Happy Holidays from Linda Blondheim Art Studio

Lake Alice
8x10 inches
oil on panel

December Special

WISHING YOU ALL A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON

December Special from Linda Blondheim Art Studio

Hidden Pasture
20x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel
wired and ready to hang unframed
1500.00
Free Shipping and gift wrapping
Purchase HERE


December Special:

My December Special for Friends:
Any 8x10 inch painting on my web site will be 75.00 with free shipping and gift wrap. On December 1st, go to Small paintings to purchase, through January 1st. Happy Holidays to all my friends.

Transition to Winter- Linda Blondheim Art Studio

Transition to Winter
18x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel
wired and ready to hang unframed
Free Shipping and Gift Wrapping

Purchase HERE

At long last fall has arrived in North central Florida. It has been a slow lengthy wait with unseasonably warm weather. Last week I noticed the color of winter coming. The oranges, mauves, pinks and wheat colors like a quilt over the landscape. The smokey blues and grays have come in the distant trees and trunks of trees in shadow. What glorious color now to savor and enjoy. I am beginning to hear the Sand Hill Cranes calling to each other as well. Florida is at its best in winter.

North Florida Sky

North Florida Sky
18x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel
wired and ready to hang unframed

Purchase HERE

Here in north central Florida, the skies are spectacular. I love to paint them though I can never give them the justice they deserve. We like to think of them as our "mountains".

A Facebook Friends Make an Offer

River palms
12x16 inches
oil on panel
free gift wradpping and free shipping

This is my "Make an Offer" painting featured on Facebook through November 15 at 7PM. To make an offer email me at lindablondheim@gmail.com Put offer in the subject line.

The current high offer is 20.00

Linda Blondheim Art Studio News

Poor Man's Creek
12x16 inches
oil on Masonite
700.00
unframed
free shipping

Purchase HERE





“Small Works/BIG Ideas/ Thinking Inside the Box” will open at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery on Sunday, November 8, 2009 with a reception from 1-5 PM. This show features over 100 original works of art in a variety of media by 52 recognized as well as emerging local artists.


Artist participation was by invitation only and the requirements were simple: each artist was given an overall allotment of 432sq inches, all work had to be original, framed if appropriate, with outside measurements not exceeding a total of 144 square inches per piece. In addition each artist was assigned specific size dimensions for hanging space, so “thinking inside the box” was necessary.


Why small works? Because art created on a small scale is both intimate and indescribably powerful. This particular format also has the potential for making the work of a favorite artist more economically accessible and art patrons will have a wonderful opportunity to acquire art for collecting or for giving.



The Melrose Bay Art Gallery is open every weekend from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and from 1-5 PM on Sunday. “Small Works/BIG Ideas/ Thinking Inside the Box” will be up from Saturday, November 7 through Sunday, December 20.


* * *
Melrose Bay Art Gallery
open Sat 10am-6pm & Sun 1-5pm
103 State Road 26 at Centre Street
PO Box 36
Melrose, Florida 32666
(352) 475-3866
new email address:
melrosebayartgallery@gmail.com
www.melrosebayartgallery.com

My Annual Studio Sale is in progress in Gainesville Florida, at Books Inc. corner of NW 13th Street and NW 5th Avenue, just 5 blocks north of the University of Florida entrance.

November 1-30, 2009

A busy Fall-Linda Blondheim Art Studio

Fall at Fair Oaks Farm
20x24 inches
oil on wood panel
1500.00
Free Shipping
Purchase HERE

I've been on the road some this fall and very busy with various projects. I'm back in the studio and ready to paint in lovely Evinston, Florida again. Studio Dog and I are headed out this afternoon for a painting session. Enjoy this lucious fall weather in North Florida. get out and discover the back roads, the beautiful coast and rivers of our state. Eat in the old fashioned restaurants in small towns. Get the flavor of North Central Florida, "the heart of Florida", in your blood. You will know why I love it with a passion.There is a new adventure for you just around the corner.

Linda Blondheim Studio Newsletter October 14, 2009

Coastal Palms
12x16 inches
acrylic on birch panel
wired and ready to hang unframed
Purchase HERE


Landscapes of the South
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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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October 14, 2009
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It's time for my

Annual Books Inc Studio Sale

November 1-30, 2009
at Books Inc in Gainesville
Corner of NW 5th Avenue and NW 13th Street
5 blocks from UF

I have the following for sale:

I always have a lot of paintings in the sale, including studies and older paintings.
This year I'll bring the older frames and the drying boxes too.
This is your chance to own a Blondheim painting if you have been waiting.




My next E-class is Virtual Plein Air, I - November 10, 2009 Sign up HERE



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Along the Bartram Trail



My paint Out Adventure

I've been away at a paint out in northeast Florida between Jacksonville and St Augustine
on State Road 13
Belulahatchee is an interesting area of that drive. it is a creek/pond which is
a tributary of the St John's River. it is very old Florida in every way. A swamp
with Cypress trees, palms and lots of beauty. In other circumstances, magnificent.
We were privileged to paint on the property of well known writer Stetson Kennedy
and I met him. He is in his 90's but is as spry as can be and very active. The painting
above is of one of his cottages on the river.

On the day I painted there it rained on and off all day long. We would paint for
an hour and then have to retreat to our cars during the current storm. I felt lucky
to have completed this painting at all. There were patches of good light despite
the rain.

I do believe this was the hottest most miserable weather I've ever painted in. I'm
not much of a plein air summer painter, preferring the cool dry climate and color
of Florida in Fall through Spring.
It averaged from 90-96 each day with 80-100% humidity throughout the week we were
there. It is very still along the river, with little air circulation.




I spent a lot of time at Alpine Grove Park. It was the location for the wet room for paintings
and where all of our meals were served. It is a lovely park which fronts the river,
with many oaks, palms and cypress trees, along with a few old Magnolia trees. I
decided that I wanted to spend the day on a painting, so I chose this beautiful
scene. I was really tired by the end of that day after standing in one spot for
about 6 hours. It was worth the effort to have gotten a good sized painting in an
event where most paintings are small.


The park has several old buildings and the old house is lovely, in the 1800's vernacular
of Florida homes. There is a long new dock, which is covered for shade and protection
from the rain. Naturally, with so many artists participating, the dock was always
full of painters, so I only got one study there on the first day before everyone
arrived. I tend to avoid the most popular locations in order to seek quiet for
my painting time. Avoiding chatter is very difficult at paint outs, unless you
have a smaller number of painters with many locations to choose from.

The Bailey Ranch was one of the great locations along the Bartram Trail. it is
a working cattle ranch along the river and very interesting. There are lots of old
oaks and tall pines there with cracker cows, donkeys, and horses. it's not beautiful
like the farms in Evinston, but it is quite interesting.



In spite of the wretched weather I enjoyed painting along the Bartram trail. The
committee members could not have been more helpful to the artists. I am grateful
for the excellent food and hosting I received while there. Thanks to North Florida
Land Trust for an excellent experience.
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How About a Recipe?



I had the chance to eat very good food, while I was painting the Bartram Trail.
Two of the best places where I ate was Shannon's Pub on Racetrack Road and SR 13,
and at Beach Diner on SR 13 in Mandarin. We also tried DonJuans Mexican Restaurant
which was also good, on 13 in Mandarin.


At Shannons, I tried one of my favorites, Shepherd's Pie . Here is my recipe, similar
to their's.

1 pound ground round, crumbled and pried with one chopped onion, a bag of mixed
vegetables, a can of crushed tomatoes, beef stock mixed with bit of red wine and
corn starch. Fry and drain meat and veges. Pour in stock mixture and simmer until
thick and yummy. Season with salt, pepper,thyme and parsley.

Make a batch of mashed potatoes, keep them spreadable but pretty thick.
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded.

Put meat/gravy mixture in a deep pan to bake in oven. Spread mashed potatoes over
the mixture like cake icing. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake until golden
and bubbly.







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Back to What I Love

I'm almost through with my obligations for fall now. I have worked hard and I'm
ready to get back to my first love, of painting the farms and ranches here in north
Central Florida. I can think of nothing I would rather do with my time. I will
shortly be through with a small commission, a day trip to the Epcot Food and Wine
festival on this Saturday and a couple of small day events, scattered through the
fall.

I'll be giving up my painting location at Paddiwhack for awhile, switching to Evinston
instead. I want to take advantage of the beauty there for a few months.
Since I will be out and about painting out of my studio for the rest of fall, let
me know if you wish to pay a studio visit, or use my web site instead to purchase
paintings.

