Angel calls.....

acrylic and mixed media on canvas
16" x 20"
2012

Guest Post

My Little Italian Kitchen

I love drawing apples, so I thought about creating a post with a recipe.  Unfortunately, I don't bake very well, so I asked Alida from My Little Italian Kitchen, if she would like to added one of her wonderful recipes to my blog.  I love her cooking blog for her delicious creations, but also for the amazing historical facts her adds in about Italy.

Apple Tarts

Little tarts always look cute and inviting. These apple tarts are simple to make.

A spoon of almond essence will give the pastry that almondy flavour which combines perfectly with apples and if you sprinkle some crushed almonds on top you will give them that crunchy bite which will make them irresistible.

As with all shortcrust pastry you will need to work your ingredients quickly to avoid overheating the pastry. The butter should come straight from the fridge.

They have been a great success in my household. In fact they have gone very quickly!

Ingredients: (for 6 tarts)

• 250 g self raising flour
• 100 g sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp almond essence
• 150 g butter
• 4 apples
• chopped almonds
• apricot jam

Put the flour on your working plan, add the egg, sugar, salt, vanilla and almond essence and mix it all up.

Add the diced cold butter and incorporate quickly to the flour mixture to make it into a ball. If it is too sticky put it in the fridge for 30 minutes covered in cling film.

Roll it flat with a rolling pin and lay the pastry into 6 molds for tartlets. Sometimes it is easier to do it with your hands especially if the dough is still a little sticky.

Pinch the base of the tartlets with a fork and spread some jam over them.

Peel and slice the apples into thin edges and lay them on the tarts. Sprinkle with chopped almonds.

Cook them at 200C for 15 minutes.

Dissolve 3 tbsp of jam with a little hot water and brush the top of the tarts so they will get a shiny look!

Thanks Alida!!!!

Pencil on paper

9" x 12"

2012

Guest Post

Soulful

By Jeremiah Walton

The Opiate Souls pop open orange bottles as if peeking through The Door to God and observing the celebration of Himself and the prison of reality

The Door creaks opens only to trap curious junkies, try to take your eyes away!

The Hungry Souls groan overfed but still lick the dark roofs of their mouths in anticipation of the next meal

The Alcoholic Souls plunge their tongues in drinks, blindly looking for the glass's bottom

The Poetry Souls crunch small chips of prose together claiming creativity and divine unity

The Suited Souls play gold violin strings singing Holy Hymns of income

The Emaciated Souls rub dirty finger tips together imagining violins

The Watered Souls bloom spiritually, not desiring question of where the water comes from

The Dry Souls question and seek answer, where does the water come from?  who desires to soak life into our roots?

The New England Souls bucket foliage to sell to Southern Souls

And the Southern Souls ceram wrap tobacco to sell to the New England Souls

The Traveling Souls exchange stories for drinks in bars

The Platonic Souls bath in the river naked but do not touch each other

The Door Hinge Souls creak and God's eyes are on us


an excerpt from To Your Health: Humanity's Diagnosis

The Beauty in a Storm

Something I just love......

I love Christmas, but not for the commercial aspect of the holiday.  I love the lights, the food, and how happy the children feel during this time.  Without all the adult stress, I choose to have fun during this holiday.  So one on the things I love is Advent Calendars.  I get one every year, and Yes, I know it is still November, but I get so excited about this calendar that I had to buy it early.  I love getting up every morning and opening up a little door to see what is inside.  It is so much fun!!!!  Here is the one that I bought yesterday, very cute and adorable.  I can't wait until December 1st!!!

He lay waiting......

He wonders where his love hides,
in the dark corners,
she is lost,
so he waits,
wanting,
longing,
for his heart to return.

Pastel and colored pencil on paper
9" x 12"
2012

A Pair of Pears

I love rendering the shape of pears.  The form reminds me of a woman's body with all our wonderful curves.  I decided to create a study with black and white and with color.

1/ Pencil on paper
    9" x 12"
   2012

2/ Colored Pencil on paper
    9" x 12"
    2012