I was flipping the pages of my old Real Simple Magazine from May 2007 and found this recipe:
barley risotto with asparagus and Parmesan
5 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups barley
1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
1 pound asparagus, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan
Warm the broth in a small saucepan over low heat. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute or more. Add barley and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook until tender. It should take 30 to 35 minutes for all the broth to be absorbed. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in the Parmesan. Spoon into individual bowls.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Photographer Susanna Corson
Susanna Corson has shown her work all over Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. She is currently in talks with galleries in New York City.
When did you first know that you were going to do something artistic?
Someone gave me a used and outdated (but still highquality) camera - once I saw what I could do with it,I was totally hooked. It developed very organicallyfrom that point.
How did you feel when you sold your first piece of art?
I sold my very first piece to my mom, so I don't know if that counts! When I sold my first piece to a non-related-to-me customer I was kind of shocked. The interaction was very brief, it sort of went: she saw the piece as I was setting up my show, grabbed it,asked how much, and then pulled out her wallet. I was kind of amazed at how quickly she connected to my work. I often say that photographs are the language I use to express emotion, and it was a truly wonderful feeling to be able to connect over something so meaningful to me with a complete stranger.
What makes you stay creative?
I couldn't be any other way. I've done the traditional 9-5 life and it always felt empty, constrictive and meaningless to me. Everything about photography stimulates me, on many different levels. I love the business side of being an artist - trying to come up with creative ways of getting your name out there and being able to pay your bills, I find great satisfaction in the production side of it - creating a finished product with a framed print, and, of course, I adore the creative side of it. I lose myself when I go shooting. I become totally in tune with my environment in a indescribable way. I see things I've never seen before, and find beauty tucked in the most unexpected places. Photography has changed my life.
When did you first know that you were going to do something artistic?
Someone gave me a used and outdated (but still highquality) camera - once I saw what I could do with it,I was totally hooked. It developed very organicallyfrom that point.
How did you feel when you sold your first piece of art?
I sold my very first piece to my mom, so I don't know if that counts! When I sold my first piece to a non-related-to-me customer I was kind of shocked. The interaction was very brief, it sort of went: she saw the piece as I was setting up my show, grabbed it,asked how much, and then pulled out her wallet. I was kind of amazed at how quickly she connected to my work. I often say that photographs are the language I use to express emotion, and it was a truly wonderful feeling to be able to connect over something so meaningful to me with a complete stranger.
What makes you stay creative?
I couldn't be any other way. I've done the traditional 9-5 life and it always felt empty, constrictive and meaningless to me. Everything about photography stimulates me, on many different levels. I love the business side of being an artist - trying to come up with creative ways of getting your name out there and being able to pay your bills, I find great satisfaction in the production side of it - creating a finished product with a framed print, and, of course, I adore the creative side of it. I lose myself when I go shooting. I become totally in tune with my environment in a indescribable way. I see things I've never seen before, and find beauty tucked in the most unexpected places. Photography has changed my life.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Barbara Danin
Barbara Danin is an artist based in the Philadelphia region. Philadelphia is a hotbed of artistic activity. She is an experienced professional who is in various collections. She has an impressive resume. Make sure to visit BarbaraDanin.com
Here is what she had to say about her creativity:
I honestly didn't know I was doing anything artistic but when I was ayoung child I got lots of support from my parents who valued all the craftsand paintings I was creating. I then realized this was refered to as"Art" by others but it was what came naturally to me and was simply what I enjoyed.
I felt great when I sold my first piece of art. It happened in college ata student show and was followed soon after by a gallery discovering my work and wanting to represent me. So all of this was great motivation to continue. I was very fortunate to get this encouragement so early on.
I stay creative since life inspires me and I want to express this on paper. It is also a form of meditation for me and something that nourishesme at a deep level.
Here is what she had to say about her creativity:
I honestly didn't know I was doing anything artistic but when I was ayoung child I got lots of support from my parents who valued all the craftsand paintings I was creating. I then realized this was refered to as"Art" by others but it was what came naturally to me and was simply what I enjoyed.
I felt great when I sold my first piece of art. It happened in college ata student show and was followed soon after by a gallery discovering my work and wanting to represent me. So all of this was great motivation to continue. I was very fortunate to get this encouragement so early on.
I stay creative since life inspires me and I want to express this on paper. It is also a form of meditation for me and something that nourishesme at a deep level.
It is all Natural Historie
Straight out of LA.
When did you know that you were cut out to be artistic ?
My elementary school was a public academy for the visual and performing arts, and every Thursday afternoon my first grade fingers itched for all the delights of the art studio – oil pastels, colorful papers, watercolors and clay. We'd do line drawings, collages, paintings and sculptures, we'd emulate Picasso, or view slides of Van Gogh, and sometimes we'd even go outside and draw plants and flowers – my very first plein air excursions.
How did it make you feel when someone bought something that you made?
Selling my first print was very exciting. For me it marked a significant point in my journey as an artist, and even though I do not plan to make art my livelihood, it is very heartwarming to know that others enjoy my work as much as I do.
What keeps you inspired?