I'll be checking in with news, but not quite as much as summer, when I have more
time to write.

There are plans for another Evinston paint Out for 2010. if you would like to be
a sponsor for another Evinston paint out, or to sponsor one of the artists with
hosting, meals, or patron purchasing, please let me know.The paint out is not a
reality yet, but we hope it will be.


(Artists, This will be an Invitational paint out only, so don't write to me to get
applications. There are none.)

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Out Painting


I'll be painting for the next few months in beloved Evinston Florida, moving there
for the fall to paint. Come by the Wood Swink Post Office to step back in time to
a more pleasant world. Freddie has the best produce, fresh every day for sale. Located
between Micanopy and McIntosh off US 441 on County road 225. I'll see you there.

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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 HERE


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Linda Blondheim Art Studio Newsletter, October 1, 2009

Night Palms
20x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel
HERE




Studio/Plein Air Equipment for sale

I have the following for sale:

used frames

miniature- 3.00 each (4x6)
small 10.00 each ( 6x8-8x10)
larger (12x16-16x20)20.00 each
1 heavy gold 30.00 (18x24)

a nice 12x16 inch panel drying box, 50.00

an old 8x10 drying box,needs a lid, 10.00

Art instruction books 5.00 each

email me: lindablondheim@gmail.com


My next E-class is Virtual Plein Air, I - November 10, 2009beginning September 29.
http://www.lindablondheim.com/publications.php


Florida Clouds


I don't know about other places, but here in North central Florida we have had the most incredible clouds this fall. I've gotten into the habit of jumping in the car, late in the afternoon with Henry and just driving around to gawk at them with awe. I can't remember a more impressive view of the clouds in recent years.

We like to think of clouds as our mountains here in Florida. We have every hue from bottle green to teal, orange,pink,red,yellow, and rich dark purple.

As a landscape painter, I have a keen interest in them and a fascination with painting them. I am of course, not alone in this quest. Lots of my painting friends do them as well. Some of my painting friends have signatures to their work with their clouds. I have one friend who is well known for her pink clouds. What's fun is that her paintings always have pink clouds, no matter what the atmospheric condition or time of day she is painting.

Mine go through various stages of development. of late, I have been using a lot of back lighting on mine with fairly deep shadows on the fronts of the clouds. A bit more red in them as well, but I'm very fond of the orange blue compliment gray in mine.

Clouds become a landscape painter's signature, part of their style if they have a keen interest in them.

Here's a bit about Clouds:

Cloud Types common cloud classifications Clouds are classified into a system that uses Latin words to describe the appearance of clouds as seen by an observer on the ground. The table below summarizes the four principal components of this classification system (Ahrens, 1994).

Latin Root Translation Example

cumulus
stratus
cirrus
nimbus heap
layer
curl of hair
rain fair weather cumulus
altostratus
cirrus
cumulonimbus

Further classification identifies clouds by height of cloud base. For example, cloud names containing the prefix "cirr-", as in cirrus clouds, are located at high levels while cloud names with the prefix "alto-", as in altostratus, are found at middle levels. This module introduces several cloud groups. The first three groups are identified based upon their height above the ground. The fourth group consists of vertically developed clouds, while the final group consists of a collection of miscellaneous cloud types.

Since I am not a science type person, I'll simply enjoy the view. I often like to go to the Orange lake overlook just south of McIntosh, Florida to enjoy the huge cloud formations rolling across the sky in the late afternoon there.

Clouds allow me to wonder and dream about our good earth and sky. I can't think of any more beautiful visions than an open sky full of ever changing clouds. Because they change so rapidly, I've learned a thing or two about saving time while painting them. I will often premix all of the colors I want to use for a cloud study, making it much faster to work and capture their beauty.

The next time you want to have some free fun, go out to a place with a vista and take your lawn chair. Sit and dream, while you watch the clouds go by.



The Painting Process

Night Palms

I've been fooling around with my "Night Palms" theme this week, first with a 5x7 study to warm up with and then this painting. I've gotten a lot of questions about the Night Palm series from friends, collectors and other artists, about the process.

Some of the paintings are actually started on location and a few of the small ones are done alla prima on location. When I paint out for nocturnals I NEVER go alone, unless it is in my own yard. Safety is very important, especially for us gals!!

I often use a little book light for the work, which clips onto the lid of my paint box. I got mine at Radio Shack and it comes with a little battery stand that is plugged in to sue when I'm not painting. It is convenient but not really very powerful, so i am always looking for another way. Some people paint with the miner's head lamps, but the spotlight from those can be difficult because they do not produce any ambient light and are almost too strong. One of the best ways is to paint where there is a lot of ambient street light or on a full moon night, my favorite.

My best method is to go out and simply observe what things look like at night, taking notes and thinking about how to portray objects in darkness, then going back to my studio to produce paintings like this one. Painting nocturnals is more about the esthetic of the look rather than the reality of night.

I've always loved the night and feel comfortable with it, having been a landscape painter for most of my adult life and living on rural land. We learned very young how to navigate in the dark, ride horses and so forth. There is a mystery of the night that is very appealing in art. We are all fascinated by nodcturnal paintings.

My favorite place to observe for nocturnal paintings is Wekiva State Park. It is simply magnificent at sunset, sunrise, and into the night. The early evening and dawn color there is beyond beautiful with the smokey grays, deep mauves,blues,silvers and rusts of winter. I can't wait to get there every year to paint for a week.

Step outside at night and observe the mystery.


How About a Recipe?


I have been playing around with the idea of making old fashioned cakes and yeast breads to sell again. Not the fancy bakery cakes, but the old timey ones that Grandma used to turn out. It's been a long time since bakerys sold good old style cakes and there might be an interest for them. I'm thinking Lemon poppy Seed with lemon curd filling, Carrot Cake with orange curd filling, Red Velvet Cake. Sour cream with strawberry/amaretto filling and burnt buttercream frosting. Chocolate chip cake with chocolate ganash rum icing. I wonder if anyone would be interested?

This week's recipe, I made up the other evening when I was bored with the usual meal. it was surprisingly tasty.

Beans,Chili and Rice

1 can chili
1 can black beans drained
1 small chopped onion
3 cups hot cooked rice
1/2 shredded romaine lettuce
1 large tomato diced
dash of chopped cilantro
dollop of sour cream for each serving

heat and mix beans and chili
Pour over rice
top with lettuce,tomato,onion,cilantro and sour cream.

Yummy!!

Cook's Tip:

Forget the bagged salads and make your own. if you keep a tomato, bag of whole romaine lettuce, an onion and a seedless cucumber in the fridge, you can make a salad fresh in lickity split time. It will last so much longer than a bagged salad.



On the Road Again


I'lll be away for a couple of weeks, first to St John's County for "Painting the Region" along state road 13, part of the William Bartram trail. I haven't done a paint out since May, so I am very rusty. Let's hope I'll get my plein air muse back again for this event. I think most of my painting time will be at the ranch but I really don't know what any of the locations look like, so we will see. My tendency is to avoid other painters when I work, so whereever the crowd is, I won't be ;>)There are a lot of painters at this one, so it may be difficult to find a quiet spot each day, but I will try. I am not staying with artists I know or even my host, so it will be a bit lonely there. Come see me.


http://www.paintingtheregion.com

After Painting the Region, I'm off to Orlando for a day or two with my daughters and their men to the Wine Festival at Epcot. A mini vacation if you will. When I get back, I'll have lots of stories for you. I am hoping my host has internet service or there is a coffee shop nearby. I'll check in on Facebook frequently while on the road. http://www.facebook.com/linda.blondheim



A Tribute to North Florida

The Ken Burns Film


I've been watching the newest Ken Burns film this week, Our National Parks, America's Best Idea. it has been a profound experience for me, loving the land and water as I do. Ken Burns is one of our most gifted artists, a national treasure. If you have not seen his films you simply must. They are sublime recordings of American history and culture, made with meticulous craftsmanship and subtlty, giving dignity to those souls who came before us.

I wrote an email to Mr Burns through his agency this week, asking him to do a film about Evinston/Cross Creek/Orange Lake/Micanopy. I don't know whether he will receive the email, but I so believe that area of Florida deserves his magic touch with film. I wish a documentary film maker would discover this part of Florida. The lovely film Cross Creek done years ago was the closest one I've seen that does it justice, though it was a biography focusing on MKR.

