Goals and Direction for 2008,Seafood Spread

See my Paintings HERE




I often read the goals of other artists this time of year and their recaps of the year's efforts. One of the most important things to me is to set clear goals for myself and to stick to them. I also think it is so important to limit the scope to a few clear goals, not going off half cocked in multiple directions. I have been very guilty of this in past years but I'm making progress now.

I kind of fell into my painting focus for 2008 about mid May with the change of my palette and the study I did for writing my "Let's Study Color" Workshop book. I learned so much about color and it's properties and it helped me to develop the palette I have been using for a few months. In tandem with the palette came the extended interest in NOTAN painting which actually started back in my college days with the study of the design elements. I have been told by other artists that my strength is composition and design, and it is no wonder. I love design and probably should have gone into industrial design. I would have made a lot more money, that's for sure. It all started in college with my design professor Jack Nickerson. He was a master of design and instilled an interest in me which has sustained me throughout my art career. It is a shame that art schools are no longer teaching good design to painting students. Shocking!!

I have developed an interest in watercolor painting, particularly in the small format. It seem to fall apart when I get larger than 5x7 inches, so I will stick to the miniatures for a few months. I've always loved doing tiny paintings and so I am happy to continue.

My next exploration will be the small acrylic abstract landscapes and I will see where that leads. I've always wanted to explore the abstract elements of the landscape, focusing on the design elements and the NOTAN aspect of the abstract. I'm looking forward to this project.

So, in summary for 2008:

1. Continue the exploration of the Tetradic Palette

2. Continue the NOTAN process for the study of values

3. Watercolors in miniature

4. Exploration of abstract concepts in the landscape
So, I have the goals for painting in place and hope to grow with these studies throughout 2008.

5. Resume my Open Studio Class and get interest for my new Plein Air Monthly class. I am cutting back on workshops this year and only have a couple scheduled.

That should keep me busy for awhile.




Now I turn to the business/marketing side of the coin. After chasing after fame and recognition for years I find myself turning to a new path. I spent 30 years building my resume with museum shows, juried shows, chasing galleries and so forth. I find myself less interested in that part of my career and more interested in simply painting and selling my work. In some ways it is truly a relief. For a few years now I have felt the competitiveness wearing on my soul. Too many paint outs, too many other artists whom I felt I must top or compete with in recognition. It has been damaging. It's time for me to get off that train and refocus on my work and the art of selling it. I believe you get to a stage in your career when you have to stop the foolishness of climbing to the top. After 30 years of competing I don't much care about that anymore. I just want to paint and sell my work. Pretty simple when you get right down to it.

My goals for 2008 are simple:

1. Help my agent to handle sales. We now have plans to have a breakfast meeting once a month to throw around new ideas. I have given her a portfolio of ten paintings to promote.

2. Have my web site optimized for sales

3. Do more direct mail marketing. I have been lax with this and too dependent on email. People still like to receive mail from their favorite artists.

4. Do a better job of educating people about my work. I need to include my friends in the process of painting and to help people understand how precious it is to own an original painting.

5. Meet once a month with my business mentor. She helps me to process my ideas and to come up with new ones.

6. I need to come up with a good way to market the miniature Mail Art Paintings. I really enjoy them, they improve my painting technique, and I would like to sell more of them.

7. Continue to market my workshop books, tutorials and artist career consulting.


I think this is a very focused marketing and painting plan for 2008. I'm looking forward to a good year.


Today's Recipe:

Seafood Spread

I always keep stuff in the pantry so I can feed studio visitors. This is an easy recipe.

1 cup chopped celery
1 1/4 chopped onion
1 can shrimp drained and rinsed
1 can crab meat drained and rinsed
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Mix all ingredients and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with crackers.

