Linda Blondheim Art Studio Newsletter September 10, 2009

Tree Trunks
5x7 inches
acrylic on Masonite
Bid on this painting at Ebay.com Type Blondheim Art into the Ebay search.


http://www.lindablondheim.com

http://www.lindablondheimlandscapeart.com

lindablondheim@gmail.com

Studio: 386.462.5726

Please forward my newsletters to your friends. I need to grow my business. I'll
reward you with a tiny abstract painting.
Don't forget that I offer 10% of the sale cash referral rewards when you send a
new patron to me who purchases a painting.
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September 10, 2009
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The Annual "My Yard" Series Begins


It's officially fall as far as I'm concerned. Henry and I did the first of the My
Yard paintings for this year. I guess I've been working on this series for about
five years now. I can't begin to describe how much I enjoy doing it each year.
I live in a rural part of the county. My parents bought the property when I was
about 15 years old. At the time it was parceled off from one large farm when the
owner died. His children sold it off piece by piece. It makes me sad when that happens.
All of the toil and years of work the farmer put into the land, only to have it
sold off for mini-ranches in the end. Don't get me wrong. I have loved living on
this land and having it all of these years, but I hate to see it taken out of farming.



We have six acres, most of it in woods and fields. We mow the area around the house,
but leave the rest natural to change with the seasons. That may seem messy to you
but I love the natural process of the land. I love seeing the grasses and weeds
change color gradually, seeing some sprout up and die only to have others replace
them. I have some wild sunflowers that grow tall each year at this time and soon
they will begin to flower. They are not like the big heavy sunflowers you traditionally
see at farmers markets. These grow tall and slender with small yellow blossoms and
have tiny brown fuzzy middles. They look similar to yellow daisies.



When I was a girl we had a red barn for our horses and stored hay there. I can remember
going to the barn late every afternoon, the smell of fresh hay, the smoky color
of the trees and atmosphere that you always see in the winter. We used to lay around
on the hay bales and just enjoy the scents of the barn and the coming evening. The
color, is amazing in north Florida in fall and winter. Not the in your face color
that you see in North Carolina, North Georgia and Tennessee. The color in Florida
is much more subtle and to my liking. Lots of smoky gray,blue,mauve, rust and wheat,
with startling spots of emerald green from the rye fields. I just soak it all in
while I paint and travel.


This year I got smart and planned ahead. In years past, I have booked all kinds
of events in the fall and have been constantly frustrated by being on the road and
unable to paint the beloved places I frequent. I have nothing booked on my schedule
after October 11th. Yippee!! You will find me in Evinston at the Wood Farm, the
Wood/Swink and at Fair Oaks Farm in mid October- December this year, as well as
my yard. Henry's dog condo in the back of the car is all packed and ready with his
non-spill water bowl, his toys and his carpeting. We are anticipating many happy
hours together on the farms.
It's cool now in the morning and afternoon. The Sycamore trees are unhooking their
skirts, letting them drop on the ground and snuggling in for their winter naps.
I'll be sharing the "My Yard" paintings with you as I evolve through the fall. I
usually manage to get at least four paintings before the leaves fall off the dogwoods.
They are scarlet every year.

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Notes From My Desk


I've been working hard with my webmaster David Johnson (A super star of the webmaster
world) to make my web site the greatest artist web site ever. His email is href="mailto:sales@landscapesartstudio.com">sales@landscapesartstudio.com
He gets my highest recommendation. I listen to what my clients like and need and
I try to make it happen for them. In my effort to make my site more user friendly,
I am planning to have a live chat feature installed, so that I can be available
to answer questions about paintings and any information you might need. I'm looking
forward to having you check in with any questions you may wish to ask or to get
help in selecting the right painting for your home. Once the chat is up and running
I will be available on Tuesday - Thursday 9 AM- 11 AM each week for your convenience
on Live Chat from my web site.