When I drive through these old towns, sit in the Wood Swink by the stove, and wander the Wood Farm and Fair Oaks Farm, I long for a way to pay tribute to the beauty I see there. I fear that the Wood Swink will close before the repair work and upgrades can be done for lack of funding. I want to see the ranches and farms continue as they have been for a century or more. I cringe when I see the developers licking their chops at Orange Lake and the Paynes Prairie Rim.

I've done what I can by being part of land conservation efforts here in north Florida. I urge you to do the same.

http://www.conserveflorida.org/index.html
http://alachuaconservationtrust.org/index.php?/alachua/mission-history/
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/fl_forever.htm
http://northfloridalandtrust.org/




Out Painting



This week I'll be packing for my trip and will not be at Paddiwhack. I'll be back in front of the gallery to paint two weeks from Friday.



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.

EBAY

Linda Blondheim Art Studio Newsletter, September 24, 2009

Lake Alice
University of Florida
20x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel

Landscapes of the South
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Linda Blondheim Web Site
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 24, 2009
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Studio/Plein Air Equipment for sale

I have the following for sale:

used frames


miniature- 3.00 each (4x6)
small 10.00 each ( 6x8-8x10)
larger (12x16-16x20)20.00 each
1 heavy gold 30.00 (18x24)

a nice 12x16 inch panel drying box, 50.00
an old 8x10 drying box,needs a lid, 10.00
Art instruction books 5.00 each
email me: lindablondheim@gmail.com [mailto:lindablondheim@gmail.com]

My next E-class is Values in the Landscape I. Starts September 29, beginning September 29, 2009 HERE



Join Our Mailing List HERE
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Butterfly Fun



Henry (AKA Studio Dog) and I have had fun this summer observing the beautiful butterflies
around the yard. It seems that we have had more this year than in years past. They
are all lined up in their prom dresses each morning flitting around the dance floor
in cobalt blue, yellow orange and even rusty red. Some wear iridescent make up as
well that shimmers as they curtsey and twirl around. Henry watches in fascination
as the colored bits fly around the yard.

One of the great features of the Natural History Museum in my town is the Butterfly
Rain Forest. I remember when the museum was downtown in the Seagl Building and
then later on campus in the underground way cool building. I loved it then, much
more than I do now. In those days they had a lot more of the antiquities on display.
I remember the rows and rows of butterflies mounted, old tools, dresses which were
installed in pull out glass cases; Lots of really cool bones, arrow heads and parts
of dinosaurs. It was scruffier then and more arcane, a place of mystery and discovery.

It was the kind of place you could hang around in for hours browsing, looking at
the dioramas and wondering about the past here on earth. Like an ancient book shop
without the generic, upscale coffee bars you see everywhere now. We are losing
all the old scruffy places now. I can live with it, but I miss them. I'm sure the
new place is much better for them, but it is too sleek and cold for me now. I miss
the old place.

The butterfly forest is cool though, and the museum now features art exhibitions
of which I have been included a few times. It's better for the new generations
coming along, bigger and easier to run I'm sure.

I watch a great show called P Allen Smith's Garden Home. I love that guy. He makes
gardens into outdoor living spaces and often talks about how to encourage butterflies
into your home garden. His show is on the create channel.

My research at: Opler, Paul A., Kelly Lotts, and Thomas Naberhaus, coordinators.
2009. Butterflies and Moths of North America. Bozeman, MT: Big Sky Institute. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
tells me how long my butterfly friends live.

Adult Life Span

Marking studies suggest that winged adults of many (and perhaps most) species live
only a week or two, and that the male tends to live a few days less than the female.
However, in some species, the adult life span of some generations may be much longer.
For example, in some species, adults that emerge in late summer or early fall hibernate
overwinter in a sheltered spot. Also fall-hatched monarch butterflies migrate south
in fall and northward in spring. Adults of these species may survive for 8-9 months
or longer.

Total Life Span

Total life span includes time spent in the larval and pupal stages, as well as the
adult stage. Each species description in Butterflies and Moths of North America
includes the number of annual "flights" for that species. A flight is a generation
of adults. Thus, if a species has "two flights from May through September" it means
that one generation will emerge from the pupal stage in spring and a second in summer.

Actual months of emergence depend on latitude. Life spans of these two generations
will be very different depending upon the species' strategy for getting through
the winter.

If the spring flight comes from eggs that were laid in fall by the previous year's
summer flight, the total life span for the spring flight is 10-11 months. Eggs laid
in May/June by those adults develop much more rapidly, due to higher temperatures,
and adults emerge in about 2-3 months, resulting in a total life span of 3½-4 months
for the summer flight, or less than half that of the spring flight. However, if
the species is one in which adults of the summer flight overwinter, then the spring
flight develops from eggs laid in spring, and in this case the summer flight is
the longer-lived generation.

Not all species have two flights per year. Some species, particularly northern ones,
have only a single flight annually, or a total life span of about a year. Some Arctic
butterflies are believed to have a 2-year life cycle due to the extremely short
growing season and the scarcity of high quality food for the larval stage. And some
desert species, which normally have a life cycle of only one year, may hibernate
as larvae or pupae for up to 7 years waiting for adequate rainfall to ensure growth
of the host plant. On the other hand, southern species may have numerous fast-developing
but short-lived generations each year. Finally, among the many species that are
distributed over a wide latitudinal zone, it is not uncommon for northern populations
to have one or two flights annually while more southerly populations have many flights
annually. In some cases, the number of flights is considered taxonomically significant;

for example, the Eastern and Canadian tiger swallowtails are now recognized as separate
species, partially based on the fact that the Canadian Species has only one flight
per year vs 2-3 for the Eastern Species.

Average Life Span


Often people want to know the "average" life span of a butterfly or some other species.
This is a very different question than the one answered above, as it requires knowledge
of age-specific death rates. These are not known for free ranging Lepidoptera(or
indeed for most wild animals). About all that can be said is that only a minute
fraction of larvae survive to adulthood, and the average butterfly life span or
life expectancy is correspondingly much shorter than the figures given above would
indicate.

So, start hanging around the yard watching these beautiful and graceful friends
before they are gone!!

http://www.butterflyhouse.org/butterflies/butterflygardening.aspx
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef006.asp
http://www.thebutterflysite.com/gardening.shtml
http://www.ehow.com/how_2074105_mount-butterfly.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art
http://www.butterflywebsite.com/faq.cfm
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/

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The Painting Process

I tend to work on series of paintings about a theme or subject. I've always done
that, since I can remember. As an eight year old painter, I loved horses and everything
about them. Of course all little girls do. I remember learning all the parts and
pieces of the anatomy, pouring over horse books and copying the paintings and photos
I saw in the books. As an adolescent I became enamored with the still life because
I had discovered Cezanne. I read all the books about the Impressionists and the
Post Impressionists. I became one in my own mind, doing endless still life paintings.

Then I discovered the Walter T Foster books and branched out to his entire How To
subjects. To this day I love those books. They are just terrific!!
By the time I landed in college as an art major, I had tackled just about every
subject I could think of. In art school I was introduced to figurative and abstract
expressionist work, which I never really took to. It's not that I don't like it
because I do, I just don't really like doing it. I really need a recognizable subject
of some kind to be happy.

After I wandered around for about 20 years, drawing, doing lots of different mediums
and subjects, I finally found myself in the landscape genre'. I have felt securely
at home there for the last 15 years. That was just about the time I decided that
I didn't have any interest in going to the Southwest to be a western painter like
everyone else wanted to do. I discovered Florida for the first time. I like painting
in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina too, but in the last couple of years my focus
has narrowed considerably, mostly to North Florida. Isn't it funny that it took
me about 30 years to discover home as the best place to paint?

My themes approach to painting has continued through all of it. I have two ongoing
themes that I revisit occasionally. The first is my "night palms" theme. I have
always been fascinated by nocturnal painting. There is something about those tall
palms against the indigo night sky that fascinates me. The second theme is the "Red
Tree" series. I don't know where that came from, but I've always loved doing the
red trees. I revisit these two themes haphazardly, never knowing when I will want
to do one and then suddenly there they are!!

About three years ago my theme was Florida Rivers. Now I am progressing through
Florida farms and ranches and this one has really pulled my heart strings, particularly
the Evinston series. I am determined to do a book about my adventures in Evinston,
with the paintings I do there.

I think working in themes keeps me focused and helps me to have a cohesive body
of work. I can have a broad theme like "North Florida" and multiple sub themes
under that like Evinston and Lake Alice.

