Hello Sunshine

Creative Living in the Sarasota Sunshine

There was good reason for us to venture downtown in Sarasota today (with the temp at 90 degrees). I am writing an article about Peter Burkhard, a wonderful "local" who is the only remaining vendor in the group of vendors who originated the Sarasota Downtown Farmer's Market some thirty years ago. My new freelance writing gig, as a contributing writer for Florida Currents Magazine, is offering all kinds of adventures meeting "neat" people who live around Sarasota.

Last week, I interviewed Peter who is a UF grad with a degree in agriculture "down on the farm" to get acquainted with his lifestyle, philosophy of living and of course, to experience all the interesting things growing on his property.

Peter started farming during his college days and since 1990 has worked a one-acre plot of land just north of Sarasota where his home, fully powered by solar heat, is also located. The very rich soil on his property (augmented by Peter's skilled gardening abilitiy) is lush with papaya and banana trees and hosts garden plots (sparse now during the summer off-season) of peppers, white sweet potatoes, tomato and herb plants and an area buzzing with bee hives.    
His four bee hives produce hundreds of pounds of palmetto and wildflower honey which he sells at the downtown market. A peach orchard is gradually replacing areas where the old citrus trees are dying. (I'll mention I have successfully utilized the allergy reducing benefits of eating honey produced in the locale where you live.)

We (dear husband and I) haven't been to the downtown Saturday market for a long time. For years before we moved here it was one of the highlights for me when visiting and working in downtown Sarasota. During all those years we did the outdoor art shows here, crack-of-dawn visits to the farmers' market (before the art show started) were always highly anticipated.

Well, today, trekking downtown to get pictures of Peter working at his market stand has gotten me hooked on going to the market again. The trick for survival is to have your husband go in his power chair to carry all your purchases and then to take a break under an umbrella in the shade (just like in front of the cafes in Paris - well, sort of) for coffee and an egg-and-bacon sandwich while listening to live musicians perform.

There were many vendors out, dispite the heat and it being off-season, and their offerings were superb. I did myself and our "larder" proud!

 

 

Today's cache included the ingredients (all in a mesh bag, packed in ice) for a "lobster boil" dinner with lobster tails, scallops, mussels, corn, sausage and the seasonings to steam it all in when at home. I opened the carton of free-range eggs purchased and was surprised with an Aracauna egg with a lovely pale blue shell. I bought fresh basil pesto pasta for another evening this week along with a pot of fresh basil (from Peter) to add to the "heat sufferin" ones in our home garden. That's all I am telling about now.

Hugs, Marcy

 

Salvage That Artwork! Workshop at John C. Campbell Folk School this Fall

I'm offering a new class, "Salvage That Artwork," this fall at my favorite creative mountain hideaway, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. It's a workshop I've developed in sync with the school's  annual "Recycle It" week theme. You'll be exposed to an amazing amount of “arty” fun turning discards into exciting mixed-media paintings.

This workshop will put a new twist on the entire mixed- media process. I’ll "pull out all the stops" to inspire your creative soul! Play and experiment with watermedia—painting, texturizing, layering, collaging and more to produce inventive new compositions. I  have been collecting and saving "stuff" for months  (actually, I  am always collecting "stuff") to take for collaging. 

Bring "unfavored" paintings, paper and other such materials from prior art projects........old photos, letters, clippings and ephemera are good, too..... and we'll repurpose them.

Mixed Media Painting *

November 11-16, 2012 (Sunday-Friday Session)

  *See class description/info for above date on school website - www.folkschool.org

Coming in

2013 Workshops

March 3-9, 2013 - "Sumi, Haiku and Ikebana "A Hands-On Exploration of Japanese Arts"

............
August 4-10, 2013 - "Mixed Watermedia Collage"

These are new classes I have designed and they are suitable for all levels. The only requirement is the desire to create and be expressive. I will provide (small supply fee charged) many of the supplies you will need to get started. You bring creative energy and a spirit of fun and relaxation.

 Questions??? Just send an email. Hugs, Marcy

 

 

 



Homemade Swappers of Sarasota.....Introducing Southern Cornbread to the Mix

  
Last Saturday, I made my first foray into an event produced by a creative mix of gals who have organized their diverse talents into a group called the "Homemade Swappers of Sarasota." Their first swap in November, which I had to miss, revolved around homemade food. But this months swap, with the holidays just around the corner, was really timely as it included both food and crafts.

There are many Facebook accounts with accolades about this swap that will give you the whole scoop. My homemade offerings, including recipe for Southern Cornbread Mix , and my "cache" of goodies garnered are posted below.

I contributed a potted butterfly bush and aloe plants, designer (Me, Ha!) headbands, an original painting of pears and artfully wrapped pouches of Southern Cornbread Quickmix.

