Monday, June 26, 2006

Help me win the trip of a lifetime! Newest Jazz Painting



If you are a fan of mine, friend of mine or just a really nice innocent bystander, I am asking you for a favor. I have entered the myartspace.com contest and am hoping to win a weeks artist retreat trip to the French Riviera. Why you might ask? Because after working hard at this career and dream, to be able to spend time painting there would be a dream come true. I am a dream chaser, always have been and might as well go after this one. Dreams can come true.

The voting begins July 1st, all you have to do is go to myartspace.com and search for Angel Turner Dyke and give me a vote. I sure would appreciate it!
I've been working on a new painting this week.. it is almost finished.. here is a sneak peek of it. I hate to reveal it all before it is finished. So take a peek and let me know what you think of my newest jazz painting! I love the softer tones this is work is exhibiting. Something about it is so soothing! I love it! I've still got alot of detail work to do before this one is finished. I'll post it later when it's complete!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Antebellum Anniversary


I've been busy this week..Tuesday my husband and I celebrated our 19th year anniversary. Seems like just yesterday. To my surprise, he had arranged a secret over night get away to Vicksburg. I love historical towns-- they inspire me. We stayed at the Cedar Grove Inn
an antebellum plantation. You can actually see a cannon ball stuck in the wall shot into the home by the Yankees.

My hubby Joel is so wonderful. I feel so fortunate to have married my soulmate. We have been through alot but it has been worth the few ups and downs. He is my rock and my best friend. Joel I love you more today than I did 19 years ago.

I've been working on a new painting in progress.. I'll post tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Latest project now completed


I recently had the honor of working on a stage / lighting project. Basically we worked as a team to add lighting elements and art to modernize the stage at Life Church West Monroe.
Here is a look at the completed project, along with the 7 large abstracts I painted.
It was alot of work, but alot of fun as well.

Right now we are working on several projects that could be large scale. Negotiations are under way. I'll keep you posted once we have some ends tied up.

I've also relaunched my more serious abstract site, thought it is not 100 %
www.angelturnerdyke.com

out for the night now!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Boston baby



It has been a busy but good weekend. We went to see Posiedon with some good friends Friday night. It was nerve wracking, but semi ok I guess. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush but it didn't have much plot. This morning my Aunt and Uncle invited the whole family over for brunch. What a spread! She cooked everything from texmex omeletes, to waffles, biscuits, pototoes, bacon sausage... anyway it was great. We always enjoy our time with them.

Then on to a baby shower for a dear friend who just adopted a newborn, then found out within 2 months she was pregnant! So her babies will be 10 months apart. I think that is so cool!. Then on to our 30 somethings group scavenger hunt. I was the reigning queen from last years event, but unfortunately got dethroned. We came in 2nd place this year. I'll have to set my eyes on the gold for next year.. you had better watch out. Yes, you-- you know who you are! Lol.

So today I started checking my stats on my blog. I was amazed to see I am getting tons of hits from the photos of my dogs. So you get to see my big baby, and my boston baby. They love each other. Boudreaux is getting old- all he wants to do is eat and sleep. I must be getting older myself.

Well I've got to do 7 larger abstracts this week so I'll be extremely busy.


Hey-- Taylor won. Yessssss!

Ok,.. more later.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

American Idol's Soul Patrol! Go Taylor Hicks!


Yes, I admit I am one of the thousands of American Idols fans. Tonight is the big finale-- Soul Patrol!

We'll be getting together with some friends to see who the winner is. Thanks goodness for tivo ---!!!

Although I must admit it's been hard to pick a favorite as I've really enjoyed all the finalists!!!

I guess Taylor is my favorite because he is so bluesy! Got that N'awlins sound going
on!!!

New Orleans T-shirts now available!



It's been a while since I've updated so I thought I'd sneak back in here and get my blog active again. Just haven't been much in the mood to write alot lately. I've added some really neat new New Orleans t-shirts and memorablia to my website. All kinds of neat ways to express yourself Nawlins' style. You can view my merchandise here

On a personal note, things are going well. I've been consumed with my new makeup business. I guess most artist are always getting into something new from time to time. Mineral makeup is wonderful, and besides creating a cosmetic line is so exciting! (whatever!)

I plan on working on that today after I return from translating. For those of you who didn't know, I lived in Mexico for 7 years and am fluent in Spanish. So I translate for our local court system. Geez, I guess I am just so multi-faceted!


Ok, time to get to work!

Monday, February 27, 2006

Customized Pet Portraits that are true works of art



I finished another digital painting last night. I am so excited about being able to do this type of work. It really broadens my horizons for expressing myself in so many ways. Take a look at the examples and the finished product.