The important thing to me for a painter is to be organized in their focus rather
than wandering around helter skelter in their approach to painting. The more I
know and love my subject, the better my paintings will be. That's my philosophy
and I'm sticking with it!
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How About a Recipe?



I had a few requests from Facebook friends to re post my Crock Pot BBQ recipe.

1 large beef or pork roast, trimmed of fat

1 small onion diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp garlic powder
dash of cayenne pepper or more if you like it spicy
dash of good paprika
1 tsp salt(I like coarse ground sea salt)
1 /2 tsp fresh ground black cracked pepper
BBQ sauce- I like to use Sonnys or KC Masterpiece

Mix up spices and rub them into the meat.

Place meat in crock pot and add diced onion. Set on low heat and forget about it
for about 6-7 hours.

Open the lid and use a fork to shred up the meat. Pour 1-2 bottles of good sauce
over the meat and mix in thoroughly. Serve on buns with sweet potato fries and
a salad.

Yummy!!

Cooks Tip:
If you really want to find the best recipes in the south, go to the church, band
booster, Jr League and Womens Club, college, local and regional cookbooks. These
are the books that have the old, passed down from generations recipes.

Left over rice can be re-made into a nice casserole by adding a can of cream soup,
a dash of wine, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and a half
portion of mixed vegetables from the freezer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Spreading the Good Around


Kiva is really cool. If you are not familiar with it go to http://www.kiva.org to
read all about it. It is a lending organization that helps the working poor around
the world.
I just love this because these people are not looking for a hand out. They are working hard to support their families in often terrible conditions. Most all of them pay
back the loans in a short time. I like to help women in these countries and I have
focused on Central America, the Middle East and Mongolia. I just made my fourth
loan in about 4 years. The great thing is that you can simply re-loan out the same
money over and over. I made my initial investment in a woman who was a clothing
designer in Guatemala. That led to the next loan to a woman in Egypt for a hair
salon. I did that in honor of my daughter Sara, who is a hair stylist. It made
her happy. The third loan was to a group of women who worked together as cooperative
farmers in Nicaragua. Today, I made the latest loan to a woman in Nicaragua who
is a grocer. She needs to be able to buy more stock to expand her store. So my
little loan has traveled around the world helping women to grow and prosper. It
is such a feel good to do this. They take tiny amounts of money too, as low as 25.00
You can make a small donation to Kiva for their own maintenance and staff as an
extra each time or skip that. The entirety for the loan you make goes to the recipient,so there is no waste.


I sure wish there was a Kiva for artists in this country. I have long thought that
there should be a cooperative in each city for artists to belong to. A resource
pool in which others could make loans to artists with low interest to buy art supplies,pay for promotional materials, or emergency funds to pay for car repair or rent and support for elderly artists who are past their income stage. I know that there are many attorneys who offer pro bono work for artists and bless them for that.


It seems to me that we could solve a lot of problems in our communities by banding
together in these kinds of groups, giving just a little of our time and ourselves
to give assistance in a casual, informal way. There is so much that can be done
easily. Problem solving in groups if you will. A friend and I, Mary Jane Volkmann,
fabulous artist http://www.maryjanevolkmann.com talk about this idea a lot. We have
a "circle of influence" theory about how to improve life for many. We decided that
we can't do much for others in places far away, but we can work within our own circle
of influence to do what we can. Our circle overlaps someone else's and theirs, and
theirs, so you see how it can continue along. When you look at the overwhelming
need for decency and generosity in the huge world, it begins to overwhelm you. But
if you look within your circle of influence, you know that you can do something
for others.

Here are some things I and others have done and I know you have many examples too:


Buy a cup of coffee for someone who is feeling low or take them out to lunch or
to a movie.

Bring a take out dinner to someone's home as a surprise. ( When my old dog died,
two of my friends brought meals and desserts to my house. You can't imagine how
much it meant to me)

Contribute to someone's business needs with equipment, office supplies or a gift
card to a store where they purchase.

If you are good at computers, give someone else a hand who isn't.

Send business to a friend who needs customers. Though you may not need what your
friend sells, you surely know someone else who might.

Do business with your friends if you can.
Shop locally!!

Offer to help a friend do yard work or send someone to do it for them.


Offer to do paper work, answer emails and office tasks for someone who may be overwhelmed
with work.
Give good advice on household management or finances to someone who is struggling.

Offer to take their car in for a tune up.

Offer to be a business mentor to someone who needs good business advice.

If you are good at home improvement, offer to fix up around their house.

Send a card or letter of encouragement with a nice tea bag or dried flowers enclosed.

Offer to help a friend move, especially if they are losing their home.

If you see someone in line that doesn't have quite enough for their purchase, pay
for it.

If you know someone at work is in trouble, take up an anonymous collection and leave
it on their desk. (WE once took up a collection at an art show to pay for an artist's
rent one month, so he would not be evicted)

Get together as a group and create a money tree party for someone who is in trouble.
A church group I knew at one time did this regularly for members who were having
financial difficulty. It was really cool. They made a tree out of wire and glued
tiny clips to the branches where they rolled up bills and attached them all over
the tree. They had a party and invited the recipient and surprised them with the
tree gift. Way Cool!!


So many people volunteer at hospitals, nursing homes and libraries, but how many
ever think that they could volunteer to help their friend with their business a
few hours a week? Helping your friend to run their coffee shop, ,clothing shop,
printing business or other business might actually turn the tide and help them
stay afloat in these hard times. Sending them a new customer might make a difference.

Use your circle of influence in a positive way. Little things can mean so much.
I am so grateful to the many people in my life who have stepped forward so many
times to lend me a helping hand. You all know how much I adore you!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Week's Ebay Paintings

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

Linda Blondheim Art Studio newsletter, September 17, 2009

Landscapes of the South
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.lindablondheim.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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 17, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Lake Alice

20x24 inches
acrylic on wood panel



As Artists Age

I had a really interesting conversation this week with another artist about aging
in a career. The advantage that artists and craftsmen have is that we are able to
paint or do our work for a lifetime. We don't have to retire.

Often, our work is our obsession and life rather than a job separate from our personal
lives. To choose art as a profession is often unwise. We have no back up system.
We live on the fringes of society and often without much in creature comforts.
We manage to get along while we are vigorous and healthy but what happens when we
begin to age?

I thought this might be an insightful topic for my readers and my candor about it
might help you to understand the real world of being an artist. It is often isolating,
due to the nature of the work. We are either broke or flush depending on the economy,
and so there is little security for us. That is never a deterrent because we love
our job so much and it is an important one. We are the historians of our culture,
of our particular moment in history. We bring sweetness and refinement to an often
gritty dull world. We manage to see beauty in the mundane with humor, satire, and
devotion. Of course there are fabulously successful artists who are household names,
and moderately successful artists like me, who with hard work can live with the
comfort of a roof over our heads; my definition of success being that I can paint
for a living without two jobs. Would I love to be well to do? Of course, but I will
play the hand I have been dealt with gusto.

She brought up an interesting number of questions on this topic:


What happens to us as artists as we age?

On what have we designed our careers and life's work?

What do we do with all the leftover paintings and sketches we haven't sold?

What happens when our energy declines, if and when we get worn out and our inspiration
goes through spells of waning?

What happens when our eyesight starts dimming and we just aren't as sharp as we
used to be?

What happens when our memories start to elude us and we forget all the progress
we may have made in our careers and everything we may have learned?

What happens if we've built a business on rapid production (or any particular kind
of production) and it just becomes something we don't enjoy much anymore but we
don't know how to do anything else?

What happens when we get burned out of just plain tired. If one loses the joy,
how does one begin to re-define oneself at an older age, especially if one needs
the income?

The following was my answer to her:

For myself, I feel I am just now beginning to be a decent painter. The work I've
done in the last six months has been a significant jump in technique for me, at
least that is what people tell me. My dealer in Jacksonville wrote me a note and
said she was flabbergasted by the new work I sent her. I'm 59 and just learning
to paint. As long as I can live I will probably be filled with enthusiasm for painting.
I may not paint well the rest of my time on earth, but certainly with great joy.

As to my old work or any work. I have instructed my daughters to sell it the week
after my demise and get what they can for it on the market which will be fleetingly
hot for my work. I don't worry overmuch about any of that kind of thing. What doesn't
sell, can be burned on a fire or kept by them or given away by them.