I have increased the return time for you to send back a painting to 10 days, although
that rarely happens. I have made payments available for paintings on the web site,
and have posted a step by step instruction for purchasing work. Please send me
more ideas for making my web site to your liking. I'm always willing to consider
them.


I'll be participating in a new Invitational Exhibit at

Melrose Bay Gallery

Small Works/Big ideas/Thinking Inside the Box
November 7- December 20, 2009
Reception November 8, 1-5 PM
Art Hop Gainesville Florida

The Art Hop businesses have put together an enticing, valuable Gift Certificate
Raffle and Florida's Eden is featured as the beneficiary.
Twenty businesses are joining together to create an evening of cultural fun, Friday
September 11,from 6-9. This creative district unites three adjacent shopping areas:
Thornebrook Village, Market Place and Millhopper Square and provides an easy way
to enjoy art, music, culinary delights and meet friends for some early fall fun
and shopping.

Here's the list of participants: Alternatives, Artisan's Guild Gallery, Bead All
About It, Collector's Cabinet, Do Art, Floating Lotus Spa, Gifts of Avalon, Hanks
Yarn and Fiber, Lost Art Gallery, McIntyre's Stained Glass Studio and Art Gallery,
Paddiwack Gallery, The Painted Table, Thornebrook Gallery, Thornebrook Optical,
and Wild Birds Unlimited.
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How About a Recipe?


Root Vegetables

I just love root vegetables. When I was a chef in my catering days, I used to grow
them in raised beds. I grew turnips, parsnips, beets, rutabagas and carrots. I used
them both for cooking and for food garnishing. These vegetables make incredible
flowers. There is nothing lovelier than a silver bowl on a tray surrounded by beet
and turnip roses. My years in art school served me well, not only in painting, but
in sculpture too and food design. As any true foodie knows, food is as much about
art as it is about eating. Most anyone can learn to do basic cooking, but truly
wonderful food needs an artist to create it. I always wanted to work in a test kitchen.
That would be so interesting to me to develop recipes for restaurants or the food
industry.


I would like to start teaching a foodie class again some time. I think restaurants,
cook supply stores and places like Fresh Market would be smart to have chefs come
in to teach cooking. What a great way to have people come into your business who
are already interested in your product. Once I was invited to do a cooking class/demo
for a kitchen cabinet shop. it was really great. They had a staged kitchen set up
and I went in to cook and do a tasting. It was great fun. I can't let my love for
cooking go, even though I am a full time artist. I love cooking and all things
foodie. Cooking is art after all.

I have shared with you my recipe for roasted root vegetables. It is a favorite at
my house and we have it about once a week.
Here is a different take on beets. Before you start making faces and rolling your
eyes, give this recipe a try.

Roasted Beet Salad
4 beets roasted at 375 degrees with 2 T olive oil in covered pan
Peel beats when they cool and dice
1 head of raddichio torn into bite sized pieces
1 cup watercress
½ cup toasted walnuts chopped
8 oz Gorgonzola cheese
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Toss it all together. Yummy!!
I love beets, steamed, roasted, and pickled. They taste sweet and wonderful when
they are slow roasted. They re also full of good nutrition. All for the root vegetables
are good for you.
Cooks Tip:
To keep your hands clean when handling root vegetables, wear the latex gloves Drs
use. Beet s stain badly, so this will prevent your messy red hands. Roast the beets
first and then peel them. It will be much easier.




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Choosing Quality Art


Art Collecting Tips
Buy art because you like it and because it moves you, and because it enhances your
life.

Visit as many art galleries as you can, gallery staff can be helpful guides in your
art education.

Get on gallery mailing lists so you'll be invited to openings and special events.
Visit and join your local Art Museums and Non Profit Art centers.Curators sometimes
give lectures on collecting art.


Attend National Art Expos and Art Fairs whenever possible.


If you know art collectors talk them and find out what they know and what they've
learned about collecting.


Read art and art history books or books on collecting art.

Subscribe to a few art magazines.

