Friday, February 24, 2017

Lemony Chicken Artichoke Soup!

For some weird reason I have craved Lemon-chicken-artichoke soup for 3 days now.
Such a weird thing to crave huh?

I couldn't find a recipe that looked like what I was craving, so I made my own!

Oh goodness, I gotta admit, it was good.
Really, really good!

So.
Here we go!
Start with these ingredients:
That would be
6 pieces of chicken tenders
A large handful of sliced mushrooms
1 or 2 cans of quartered artichokes (drained)
3 smashed garlic cloves
4 green onions chopped
Truffle oil or olive oil
1 can of Coconut milk
Box of Chicken stock
Lemon juice
Lemons
Marsala (if wanted)
Tsp. of thyme
salt, pepper

Okay.
In the most beautiful copper pot you've ever owned from Home Goods (my friend Susie would be so proud) heat up about 2 TBSP of the fabulous truffle oil that your hubs gave you for Christmas.
(hey. it was an amazing gift.)
Or you can use olive oil.

Add the smashed garlic

And saute

Add the onions and let them get a bit tender

Then the chicken and brown

Remove the chicken

Not sure why I didn't add the mushrooms before the chicken but oh well.
I added them now but had to add a bit of chicken broth because it was too dry and starting to burn.
It all worked out.

Add the rest of the box of chicken broth to the mix
I will tell you that it is hard to photograph with one hand cooking.

Now add one can of drained quartered artichoke hearts
*tip - try to remove any tough outside leaves that you can



Now add about 1/2 cup of lemon juice

And a can of coconut milk

It was really smelling good in my house by now.

Add the chicken back in and all seasonings

And bring to a boil

Reduce the heat to low

Cover and simmer for about 1 hour

After 1 hour, remove the chicken and pull apart

If you do not have an emulsion blender get one.
It will change your soup lovin heart

 
Blend for about 20 seconds.

Re-add the shredded chicken

It needed something else, so I added a bit of cumin and a little more salt.
I also added another can of drained artichokes to thicken and about 1/4 cup of marsala for richness
Cook on low for about 20 more minutes

It was perfect!

I'll be eating leftovers for lunch!

Have a great day y'all!
kb



Thursday, February 16, 2017

I Have an Idol

His name is Kevin Chambers.
He doesn't have a clue who I am, however we have actually been in a few art shows together and even been published together in an Atlanta magazine!

You see.
I've always wanted to sculpt. And he is a master sculpturist.
I think my love of sculpting started when I um. (true confession time)
created the Arc de Triomphe for my then 7th grader for his school project.
Since he's 31 now, I'm sure he won't get suspended from Franklin Road Academy.
How the teacher did not know he didn't do it was beyond me because all of his friends called him out on it.
"YOUR MOTHER MADE THAT"
It was good.
Like really good.
But I digress.
Sculpting (to me) is just something of a mind blowing thing to ponder.
How in the world can anyone create the image of a person, or thing
out of a lump of clay and then actually make it stand up?
I'm taking a class.
When I finish RT and Wesleyan.
That will be my next project.
In the meantime...
some of the works of Kevin Chambers



 



He's pretty amazing don't you think?

Have a great day y'all!
kb

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

"Advent"

I painted this church because it reminds me of an Episcopal church I went to in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida when we lived there 100 years ago.  I always thought that was the most beautiful church!
It was stark white and had a red door.


I'm sure it is much different than this now,
but this was in my memory!
"Advent"
15 x 30 
Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas
650.00

Have a beautiful day y'all!
kb

Monday, February 13, 2017

Big Red Boat

Boats sell like crazy at Roundtop.
Why?
I have a theory.
First of all, if it's red, it will sell.
Because men are always drawn to red.
always.
You know, red cars, red dress.
It's just sexy.

So, a red boat is no different.

Women are also drawn to red.
It's a passionate color.
You know, like the red in 
a dozen

Valentines Day Roses.....

so....I felt it only appropriate to paint a red boat.
A BIG red boat.

Here we go folks!!!


And it's yuge!
40 x 40 mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

Available
1,800.00

please p.m. me with details!
kbdr@aol.com

Have a beautiful Monday y'all!!
kb

Friday, February 10, 2017

Working with Resin

I've decided to jump on the bandwagon with resin.
I have resisted and resisted, and finally after working with it and troubleshooting, I feel like I have got the concept down pat.

Resin is a composite that is mixed together to create a super high gloss, glassy finish to your art.
Tricky to work with, because basically if you mess up the resin, you've messed up your entire work.