I live with
great joy each day and don't worry a hell of a lot about tomorrow. We are all going
to go somehow sometime. I'm not a very deep thinker as you know.
I really can't imagine a time when I would not be thrilled to be a painter. That
has never come up in my life. In terms of money, I have lived marginally most of
my life so that is nothing new. I can live out of my car if I have to. If my memory
goes, I will probably vegetate fairly happily until I go. I strive to be the best
painter always and that is why I gave up studio teaching for Internet teaching.
I may starve but I will be content to paint at least.

I want to spend the rest of my productive painting life painting what I wish to
and for myself. I want to leave the legacy of the beauty of North Central Florida
and of the farms and ranches there. Recording this part of the world is a worthy
goal. I'm just so lucky that I never think much about the bad to come. It will
come without my help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Lake Alice is a University of Florida treasure in Gainesville, Florida. It's a favorite
painting spot for me and I will soon be going there for fall painting time. I especially
enjoy painting there on Sunday morning. I meet lots of interesting people. it is
a favorite walking and jogging trail for people who live near or on campus. I've
done hundreds of paintings at Lake Alice, all of them small studies, but I think
it is time to do a larger painting of the lake I love so much.

I've had all kinds of encounters there with alligators and snakes over the years.
it is full of both. Once I got the bright idea to go out and set up my easel before
dawn, so I would be ready to paint the sunrise. I walked right up on a big alligator
and we both thrashed around, me screaming and running as fast as my short fat legs
would go and he/she thrashing around with that big tail and enormous choppers!!
You never know how fast you can run until fear drives you. I shook for an hour
and could hardly hold the brush to paint. That was my first and last attempt to
paint at lake Alice before dawn.

The wildlife at the lake is exceptional and so is the fall color. I have painted
there at all times of the day and in all seasons, but fall, October through December
is my favorite. The cypress trees turn rusty red against the blue in the water.
I have two favorite spots to paint, both to the right and left of the main picnic
area, which I avoid. As you circle around the path, there is a bench way back fronting
the lake, which most people pass by unnoticed. It is exceptionally beautiful there
and I see many wild birds because it is a quiet area.

Across the street is the much loved Bat House and the community garden.The bad House was damaged, but the work is ongoing to repair it. The street
is shady and pleasant with sidewalks on both sides and it's a wonderful place to
hang around on Sunday morning or in the evening to watch the bats emerge from their
house. it's a social place where families and friends meet.
There are lots of weddings at the beautiful Baughman Center, which is a chapel on
the lake.

I love to go to the Mill Bakery for breakfast on Sunday, and then head over to the
lake to paint for an hour or two. I often run into photographers there and have
ended up in the paper, photographed while painting. I met a man once who pulled
his 18 wheeler truck up to watch me paint, leaving it in the middle of the road
for 10 minutes!! If you live near Gainesville, or are passing through, take a ride
over to Lake Alice. You will love it.

Here is a bit of info from Wikipedia on Lake Alice:

Lake Alice is a small lake on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida,
USA.
The lake is a wildlife area and is one of the few areas in incorporated Gainesville
to view live alligators. The university's bat house is near the lake. The Baughman
Center sits on southwest bank of the lake. On Lake Alice's northern side, there
is a boardwalk that leads visitors through the woods and swamp to a viewing platform.
How Lake Alice obtained its name is uncertain. Prior to the 1890s, Lake Alice was
known as "Jonah's Pond" but by 1894, US Geological Surveys noted it as Lake Alice.
A Master's thesis written in 1953 makes the unreferenced claim that it was named
for the only daughter of a Mr. Witt, who owned a farm of which the lake was a part.
http://www.floridabats.org/CBH_Articles/CBH_UofF.htm
http://campuswaterquality.ifas.ufl.edu/water/lakealice.html


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How About a Recipe?


Have you ever thought about how good and simple toast tastes? Toast is one of my
favorite foods. There are endless ways to enjoy it, from grilled sandwiches, to
homemade jams and marmalades.

A few years ago, I worked as a private chef for a family farm. The owner was a terrific
cook herself, she didn't really need me at all. In fact, I learned a lot about good
cooking from her and her wonderful stories. She had been a home economics major
in college, so she really knew her way around a kitchen.

We spent most of our time in the kitchen with her. She had a small staff. We congregated
there and swapped stories, eating our way through the day. She would tell us stories
about her youth and being a camp counselor. She loved kids and would lead us all
in camp songs from time to time. There we would be laughing and singing camp songs
in her kitchen. I have wonderful memories from that time as a cook.

She had spectacular dinner parties at the farm and an invitation from her was highly
prized by guests because they knew they were in for a fine evening of first class
service cuisine and company. There were several near disasters as one would expect
with that many parties. Once the sink overflowed in the kitchen while we were serving
dinner. We were grabbing towels, mops and brooms, all the while with a smile plastered
on our faces. There was a window which overlooked the dining room from the kitchen,
so guests could see into the kitchen.

Another time, I took the garbage out while the guests were eating. She had two big
dogs. they raced out the door with me and found a snake under her car. The dogs
knocked me over to try to get to the snake. I got a broom and started chasing it
around the carport while the dogs went nuts. My staff companions were waiting for
me, wondering where the heck I had got to. I finally shooed the snake away and drug
the dogs back into the house. I looked like a train wreck and my dress was stained
and hair in a tornado.

That was the fun of that job, I never knew what would happen
next and I miss that family so much now. She is the most wonderful, intelligent
person I have ever known and was a splendid mentor for me in all things. Her daughter
is equally witty and full of fun. A bright spot in the world.

She loved good toast and we often ate it as breakfast or a snack. Here are a few
favorites:

Stilton Toast- Hot toast right out of the toaster spread first with real butter
and then slathered with Stilton Cheese

Honey Wheat Toast- spread with real butter and good orange marmalade

Smoked Salmon Toast- spread with real butter, then cream cheese, topped with smoked
salmon, capers, and chopped fresh dill

Grilled PB&J- If you have never had this sandwich you haven't lived!!

Parmesan Toast- spread with real butter and topped with thin slices of real Parmesan
cheese

Aged Cheddar/Bacon Toast- spread with real butter and topped with aged cheddar cheese
and crisp slices of Wrights Bacon. (There is no other bacon but Wrights)

Grilled cheddar/Wrights Bacon and Tomato sandwich- Awesome!!

And last but not least, my own personal favorite:

Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich- Slice cold mac and cheese into 1/2 inch thick slices,
Put Country Dijon mustard on bread slices. Grill the bread like a grilled cheese.
This is so good. I got through art school on this sandwich along with tuna fish.
You can add tomato slices or lettuce to the sandwich too. Fabulous!!

Cooks Tip:

If you have a crowd for burgers, you can bake them as minis in the oven on sheet
pans. Much less mess and they taste great. I use small canned biscuits for buns
and they are so good that way. I serve them all the same, with pickle, ketchup,mustard
and onion slice, assembling the burgers in advance and putting them on platters.
No muss , no fuss.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




CARING FOR YOUR PAINTINGS

Paintings may be objects of great beauty or of historical importance, providing
an important cultural link with the past. They may have great monetary value or
have sentimental value to their owners. Whatever the case, paintings are fragile
creations that require special care to assure their continued preservation.
Paintings consist of various layers. The paint is applied to a support, typically
canvas or wood, which is first primed with a glue-sizing and/or ground layer. Traditional
paintings are finished with a coat of varnish. Contemporary paintings, naive, or
folk art may not have a ground layer or varnish coating. Paintings that do not
have all of the traditional layers may be more fragile and susceptible to change
or damage. The paint layers can be made of pigments in oil, acrylic (or other synthetics),
encaustic (wax), tempera (egg), distemper (glue), casein (milk), gouache (plant
gum), or a mixture of media. The paint can be applied on a wide variety of supports.
Although the most common are canvas and wood, other supports include paper, cardboard,
pressed board, artist's board, copper, ivory, glass, plaster, and stone. Paintings
on canvas are usually stretched over an auxiliary wood support. An adjustable support
is called a stretcher; a support with fixed corners is called a strainer.
Paintings change over time. Some inevitable results of aging, such as increased
transparency of oil paint or the appearance of certain types of cracks, do not threaten
the stability of a painting and may not always be considered damage. One of the
most common signs of age is a darkened or yellowed surface caused by accumulated
grime or discolored varnish. When a varnish becomes so discolored that it obscures
the artist's intended colors and the balance of lights and darks, it usually can
be removed by a conservator, but some evidence of aging is to be expected and should
be accepted. However, when structural damages occur in a painting such as tears,
flaking paint, cracks with lifting edges, or mold, consult a conservator to decide
on a future course of treatment for your painting.