Underpainting with markers, Fun with Orange Lake,What next? Abstracts? Cream Puff Pastry

I have been reading a thread on an art forum about using markers as an under painting. I rarely draw anything on my panels or canvas because I like to think in large shapes and masses rather than linear when I paint. I save drawing for pencil and paper and consider them to be two different approaches. Drawing is the skeleton of all good art as far as I am concerned and it is vitally important in learning all art skills, however, I don't see painting and drawing in the same way. I like to view painting as a puzzle with flat shapes,colors and values which are plugged into the painting as I process through it. Once the shapes are placed on the canvas, I begin to cut those up into smaller shapes of value and color, and then smaller until shapes become objects and so forth. That's why I believe that the elements of design are so important to good painting. I like to think that all painting is abstract in it's beginning,then refined to a stage of comfort for the artist. That can be minimal,refined to photo realism, or to someplace in between as my work is.

I tried the markers last night. I used Chartpak brand, my favorite markers. Basically I did a crude rendition of the proposed painting and then proceeded in my usual method. It occurred to me that this might be handy to do location block ins in a hurry and bring them home for studio work. They were easily covered by oil paints. I have heard that Black Sharpie pens bleed through. The chartpak was great!!

There doesn't seem to be an advantage for studio work unless you feel the need to draw in your composition.

Here is the painting in progress:






This is lovely Orange Lake, a favorite painting spot in North Florida. Right down the street is Rocky's Villa. They have terrific Mexican and Italian food as their two specialties. Rocky's is on the east side of US 441 and it is a local favorite. I always eat there when I'm painting Orange Lake.

As you can see, there is no trace of the markers showing through.


I've been thinking a lot about the NOTAN process and how well it lends itself to a more minimalist abstract form of painting. I have it in my mind to do a series of abstract landscapes in acrylics to try this out. Sort of a beginning to my regular approach, where I stop after the block in stage, but I use heavier paint application and brushwork, so it has a finished quality. I really don't know that anyone would want these paintings but I do know that abstract, contemporary work is very popular. I want to try this just for the curiosity of it, but also, because I believe it will be a good learning process for my NOTAN and design element studies. I am thinking this might be a good theme for a workshop as well. The thing I like about NOTAN is the versatility of the process, from basic and primitive to highly refined, it works!!! I m going to start this series and will show you my progress. Essentially, it will be COLOR NOTAN. The other day, another artist mentioned that my landscapes have an abstract quality to them. I was unaware of this and it gave the the idea of exploring the color Notan a little more thoroughly.


Today's Recipe:

This is my basic Pate Choux Recipe It is the dough for cream puffs and 'eclairs

1 cup cold water
1 stick butter cut in slices
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all purpose flour
4 large eggs

Heat butter/salt/water in a good medium sauce pan to boil and remove from heat. Add the flour and beat until smooth, beat in eggs one at a time until smooth. The dough will come away from the sides of the pan.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Use baking sheets covered with parchment or greased and floured. Us a pastry tube to make either strips of pastry for 'Eclairs or little round shapes for cream puffs. You can use fork tine to create ridges in the dough which will make them crispier and you can wash them with egg for a glaze if desired.

Bake until puffed and golden 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 and 5 minutes longer.

Anticipation for the new year, Focusing on Values Over Color, Chocolate Glaze

See my paintings HERE


I have to confess that 2007 has been a strain, particularly the last two months. I have had a difficult family emergency which has burdened my soul. I am grateful to everyone who has given their tireless prayer on behalf of my beloved sister. I still don't have much good news on that front but I remain hopeful. I won't bore anyone with the details. Strangely, odd numbered years are not as successful for me. I have high hopes that 2008 will be a better year.

I often reflect on my career and study this time of year and I certainly encourage others to do the same. Sometimes I have mistakes to overcome, bad ideas or decisions. This year my only real mistakes were spending too much on framing and not doing enough large paintings in 2007.

In some past years I've made some doozy mistakes, like the year I decided to invest in a poster. I still have about 500 of them sitting on the shelf ten years later. I made a huge investment with almost no return. I'm so glad that I got over that flirtation with reproductions. Not for me. Stupid decision in which I got fleeced for about 2,000.00

Next!!!! The year I decided to try team teaching!!! A disaster which almost cost me a friendship with one artist and did cost me a friendship with another. I discovered after several agonizing months that I cannot share. I am an independent soul and I don't work well with others. I'm ADD and must have everything done two weeks ago. I cannot function with people who don't make instant decisions at a hundred miles an hour. It's good that it happened because now I understand my limitations. I no longer put myself in situations which I can't handle.

