Linda & Opie's Burnt Offerings

Sketching and Printmaking in Florence...

we're so excited - an entire month in Florence of Sketching, Photography & Printmaking.

living the dream.....

life is good! 

The Print Exchange 2013

The Sketchbook Project called out to 500 print-makers across the globe to become part of a massive Print Exchange.

The theme was "The Drive Home"

Each artist was asked to interpret the theme by making an edition of 12 prints from a single plate, screen, stone, block, or whatever your chosen Printmaking method.

In exchange each artist will be included in two exhibitions on the east and west coast...

• In New York City at Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and Graphic Arts Workshop in San Francisco.

* Plus... everyone will receive 10 random prints from other participating artists.

* And have one print added to the Brooklyn Art Library permanent collection.

Since the print had to fit on  5"x7" paper, both Opie and I decided to go with a Linocut and print it on our Speedball Block Printing Press instead of our large Etching Press.

 

It was the first time either of us carved a stamp and it was a totally cool experience. So very relaxing. We're both looking forward to exploring this medium further.

Oh -- and stay tuned -- next week we'll have some very exciting news to share....

Happy Sunday!

 

Happy Easter...

from Opie, Me, Abigail & Coco

The last 2 days have been very frustrating.

Try as I might, I could not upload photos to our blog.

After endless attempts and the process of elimination... the problem was my browser.

IE10 is NOT compatible with Typepad!

REPEAT - IE 10 is NOT compatible with Typepad 

 

Who Knew!

 

Now that it's uninstalled and IE 9 is running...

Voila!!!

Thanks to all for your emails and your help.

The photos of our "girls" was taken by our friend and neighbor Roman Iwasiwka, a most talented photographer and musician.

We all wish you a very Happy Easter...

... balance has once again been restored to my cyber universe!

 

So Frustrating!!!

I've been trying to create a blog post for over an hour and cannot upload a picture.

Is anyone else having this problem?

It's not like this is my first rodeo!!!!!

Please post if you're having this same problem...

a Recipe for Vegetable Pie...

i had this at my friend's loft during Superbowl Sunday. Opie had the guys over and the women enjoyed a lovely evening at Sarah's. this was so delish, i HAD to have the recipe!

Vegetable Pie

mix 3 eggs - 1 cup of milk - 1/3 cup flour (or 1 cup of leftover rice-- *i always use flour)

saute 3 cups of mixed vegetables of your choice - including onion

put vegetables in a pie crust (homemade or store-bought) then pour egg/milk mixture over them

grate cheddar cheese on top (i use different cheeses depending on what's on hand)

bake for 45 minutes - the first 10 at 400 degrees - then 350 degrees for the last 35

NOTE: since opie and i are not milk drinkers, i use almond milk instead - and i'm fairly certain any milk substitute would work just as well.

this has become a real favorite of ours. i hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Getting Down in Holyoke...

over the weekend we celebrated our friend Jan's big "60" at a loft in Holyoke. we had a blast. the music was fine - as was the food - and beer - and the wine.

we danced to the tunes of the Twisted Pee Pee Dogs. they sure know how to make a Play List!

Dean Nimmer (from 1960"s The Baroques fame) was on drums! 

opie and dean enjoying the show...

we danced until we danced ourselves sore...

and like gluttons for punishment - we all danced some more...

and some more...

then we sat down - and relaxed - and talked with our friends - and we all agreed we must do this again! 

 

 

A Picture Perfect Christmas in North Adams...

We just had to share this most beautiful photo from Dan of Spruce Hill Photo and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace - Love - Joy and Creativity!

 

Going in a New Direction…

Opie and I love adventure and veering off in new directions, and as a result, every so often throughout our creative lives we’ve re-invented ourselves - and this move to the Berkshires is turning out to be another of those magical times!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My new Etching Press has Arrived…

Over the last few weeks I’ve become obsessed with Printmaking both with and without a Press (although I must admit, I REALLY love using the Press) so much so that “Santa Opie” bought me this beauty for Christmas.

My new obsession started innocently enough with a 5 week series of workshops with Dean Nimmer, the author of Art from Intuition, who lives in a neighboring town. Truthfully, I simply wanted to jumpstart my creativity after the year from hell and this very intense out of state move. I never expected or imagined that this would ignite such a fire in me... but it did! I thought I was hooked at Monoprints and Collographs - but I’m quickly discovering that Printmaking offers myriad possibilities and I’m looking forward to getting lost in each new process. As you can see, I’m beyond excited and I invite you to come along as I begin this new phase of my creative life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So stay tuned as I open the box both literally and metaphorically… 

Happiness IS a 3lb. Lobster...

they tried to escape - but escape was futile!

Our trip was fantastic. We first went to Boston to visit close friends – took a side trip to Salem - then went onto their place on the Cape – and finally back to their place in Boston. We OD’ed on great Seafood, Pizza, and Museums and – as they say - a good time was had by all! We took lots of pics. Too many for a single post – so we’ll start on the Cape cooking and eating our 3 lb. Lobsters… Yummo!

someone had to go first...

then the rest willingly followed...

and the feast begins...

yes... we ate the whole thing!

Gails’s house is on the water and a visual wonderland. Beauty, Peace and Tranquility all in one magical place… it did my soul good after the year from hell.

nirvana... isn't it!

We first visited the Edward Gorey House which celebrates and preserves his life and works – it was a huge treat, especially for Opie, since pen and ink was – and is - his thing!

Then we went galley hopping in Chatham – had some of the best Pizza since we left New York, and stopped at an estate sale or two where I got 3 wonderful straw hats (I do love my hats). Our last venture was a day trip to PTown. We parked at the beginning of town and walked to the very end (seemed like miles); stopping in every shop and gallery along the way and seeing the work of wonderful artists we weren’t familiar with. It was heaven. We ended our day at a seafood restaurant where Opie had whole-belly fried clams for the first time. We had only had strips in the past… so these were different (albeit a bit creepy for me!) I’ll stick with my Calamari… thank you!

as you can see PTown is picture perfect and so was the weather...

a tiny shop along the way had a "mosaic garden"

it reminded me of the 'fiesta-ware garden" at the factory in west va.

so much charm - we LOVED it here...

not to mention water for miles!

goodbye for now PTown...

On the walk back to the car, we stopped and had hand-dipped ice cream cones from Bliss Creamery. We had a vanilla/caramel combo with chocolate covered pretzels. All I can say is the Creamery was rightfully named.

Another post will follow soon about our time in Boston and Salem - but in the meantime – we wish you all a very Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

North Adams Open Studios

North Adams will be having their 7th Open Studios the weekend of Oct. 13-14th. It will be our very first one and have been busy preparing for it -- (well... unpacking and hanging artwork anyway!!!)

So........ if you're in the area, please stop by and say hello.