I DID IT!!!

CRESCENT BEACH HERE I COME! Art at Home was a HUGE success! And I reached my goal...

I sold enough art to pay for a week in my sanctuary....and am well on my way to a month (at off season 

prices...my favorite time of year!). Thank you to all who helped make Art At Home a success...

This is my favorite piece...30x40 heron. Sorry,
it's sold. (Thank you, Tracy!)

If you are followers of Rhonda (Shellbelle's Tiki Hut) and Tracy (Ms Bake-it), you have probably seen some of these photos of Art at Home. And for those who have no idea what I am talking about....Art at Home is a bi-annual art show in my home (for now). It's my way of sharing, not only my art, but other artists' work. There is no cost to any participating artist. All I ask is that they bring in visitors (and maybe a tasty treat) to see what we have done. My goal is to build this venue to be so big, that we have to find a new location to hold it. It's a wonderful way for a new artist to get his/her feet wet...to see what reactions their work may receive.

I do wish that each and everyone of you could have been with us...we had so much fun! Many new faces and many old friends came in for a chat and to look at our offerings. And of course, for Rhonda (Shellbelles Tiki Hut) and me,  the icing on the proverbial cake was spending time with our blog friends, Becky (Beachsnaps) and Tracy (Ms Bake-It)... and Tracy's sweet daughter-in-law and grandbaby. I am still amazed when anyone wants to buy my paintings...and I know Rhonda feels the same way about her driftshell frames and hearts.  I wish you could have seen the look on Rhonda's face when she realized how many of her items had sold...it was PRICELESS! And let me tell you....the photos do not do her work justice. Keep your eyes open for her ETSY store. It will be worth the visit!

As requested....Here are a few photos from the show...These are the glass/mirrored shelves in the sitting room. Every inch of space was covered...paintings, frames, vases and quilted items covered three rooms in my home...

Coconuts, gecko, coral with creatures and Catherine's purple flowers (my DIL)

This is one of my DIL's paintings...LOVE the color!

This is one of my favorites...from the day Catherine began painting it... Catherine's blog is Sounds of Sight.

This is Catherine's Pelican...notice his unusual feathers and beak. I LOVE his face!

Another of Catherine's offerings... the dripping paints are so interesting...

This is one of Rhonda's frames...I love the 3 dimensions...and the beautiful shells...Some of her creations had crushed shells in the mortar...very different and interesting. It reminded me of tabby...

 Rhonda's hearts are absolutely incredible. They are intricate puzzles...and truly works of art. My photo does not do it justice!

The following paintings are mine....this sea turtle is very colorful. He took HOURS to get all the layers of color and detail...and I love him!

Sea Urchin...Turquoise background...white and blue violet markings.

These three fish remind me of the school of fish that brushed against my legs at Sand Key.

Bucket of Florida Sunshine

These little tropical frogs were the first painting to sell....but more can be
painted if there is interest.

My shy bunny is hiding in the bushes. This is a canvas on a canvas.
A palate knife was used to create the brick wall. There is a lot of detail in the flowers.
The photo does not do it justice... Can you see the smaller canvas?

I hope you enjoyed the samples of our show... Many of these items are still available...Let me know if you have interest in anything shown. The sizes vary from  8x10 to 30x24.

And start planning...our Fall show will be sometime in October or early November...

Jane

ps   I'll see you after the wedding....it's next Friday!!!

Please excuse me...

As I gear up for Art at Home...and prepare for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner, I am not able to spend as much time visiting and responding to your wonderful blogs... So please excuse me...no, forgive me...if I do not touch base with all of you for the next few weeks. I will try to at least stop in for a quick visit... And I will share photos of Art at Home items on display at the show...

As you can well imagine, we're running at a full sprint these days. Not only do we host Art at Home on Mar. 19 (and of course, I am painting my heart out!), I have to get everything ready for house guests and the rehearsal dinner of 60+ people in attendance. Yikes!!! 
 MacDaddy has been warned...all projects must be complete by Mar. 27...no more scrambling to install a ceiling fan and paint baseboards on the day of the rehearsal dinner!!! (If something like this happens again, my dear hubby may be facing the long ago, but not forgotten PSYCHO-MOM.) Somewhere along the way, my cool, calm demeanor has disappeared and I am beginning to pull my hair out and I'm definitely not sleeping...
(You should see the dark circles under my eyes....even Kara Vita isn't helping with that!)


So in the meantime...I'll be dreaming (when I can sleep, of course!) of this...

And praying that I sell enough art to afford a month looking at this...

While I am doing this......