Once you've educated yourself and have fallen in love witha work of art.... buy
it, take it home and enjoy it.
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Out Painting



I'll be painting out in front of my gallery in Gainesville; Paddiwhack Gallery next
to Fresh Market on 16th Avenue. I'll be there on Fridays, unless I'm traveling,
from 11 AM-1 PM for the summer. In the fall, I may extend the time. It's a great
way for me to make new friends and show my paintings to others. Come by on a Friday
and chat with me.


Paddiwhack Gallery next to Fresh Market
On Fridays
11 AM- 1PM
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The River Styx



A reader asked me to write about the River Styx. There isn't a lot of material written
about the River Styx. I have painted it from the bridge a few times, and from reference
photos. Most of what I read about it comes from boaters.

I like painting the cypress trees that grow prolifically there.
In prehistoric times, when water levels were higher, this swamp was an arm of Orange
Lake. One of north Florida's oldest and most impressive mound and earthwork complexes
is located here. By 1539, when De Soto led his expedition through here, the nearby
village of Potano was the headquarters for the chiefdom of the same name which covered
the Orange Lake/Paynes Prairie area. The areas richness of a kind of rock called
chert, an excellent material for making tools and weapons, made the Potanos the
envy of neighboring tribes.


There are only a handful of river names in the world - the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi
- that share the mystique of The River Styx in North Central Florida, yet Styx is
only a few miles long as is more of a swampy creek than a formidable river. It connects
Newnan's Lake with Orange Lake, and passes through a superlative, high-quality cypress
swamp forest. The State of Florida has acknowledged the special quality of the
River Styx by naming it an "Outstanding Florida Water" (only 40 out of the 1,700
rivers in Florida have been so named - named as a result of their pristine qualities).


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This Week's Ebay Paintings


Opening Bid:$3.99
Retail Price:55.00
S & H: Free
No Reserve
Type Blondheim Art into the Ebay search window.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=blondheim+art&_sacat=See-All-Categories
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I'm looking forward to painting with several friends this Saturday for my last in
studio workshop for awhile. I've made the switch to virtual E-Classes for my students.
I love being able to teach friends all over the world while I'm in my own cozy studio
and they are in theirs. I'm even going to teach a couple of virtual plein air classes.

Linda Blondheim Studio Newsletter for art collectors,May 21,2009 edition

Wood Farm
18x24 inches
oil on canvas


Linda Blondheim Art Studio
Landscapes of the South

lindablondheim@gmail.com



Don't forget that I send you 10% of the sale referral rewards for sending me new clients who purchase my paintings.

May 2009

Artists relate to Land and Water Conservation
Florida Landscape Painters
Landscape painters have a special relationship to this good earth and it's rivers, lakes and seas. I know of few others with the exception of property owners, and conservationists who love the earth more than we do. After all, it sustains us and gives us the inspiration for our life's work. We go where few others dare to explore. We are never happier than when we are stomping around in the woods, standing on the shore, or paddling along with a tiny paint box in our laps. While most people get excited about their new car, or the latest movie, we are keen on going to a new place, previously unexplored, to paint.



Our roots go deep in the land like a strong tree. We love the fields of wild flowers, the grand old oaks with swaying moss, and the tall graceful palms of our beloved Florida. We love the farmers and ranchers who own the land, the conservationists who care for it. This is a deep bond. These people allow us to imagine what it is like to own and be a part of their precious land. I am deeply grateful to them.

For this reason, we have formed a landscape painters' tribe in a sense. A casual network of friendships based on the love of Florida's land and waters. We have a commonality of interests and we travel to places in Florida to do Paint Outs together a few times a year. We have become a circuit in a way, similar to the street festival artists, yet quite different in that we become the entertainment as well as our art. People come and watch us paint and then buy our paintings, sometimes right from the easel.

We are often partners with local Land Trust organizations. When you read the materials from these agancies, you will see that many landscape painters are members and we contribute to the cause with our art and our checkbooks.


In a sense, painters are the historians of our culture. We are recording the land before it disappears into the next new Condo development or business. We are contributing to the conservation of large tracts of land that will be preserved against development. We record the dress, style and period of our time in history like no camera could.

