On My Way To The Great North West

Tomorrow my husband and I leave for his home town of Tacoma, Washington.  It's a cute town and on a clear day you can see Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to take some photos, like I did the very first time I went to Tacoma/Seattle with Brad, when we were newly dating...

Despite it being a tourist trap, I LOVE Pike's Place Market in Seattle!  

On Friday we're going to the Puyallup Fair.  And everyone tells me I gotta try the scones.   I hope it's sunny so I can take a picture that will look like this:

                             

Puyallup Fair - Puyallup, WA - 9-25-05 - jimvid's Photos

And maybe I'll even go on the Roller Coaster, (before eating the scones).  So pray for sun so I can snap lots of photos and return with beautiful pictures to post.  

Bagels on The Brain

While I've been painting bagels all day my mind has been jogging down bagel memory lane.  I have a long history with bagels as serving them was my first job ever.  I was gainfully employed at age 16 at the DeWitt Bagelry in my hometown of DeWitt, NY.  The bagels we sold there were FOR REAL, east coast, water boiled bagels with a crisp crust and a soft, chewy inside.  Not bread-y or cake-y at all!  I probably ate 1 or 2 a day back in HS.  Unfortunately the DeWitt Bagelry closed about 10 years ago due to the low carb craze and our enormous and amazing home town grocery store, Wegmans.  Wegmans bagels are not FOR REAL but you can't help but love everything that comes from Wegs if you are from Central New York.

  Wegmans - the place to BE in DeWitt, NY

My second encounter with amazing bagels were the steamed bagel sandwiches at CBA (Chicago Bagel Authority) in Lincoln Park, Chicago.  I frequented this place in college and after college when I lived just north of downtown Chicago.  Nothing cured a hanover like a soft bagel oozing with cream cheese AND regular cheese all melted together.  Yum.  Hmmm, how did I ever stay trim back in the day?  

Most recently I've been sans bagels since I quit the rat race to become an artist.  Back at my old radio sales job at KyXy 96.5, Friday was bagel day.  If you didn't mind germs and torn apart bagel remnants (I didn't) the bagel box was a life saver in the office!  

Is 'Work Of Art: The Next Great Artist' the Next Great Show or Not?

Did you catch the first episode of "Work of Art:  The Next Great Artist," on Bravo?  Since I love art and am shamelessly addicted to reality "contest" shows, I of course tuned in.  My take was that is was the "Project Runway" for aspiring artists.  So far, I like the show for a couple reasons.  One, it showcases visual artists in popular media which up until now has really been lacking.  I think this show could make way for more artists and crafters to have shows on TV similar to all the cooking and fashion design shows.  Two, I love contest shows.  They really get me fired up into dream thinking mode where I think, "UGH, if those people can 'make it' then so can I!".  Sometimes that's all I need to get my butt in gear for painting and other tasks that require more work than laying on the couch.  That's also how I justify watching these shows - they are inspiration!!  Good excuse I know.

So what did you think?  The LA Times HATED it.  But I think those newspaper art critics can be such art snobs.  I say 3 cheers for visual art making prime time TV!    

Here is my favorite artist so far:  Abdi Farah

Paris!

Tomorrow morning I leave for Paris for a week.  I am tagging along with my husband who has a business trip and I feel like the luckiest girl!  I can't wait to explore the neighborhoods, eat French sweets at the cafes, go to Museums and take a ton of photos.  Hopefully I'll have a lot to report on when I get back.  Have a great week!  Au revoir!

Flickr.com by ancama_99(toni)

Food Art: Marzipan Teddy Bears and More

This Sunday I went to my friend Paula's baby shower and was treated to some of the most precious marzipan candies I've ever seen.  They were almost too cute to eat...almost.

These Marzipan treats came all the way from Medellin, Columbia, courtesy of Paula's mom.  The candies were in the shapes of little bears, diaper pins, even pacifiers.  The shortbread cookies all had a little marzipan teddy bear attached.  Since I've only seen such intricate Marzipan in Europe and South America, I decided to do some Wiki research on the origins.

Marzipan, a confection made of Almond Paste and Sugar, is originally believed to be from Persia and was introduced to Europe through trade.  Germany, Italy and Spain all specialize in famous Marzipan desserts.  There is even an EU law under which Marzipan must have a certain percentage of almond oil.  (Serious business!)  Marzipan is also a popular Christmas tradition in South America and other countries.

These treats were a big hit at Paula's party and I can't help thinking that a business specializing in these types of cookies would do really well in California!  If you've seen any bakeries in the US that specialize in Marzipan, let me know!

Dear Weekend

Dear Weekend,
I am ready for you to begin!  Here are some things I love about the weekends:

1.  Sleeping in with my hubby

2.   Starting new books like Cutting For Stone, by Abraham Verghese 

3.  Long runs near the ocean with my Garmin Forerunner GPS watch so I can check my pace.  Love this thing!

4.  Going to movies.  Last weekend was La Mission and this weekend is The Back Up Plan

5.  Eating lunch with Brad at a cute cafe near our house like Claire's on Cedros.  I love their Sweet Potato Fries!  

Photo Sources:  1.  Flickr.com, Gui o Gato,  5.  Sdcitybeat.com

Dear Easter Weekend

This probably sounds shallow and childlike BUT, the thing I love most about Easter weekend is...

Cadbury Creme Eggs!  

source:  flickr, The Truth About's Photostream
What do you love most about Easter weekend?

Hollywood Artists

Sunday night I watched the Oscars and was unexpectedly inspired.  No, it was not inspiration to save money for a Zac Posen dress (I wish).  Nor was it a longing to be a famous actress.  What inspired me in Sunday's awards ceremony were life long artists who've been working hard at challenging careers for a LONG time.  Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Monique, Christoph Waltz.  Their longevity and persistence was a good example of how long it can take to get solid recognition.  I completely respect the work that these actors have done to get this recognition.  Sandra Bullock said something simple and memorable in her acceptance speech, something her mother taught her:  "To be a great artist you have to practice every day".  I think I am finally doing that and it feels like it might lead somewhere if I keep at it. 

Credit:  Jordan Strauss/Wireimage.com

"No pleasure endures unseasoned by variety" - Syrus

I didn't sleep well last night because I was imaging new projects to work on.  Since I quit my job to become an artist I have a new passion and I am now invigorated by my work.  It's amazing!

I don't think I will become an artist who sticks only to one style of painting forever.  There are so many styles and ideas that I want to try.  Here is a new painting that I did yesterday.  I think I'll create another one and leave out the blue and red "glow" around the edge.  And make the background warmer.  Any thoughts?