I could go on and on with my list of bad business decisions, but my point here is that it's important to do an analysis once a year and decide what is not working and come up with a new plan. This can apply to your painting technique as well.


I've been thinking about the transition from the emphasis on color to values over the last few months for my paintings. Pros and Cons if you will. Pros include a harmony and consistency of the paintings. A nice drama from the NOTAN process. Looking around the studio tells me that they look wonderful as a body of work, very harmonious.

Cons include that they are not as expressive and quirky as they once were. Of course there is the danger that some patrons will miss the quirkiness. I can't worry about that because I never do. I just keep going in my process wherever it takes me and hope that my patrons will enjoy the journey too.


Today's Recipe:

Chocolate Glaze


1 T butter
2 T water
1/2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 c ten x sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Place water and butter in sauce pan over low heat, add chocolate and stir until smooth. In a bowl combine the ten x and cinnamon. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla to make a smooth glaze.

Finishes, Free Rice,Preparing for a slowing economy,Microwave Fudge

See my paintings HERE






I finally got around to finishing the above paintings yesterday. I am beginning to achieve a harmony of values and a consistency of palette that I never had before, thanks to the study in NOTAN and the tetradic palette. I have been focusing on the quad of orange/blue, red/green for some time. I think next year I may throw some yellow/purple in as an alternative to one of the other compliment groups to see what I think. This palette is so versatile and useful. I just love the range, but at the same time there is real control and harmony, which I definitely need. I tend to go way too far in color intensity without some restraint. In fact the old Linda threw color at everything rather than thinking about how important value and harmony were. That was the evil Linda. I am now the Good Linda. :>)


I spent a pleasant day finishing up a couple of paintings and watching the Gilmore Girls series, season four. Yes, I know you are going to say smarmy and dumb, but I truly love the Gilmore Girls. Their life and town speaks to me. There is an emotional connection for me in that I raised my daughters alone, having divorced during my last pregnancy. A long and frightening story that I won't bore you with. Theirs is much more entertaining than mine. I live vicariously through their trials and joy.

I've been thinking a lot about the perils of being an artist, especially with the slowing economy looming ahead. I am taking some steps to try and help myself.

First, no buying frames unless the sale is a done deal or unless I need to frame for exhibitions. I spend way too much money on frames just because I love to see paintings in them. It's dumb.

Second, No more paints and supplies unless I really need them. I have stuff coming out of my ears. I'm a sucker for supplies and equipment. ( I do have to buy a new paint box, but hoping to get a second that is in good shape).

Third, cut back on travel. This is the one I hate to give up. I love traveling. I will go to North Carolina in August to teach, and I want to take a couple of trips to the coast this year to paint, but I won't be carelessly running up and down the road everywhere like I normally do. I am cutting back my location painting to one day a week unless I am doing a plein air event. I will be combining it with errands to save gas, going to paint after I do something else on the way home.

Fourth, I will only do events which have the potential for sales, like big paint outs. I am cutting down on art center exhibitions where I have to frame work, drive a hundred miles to deliver, then come for the opening, and then go back again to take down my show. Driving three times with no sales. Yes, it is flattering to be invited and it is good for the community, but really, not sound business at all. The last art center show I did cost me a good frame. It was damaged at the show somehow, so I took it off the painting and donated it to the art center. These things happen the more you move your work around.

Fifth, I am doing a lot more small format work which can be marketed unframed and it will be easily affordable for most people. I am working on a marketing plan for the Mail Art and hope to have success with that genre. One reason I am anxious to market the Mail Art is that it gives me a way to promote my larger paintings. It also gives me incentive to do the tiny studies constantly, which in turn improves my painting skills. It helps me with brushwork, composition, Notan study and so forth. If I can sell them regularly, it will be a win- win combination for me. I don't know about you but the idea of receiving tiny original paintings through the mail really appeals to me.


Sixth, If things get too bad, I can always go back to catering or cleaning houses but let's hope things don't go down the tubes that far.