Very cool, contemporary look!

So, here is my latest piece.

It is called 
"Pink Sky"


"Pink Sky"
30 x 40 Resin finish with gold leafing on wood.

Have a great day y'all!
kb

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Two New Pieces!!!

I'm on a painting roll....
And that might be an understatement!
I have been wishwashing between abstract and impressionist work.

So.....Here we go!

I wish I had a name for this one.
I absolutely love this painting (and I never say that).
Love it.  I just can't think of a name for it.
Maybe "Blue Blob?"
"Blobs of Blue"?
Help me please!!!!
40 x 40 mixed media

And here you have
"Simple Barn"
Love the green grass and the clear blue sky!

 30x30 mixed media
For more info please contact me at....
kbdr@aol.com
Thanks guys!!!!
kb

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

"Beached Boat"

Going along with my "boat" theme,
Here is my newest boat!

I have named it "Beached Boat"
because that is what it is!
I love this painting!!!
I love everything about it.  The subtle colors of the sky, the old weathered boat.
and, it's available!!!


"Beached Boat"
36 x 36
1,600.00

Please contact me at kbdr@aol.com with interest!

have a terrific day y'all!
kb

Monday, February 6, 2017

"Peaceful Day"

I love painting boats.

Why?
I'm not sure!  I love to look at boats in the water but really, I get a bit nervous when my feet can't touch land.
Could be because we were in a boat wreck 10 years ago in the Abacos.
We were rescued by a group of Bahamian conch divers.
And yes....we were sinking.
It was a very dangerous situation that I will never forget.

Anyway, back to boats.
So surprisingly, there is a peace that comes over me when I look at a boat in the water or on the shoreline.

It's a wonderful feeling.


"Peaceful Day"
36 x 36
My sweet daughter in law saw this and said "OHHH, that would look terrific in our house!
So! I'm gifting it to her !!!
👊
One of the many reasons I love to paint!

Have a terrific day y'all!
kb

Saturday, February 4, 2017

The Progression of an Abstract

I am relatively new to the world of abstracts.
That said, I really love painting them!
Most abstracts are thought provoking, story telling, and simply a vision of beauty for an intellectual mind.

And, like I've said before.  Boy are they challenging.
You have to paint and look....paint and look....and change.
Then you have to know when to stop.
Because, if you don't, you will ruin your masterpiece and you may not get it back.

So.....I worked on this painting all day yesterday.

I thought I was finished....
I even named it!
Smoke on the Water....

until I woke up this morning and looked at it.
So what are all those arm like things shooting out from nowhere?

I hastily thought I was finished.
not.

So......I added and took away.
and got this:
Relooked at it....
Too top heavy with the [Melania] blue....
So....I added more grey....and white....and graphite
(do you see the cow face?)

I may or may not be finished with this.
I know it is not "Smoke on the Water" now....
I've renamed it "Rising Up"!
Go Falcons!!!!
30 x 40

Have a great day y'all!
kb



Friday, February 3, 2017

"A View from the Ocean"

I'm thinking about a beautiful, sunny day on the beach.

I'm standing in the warm water of the ocean, letting the water roll over my back.
Careful not to let my hair get wet.
I just want to stand there and let the salty water heal my soul.
And look back at the white sand.
For hours.


" A View from the Ocean"
37 1/2 x 37 1/2 mixed media
Framed in a gold float
Price upon request!
kbdr@aol.com

Have a beautiful day y'all!
kb

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Landscapes!

When I first started my art career 10 years ago I started with a simple boat painting.
I sold that boat much to my dismay.
In retrospect I so wish I had kept it.


but I didn't, and this is the best picture I have of one of my first paintings.

You see, my style has completely changed which is normal for a new artist.
I've worked with new techniques, colors and mediums.
It is easy to get "drawn" in to a different "look" artistically speaking.
Particularly with what is popular and selling at the moment.
But, the key is to graduate yourself into a popular style without losing the integrity of your work.
It's hard to do.
One hand - you don't ever want your work to become stale
Other hand - you should never change simply because it is fashionable

So,,,,title....Landscapes
I decided to work on pieces that were my staple back when I first started painting.
Particularly landscapes because I did so very many of them when I first started painting.
I wanted to go "back to my roots"

Here we go!
The Plains I
24 x 24 mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas


The Plains II
24 x 24 mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

Price upon request
kbdr @aol.com

Have a great day y'all!!!
kb