My Daddy always said there is nothing you can own more important than the land, and it's preservation and stewardship is your responsibility. I take that seriously. My mission is to honor the land and water of Florida and to record it for posterity.

The next time you look at a lovely landscape painting, reach deep inside your soul and think about all it really means as part of your culture and history. It's so much more than a pretty painting to hang on the wall. It has real meaning for your life and the history and culture of your neighborhood.




Panes Prairie Fall
18x24 inches
acrylic on Birch panel

http://www.ecofloridamag.com/

http://www.kayakjacksonville.com/

http://eco-florida.blogspot.com/

http://www.eco-usa.net/orgs/fl.shtml

http://www.floridanature.org/

http://www.floridasnature.com/

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/

http://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org

http://www.conserveflorida.org/index.html


From Linda's Art Lover Salons
Protecting yourself from Fraud

How can you protect yourself from fraud or poorly crafted art?

Original art of substance is a serious investment emotionally and financially. Most professional artists stand behind their work 100%. It is very important that you understand the guarantees offered by artists.

I offer a 100% money back or replacement of my paintings within seven days of delivery for any reason. Sometimes a client will take the painting home, decide that another they liked will fit better, bringing it back to change a painting for another in my studio. My desire is to satisfy my clients thoroughly. I ship my paintings around the USA, and I'm always happy to work with a client to choose the right painting for their home. You may not realize that artists have a love for their work too. I want my paintings to go to homes where they will be appreciated and cherished. They are like my children. Sometimes a custom painting is more desirable to fit a particular decor or subject. I am always happy to do commissions for clients. I do not take trade ins of older paintings. Most artists don't either. My local dealer is happy to show them for you on consignment if appropriate to his market.

A responsible artist will be sure to make their return policies clear to buyers. They will offer receipts with the painting, properly packing it or wrapping it for shipping. They will include the materials used to create the painting. A responsible professional will use the best quality of materials they can afford and will use proper painting methods to protect the painting from harm in the future.

If you want to purchase from a painter you like on the Internet, but do not know, be sure to ask for client testimonials and references. Check with art dealers in that city to inquire about the artist's reputation. I offer both client testimonials and my patron list on my web site for all to see. I am proud to have my work in many homes and businesses. I am always happy to give references and my credentials to inquiring patrons. I have been in business for 30+ years as a painter. I stand behind my work with pride. If your inquiries to an artist are not answered to your satisfaction and with courtesy, avoid the artist and look for another.

I've had two recent art salons at Paddiwhack Gallery. The were great fun for me and my guests.



If you would like to schedule an Art Lover Salon with Friends, please email me. They can be scheduled at my studio, or at Paddiwhack Gallery in Gainesville. We have a light meal and enjoy talking about my art. I always give guests a portfolio of useful information about collecting art. Come join me for your own Art Lover's Salon.



Food Glorious Food!!!

For Foodies

I'm a foodie and have been for as long as I can remember. Southern food and culture are so much a part of us here in the south. Wherever I travel, the conversations turn to food and stories about our childhoods. In the south it was considered to be unforgivable not to offer food and drink to a guest in your home. I have carried on that tradition in my studio. I take great pride in preparing good food for my studio guests and I love shopping and preparing food for a party. My daughters share that love as well. We think nothing of spending hours in Fresh Market, comparing cheeses, all of the pickles and olives, the wine and fresh flowers, and hanging around in the produce section. Have you ever noticed how wonderful a produce section is in a store like Fresh Market? It is overflowing with beauty, texture and color. Strolling around the store, looking at the various components to good eating is a feast for the senses. In fact the whole shopping center where Fresh Market is located in Gainesville, is a feast for foodies like me. We have Upper Crust Bakery with all of it's fine breads and pastries, and A wonderful seafood monger, West Coast Seafood, and Dorn's for fine wines and cheeses. I can spend the day going from shop to shop there, looking at food and all the components of good eating. Luckily, my gallery Paddiwhack has just moved to the space next to Fresh Market, so it's very convenient for me.