Nancy Moskovitz had this site on her blog HERE

Free Rice HERE

It is a very cool site where you choose correct vocabulary words and they give rice to developing countries in the world. Very cool.


Today's Recipe:


Microwave Fudge

This one comes from the Land O Lakes web site.

1/2 cup Land O Lakes Butter
1/4 cup milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine butter,milk,chocolate chips in a large bowl. Microwave on HIGH until butter and chocolate are melted.

Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth. Spread in buttered 8 inch square baking pan. Cover, refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.

More Notan, More 2008 plans,Apple Crisp

See my paintings HERE






Dark Palms
18x24 inches
oil on canvas


The above painting was done alla prima in the studio yesterday. I rarely work alla prima anymore except at plein air events or for studies. I don't know what got into me. I started and was just so intrigued with the process that I just kept going. I may go back at some point for further revion but perhaps not. I may just celebrate the fun I had and leave it as is. I really had a great time. You can clearly see the NOTAN influence in this painting. I have discovered that it works particularly well in back lit scenes.


Back lighting is challenging because you don't want a simple silhouette that looks pasted on, but you don't want too much light and detail either on the objects in shadow. It's a back and forth process between lightening and then going back in to darken. Besides value, there are color considerations as well. You have cool darkness in deep shadow and then you must warm and lighten where the light hits the exterior. Making a transition between warm and cool values can be very tricky. I see a lot of paintings with harsh transitions in color temperature. That can be jarring from the viewer's perspective. In the past, I have been guilty of that myself. I think the trick is to pick up bits and pieces of warm and cool and scatter them throughout the painting for a more cohesive look. I always like to add a bit of land color to sky and a bit of sky color to land.


The combination of NOTAN study and my tetradic palette has given my work a much more harmonious look. At least I hope so. My palette was pretty intense in the recent past.


As much fun as the holidays are, by this time I start to look forward to a new year and new challenges. I spend a fair amount of time thinking about what I want to study for my yearly study project. This year I believe that NOTAN needs further study. I will extend that for several months. I also think about what I want to focus on in my career path. I have located my web guru for next year. We will set a number of projects to accomplish. I am relieved about that. I want to write another workshop book about values and NOTAN. That will be my big writing and research project for 2008. I would also love to put together an ART NOTES book full of images, stories and recipes, but who knows when I'll get that done. I'm looking forward to getting back to my Open Studio Class and my new Plein Air Monthly class. Last year I illustrated a cookbook for a local restaurant,and I would love to do that again. My agent has several ideas in the stew and I have given her a portfolio of paintings to market. I think 2008 will be a very good year indeed.



Today's Recipe:

My mother used to make this recipe for us regularly and I borrowed it from her for my years as a chef and caterer.


Apple Crisp:

5 large Granny Smith apples pealed and cut into slices
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 cup water
3/4 C all purpose flour
8 T butter sliced and chilled
1/2 sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Toss apples with cinnamon and nutmeg
Place into a small baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup water.

Combine flour butter,sugars. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and particles are pea sized. Spread over apples. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Cool for about 15 minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream, heavy cream or plain.

My Field Kit Arrived,Boiled Cookies

See my paintings HERE





Orange Dunes
5x7 inches
watercolor on cold press


I was thrilled to receive my box of watercolor pads and the new field kit. My Christmas present to myself. This little kit is so cute and amazing. I can't wait to get out with it. It has 12 tiny pans of color, a miniature brush which comes apart for storage, a tiny bottle of water, three little palettes, a sponge and the lid serves as a cup. It is about the size of a small jewelry box. It will fit in my pocket.

I was thinking I would take a large piece of masonite out to use as a table. Like 14x18 inches. I could put the little kit on one side and tape a piece of paper down for the support. So far, I use the paints in a flat position, not upright. it seems that it would run down the page if I don't keep it flat. I always carry a little garden bench with me to sit on if I get tired painting, so I think that will be a good system. I also want to get one of the porcelain butcher palettes to do my wc at home.

