professors (most likely volunteering) for the actual show.

Out of the three illustrations I posted about last, this one seemed to be the best-liked by the judges at 464 Gallery (although the Grecian-looking girl holding absinthe had the most "likes" via Facebook) and won "Honorable Mention" for the show.  Though I am a little disappointed that my illustrations didn't win a solo-exhibition in this small gallery, I am very grateful for the chance to have my work in the show and be recognized none the less. It's another show to put on my resume and it's a new city that will get to see a sample of work!  Win-win!

It was a little scramble to get this illustration in a proper frame and have everything be perfect.  I ended up taking the actual illustration in and out of the frame at least five times, because every time I'd put it in, set things evenly, close the backings on the frame and turn it over there'd be some sort of fuzzy, speck of dust, or something trapped between the inside of the glass and the illustration itself!  

The last exhibition I applied to, Greg and I were in the backseat of my Mercury Grand Marquis busily trying to put the selected illustration and matting in the frame before dropping off the piece to the designated gallery.  There's always some sort of frantics and frustration trying to put everything together as fast as you can, to drive to piece over to the gallery all before the deadline.  Oi!  I know I'll laugh about all these stories down the road at least!!

I've got a bust weeked ahead of me and a lot of artistic opportunities coming my way!  I'll try and keep this blog posted with more of what has been going on.  Cheers!

I need your help & votes!

I recently was accepted to a call for art at 464 Gallery in Buffalo, New York, United States.  464 Gallery's Online People's Choice Awards is an online competition through Facebook where the work of accepted artists is anonomously grouped in a gallery and subject to viewers "likes."  The artist who's work receives the most Facebook "likes" wins a free 2-week solo exhibition at 464 Gallery in Buffalo along with some other neat things.  

I really want to win the free 2-week solo exhibition!!

I've submited three different illustrations (shown above) and am now at the mercy of whomever votes and "likes" my work.  I'm asking all of you who look, scroll, read, follow, or just randomly browse my blog to "like" my work in this competition.  
Voting runs from August 23rd-September 6th @ midnight.

I need all the artsy support I can get!!

How to vote/"like" on Facebook:

1. Log on to www.facebook.com

2. search for 464 Gallery (Buffalo, NY)

3. hit "like" on the 464 Gallery page

4. scroll down to the photo gallery labeled,"Vision Art Awards 2013"

5. hit "like" on my illustrations (the ones shown above)

Thank you for helping to support both myself and my art!  I am truly hoping for a great positive experience through this competition and have strong confidence in my art.

I genuinely appreciate the support!

New Illustration: Melt

"Melt." 2013
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 5 x 7"

Started this about a week ago, but once again coloring the piece halted my progress for a bit.  I'll honestly say I can be slow when it comes to coloring an illustration trying to carefully choose each color and making sure it compliments the next. 

Each individual illustration I create is hand-drawn and hand-colored.  Hence, making the decision of what colors to use and the physical application of a color very important.  Whatever mistakes or accidental marks I make, espeically if it's near completion, are permanent.  When it does happen I have to adapt that mark into the piece or try and mask it to the best of my ability.  Sometimes it isn't too bad while other times it can throw a wrench into everthing.  These smaller illustrations I've been creating lately have just been for fun making them almost stress-free and silly.  

I love the combination of black raspberry ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles in a cone (my favorite being a big waffle cone).  It's delicious, iconic, and a delightful memory of getting ice-cream throughout my childhood.  I can still remember the first time my elementary school friend Desiree's mother introduced this combination while getting ice-cream at the local Stewart's (a gas station convenient store with an awesome ice-cream shop inside).  I've been loving it ever since.  

New Illustration: Soup Loving Mouse

"Soup Loving Mouse." 2013.
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 5 x 7"

Fresh from its completion is a new postcard-sized illustration! 

