The Artist's Apple Study & "One Apple is Not Enough" - Feb 16, 2011

The Apple of My Eye:

So many wonderful thoughts, sights, and delights brighten my day.  There is just not enough time to enjoy even more.  At the break of day or the uprising of the day our ever happy dog, greets us.  How can we be sad or even a little on edge when you start the day with Winston.  We wonder what he would say if he say upon arising if he could talk.  I believe he would say with a very loud voice and great smile, "Top of the Morning to You."  Winston is t;he apple of my eye and a great delight that we celebrate every day with.




Sir Winston Pumpernickle of Woodbrook
Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier

 One Simple Study, One Simple Daily Painting, One Simple Apple

What could be more simple or more perfect than an apple.  An apple of any color or shape in any season is a gift.  This special object has been studied by artists, athletes, doctors, poets, writers, chefs, and so many others.  Every artist has been exposed to the apple study.  Let us draw the apple.  See the light and shadow of the apple. What else do you see.  What other colors do you see?  What story can the apple paint? The apple can be a simple composition in any medium.  SO CLASSIC.  It cannot be overdone.  How could we not show the love between humans and the apple.  Whether the study is completed in monochromatic tones or various color hues.  The apple can be seen through the artists eyes and transmitted to the paper or canvas by the artists fingers.

The Apple Study
M Liberto Bessette
Liberto's Art Web Site

Art for Heart Sake: 

    

There is a new poem floating around called, "One Apple a Day is Not Enough" by Taylor Mali.
"An Apple a Day Is Not Enough" is a powerful poem written and performed by Taylor Mali (a well-known spoken word artist and teacher) about the importance of health education. It's done in the style of kinetic typography. We must get the word out about the importance of health education and its ability to get this country's health back on track—but we can't do it alone.

This is an interesting video that adds simple profound words kids will understand to the visual movement of words called kinetic typography  to form a poem.   Please play and send to anyone and everyone.

Watch and enjoy this You Tube video

Maria's Healthy Apple Oat Muffins

Yum!

So as we celebrate life let us think about the apple, how it may relate to art, creativity, the heart and the health of all of us.

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Love to All,



Maria L B

Consider Them Finished - Sept 21, 2010

3 Finished Paintings - Seriously!  Up early the last few days and a good time to apply another layer of paints to speed up the process.  Working with oil paints can create a lengthy completion of a painting.  Although Plein Air Painters create paintings in one session, sometimes in 2 hours.  But of course the drying time of thick paints will be considerable.  I framed the art with 2 frames I had on hand and 1 that my husband had created for me out of the barn board.  Hook & eyes, wire, and a backing completes the painting, but does take more time. 

I did forget to take images of the completed and framed paintings. Today was the deadline to deliver entries for the Food, Farm & Foliage Art Exhibit.  So delivered they are and on time.  I will take photos to post to this blog during my next trip to the Delaware Agricultural Museum. Stay Tuned

More Artist Talk:  It was another great day for me.  It looks like the Holly Branch will have a successful exhibit.  The number of professional entries, by individual artists will fill the South Gallery. To accept art for the exhibit, meet the artists and discuss their many different art experiences keeps the juices flowing.  We all have information to exchange with other artists.  That is one thing that is great about coming together as artists.  It makes organizing an exhibit so worthwhile. 

My Olive Oil Handcrafted Soap:  Did you know I use all natural ingredients, such as olive oil, Castor oil, soy oil, coconut oil, sea salt, spring water and natural essential oils for fragrance?
My long lasting, moisturizing and extra foamy soap is great for your skin. We make bath soap for men & women, kid's fun soap, men's shaving soap & pumice hand soap, doggy soap, laundry soap and more.  We real soap cakes, tarts, muffins, etc.  Great for party favors, and gifts.  We have many repeat customers and a great inventory of soap creating a heavenly scent wherever you go in my home.  Please check out our site:  coastalcottagesoaps.com.  Shipping is currently free for any orders Below is an image of a group of our products.

Maria's Recipe Produced Today:

Apple-Oat Muffins

The shredded apple adds moisture to the muffins. You'll find that the batter fills the muffin cups more than most recipes, but it shouldn't overflow in the oven.

Yield:  1 dozen (serving size: 1 muffin)

2 cups shredded peeled McIntosh apple (about 3/4 pound) (I used chopped peeled Granny Smith)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) carton plain low-fat yogurt (I used light sour cream instead)
1 large egg
Cooking spray
CALORIES 190 (19% from fat); FAT 3.9g (sat 0.9g,mono 1.1g,poly 1.5g); IRON 1.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 20mg; CALCIUM 96mg; CARBOHYDRATE 34.6g; SODIUM 238mg; PROTEIN 4.5g; FIBER 1.9g

Maria's Apple Oat Muffins

Adapted from myrecipes.com

Can't wait to have the muffins and fresh cantelope in the morning!

Sweet Dreams,

Maria L B

 


  

Preheat oven to 400°.
Place apple on paper towels; squeeze until barely moist. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine the flour and next 6 ingredients (flour through cinnamon) in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine milk, oil, vanilla, yogurt, and egg; stir well with a whisk. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Stir in apple.
Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pans immediately; place on a wire rack.