I've been having more watercolor fun. I'm still completely clueless, finding that a simple analagous palette works fairly well, but when I try to get cute and be more adventurous it falls apart. The biggest problem I have is the white issue. Still trying to deal with that. I think I just need a lot more time with the medium. Perhaps in a few months I'll be doing some pretty good stuff. In the mean time, I'm having a great time. I'm going to try to get out with the new field kit this weekend.


The biggest advantage to WC that I can see is the speed. Very very fast. I wonder if it would work in tandem with acrylics to have better control of the whites? I also find that the best WC I do are the smallest formats. I seem to have more control in the small format. I find that to be true with acrylics too. I rarely do acrylics larger than 8x10 inches. I've not figured that out yet. I just don't seem to control water based mediums well in large format. I save the big stuff for oils, my oldest and best friend. :>)


I've been searching for a new webmaster to do the search engine optimization for my site. I love my web site but it needs some tweaking. That is going to be my investment for 2008. I want to add RSS feeds to the pages and get a decent stat counter for it. My ultimate goal for the future is to become self represented rather than relying on consignment galleries for my piece of the pie. I've been thinking about this for some time and it just makes sense to me. I have an agent now,Caroline Hufty who handles most of my out of area sales and she is really great. She travels a lot and has marketing skills. I have given her her own portfolio of 10 paintings to play with and sell at a time and we are having some fun together. With the interest climbing every year in Internet commerce, I think sales from artist's web sites are improving every year. I like the direct contact with my patrons and most of them become my friends. I will continue to be loyal to the galleries I show in but eventually will go to a wholesale relationship with them. I've had moderate success with my web site this year and tweaking it to bring more visitors should continue to improve direct sales. Anyhoo, that is my focus for 2008 in marketing.




Today's recipe comes from my friend Sarah Carey. She shared with me that it had come from a special friend from her childhood who has recently passed. I can't wait to try it. I love it when friends send me recipes and write in with questions and comments. To top this, she has hinted that she will do a studio visit after the holidays and bring the cookies with her. Sarah is a unique and thoughtful person. She has a true love for Florida and Florida art. I'm glad she is my friend.

"Sue Reed's Boiled Cookies"

4 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 peanut butter
oats (old fashioned kind)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sugar

Mix cocoa, milk, sugar and butter in a saucepan. (Hint - I melt the butter in the microwave before adding it, it blends easier.) Bring to a boil. Boil for 2.5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and peanut butter. Add oats -- enough to make stiff.
Spoon onto waxed paper.
Makes: a bunch!

Out on Location, The Baking Book, Artist Art Snobs ,Lost Painting

See my paintings HERE


I had an interesting day yesterday. It started out in a frantic search for a painting which I sold from my web site. I only show paintings for sale on the web site, that are actually in my studio. I was to deliver it at noon. I had thought it was in the Leesburg show because I could not find it right away. After going to pick up the show, I discovered it wasn't there. I looked up all of my gallery inventories, went to several places locally where it could have been, and finally faced the fact that it was gone. It may turn up one day, but who knows. I was horrified at the prospect of facing my patron, so I loaded up the car wth other paintings and headed out. I cannot tell you how wonderful and gracious she was. She selected another painting and seemed as pleased as could be with the new choice. It was to be a gift for her beloved Mother, so I felt really lousy about the mistake. That has not happened to me before, so it was a new experience. I will be more careful now to make sure I actually have a painting before putting it up for sale.

After getting a fabulous rare roast beef with Danish blue cheese sandwich and a sugar free Swiss choolate bar at Fresh Market, I headed out to the prairie to my next Notan Start. See above. It was "a mood" out at the praire. I was undisturbed by man and beast. No one in their right mind would have been out there. It was dark and cold, but the wild beauty was fabulous!! The color on the prairie now is intense. Smokey charcoal gray/blue and rust were the predominant colors. I can't believe how dry it was from the overlook on US 441. It's been a few years since I could see the bottom of the deck. I loved it. It was invigorating. I can't wait to finish the painting and see how it comes out.