MAINTAINING A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT

It is important to maintain a proper environment for your paintings. The structural
components of a painting expand and contract in different ways as the surrounding
temperature and humidity fluctuate. For example, the flexible canvas may become
slack or taut in a changing environment, while the more brittle paint may crack,
curl, or loosen its attachment to the underlying layers. If a painting could be
maintained in an optimum environment, in one location at a constant temperature
and humidity level, many of the problems requiring the services of a paintings
conservator could be prevented. Paintings generally do well in environmental conditions
that are comfortable for people, with relative humidity levels between 40 and 60
percent. Environmental guidelines have been developed for different types of materials.
Paintings on canvas may react more quickly to rising and falling humidity levels
than paintings on wood panels, but the dimensional changes that can occur in a
wood panel can cause more structural damage. Owners of panel paintings should be
particularly conscientious about avoiding unusually low or high relative humidity
and temperatures to prevent warping, splitting, or breaking of the wood. Museums
strive to maintain constant temperature and humidity levels for works of art, but
even with expensive environmental control systems this task can be difficult. In
most cases, gradual seasonal changes and small fluctuations are less harmful than
large environmental fluctuations. Avoiding large fluctuations is very important.
For example, a painting stored in what would generally be considered poor conditions
(such as a cold, damp castle in England) may remain structurally secure for centuries,
but begin to deteriorate rapidly if moved into "stable" museum conditions simply
because of the extreme change in its environment.
One of the simplest and most important preservation steps you can take is have protective
backing board attached to paintings. A Fome-Cor (or archival cardboard backing)
screwed to the reverse of a painting will slow environmental exchange through a
canvas, keep out dust and foreign objects, and protect against damage during handling.
Be sure that the backing board covers the entire back of the picture; do not leave
air vent holes, which can cause localized environmental conditions and lead to cracks
in paint. The backing board should be attached to the reverse of the stretcher or
strainer, not to the frame. Have a conservator or reputable framer attach it for
you.
Magnified Cross Section of Traditional Painting Components

DISPLAYING PAINTINGS

The display of paintings requires careful consideration. Direct sunlight can cause
fading of certain pigments, increased yellowing of varnish, and excessive heat on
the painting surface. It is best to exhibit paintings on dividing walls within a
building rather than on perimeter walls where temperature fluctuations will be
greater and condensation can occur. If paintings are placed on uninsulated exterior
walls, it may help to place small rubber spacers on the back of the frame to increase
air circulation.
Although a fireplace is often a focal spot for a room, a painting displayed above
a mantel will be exposed to soot, heat, and environmental extremes. Hanging paintings
above heating and air conditioning vents or in bathrooms with tubs or showers is
also inadvisable because the rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful.
Select a safe place away from high traffic and seating areas.
When lighting paintings, use indirect lighting. Lights that attach to the top of
the frame and hang over the picture can be dangerous. These lights cast a harsh
glare, illuminate and heat the painting unevenly, and can fall into the artwork
causing burns or tears. Indirect sunlight, recessed lighting, or ceiling-mounted
spotlights are best for home installations. Halogen lamps are increasingly popular,
but halogen bulbs emit high levels of ultraviolet light (the part of the spectrum
that is damaging to artworks) and should be fitted with an ultraviolet filter when
used near light-sensitive materials. These bulbs also have been known to explode
and may pose a fire hazard. Tungsten lamps may be preferable for home lighting.

HANDLING PROCEDURES

Pictures are usually safest when hanging on a wall, provided that they are well
framed, with the picture and hanging hardware adequately secured. If you must store
a painting, avoid damp basements or garages, where pictures can mold, and attics,
which are very hot in the summer. A good storage method is to place the paintings
in a closet with a stiff board protecting the image side of each artwork and a backing
board attached to the reverse. Here again, a backing board attached to the reverse
can protect your painting.

Do not risk damaging your paintings by moving them any more than is absolutely necessary.
If you must remove a painting from the wall or move it to another room, clear the
pathway of furniture and obstructions and prepare a location to receive it. The
frame must be stable and secure. If it is old or there is glazing (glass), ensure
that it can withstand being moved. Determine if you can lift the painting safely
by yourself. If the frame is massive or the picture is wider than your shoulders,
ask someone to help you. If the painting is of a manageable size, lift the frame
with both hands by placing one hand in the center of each side. Always carry it
with the image side facing you. Remove jewelry, tie clips, belt buckles, or other
clothing that might scrape the surface. Hang paintings from picture hooks (not nails)
placed securely in the wall; a heavy picture requires two hooks. Before hanging,
examine the back of the painting to ensure that the hanging hardware is strong
and secure. If the painting is framed, the hardware should be attached to the back
of the frame, not to the stretcher or strainer. If picture wire is used, attach
a double strand of braided wire to the sides of the frame (not to the top edge)
with "D" rings or mirror plate hangers (see diagram). These types of hangers are
secured to the wooden frame with two to four screws. Hanging can be more complicated
with contemporary paintings that do not have protective frames. Moving and hanging
unframed or large paintings safely may require the services of professional art
handlers, who may be reached by calling a local museum, historical society, or reputable
art gallery.
Reverse of Properly Framed Painting, Backing Board, and Hanging Hardware
.
. "D" rings to hang painting
. Brass mending plates screwed into frame to secure the painting
. Rubber spacers for air circulation

FRAMING

If you intend to buy a new frame for a painting or have a painting treated by a
conservator, take the opportunity to have it properly framed. Ideally, a painting
should be held in the frame with mending plates that are attached to the frame with
screws. Brass mending plates can be bent and adjusted so there is light pressure
on the back of the stretcher or strainer. Sometimes nails are used to frame paintings,
but nails can rust, fall out, or protrude through the canvas. Ask the framer or
conservator to pad the rabbet, the part of the frame that touches the face of the
painting, with felt or another suitable material to protect the image.

HOUSEKEEPING GUIDELINES

After carefully examining your paintings for loose or flaking paint, dust them every
four to six months. Feather dusters can scratch paintings. Instead use soft, white-bristle
Japanese brushes, sable (such as a typical makeup brush), or badger-hair brushes
(called "blenders" and used for faux finishes). Never try to clean a painting yourself
or use any liquid or commercial cleaners on a painted surface. Commercial preparations
can cause irreparable damage to the fragile layers of a painting. Avoid using pesticides,
foggers, air fresheners, or furniture sprays near artworks. Remove paintings from
a room before painting, plastering, or steam cleaning carpets or wallpaper. Return
the artworks only when the walls and floors are completely dry.

DISASTERS AND OTHER PROBLEMS

If a disaster such as a flood or fire occurs in your home, remove paintings from
standing water or debris. If the paint is flaking, lay the painting flat with the
image side up to limit paint loss. Consult a professional conservator as soon as
possible for assistance in limiting damage to your artwork. Wiping smoke, mud,
or other contaminants from a painting may result in additional damage. An information
packet on disaster recovery is available from the American Institute for Conservation.
Other problems will require the help of a professional conservator. Insect infestation,
flaking paint, paint loss, torn canvas, cracks with lifting edges or planar distortions
(wrinkles or draws in the canvas), mold growth, grime, or very discolored varnish
are problems that only a professional conservator is trained to address.

RESOURCES

Schultz, Arthur W., ed. Caring for Your Collections. New York: Harry N. Abrams,
Inc. 1992.
Stout, George L. The Care of Pictures. New York: Dover Publications, 1975.
This brochure is provided courtesy of the American Institute for Conservation of
Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), the national membership organization of conservation
professionals dedicated to preserving the art and historic artifacts of our cultural
heritage for future generations. Among other services of the AIC is the Guide to
Conservation Services, which provides a free list of conservators in your geographic
region. The AIC brochure Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator, will help you make
an informed choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
[http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=pjkva4cab.0.0.ejtjo9cab.0&ts=S0414&p=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3Dblondheim%2Bart%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories&id=preview]
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My webmaster has been doing all kinds of cool stuff,including creating a red scroll
bar to match the accent colors in my web site. Very cool stuff. Check it out! http://www.lindablondheim.com



My next E-class is Values in the Landscape I , beginning September 29.

http://www.lindablondheim.com/publications.php

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Art Studio Newsletter September 3, 2009

Evinston Sky
30x30 inches
acrylic on birch panel
wired and ready to ahng unframed, or frame if you please.
2300.00
shipping 95.00

Purchase HERE

Landscapes of the South
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 3,2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's Football Time Here in the South

Evinston Sky
30x30 inches
acrylic on Birch panel

It's time for the annual bragging rights battle in the SEC. Oh I can't wait!!! Hot
dogs, popcorn, nachos, iced cold beer! What a gastronomic feast!