Boston Terrier portraits are coming my way, as well as many other works. I have a commission for a beautiful kitty named T-Bird as well as several other furry friends I'm working with. This type of art is so rewarding because it taps into discovering the qualitites and characteristics of each animal and bringing those to life on the canvas. Feel free to email me for a quote, I'd be happy to work with you. Soon I'll be branching out into people portraits as well.

On another note, the web site is moving slowly. I've just been battling the ability to stay on task and get it finished. Hopefully today I will get on the ball and make alot of progress. If you need New Orleans art, email me.


Have a wonderful day.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Custom Pet Portraits



I've been working on my digital art skills. Here is custom pet portrait I just completed of my Boston Terrier, Boudreaux. Here is the reference photo I worked from, as well as the completed piece. I just love the vibrant colors. If you are interested in a custom pop art pet portrait, just email me and I'd be happy to discuss the details with you. I can have the artwork printed on stretched or unstretched canvas. I think you would love one! I plan on working on several more of these in the future as time allows. Isn't he a cutie! I find it hard to believe that this isn't an original hand-created painting, but a piece of digital art created with a painter program. I love the way it feels and looks like oil paints..so luscious and vibrant.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Crawfish Fettucini


I'm pondering the infinite question once again, "What will I fix for supper?" Well, I've got to run into the store, so I was surfing the net for a few good ideas. This one seems to fill the bill for sure.




Crawfish Andouille Fettuccini
Prep Time: 45 MinutesYields: 6 Servings
Comment:
Probably the two ingredients most associated with Louisiana cooking, crawfish and andouille, come together in this wonderful pasta dish. The light, smoky flavor of andouille adds the perfect touch to the fettuccini


Ingredients:
2 pounds crawfish tails, cooked
½ cup diced andouille sausage
1 pound fettuccini noodles, cooked
¼ pound butter
2 tbsps chopped garlic
½ cup diced onions
¼ cup diced celery
¼ cup diced red bell peppers
¼ cup diced green bell peppers
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ cup diced tomatoes
¾ cup flour
1 quart crawfish stock or 1 quart water seasoned with chicken bouillon
¼ cup dry white wine
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup tomato sauce
1½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 tsp chopped basil
1 tsp chopped tarragon
2 tbsps chopped parsley
¼ cup sliced green onions
salt and black pepper to taste
Method:In a heavy-bottomed 3½-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions, celery, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and andouille. Sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Sprinkle in flour and blend well. Whisk in crawfish stock, white wine, lemon juice and tomato sauce. Whisk well until all is blended. Bring to a simmer and hold for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add crawfish tails and cream. Return to simmer and cook 10 minutes. Add basil, tarragon, parsley and green onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and toss with pasta.



I'll just add my very own Angel touches to this one and it should make for a fantastic dinner with a green salad, and some whole wheat french bread.

Here's how I do a "speed up" on this long prep recipe! I learned early on in marriage-sometimes when you are under a time crunch you've got to look for a shortcut or two.

I'll omit the wine, mushrooms and tomatoes. Instead of the fresh veggies I may just opt for a package or two of seasoning blend found in the freezer aisle. I use PictSweet brand. It works out fine especially if you hate chopping as much as I do. I'll opt to not use the tomatoes or the tomatoe sauce and just throw in a small can of rotel, drained. Use the chicken bouillon in water instead of the crawfish stock( the sprinkle bouillon is great or remember 1 cube per cup) I always keep a jar of minced garlic in the fridge, so that cuts down on prep as well. I'll also add some grated Parmesan and Asiago cheese I keep on hand to the final sauce. A small block of velveta would push this over the top, but might not help if you are watching your diet. I'll use whole wheat fettucini instead of regular for a healthier option. Also if you not so crazy about crawfish you could throw in cubed chicken breasts and it would still be great.

While I am making the sauce I'll start the water to boiling, get the salad open and into the bowl so it can chill. As the sauce finishes up the girls will help me get the table set and were off to an easier night without so much work.


Hope that helps. Leave me a comment if you tried the recipe!

Also if you unload the dishes before you start cooking , just rinse and load directly into the dishwasher instead of throwing things into the sink while you are cooking. It takes sometime to form a habit of doing that but it really cuts down on clean up afterwards.

I'd really love to know who's lurking so drop me a comment and let me know you've been here. Just click on the pencil at the top of the post!