Natural Historie is a fanciful collection reminiscent of the past and of nature, crafted in girlish pastels, delicately designed and prettily packaged. I'm inspired by the natural world, the historical past, antique maps and old photographs.
My Etsy URL: naturalhistorie.etsy.com
My blog URL: afieldjournal.blogspot.com
When did you know that you were cut out to be artistic ?
My elementary school was a public academy for the visual and performing arts, and every Thursday afternoon my first grade fingers itched for all the delights of the art studio – oil pastels, colorful papers, watercolors and clay. We'd do line drawings, collages, paintings and sculptures, we'd emulate Picasso, or view slides of Van Gogh, and sometimes we'd even go outside and draw plants and flowers – my very first plein air excursions.
How did it make you feel when someone bought something that you made?
Selling my first print was very exciting. For me it marked a significant point in my journey as an artist, and even though I do not plan to make art my livelihood, it is very heartwarming to know that others enjoy my work as much as I do.
What keeps you inspired?
Natural Historie is a fanciful collection reminiscent of the past and of nature, crafted in girlish pastels, delicately designed and prettily packaged. I'm inspired by the natural world, the historical past, antique maps and old photographs.
My Etsy URL: naturalhistorie.etsy.com
My blog URL: afieldjournal.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Support Your Local Farmers Market
Scout out the local farmers market and get good produce and locally made goods.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Paper Crafts and SoCalledMommy
Have you ever gotten tired of the racks of greeting cards at the commercial kiosks in chain stores like Target? Try supporting paper crafters who can design works for you.
Read on to see what Stephanie had to say:
When did you know that you were cut out to be artistic?
I'm pretty sure it goes back to a couple of things when I was much
younger. Perhaps it was when I was decorating place cards for all my
friends coming to my 12Th birthday party. Or maybe when I snuck a
cross-stitch project out of my backpack during a movie in 9Th grade
biology. But I love being able to make something with my hands, and
with the scrap booking and albums that I do, my cute kids end up in the
final product too.
How did it make you feel when someone bought something that you made?
I was glad that my husband was at work the afternoon that I made my
first sale, because I seriously did a little dance at the computer. It
was so great to know that someone else also liked something I had made.
One of the hard things about being and artist or crafter, is that you
want so much to find your own unique style, something that's really
you. Yet at the same time, you love to get that validation through
someone else that what you do appeals to them also.
What keeps you inspired?
I've got to do something to start chipping away at my mountains of
scrap booking supplies I have! But really, it's my way to unwind and
spend some time by myself. I love looking for new ideas and
techniques,
and then seeing how I can make them blend in with my style I already
have.
socalledmommy
Read on to see what Stephanie had to say:
When did you know that you were cut out to be artistic?
I'm pretty sure it goes back to a couple of things when I was much
younger. Perhaps it was when I was decorating place cards for all my
friends coming to my 12Th birthday party. Or maybe when I snuck a
cross-stitch project out of my backpack during a movie in 9Th grade
biology. But I love being able to make something with my hands, and
with the scrap booking and albums that I do, my cute kids end up in the
final product too.
How did it make you feel when someone bought something that you made?
I was glad that my husband was at work the afternoon that I made my
first sale, because I seriously did a little dance at the computer. It
was so great to know that someone else also liked something I had made.
One of the hard things about being and artist or crafter, is that you
want so much to find your own unique style, something that's really
you. Yet at the same time, you love to get that validation through
someone else that what you do appeals to them also.
What keeps you inspired?
I've got to do something to start chipping away at my mountains of
scrap booking supplies I have! But really, it's my way to unwind and
spend some time by myself. I love looking for new ideas and
techniques,
and then seeing how I can make them blend in with my style I already
have.
socalledmommy
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Artist Statement
I wrote this statement a few years ago:
About the Artist
I define my work as a series of small paintings, drawings and prints that have graphic design devices such as lines and fields of color paired with an image. My content ranges from botanicals to architectural, figurative and lifestyle subject matter. My materials are canvas, acrylic or oil paints and ink. I have done silk screened pieces that are in the same kind of series. I'm currently working a series of drawings. My inspiration comes from advertising in magazine and newspapers. Color trends are a part of my body of work. Artists and designers that have influenced my process or way of thinking are people such as: Raymond Loewy, Milton Glaser, Elsa Schiaperelli, Dale Chihuly and Tim Burton. The competitive and economically thriving nature of the East Coast near Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE has played a large part in feeding my creativity as well us growing up with a creative family. I now live in Cleveland, OH.
About the Artist
I define my work as a series of small paintings, drawings and prints that have graphic design devices such as lines and fields of color paired with an image. My content ranges from botanicals to architectural, figurative and lifestyle subject matter. My materials are canvas, acrylic or oil paints and ink. I have done silk screened pieces that are in the same kind of series. I'm currently working a series of drawings. My inspiration comes from advertising in magazine and newspapers. Color trends are a part of my body of work. Artists and designers that have influenced my process or way of thinking are people such as: Raymond Loewy, Milton Glaser, Elsa Schiaperelli, Dale Chihuly and Tim Burton. The competitive and economically thriving nature of the East Coast near Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE has played a large part in feeding my creativity as well us growing up with a creative family. I now live in Cleveland, OH.
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