Growing up in Gainesville Florida brought a long tradition of Southern football
to my doorstep. When you grow up in a SEC team town, it is part of you in a more
intense way than for the average fan. It is an obsession here in the South, an
entire separate culture. There are foodie wars at tailgate parties, a social hierarchy
built around the sky boxes at the stadium. Where you sit at the games and which
parties you go to become important socially and politically.Serving the best BBQ
in the stadium parking lot, and owning the RV with the most bells and whistles
give you bragging rights. I'm not kidding!

When you are a college student there are a whole bunch of other issues involved
too. I remember when I was a student at UF, before I transferred to a non-football
school, the absolute frenzy of excitement before game weekends. There were a dozen
fraternity parties to choose from, and dozens of potential dates to choose from
as well. In those days heavy drinking was part of the experience, especially at
UF. Everyone had their flask. The drinking started at the frat houses hours before
the game and continued long after into the night when the bands cranked up. I distinctly remember a game where my date was passed up the row and I never saw him again. Passing frat boys up and down the rows was a common way to amuse each other at games.

In fact, few of the boys watched the game at all. The girls gossiped and the boys
drank, did the wave and passed each other around the stadium. In those days I could
get a ticket for a game for 4.00 as a student. We thought nothing of waiting until
about 10 minutes before a game to pick up our tickets.

The party life all changed when I fell in love with a serious graduate student.
Life became more sedate then. ;>)

Years later, I used to get tickets and lay around on the stadium seats during dull
games, watching the clouds fly by after everyone else left in the third quarter.
That was during a time when we weren't playing very good football. Now we have
Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow, so nobody leaves the stadium early. There is nothing
like the experience of standing on the bleachers with 90,000 rabid football fans
screaming and stomping on those metal stands. it goes all the way through your
body and it is actually frightening sometimes. I can no longer afford the tickets
to the games. I watch them on TV or at football parties. Often times I watch the
first half on TV and then go to the studio to paint and listen to the game on the
radio for the second half. It seems to be a good luck talisman for the team. They
often play lousy in the first half. I get frustrated and have to leave the TV
and listen on the radio. Henry helps me to cheer them on.

I had an interesting conversation with my daughter's boyfriend who is from New York.
He feels that people from the north are more interested in professional football
and that people from the South are more interested in college football. I wonder
if he is right. I love it all!!

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=1050
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How About a Recipe?

Linda's Fried Chicken
Let's talk about fried chicken in the South. it is an institution here. There are
more fried chicken fast food joints than I can count. Fried chicken is on every
restaurant menu here in the South, at least in the mom and pop diners where I love
to eat. There are two kinds of restaurants here after all. One for the yuppies
and college kids, and one for the down home, old fashioned eaters like me. I have
no doubt that there are plenty of trendy fried chicken recipes, but I'm not much
interested in trendy foods. That may surprise you, given the fact that I worked
as a caterer and in very trendy, upscale kitchens as a professional chef, having
gotten a lot of my early training on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.
It's not that I don't know how to make trendy food, I certainly do. Its more about
the comfort food of my childhood and the traditions that appeal to me.

The contemporary chefs I most admire are the ones who are researching and using traditional, regional recipes in a new and interesting way, without sacrificing the history and culture of the region.

I love the stories and history of cooking here in the South and have studied the
art of fried chicken for years. There are hundreds of recipes for it. There are
as many favorite recipes for fried chicken here to top all other food recipes combined.

If you have ever gone to a pot luck supper at church, or school or a family reunion
here, you will know that there are a dozen platters of fried chicken, all different,
all delicious. In fact, you will find some of the best food on the planet at these
suppers. They always have mac and cheese, salads and vegetable casseroles of all
kinds and Grandma's favorite meatloaf. The fried chicken always goes first. If
you are one of the unfortunates who are late to get in line, you don't get the fried
chicken. I was always one of the food servers at the band booster meetings when
my daughter was in middle and high school band. It was always depressing to watch
the chicken platters empty as I waited for my turn.

To me, good fried chicken is crisp and brown and steamed tender inside. I like it
with lots of salt and pepper, and that the skin snaps off as a separate treat. When
you cut into it the steam escapes and the meat is tender and juicy. I don't like
too much breading, but enough so that it is to be reckoned with as an eating delight.
The skin and breading has to be one together, completely crisp and brown. I hate
to cut into the chicken and see the light colored breading underneath. The next
day, I get the pleasure of eating cold fried chicken for breakfast.

Homemade fried chicken can be made in two ways. I have developed an oven fried
chicken that is pretty good and pretty healthy as an alternative to the traditional
pan fried chicken, but I also love the old fashioned kind.

Fried chicken made at home simply calls for cast iron. I know I'm a foodie, but
really, cast iron is necessary for good Southern cooking, especially fried chicken.
Buy yourself a large cast iron skillet, a meat press, and a Dutch oven with a lid
if you want to be serious about cooking.

Let's start with my recipe for pan fried
chicken. Some people like to use buttermilk
in the frying and that is what Mamma Shaw used, but I use flour only.

1 large cut up fryer for 4 people
2 cups flour
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
dash of garlic powder
1/2 tsp good paprika
dash of cayenne pepper(to taste)
cracked black pepper/sea salt
1/2 tsp onion flakes
olive or canola oil for frying about 2 inches in the cast iron skillet

Put all the spices in the flour and shake bag.
Wash and pat dry chicken, leaving it moist.
Shake chicken in the flour bag.

Put chicken on a large plate and wait 15 minutes and then shake in flour bag again.
The secret to frying chicken is not to get the oil too hot. Medium/medium high
heat is best. Lay chicken skin side down in oil, don't overcrowd the chicken pieces.
Do in several batches if you need to. Cover chicken with lid and fry to golden brown
on first side turn over and fry on the other side. When the chicken is nicely browned
place it on a sheet pan and put in your oven to keep warm while you cook the meal's
other dishes.

To make the all important gravy, pour off most of the grease but leave about 2 T
in the fry pan. take a cook fork and scrub off the bits and pieces of meat and
skin into the grease. Add 2 T flour and make a roux but stirring together and
cooking the flour. Add one or two cans of chicken broth, depending on how much
gravy you need. Add 1/4 cup decent white or blush wine, a dash of thyme salt/pepper
to taste and a few onion flakes. Stir well and let simmer and cook down a bit on
low heat. If it needs to be tightened up more, use a bit of cornstarch/cold water
and pour into the gravy, using a wire whip to stir thoroughly.
I love to pour gravy over my chicken so you have a combination of crispy skin and
smooth rich gravy, but you can simply use the gravy on rice or mashed potatoes as
well.

Now for the healthy fried chicken version which is also pretty good.

boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs
the flour combination from the above recipe
Pam spray
1 sheet pan
Coat the chicken in the flour
oil and flour a sheet pan
Oven at 400 degrees

Place floured chicken on sheet pan. Spray the tops of chicken with Pam. Bake for
30 minutes, turn chicken over and continue to bake until nicely browned. Serve
with whatever you like.

Cook's Tip:

When you cut up an onion, take the time to cut up two or three. Bag them up in individual
recipe portions and put them in the freezer door where you will see them easily.
It will save you lots of time later when you want to cook.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Choosing Quality Art


Here are some guidelines and questions to use for measuring the quality of the artwork
you are think you would like to buy.
Is it obviously a creation of a skilled craftsman or artisan?
Is the finish and the medium likely to last more than a few years?
Does the design have an effect on your emotions?
Most importantly, do you like it?

If you want to brighten your world and enhance your environment, stick with well
designed, quality artwork. Avoid purchasing work because it is the latest hot color
or the latest fad in art. Fads do not weather well. Well crafted work does.

I will get in trouble here with some artists because I am going to recommend that
you purchase original art rather than reproductions.( Artists, please don't waste
both of our time by writing irate letters to me on this issue. I can't speak for
you in your own career and choices. I can only speak for my own.) The commonly
used word "print", is actually often mis-used. Prints are hand pulled original art,
which is made from wood blocks, lithograph stones or metal plates, done by hand
one at a time on archival, high quality, rag papers. They are each slightly different
because they are hand made, and rolled through a press by hand. The artist usually
only makes a few of the print before destroying the plate. They are NOT copies of
paintings.