New Orleans art prints

I've been busy working on lots of little details with my art. I"ve taken a semi-sabbatical to refuel after my sickness a few weeks ago. Glad to report back that I am now able to get back into the studio comfortably without much pain as a side effect. The creative process comes in such and ebb and flow that at times it seems to make me unbearable. I wish I possessed more of an ability to focus and stay on task. I guess that is part of what makes me who I am though. I should be releasing my fine art prints on canvas within a few days. The quality of these giclees are phenomenal. I'll pop in a photo so you can see what they look like. If you haven't gotten to peruse my site yet, you can view my work here: New Orleans Paintings

Also my New Orleans website will reflect the added benefit of the rise in my art's value and collectibility. If you have collected my works in the last year or two the value of your pieces has almost quardrupled. Soon you'll be seeing a shift in the pricing of my originals. This will protect your investment and make it more valuable as each year passes. I plan to release between 6-10 new New Orleans originals that will be available to the general public via my site, and offer prints on canvas and giclees from these special edition collector's paintings. Then additional works will be available to my collector base via my special online sales to those who opt to sign up for my newsletter list. If you'd like to be notified of those special sales, just sign up in the box below.










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Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Unordinary Creative Quotes


The photo above is from my abstract series. If you'd like to see more of my abstract work click here

I'm still feeling horrible. I think it must be the Cipro the Dr. put me on. I can't hardly stay up on my feet for more than 30 mins without feeling dizzy, weak and like I am going to throw up. So I've got to go back today for another visit. Which is great, I hate paying another co-pay, then undoubtly another round of antibiotics of some sort. I can't really think of much to say, so I thought I'd list a few of my favorite unordinary quotes about creativity.

Here is one of my favorites, Vincent is one of my favorite artist:


“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.” Vincent Van Gogh

BE YOURSELF!

"When I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer - say, travelling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best and most abundantly.” Mozart

DARE TO EXPERIMENT
"Don't play what's there, play what's not there." Miles Davis

"If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head almost nothing." Marc Chagall

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." Buckminster Fuller


"All profoundly original art looks ugly at first." Clement Greenberg

Here are a few neat things to help your creativity while you surf today:

http://www.creativityforlife.com/full_article.php?article_id=37

Here's a cool quiz for artists preparing their first portfolio:
See it here


Ok, well peace out. I've got to go lay back down for a bit.
Hopefully things will even out soon.

Monday, January 16, 2006

The joys of femininity


Well life the last few days here has been a real pain. It's been excruciatingly busy over the weekend. I finally got the huge birthday party for my girls planned, and excecuted. We did an amazing Race theme, with a scavenger hunt/race type 2 1/2 hour competetion. It took alot of work, and the kids all enjoyed it. We had 24 people racing and they all seemed to enjoy it. I have felt so odd all week, not exactly ill, but not well either. Then it hit around 3:30 Thursday afternoon. The dreaded UTI- I waited about an hour then headed in. There has to be nothing more miserable than that. So the Dr. put me on Cipro--which makes me feel so out of it. Then it is was off to get that party planned. Quite busy over the weekend. It was an exhaustive mindbending task, but it is one I hope the girls remember forever. My favorite part was boiling up the chicken feet for the oink / cluck challenge!
The kids had to transfer pickled pigs lips or chicken feet from one containter to another. It was gross!!!

Anyway, I have had my fill of cranberry juice for awhile. I don't think I could drink much more. It's really good for you though. Here is a little cranberry juice recipe that helped me get more of it down. The taste is ununusually addicting:
1/2 glass Northland Cranberry Juice (not the cranberry cocktail stuff, although it will work in a pinch)
1/2 glass Diet 7-up
1/2 green lime, squeezed into a glass.
Mix it all up and it tastes wonderful..very tart.

Well, I hope to be updating my website this week. I am trying to make a definitive decision on my new company and whether or not I should start it.
Who knows?
Today has been an official flop day---I so needed it. I'll go fix dinner then we will watch a movie or something.
Some days you just need to do nothing. Hopefully the rest will benefit my body.
Or at the very least my mind.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Creativity Quote for the Day 1-11-05


I am going to be an artist! – I don't really know where I got my artist idea... I only know that by that time it was definitely settled in my mind.-Georgia O'Keefe

I've missed posting my art thoughts for the day. Any comments on that one? For me the quote above totally explains how I became an artist. A nuance from my childhood, an idea, or is it just who I am intrisically am?
Art is a phenomenal thing, and creating makes me feel so much closer to the Creator. I belive in divine guidance and I feel most at peace when I am painting. Even to the wee hours of the morning. I love it, it's invigorating and enlivening to me.

Time for a hair appointment.
Have a great day!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Some days I just hate technology

Ugh!
This face lift is painful. I've spent way too much time today trying to figure this all out. I can't stand leaving things not right. I can't figure out why my images can't be seen from my new hosting company. Not coool and I am getting more frustrated by the minute..

ugggghhhhhh. Not to mention I have to totally relearn all the software to update my site now. Not good. I may have to back out with that 30 day moneyback guarantee if I can't get it together.

