It's FAT Tuesday! Also Art Exhibit pictures

The art exhibit came and went in a flash. I didn't actually make it to the show until Saturday, it had started on Friday, and I should've went sooner. They had one of my paintings upside down! Jeesh. I can't believe they couldn't figure it out since I signed the back and put an address sticker on the bottom and I wouldn't sign it upside down! Oh well. 


Above is Asher with his Self Portrait. If you've read my blog much, you know he is a real pistol and these pictures of him show a little of that. So dramatic, I would swear I have a teenage girl... haha I kept trying to take a decent picture and he kept posing. Again with the dramatics. I finally gave up and just took what he gave me. This is truly him, so I think it's better than a fake reserved photo. Cause if there is one thing Asher is not, that would be reserved. I guess the nut doesn't fall too far from the tree is all I can say.


Here's the other painting of Asher's called "Caterpillar on Table" which you've already seen. The one he got the 2nd place red ribbon on. Shown with him doing different "tricks" for poses. haha

Next, we've got mine. Ugh... nothing like seeing yourself in a photo to make you put away the Girl Scout cookies your happily munching on faster than the speed of light.


There is something to be said about getting a good angle. And this ain't it.

Asher and myself with "Sinister Feline", the one they had upside down

Below is the "My Three Sons", by this time Asher was tired of posing and just wanted to leave.

Asher wasn't quite as proud as I was of his paintings. In fact, I was more excited about the show than he was but of course he doesn't quite understand what it's all about.

I didn't sell my paintings but it was still fun. 4 items sold in the show and one of them was a little purse in the shape of an owl face. Jewelry also sold (2 different jewelry artists) and then an oil painting of a lighthouse with a religious theme.


This was really my first exhibit. While I've done art shows before, it was a manned booth that I attended and was showing and trying to sell my art for either a day or perhaps a weekend. I think in the future, I will work a little larger and I will definitely take any opportunity to show my work. I'm ready to get more serious with my art and getting it seen in exhibits sound like a good way to keep me creating more things on a regular basis. To stay motivated.


I'm not sure if motivated is the right term, because I get great satisfaction in creating art and I cannot imagine me not doing it because I simply need to create, just... just because I am and because I exist and because I breathe. I think most artists are that way. Even if we were the only ones to ever see our own art we would still create it, right? I would and have up until I started blogging. 


How do you stay "motivated" for lack of a better word? 


On another note... Happy "Mardi Gras Day"! I know my post isn't about Mardi Gras, but I'd love to be down in New Orleans (with someone who knew their way around!) celebrating with all the fun and action.


I cannot believe that the television networks and movie channels are not playing one of my most favorite scary movies today, "Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh". It has a Mardi Gras theme through out. If you haven't seen it, run and go get it! It is fabulous!!


HAPPY MARDI GRAS

Italian Beef sandwiches

I made Italian Beef sandwiches with this new recipe last week and had to share it with you all because it was so yummy and fairly easy.

I got the recipe from my friend Amelia but cooked it a little different. She used her crock pot and I used my pressure cooker. Super fast that way. Otherwise they tasted the same. So if you have the time use your crock pot and if you're always planning what to eat like 2 seconds before you jump right in like me, then the pressure cooker will save you. My time management skills are lacking.

Ingredients are simple:

3 pounds of rump beef roast

2 packets of dry Italian Dressing mix

8 oz jar of peperoncini's including juice

1 can beef broth

onions (optional)

olive oil (optional)

buns, I like hoagie buns

Trim all the visible fat off roast because once it's in there, it's stayin'. This next part is optional. Brown the meat in a little bit of olive oil and onions. Then I added the can of broth, the peperoncini's, and the 2 packets of dry Italian dressing mix. Stir it around a little to mix up the dry stuff and put your lid on either the crock pot or presser cooker.

The crock pot would take about 8 hours on low or 4 on high until the beef is done and tender. My method of using the pressure cooker took me only 35 minutes once I brought it to full pressure (which was only a few minutes) at 15 pounds of pressure. Cool off using the natural method which means you just take it off the heat and let it cool and the pressure escapes. Easy peasy.

Always remember to open the lid away from your face unless you want to melt your eyelashes together, not that I would know... ahem.

I pull out the meat that is still intact in the hunks I had cut it in and then I pull the beef apart with two forks. The meat is so tender, it's very easy and you don't need a knife. Then add the shredded beef back into the juices and stir it up. I didn't even need to thicken it. You could if you wanted, I guess.

I toasted my bread under the broiler with butter and provolone. Just pile up the meat on the bread and enjoy! This is a sloppy meal, but sooooo yummy.  You can adjust the heat with less peperoncini's or could use banana peppers instead. I would call this a medium heat only because my husband thought it was. My heat indicators must be burnt cause I would label it more mild to medium.

I got about 8 good size sandwiches with the 3 pounds of meat. I'll make a bigger batch next time. I got a good deal for the meat at $2.39 per pound, so this is a pretty economical recipe, too. I hope you give it a try. Oh and try not to melt your eyelashes, they take a really long time to grow back in. Just sayin'.

Ooo... on another note, the art show I'm in is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm pretty syked. I'm putting in 2 original pieces (the limit) and they are both for sale. I'm using "Sinister Feline" and "My Three Suns". I have since framed them but haven't taken a picture yet. Wish me luck!

Sinister Feline

My Three Suns

today sucked

today was kinda a disaster. art exhibit wasn't very eventful other than the wind swept 5 of my montages off the display and they came crashing down shattering into pieces. 

note to self: conjure up a spell to slow the wind during shows (i wish i could!)

so this show ended up costing me big time. so today sucks so far. 

night before the art exhibit

I'm getting ready for the Brinker's Art Exhibit tomorrow. I have never been prepared for a show this fast, I must be getting better at these shows. yay :)  !! Just need to make up a gift certificate to offer for the auction and a couple of new signs and I'm done. already got the car packed.