Reproductions are facsimiles of original paintings, sometimes called Giclees ( pronounced
Gee-clay), color copies, or offset reproductions. They are machine made reproductions
and not original art. I cringe every time I hear an artist or patron talk about
the "print" they bought, which is just a reproduction. Worse yet,are the reproductions
of paintings printed on stretched canvas and sold to buyers who think they are getting
a painting of value, when in reality they are buying a reproduction of a real painting
along with hundreds of other buyers, not knowing that several hundred other people
are hanging the same copy of the painting in their home. There is no substitute
for original art.

I think the corporate market is a good one for reproductions, hospitals, banks and
so forth because it is risky to hang original paintings in public places, but for
individual buyers of art, I always recommend that you buy original art. Most artists
will work with you on a lawaway payment plan so that you can have the art of your
dreams.

I'd rather save up for the real thing. There is nothing like an original painting,
drawing or print. To know that the artist put paint to canvas, using their emotion
and love to craft a fine work of art is important in this world where fine craftsmanship
is lacking in most things.

Steps To Collecting Art

There are several easy steps to making a successful painting purchase.
Select a location to hang your art.
Take note of that area's color temperature. Does your room have a cool or warm feeling
and does the painting you are considering work with that color temperature.
Measure to know the maximum size.
Select a painting that you like.
Try it in the space for confirmation. Most artists and galleries are willing to
allow you time for a try out. A small security deposit is all that is required.
Determine how it should be framed.

Of all the steps outlined above, the most important is selecting a painting that
you like. You can find plenty of paintings in the right color family and many in
the size-range you need.

The second most important step is trying the artwork in the location you selected.
If your painting meets most of the criteria for quality and has some of the characteristics that make art valuable, then you have made a great selection.
If you have no place for what you like?

When you see a painting that you really like and don't have a place to hang it,
buy it with a plan to make it an integral part of your next redecorating effort.
Paintings can be given as valuable and precious gifts to friends and loved ones.
They can also be lent to others until such time that you make room for them in your
decorating scheme. I never let a lack of space deter me from purchasing a painting.
Your artwork should grow in value over the years if only in an emotional sense and
you get to enjoy it as your investment grows.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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


If the weather is terrible on Friday I'll skip this week. No fun painting in the
rain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Painting the Region Soon

Painting the Region

Press Release :
Painting the Region
The Bartram Trail Paint Out
October 6-11, 2009

Painting the Region Paint Out
Press Release for Painting The region
For more information or to obtain a photo of Linda Blondheim, e-mail: skcarey1@gmail.com
Publicist Sarah Carey

Aug. 28, 2009

Noted Southern landscape artist to paint at Bartram Trail sites Oct. 6-10
GAINESVILLE - Award-winning Southern landscape artist Linda Blondheim is among the
artists selected to participate in "Painting the Region: The Bartram Trail," a five-day,
juried event that will take place Oct. 6-10 in Northern St. Johns County.
Artists will paint "en plain air" - French for "in open air," - as they rotate between
four locations along the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway, State Road
13, five miles south of Mandarin and Julington Creek in the communities of Fruit
Cove, St. Johns and Switzerland, Fla.

The area, part of a much longer "Bartram Trail," commemorates John and William Bartrams'time in St. Johns County during their extensive explorations of the Southeast between 1765 and 1774.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the North Florida Florida Land Trust and the
St. Johns Cultural Council.

"I have a deep love for Florida, being a Florida Cracker," says Blondheim, who co-founded Plein Air Florida and organized the very first paint-out in Florida at Ozello in 2001. "I love the culture of North Florida -- its cuisine, being a chef, and its
land."

Blondheim has painted professionally for more than 30 years, at times supporting
herself in jobs as a professional caterer and chef. She is passionate about the
state and has shared her talent and enthusiasm for the outdoors as a signature member
of Florida Artist Group, Inc., as well as Plein Air Georgia, Alabama Plein Air Artists
and Fresh Air. Blondheim has completed many paintings of Florida's rivers in her
ongoing quest to capture "old Florida" in her unique and distinctive style, and
says she is anxious to paint the St. John's River as well as other spots in St.
John's County.

Known primarily for her lush Florida landscapes, Blondheim paints primarily in oils,
acrylics and gouache. She is a listed artist with Art Price, Ask Art, The American
Artist Bluebook and Marquis Who's Who in American Art. She has a museum history
in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and is gallery represented in Florida, Virginia,
and Alabama.

Her work is often described as painterly or as representational painting. Sometimes
she is referred to as a representational expressionist or an American Impressionist.
She enjoys plein air painting fall through spring, during the mild Florida climate,
and enjoys traveling throughout the South to capture the beauty found in each state.
Although some of Linda's work is done en plein air, she also enjoys
working from plein air studies and photographs to complete larger works in the studio.
Her paintings are found in private and corporate collections throughout the United
States.

Whether she focuses on landscapes, rivers and lakes, or, in her new series, Florida
Farms and Ranches, Blondheim throws her skill into artistically capturing and preserving the South in which she was born, has raised her daughters and works as a self-supporting artist.

Blondheim holds a BFA degree from the University of Tampa, performed post-baccalaureate
studies at the University of South Florida and has been painting for 30 years.

Deeply committed to land and water conservation in Florida, Blondheim supports both
the Alachua County Land Trust and the Conservation Trust of Florida. She realizes
that not only is she painting what she knows, but she is preserving parts of Florida's
history as well. Barns may collapse from disuse and time, horses and cattle may
become displaced by human "development," but Blondheim's paintings will capture
and save forever the South that once was, still is but less so, and that may one
day disappear.

For additional information:
*Visit Linda Blondheim's Web site at: www.lindablondheim.com or e-mail her directly
at lindablondheim@gmail.com.
*Learn more about "Painting the Region: The Bartram Trail," at: www.paintingtheregion.com

I've started painting in the yard again, getting back into the swing of location
painting after a four month hiatus in the studio. it is hard to go back out. Painting
is so much easier in the cozy air conditioned studio. I am quite rusty at location
work now. It will take me a few weeks to get used to it again. I am wrestling with
a decision on whether topaint on location with oils or acrylics. I've been having
a high ol' time with acrylics for the last four months, but they are so difficult
for me on location in a large format. Most of my clients like larger paintings.
I sell very few small ones anymore, so I need to paint larger work on location
now. I bought myself a lightweight field easel that folds up to go with me. I have
been working on a large 24x36 acrylic in the yard but I fear that the acrylics are
just to process oriented for location work. I need to paint quickly and oils are
quick. I may keep doing acrylics in the studio and switch to oils on location.
I'm very happy to be painting on the William Bartram Trail this fall and hope to
get four decent sized paintings completed for the event, along with a few 5x7 studies.


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Notes From My Desk



One of the things I've learned as a professional artist is that word of mouth is
my best friend. There are lots and lots of landscape painters, especially in the
Southwest, California and Florida. I have to use my resources effectively if I am
to survive in this market. That means I have to have help from the people who care
about me and and support me and my work. If you read my newsletters, subscribe to
my blog, or are my Facebook or Twitter friends, you can help me to get the word
out about my unique view of the South through my landscape paintings.
If you work in a busy office with lots of people coming and going, you can help
me by putting a stack of my postcards on the counter. If you know people who love
the Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama landscapes as much as I do, you
can pass the word about my work to a friend. I can send you lovely referral postcards,stamped
and ready to drop in the mail to friends, or just refer them to my web site. http://www.lindablondheim.com

I often hear from people who love my work but can't afford to buy it. In these times,
I can understand that. If you love my work but can't afford it, you can help me
keep painting by spreading the word about me and my work to others.You can help
me by writing a testimonial about my work, just a short paragraph will do. Placing
these testimonials on my web site assures potential buyers that I am a legitimate
professional who they can trust. They need and deserve that reassurance. If you
can do that, please email it to me at lindablondheim@gmail.com

When you meet interior designers, gallery owners, and art patrons, pass the word
about my art. Make it a habit.

I alway give 10% of any referral painting sold to the person who referred their
friends to me.

In summary, you can help your favorite artists to continue on their journey in very
simple ways. Word of mouth is golden.

I am deeply grateful to the people who have supported me in so many ways over my
30+ year career. I never take that support for granted and I hope you all know
how much I adore and respect you for your support.
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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
[http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=itgvu5cab.0.0.ejtjo9cab.0&ts=S0414&p=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3Dblondheim%2Bart%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories&id=preview]
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I have a request to write about the River Styx, here in north Florida. I have painted
there, but I need to take some time to research the history of the river for an
article. Don't worry, I'll get around to it before long.