 I started this couple days ago while watching some favorite family films of mine.  Yes, I love watching children/family films especially if they're animated well.  And yes, I am guilty of watching them over and over (or as background when I'm drawing).  This little guy was specifically inspired by Pixar's Ratatouille.

Ratatouille is one of my favorite Pixar movies from it's content (cooking), to it's animation style, voice actors, and ultimate feel of the film.  It gives me a warm cozy feeling watching it.  The first dish Remi, the rat, helps with in the Parisian restaurant is a soup (specific kind unknown to the audience).  I, too, have quite the fondness for the comfort that both making and easting soup entails...so I created this little piece.  
Who doesn't get all warm inside with anticipation of a hot mug of homemade soup? 

New Illustration: Eye Flowers

"Eye Flowers." 2013.
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 5 x 7"

I'm still working on the last major illustration, "Frisco," and the last I've updated on this blog.  The inking is almost finished, though I've been taking my sweet time to add color to it.  As silly as it may sound, sometimes it's intimidating to add color to a piece, at least for me.  Most of the time if you start adding a specific color to an area of the piece - you're stuck with it.  There are exceptions where I can add a darker color over a lighter one changing the feel of an illustration.  I was able to do that with "La Petite Gateau," between the original to the completed, layering deco blue over the original mint/tea green in the background. 

I drew and colored the piece above, "Eye Flowers," as an attempt to create a quick piece with the same passion and detail as a larger illustration.  This postcard sized illustration is a trial to see how I like creating smaller works.  My goal is create more spontaneous works like this that don't take days to complete (I am a slow, detailed orientated artist when it comes to inking/coloring).  

Like a good amount of my work, this was spontaneous and fanciful! 
 

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Someday in the future I will have prints to sell of my work (my goal is by the end of 2013).  I really, really want to sell my prints online (when I have prints made).  More importantly, I want to share my work with friends and those around me who support and motivate my work.  

I've started to look around locally for pricing, and most important test samples of my work printed.  I know it's going to be harder than I realize to find the perfect print + paper that best mimics the colors and mediums I use. 

Homestyle cooking: Broccoli and feta pasta salad with olives

Summer is the time for salads!  I feel as though I could live on just soup, sandwiches (including paninis), and salads (including various pasta/vegetable/greens) and be content.  Light, fresh, and creatively using vegetables....love all around.

I made this dish Saturday evening to share during a quaint summer get-together with a former co-worker friend and her husband.  It paired nicely with our grilled turkey burgers topped with cheese, fresh tomato, and fresh avocado.  This salad was also mighty delicious the morning after when the oils have soaked in a little more as well.  What can I say, I love leftovers the next day.

Cooking has so much creative freedom and exploration to it, that I love.  Plus, I find it rewarding to eat what you've worked for in the kitchen.  This broccoli and feta pasta salad recipe is slightly adapted from one of my favorite food sites, thekitchn.com and can be specifically located here.  

Broccoli and Feta Pasta Salad

(slightly adapted from thekitchn.com)

1 lb. tri-color pasta

1 medium head of broccoli (broken up into small-medium florets)

1 cup pitted kalamata olives (sliced relatively thin)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

5-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

8 oz. crumbled feta cheese

1/4 teaspoon dill

salt + pepper to taste 

Slice and rinse fresh broccoli.  Heat a large pot of water to boiling.  Cook pasta according to directions on pasta box. Drain and return to large bowl and toss with olive oil until coated.  If you have a pot for steaming broccoli, fill medium pot covering the bottom with 1-2 inches of water.  Place broccoli in top steaming pot over the boiling water and cover.  Check the broccoli periodically with a fork every 2-3 minutes for doneness.  When the fork pierces the broccoli easily, but not mushy, drain broccoli and mix with pasta.  

If you don't have a steamer, simply sautee the broccoli in a little olive oil in a pan on low-medium until done.  Slice up kalamata olives and mix with broccoli salad mixture.  Add the rest of ingredients and mix.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Let it sit in refrigerator for an hour or two to cool or overnight.  Last, but not least taste your summer creation and relax!  

