Supper Time

 Asparagus and strawberries are in season right now in Michigan and I was very pleased to find locally grown, organic produce at the farmer's market.  They seemed like the perfect accompaniment to the fresh tuna steaks I picked up.


I marinated the tuna for a short time in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon juice.... 

while I roasted the asparagus in a drizzle of olive oil.

After roasting, I added a shaving of fresh Parmesan...

tossed fresh greens with the strawberries, a sprinkling of pine nuts, a little pomegranate vinaigrette...

and don't forget the fresh country bread.

Yum!

my first solo show!

For some reason, the recent announcement I posted regarding my upcoming show at the Artcapsule Gallery has mysteriously disappeared from the blogosphere.  The artist reception will be held on July 8th and the show will run through July 26th.  This is my first solo show and I am very excited.  I have been working on new images at a feverish pace and hope to have many new pieces to show.  There will also be prints available.  


Recently I have been experimenting with unusual ways of including pressed images into my pieces.  In the above piece, I used flocked wallpaper to create the background on the canvas.  I am pleased with the results.  A closer look...

I am also finding time to feed my spirit by enjoying the beautiful weather here in Michigan.  The abundant spring rain has worked its magic on my gardens and produced a glorious display of colorful blooms.

 My old fashioned peony pilfered from my brother's old farmhouse 

many years ago.

A closer look at one of the blooms.

An old fashioned rose bush flanked by a Miss Kim lilac.

The perfumed blooms are intoxicating.   

This clematis is a a relatively new addition.  Only two years old, her feathery blooms are profuse.

Happy Anniversary!

I have to take a moment to wish Arturo a Happy Anniversary.  We headed north to Petoskey for a romantic weekend.  Our stay at Stafford's Bay View Inn was memorable.  It is a lovely place and the staff is very, very accommodating.   

and of course, the view...

The inn was built in 1886 and is very well maintained.  It retains it's quaint Victorian atmosphere.  Below is an image from the early 1900's.

On our return ride home, we ventured to one of my spots to treasure hunt - Bay City.  The waterfront is home to several antique stores, including one antique superstore.  Here's what I picked up...

I picked up this little book out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised when I leafed through the pages.

The front page told me I was on the right track.  I choose items pre-1925 for my collage in order to prevent copyright issues.  Continuing to flip pages I knew luck was with me.

Someone had been using this small pocket-size book to collect and store four-leaf clovers.  There are almost a dozen, most still in excellent shape.  I have to figure out how to include them in my collages.  It was my lucky day!








I also happened upon this large letter set.  I love using lettering in my images...

This boy may be practicing a Michael Jackson move.

This cat is looking to be included in a Halloween piece.

Saving the best for last - my favorite find(s) - 

These vintage wooden printer blocks will come in handy.  I'm off to the studio to play.  Will share more later this week.  - Laura

Hello again

It has been far too long since I have posted but I have been very, very busy creating new pieces for my upcoming show.  I also have several submissions due in the near future.  I am just taking a moment to show a few new pieces along with several details.  I have been taking many pictures recently and will make an attempt to post several times a week.  

I am finding I love to use texture in my recent pieces.  Dry brushing paint over dimensional paper creates an interesting effect and works to draw the viewer toward the imagery.  My pieces really do resemble photography from afar so drawing people toward the image is important to reveal the Shadowplay of fabric values.

This piece is open to interpretation.  I realize as I create, I carry an undertone regarding human rights.  Some of these pieces, I'm sure, will be unsettling to the viewer as they contrast completely with my upbeat imagery.  My conflicting moods are showing....again.

I utilized many, many, many vintage advertisements to create the bricks underfoot.  The effect is a bit dizzying.  

New Gallery NewsI

 I have been wanting to get to this post for a week but haven't had access to the pics until now.  

I attended an artist's  reception on Sunday, May 1st for a month long show entitled The First and The Last. 

 Last things first.  The Last is in reference to Margot of Margot’s Gallery in downtown Oxford.  This, sadly, is her last show as she has sold her gallery and is planning to spend more time on her artistic endeavors.  She will be missed, but I know that her time spent on art will be fruitful.  She is very talented and I admire her work.  Arturo & I purchased two to hang in our home and will most certainly add to our collection over time.

The First refers to the first show at the gallery for new owner, Rob.  He made a great first impression when he surprised Margot (and everyone else) with a cake  depicting a 3-D copy of one of her masks from the Sweet and Savory Bake Shop  located right next door. Well done.

The new gallery will be called Art Capsule.  This link will take you to Rob's blog where he is chronicling the emergence of his vision.  I am excited to be working with the gallery as it hosts my first individual art show, Shadowplay.   This is my big news and I  have been holed up in my studio creating some new pieces in time for the show.  I will post the details as well as a few peeks at new work along the way.

In the meantime, these pieces are currently on exhibit in the gallery along with numerous other works from talented local artists.  This exhibit runs through the month of May.

Who's naughty?

This piece is nearing it's completion.  I feel she still needs a little tweaking but I have a few ideas up my sleeve.  I do like the quote and feel it fits in nicely with the piece.  


I do have some exciting news to share soon, but I am not at liberty to spill the beans just yet.  

Bee Informed

A recent e-mail reminded me of yet another reason we should all attempt to put more organic foods into our diet.  COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER.  For those who are not familiar with this issue, and I do not believe many people are completely unaware, CCD is a phenomenon in which worker bees  seemingly vanish from hives.  There are many suspects in this mystery but no clear cause is known.  

Possible causes range from pathogens and microbes to pesticides and electromagnetic radiation emitted by cel phones to GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and migratory bee keeping.  While science cannot yet pinpoint the cause, I believe there are ways in which we can help the bee population.

Steps you can take to help keep bees healthy...

1. Buy organic produce at the market.  Overuse of pesticides is likely to be a contributing factor in CCD as these tiny critters are exposed to many toxins.  A vast number of different pesticides were discovered in vacated beehives.  

An added bonus:  Genetically modified crops cannot be labeled as organic.  

2. For the sake of the bees limit your use of pesticides on your property.  If you must use one, try to use the least toxic one you can find and be sure to read the directions.  Don't apply at mid-day when honey bees are most active.  Remember eliminating pesticide use will also help to protect the little people in your life who are often seen running bare-footed through the grass.

3. Plant an organic vegetable garden of your own. Be sure to purchase organic seeds or plants. 

4. Include good nectar sources such as red clover, bee balm and foxglove in your flower garden.

5. Collect or purchase beneficial insects such as lady bugs, green lacewings or praying mantis who naturally prey on destructive insects.  Let the spiders work for you.

If we do nothing and our bees continue to die, we will be the ultimate casualties.  A world without pollinators is a world without food.