Think of the rich bounty we have here in Florida. As you travel around the state you will find a harvest of seafood, honey, Beef, Pork, chicken and numerous fruits and vegetables on the tables of southern folk. We have our specialties like Key Lime Pie, and every region shows off it's best to travelers. Of course, my favorite is still fried chicken. I could write a book about my memories and experiences with that single food. Fried chicken is my comfort food. Whenever I am feeling low, I get out the chicken, the cast iron skillet and start frying. It makes me extremely happy and I love the process of it as I would in doing a painting. I'll do a newsletter about fried chicken one day.

The Food Network on TV is almost heaven, with all of the chefs's programs. My two favorite TV chefs are Jacques Pepin on PBS and Ina Garten on Food Network. They are wonderful chefs, not too weird with their recipes, not too silly, just good easy to understand instructions and great style.

Here is a tip from my days as a chef/caterer.

To really enhance the color and flavor of parsley, first rinse the whole bunch in cold water and drain. Cut away the woody stems and chop the leaves as finely as you like with a chef knife using a rocking motion of the knife over the leaves. Keep scraping them back to the center of the cutting board and chopping. Place all the chopped parsley in the center of a clean bar towel or kitchen towel. Hold over the sink and squeeze the parsley in a tight spiral of the towel around it. Squeeze until all moisture is out. Open the towel and bag the parsley with a single moist paper towel in a sealed container. The parsley will be usable for quite a while. Why squeeze the parsley after it's chopped? Squeezing the parsley releases the oils in the leaves, where the taste and fragrance come from. It also brings out the beautiful color in the herb. That is a very important step.

Here's a Top ten list of my favorite cakes:

Carrot Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Key Lime Cheesecake
Poppy Seed Lemon Cake with lemon curd filling
Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Strawberry Short Cake
Spice Cake
Chocolate cake with amaretto and raspberry filling and chocolate ganache icing

Cake is my very favorite dessert. I can resist almost anything but cake. It is my downfall. I never really met a cake I didn't like. When I was a child, Mother used to buy 1/2 yellow cakes with chocolate frosting on the bread isle at the grocery store. They were very popular and we could not wait to dig into them. They were the precursor to the frozen cakes you can buy now at stores. I love to peruse the bakery at the grocery store, looking longingly at the cakes in the showcase. For awhile the were selling sugar free chocolate cakes but now the don't. I miss them. I started out in the food industry making cakes for a living. I specialized in small cakes for 8 to 12 people. They were rich and lovely with lots of brandies and liqueurs in them. A cake is a beautiful piece of edible art.


How About a Recipe?

This was my favorite cake for adding all kinds of flavorings and texture too. It is the best pound cake around.

Sour Cream Pound Cake


1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, plus more for pan 3 cups sugar 1 cup sour cream 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 6 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extractAlmond Buttercream Frosting, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour a tube pan and set aside.
In the bowl of a mixer, cream butter and sugar together and then add sour cream. Sift flour and baking soda together. Add to creamed mixture, alternately with eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add extracts and stir to combine. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Cool cake in pan for about 10 minutes and then unmold and cool completely on a wire rack.

Cook's Note: This cake can be baked in regular round pans to make a wonderful layer cake. Fillings include lemon curd, raspberries or strawberries, raspberry jam with almonds. Sprinkle layers with rum, or other liqueurs, pineapple or any other fruit you like. Frost with buttercream. It makes a beautiful cake that stands up well for multiple layers.


http://www.southernfoodways.com/
http://www.soul-food-advisor.com/

http://www.southernfoodcooking.com/

http://www.chefrick.com/

http://www.olsouthrecipes.com/

http://bama.ua.edu/~bgray/recipes.htm

http://southerncuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/favorite_southern_food_quotes

http://www.travelsouthflavours.com/

http://www.lifeintheusa.com/food/southerncooking.htm

http://www.mamas-southern-cooking.com/