Working on a face lift for my blog

It's been a while since I posted. I am working on so many projects that I can't keep up with everything. Switching hosting companies for my sites, trying to update pages , catch up on orders. Then also my new business passion for my new cosmetic line and store are also consuming me. I've got to get in the studio today and finish up a special rush order so it will be on time. It's tough when people want handpainted originals on a 10 day timeline. I think this will be the last one I do, it's just too stressful. Can I get it done,yes of course. But it feels too much like work, and that just causes a strain on my artistic inspiration.
Stay tuned to see what is up with the blog..maybe I can get it all worked out here in a bit.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Happy New Year!

I thought I'd send out a quick New Years Wish for everyone. I've enjoyed my break and I am ready to get back to work. I've got alot of goals for 2006. Looking back on 2005, it's been a great year. Many goals were achieved, and some I still need to work on this year. My art career is beginning to really develop and I need to work and focus my attention on expanding my business. You'll be hearing more from me in the near future.
My wish for you is that this year is the best you've yet to live, your heart is happy and your home blessed!
Now, I am off to ring in the New Year with my beautiful bald boyfriend and my two gorgeous daughters!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Art Show in Philadelphia thoughts and memories





We were at our spot around 20 til 6 and as soon as the doors opened we were busy until after 12 am. It was so much fun and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I enjoyed meeting Al and Loralee West. Mr. West is president of SEI, and is so down to earth and enjoyable. You can learn more about SEI here

I took 8 original paintings, a fine art giclee on canvas and had several prints available. Within just a few hours all the originals were sold and the prints were moving as well. Over all it was a fantastic experience and a great success. I do believe the ability to help with hurricane relief from this event will have an impact and be such a help to those in the affected regions.

Mr. West made a presentation and presented Chef Leon West, a representative from Whitney Bank and I. I had been told I could ease by without having to say anything but that didn't happen!! I managed to mumble something without fainting in front of 1600 people. Fortunately for me the lights were so bright I couldn't really see anyone out there!

Here are a few more photos of the event, then enough is enough already! We'll move on to the Christmas holidays, fudge making and Santa Claus!


-
-
themodernartist

It's Showtime Baby!





I woke up early Saturday with a very nervous stomach, and Joel slept in so I tried to be quiet and let him sleep. We had so much to get done, and setup ended up being a bit more than we expected. Fortunately Denise recommended Maggiano's restaurant and we took her advice. The food was fantastic.
Here are a few photos of the setting up of our booth area.
It was surreal to see the way the whole event was designed around my artwork and was a really exciting feeling to know that so much could transpire out of a painting.
The theme for the event was Celebrate and Rejuvenate, and everything had a New Orleans flair to it. The music was provided by the Jazz Vipers and Kool and the Gang.
Unfortunately I didn't get much of a break to enjoy the music because my table was full the whole duration of the event. No complaints about that here!! We had to rush back to the room around 4 to get all dressed up for the event. Ironing was a challenge but we made it!!!

Friday Night Contemplations




Upon returning to our hotel I realized just how wonderful it is to be an American and to have the freedoms we so often take for granted. Our country is a wonderful place and we must preserve the freedom our forefathers gave their lives for.

We went down to the lobby and worked for several hours on show details that had been undone before we left. The Christmas atmosphere made for a nice environment. I found the beautiful little village scene especially mesmerizing and had a hard time being distracted by the little skier!

Joel tried very hard to keep me busy so I wouldn't be thinking of all that was transpiring back home. Emotionally I was a wreck as I knew my grandmother's funeral was today and my mom and girls all needed me. It was extremely difficult to have to be gone during such a difficult time. I was so glad I had spent time with my grandmother and that she had voiced her love for me many times over the last 10 days.
Ila Mae Thompson was an incredible woman and she will be missed dearly. I hope I never have to be in a situation like this one again, as it was a bittersweet trip. I know Grandma would have wanted me to make my trip, and to fulfill my contract with SEI. I pray I made her proud and felt like she was looking down from heaven with a smile as I presented my art.

We ended up staying up late drinking Starbucks and working in the FEDex center until around 1 am so we could be a bit more relaxed Saturday as we had to set up.

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall






After seeing the convention center we decided to be tourists and head over to the Liberty Bell. Fortunately for us it was a 6 minute walk from the Marriott. The 6 minute walk took us about 36 minutes to complete. I am still trying to understand that one, I am not sure if we walk slow in Louisiana or if the cold slowed us down. It was worth the trip to see this historical piece of Americana though. Here are a few photos of I took as we spent the evening in the historical zone of Philly. My love for photography took over at some point and I forgot the cold and enjoyed myself!