[Still] In Progress: Illustration (Frisco)

"Frisco" (still in progress). Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 
11 x 14"

Another in-progress shot of the illustration I've been working on most recently.  I've been adding a little more work here and there and then leaving it to rest for a day or two.  Weird cycle, I know, but we're all a little odd here.  I was actually quite antsy to start coloring it and have just begin adding layers of markers to blend her skin tone.  

I thoroughly enjoy experimenting with layering various colors of the Prismacolor markers as well as creating small color samples to see what colors I wish to use and mix.  Markers aren't just for children in my mind and I have no qualm that they've become my favorite medium.  I'm not quite sure what I'll do for the background just yet.  For some reason, I keep thinking of putting strawberries; like a wallpaper.  Maybe I just have berry picking on the brain.   

Old art found

Untitled (long hair). 2011. 4 x 6"

Yesterday, I went through a wooden crate of filled with sketchbooks dating between 2006-2012 for some inspiration and insight.  I was shocked to find so many old drawings and finished illustrations still attached to the original sketchbook they were created in.  I recognized most and have them scanned and saved on my computer, but had forgotten where I had physically left them last.  Then, there were some I had honestly forgotten I had drawn or half-started.  All in all, it was an uplifting experience to be inspired by one's own past work and become reacquainted with it again. 

These newly discovered drawings (some half-finished) have since been scanned and added to my website.  Above is a peek of what has been newly added to Driptique.  

Check out the latest additions!

In Progress: Illustration (Frisco)

"Frisco" (in progress). Pencil and pigment liner on paper at the moment. 
11 x 14"

The photo above is an in-progress snippet of the latest illustration that I've been working on.  I wasn't sure how I felt at first, and felt she was a little dull in content; i.e. not having drips, fruit, or confectionery delights on her head.  However, this afternoon's progress held my interest, and reaffirmed my faith in the direction of the piece, when I started inking her locks of hair and adding detail.  

I've set the illustration on the coffee table, in the living room I share with Greg, to look at the progress thus far and let it settle.  I couldn't help but think of the song "San Fransisco" by Scott McKenzie while looking it over. "...For those who come to San Fransisco/

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..."  I do enjoy the flowers, though they were sort of a last ditch effort to put "something in her hair" once I started inking the strands.  It still has a long way to go and holds much room for potential.  
Keep you posted!

Sketchbook look: Girl with black earring

Untitled (girl with black earring). 2013.
Pigment liner on paper. 6 x 8"

 This is a scanned doodle from my 6 x 8" sketchbook that I finished a little bit ago.  No real direction, but I did try and style the eyes a little differently.  Maybe a bit more realistic (as far as illustration goes...)?  It's the first of July and the first of a new month.  Cheers to a month commencing with new found motivation, new goals, and a more creativity! 

New Illustration: La Petite Gateau

"La Petite Gateau" 2010-2013.
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 14 x 17"

I am SO EXCITED that I finished this piece after work a couple of hours ago.  Over the course of five days, I transformed the illustration in the post below; coloring over the original background color, inking lines over again as well as creating new ones for more detail.  

The background is a layer of avocado green with a layer of deco blue (my favorite).  I'm not the greatest in photographing my work (I need one of my college photo-friends to re-shoot my portfolio), but I try my best at digitally documenting my work with the tools I have.

I'm personally really pleased with the progress I was able to make to the illustration, which has now been updated to my website, Driptique..  I'm really trying to ride this creative wave and maintain positive energy with what I've been making in the remaining part of June.  Sometimes my creativity, is an arid well of inactivity and frustration fueled by self-criticism, personal expectations, and the tolls of working in retail, and sometimes it's a consistent stream of inspiration, focus, good energy, and good work.  I'm beginning to make the most out of my summer artistically.