Among items offered for swapping (no cash exchange) were homemade/homegrown/homecrafted breads, cookies, candy, spiced nuts, relishes, jams and marmalades. There were plants for the garden, peppermint infused beeswax lip balm, lotion and candles, herbal potions (for nerves, aches and colds), dyed yarns, knitted and crocheted items, stitched bags, jewelry, stained glass ornaments, a magnificent pinecone wreath and peanut butter bird treats, artwork from greeting cards to paintings and drawings and on and on.

 

 Daughters Dianne (those are her new stained glass ornaments pictured above - all photos in this post were taken by her) and Liz (she helped organize event and made lots of items) were such fun to be with. Most especially fun was my youngest granddaughter, Mahon. She enjoyed the potluck that everyone "cooked-up" for this event and whirled around the park (which provided covered picnic tables and an adjacent playground for the kids) at amazing speed.



I swapped dried lavender, a charming pen and inkdrawing (for a new picture grouping I am working on and will show you soon) homemade liquors (Limoncello and Bailey's Irish Cream), a garlic plant, some white burlap fabric to craft with, a pinecone treat for the birds, a Soloman's Seal and olive oil balm for arthritis, spiced sugared walnuts, a bracelet made of beautiful seeds and more. It was a delightful event, crafted with love, worth the effort everyone put forth.

Posted below is my cornbread quickmix recipe, a bulk quantity mix. It was a favorite of my mother (Marcelle Mahon) and came into popularity in the 1950's about the time "Bisquick" became all the rage. Mothers were just beginning to join the workforce and "quick breads" were a great time-saver.

Trans-fat awareness has now given us pause when making a choice about "speedy-mixes," but this recipe would allow you to make your personal determination about which fat to use. Being a true Southern girl, I have listed butter and that is what I use.

Other recipe options could include cutting down on the sugar and if you can get some real coarse stoneground cornmeal directly from a Georgia mill (remember, that's where grits are known as "Southern Ice Cream") you will probably get a no-compete request  from Paula Dean!!

                           SOUTHERN CORNBREAD QUICK-MIX

4 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

5 CUPS CORNMEAL

2 CUPS NONFAT DRY MILK

1/2 CUP SUGAR

1/4 CUP DOUBLE-ACTING BAKING POWDER (MAKE SURE IT IS FRESH)

1 TABLESPOON SALT
  

TO MAKE MIX: Combine above ingredients thoroughly and store in airtight container in refrigerator until ready to bake.

TO MAKE CORNBREAD: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt butter in 8" square pan and tilt pan so the bottom is coated. Beat one egg with one cup water. Combine egg mixture with 2 1/3 cups cornbread mix and blend in excess melted butter from baking pan. Stir just until mixed. Do not over mix. Pour immediately into hot pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until top is desired brownness. ENJOY with butter and marmalade or jam or drop some into a hot bowl of soup instead of croutons.

CHEESE SESAME CORNBREAD OPTION: After pouring mixture into hot pan, sprinkle top with 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and two tablespoons sesame seeds.

You're invited to visit me at my Etsy Shop http://www.marcychapman.etsy.com and my websites www.marcychapman.com, www.written4you.com 

 

Shop Etsy......So Fun, So Easy

If you are missing out on Etsy shopping you are really missing out. Since I discovered it I have been buying most of my gifts there (frequently having them customized at no extra charge) plus finding lots of unique art supplies. 

 It is a perfect source for finding "handmade" and that is what I am all about - all the time. Whether it was handmade ages ago (a.k.a. vintage) or items that are currently " in vogue" (not the magazine), Etsy is a great shopping opportunity. ORRRR....go there just for fun when putzing around on the web.

I love shopping from my desk and having things delivered at my door. As Ina says, "Now, how bad can that be."

P.S. I have new items in my Etsy shop and more fern paintings on the way!!  I will be glad to gift wrap and ship any of these items when and where you like:-)

Hugs, Marcy

Greeting Cards - New original "mini" paintings in my ETSY shop

You're invited to peek!  I have just added original greeting cards, "mini paintings,"  to my Etsy shop. The envelopes are painted, too!  The inside of the card is blank so cards can be used for any occasion and you may add your own special greeting.

These "minis" are all ready to gift OR keep for yourself.  They have fun wrappings, banana fiber envelopes ( eco-friendly material) and are tied up with a ribbon.  If you wish to frame, standard size photo frame works perfectly.

 

ENJOY!

Marcy

Painting "Autumn" using Mixed Media.....I'm Falling for It!

Back at the drawing table, but this time the "table" is in a new place! Just returned from a watermedia painting workshop with Billie Shelburn (artist in residence at John C. Campbell Folk School) at magnificent Wildacres Retreat in North Carolina.