See you soon......
Hugs,
Jane


PS  If you are anywhere near Tampa Bay (I'm in Palm Harbor) on Saturday, Mar. 19, 
please stop by Art at Home. Rhonda (Shellbelle's Tiki Hut), Catherine (Sounds of Sight), Becky, Becks and I would LOVE to see you. Email me for information...directions.

Tabebouia tree...

photo from ask.com

I first came across this gorgeous tree when I lived in Orlando. It's called Tabebuia. A native of Brazil, this tree made it into South Florida many years ago, and has brightened up our spring ever since.

What struck me about this tree...at least the first few I had seen...was the circle of fallen, trumpet-like blooms at the base of the trees. It was truly a CIRCLE of yellow. Since that first sighting, I have learned that, yes, the blooms do fall, but not necessarily in the shape of a circle. But it's still beautiful.





As I researched to learn more about this tree, I found that not only do these trees produce golden yellow blooms, but that there is also a PINK variety. I am not sure if I have seen any pink trees, but there are so many "pink" bloomers this time of year, that I may have not recognized them.

photo from neighborhoodnursery.com

The Tabebuia tree may be counted upon to bloom the first day of spring.. I'm not referring to the calendar "first day", but the weather "first day", here in Florida. Right now, the trees are in full bloom. And it's GORGEOUS around here...as long as you don't breathe...ahhhhh-chooooooooo. (Yep...the pollen is atrocious! Oh the price we pay for beauty...)

Here's a close up of a bloom in my son's neighbor's yard....Gorgeous, isn't it!


Have a lovely day....
Jane


I am linking with Susan and other bloggers celebrating Outdoor Wednesday at
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.

Shrimp Sarah

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, my aunt and uncle were managers of The Buccaneer Hotel in Jekyll Island, GA. It was a lovely place to go for a vacation...flat beaches, Atlantic Ocean, lots of beautiful places to explore. (My husband and I even spent part of our honeymoon there.) The restaurant at their hotel was run by Sarah...a classic low country cook. One day, my aunt was drawn to the kitchen by a delicious aroma.  Sarah, the cook, was preparing a meal for the kitchen help. My aunt asked Sarah what she was cooking. "This? It's just something I'm whipping up for the help." Sarah plated a dish for my aunt. Mmmmmm....this incredibly simple meal was added to the regular menu, named after Sarah, and it became the signature dish of the hotel. (Yes, it's a fattening dish, but sometimes... Just don't eat a lot!)

Shrimp Sarah

1 - 1 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined  
Flour...to dust shrimp
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1 tsp. Paprika (I use more!)
1/2 onion, chopped
3/4 stick butter
Tobasco sauce, to taste (I use quite a lot!)
1/2 cup milk_ or cream / half and half    (I use more!)
1/4 cup white wine (I use more!)
Cooked white rice

1.  Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge shrimp in this mixture  
2.  Saute' onion in butter; Add and saute' shrimp until pink (about 3-4 minutes)
3.  Add Tobasco, milk and wine to make a thick sauce (add more as your taste dictates)
4. Serve over rice.

Enjoy....
Jane

I am linking up with Michael Lee at designsbygollum  .  Be sure to check out the wonderful Foodie Friday recipes!!!      

Great Day Trip Destinations in Pinellas County...and Art at Home

Sea Turtle was a commissioned painting for Tracy at MsBake-It
blogspot.com

I am soooooo excited to share this link... You have GOT to stop by Shellbelle's Tiki Hut to see Rhonda's BEAUTIFUL "driftshell" art....Yes, her work is definitely ART! I am totally blown away by the "driftshell" heart. Can't you just imagine it hanging in your home? Click here to see her story...
http://www.shellbellestikihut.com/2011/03/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html

and yes, she will soon have a store where her creations will be available online. Hooray!

If you are in the Tampa Bay area on Saturday, March 19, stop by and see Shellbelle's art (and my paintings!) in person! There is a lot to do in the area....Palm Harbor is between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs. To the west is Dunedin and Honeymoon Island (and Caladesi Island, consistently listed as one of the top US beaches) and to the southeast is Safety Harbor...all are interesting places to visit...with numerous cafes and restaurants. It's a wonderful place to come for a day trip.

Tarpon Springs...Sponge Docks
photo from flickr

Dunedin (wikipedia)

Honeymoon Island

Rhonda and I can direct you to some delightful restaurants and shops...or parks where you can picnic. My home is literally in the middle of some of the BEST of Pinellas county. (I feel so blessed!!!)


Email me for more information..and/or directions...
jane.mcmullian26@gmail.com

We hope to see you here!!!
Jane, Rhonda, Becky, Catherine, and Becky G.

I am linking up with Outdoor Wednesday...Check it out!