Up in the clouds, above 3000 feet, Wildacres snuggles up by the Blue Ridge Parkway close to Little Switzerland. In other words, just a few steps from heaven. YES! The leaves were "peaking" and the "leaf peepers" were on the roads. The temperature was in that delightful 70 degree range.

Billie offereded demos for great painting and collaging techniques, along with a plethora of art materials, that got our "creative juices" flowing.....watercolor papers and boards, inks, lots of textural rice papers for collaging and mediums to try. Mother Nature provided our subjects.

 

Wildacres was a superb host, offering wonderful food, comfortable rooms and diverse evening activities (showcasing the artistic pursuits of various groups at the retreat). We enjoyed listening to the retreat's director, a professional vocalist, serenade us with songs from the 70's, heard very talented writers reading from their new "in-the-works" novels, visited the sketchers' studio and, of course, enjoyed painting, painting and more painting. The studios are available 24 hours a day, which is a really nice perk. Our painting group could be found in the studio late into the evenings painting and enjoying chocolate and red wine . How good is that! 

 Although I am back in the beautiful "green" of Florida, I am still working with autumn themes and collaging on the leaves brought back. Today, the temp. here took a nose dive and a definite Fall feeling is in the air. Yahoo!

Some of my new work is featured in my Etsy store and additional pieces are to be added soon. You're invited to visit and leave a comment.

Hugs, Marcy

Artichoke Painting........Delicious to View

 
 Original Mixed-Media "20x26" - "Cooked-Up" by me for your viewing pleasure. You're invited to visit my Etsy store. 

Painting and Playing in the Studio

I have spent lots of creative time in my studio this past week. The inspiration that got me going was a charming little flower arrangement perched in front of the kitchen sink. My daughter Liz had placed a single magnificent zinnia and a sprig of white something-or-other in a little glass (repurposed capers jar) by the chopping board where we spend a lot of time and energy every day. While shelling a ridiculous amount of fresh black-eyed peas, I feasted my eyes on the arrangement. That was the creative spark for the week! From zinnias, I segued into sunflowers and then a crafting spree of headbands.

The headbands started out as "let's get the hair out of your eyes" hair ornaments for the kids and then into some for adults.

"Princess of a Thousand Curls" Sage is the beautiful model here.

The headbands have turned into a "nana/nano" business and my hands now sport hot glue burns along with turquoise-stained fingernails from thalo paints. Ah, the price of creating.

Visit me at my Etsy store.

Hugs, Marcy

Art at the Farm........King Family Farm Provides both Tasty and Visual Feast

I spent a fun Saturday last week "down on the farm." The King Family Farm and Market, a skip and jump north of Sarasota, is both a yummy and arty place to visit.

A plethora of local just-harvested veggies, herbs, garden plants, eggs and milk, breads, honey and jams, all produced with organic methods are gathered here, ready to supply many delicious, healthy snacks and meals.

During the day boxes of blueberries, sweet Florida corn, tequila peppers (don't you love that name) and melons were replenished as happy customers did their shopping.
 
 
My artistic take on eggplants (painting available on my etsy store or fresh ones at the farm).

There is a vision of Monet's Garden at Giverny, in summer, right at hand.......
 
A huge "ripe for the pickin" you-pick flower garden, full of snapdragons, is ready to be snapped up for a take-home bouquet. I snapped up some red, yellow and white ones for myself.

Besides selecting veggies and garden plants, you can view some local art at the farm on Saturdays...some of it just happens to be mine.
I had several new fern panels to offer. Panel 1- Ferns and Violets original painting - 8"x24"
 
Panel 2 - Ferns and Violets - Original Painting  - 8"x24"

Next week will be a special Saturday at the farm, "The Peach Festival" weekend, with treats available that include not only Florida peaches but peach baked goods, peach shakes and delish bar-b-que dished-up by a local chef.

I'll be there too, with some fresh new art. 

Hugs, Marcy 

 

Health....Peace...Giving

"CARVED IN STONE"   Original mixed-media 16x20   $165.00

This weekend Clint and I will participate in the American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE in Sarasota, as part of the Sarasota Spinal Cord Injury Group Team (Clint has a spinal cord injury at the C3-4 level). While I am spinning in my usual circles, Clint will circle the track throughout the night in his awesome power chair.  I will donate fifty percent of the proceeds from this weekend (April 8,9,10th) artwork sales to this cause.

Something new! A bit of serenity in a chaotic world, the artwork displayed above is a mixed-media collage featuring an original watercolor as its centerpiece. I have utilized various handmade rice papers from Thailand, colored pencil and acrylic paints to achieve the textural effects. The piece is bonded to a deep gallery wrapped canvas and archivally sealed. The sides are finished and it is ready to hang.

Visit my etsy store for more artwork.

Hugs, Marcy