The decision making process in Notan is so hard. It seems like such a simple concept but it's so complicated. I think the beginning is the hardest part. it's easy enough to simply paint what you see in terms of color and value, but to manipulate all of that into another value strategy is something else entirely. I have to keep thinking as I study the scene, Dark,Mid,Light. Which will dominate and how will I make the connective patterns between those values? I've always been a high contrast painter so that has been a help to me, but it was a random process before I started studying Notan. I think I want to buy another design book specifically about Notan. The Elements of Art book from my colleges days is excellent and I'm glad I saved it. The Notan course I bought from Virtual Art Academy is also excellent, but I think I need a bit more information to round out my study of this process. The quest goes on.


Again I have run into the attitude from artists that marketing and selling your work is bad and that painting should be pure and above that. It makes me want to laugh or cry, I don't know which. Aparrently the exquisite paintings from the Renaissance period of art history would be considered as hack work nowadays because it was all commissioned by wealthy patrons. I made the casual mention on a plein air forum that my studio work far out sells the alla prima work that I do on location. You would have thought I had farted in church!!! The fact that other artists have written to me and said their alla prima work does not sell well either makes no nevermind. The fact that I still do alla prima work though I have to put it in the browse bin to sell doesn't count. I have been branded a formula painter and a hack sell out because I have the audacity to pay attention to what my patrons like to buy. Oh the shame of it!!!! ;>)

Yippee!!! My baking book arrived from Amazon. It's like a dear old friend coming home.

Here is a recipe from the book " Jim Fobel's Old Fashioned Baking Book".

Lemon Bars

1 C plus 2 T all purpose flour
1/4 C plus 1 T powdered sugar
8 T cold unsalted butter(1 stick)sliced

Make the dough as you would pie dough and spread evenly in a 13x9 inch pan

Preheat oven to 350 and bake th dough for about 15 minutes. Take out and leave the oven on.

2 large eggs
3/4 C sugar
1/2 Teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 C lemon juice
1/4 Teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt

(I always use just a bit more lemon juice because I like mine tart.)

beat eggs until frothy, add sugar,lemon juice and zest. Beat for about ten minutes until it starts to thicken. Combine flour/bp/salt and add to mixture and beat again just until smooth. Pour over crust and bake until set and lightly brown. Sift remaining pwodered sugar over the top and cut into bars.

Yummy!!!!
When my kids were little, this was their favorite dessert. They will be delighted to have it back again.

The next rotation,a bit of travel,A beloved cookbook, Cheese Spread

Troy Springs
12x16 inches
oil on panel

Troy Springs is the next painting in the rotation. It has gone through a few changes from start to this stage. I think I'm through with it. The NOTAN influence gave me the impetus to change the values from the real scene. It really is a more interesting painting now because of that. You will notice that I made the dark part of the composition on the right highlighting the center area of the springs. Before this change in the value, it had an overall mid value, accurate but not very dramatic. Using the dark area of the composition as a stop was pretty interesting. I'm still wandering through the world of NOTAN trying to make the basic principles work in real compositions. Working from studies to finished paintings is the real challenge. In this particular composition, I believe the mid value dominates, though it may be a toss up between dark and mid. That is the other big challenge in the real paintings as opposed to the studies. At this stage of my NOTAN study that is the crux of the difficulty; making that transition from study to real work. I have much to learn in the process. The basic principles are easy to understand. The application is far from easy, however, I certainly am seeing positive results. I don't look at scenes in the same way anymore. My approach has changed considerably.

I drove down to Leesburg today to pick up my "Country Roads" show paintings. I did a little exploring on my way home. I found a great little park on Lake Okahumpka. I can't wait to get there and do some painting on this beautiful lake. It is very large, with lots of nice trees and reeds.

I used to have a great cookbook when I was a caterer. I had written in all the margins and adjusted the recipes to suit my clientele. It was a treasure for me. A few years ago I lost it. I've missed it so much. I could not remember the name or author but I did know the picture on the front. My daughter found it at Amazon for me the other day and I re-ordered it for about 4.00 I'm so excited!! When it comes, I'll share some great baking recipes with you.


Today's Recipe:

This is an easy cheese crock recipe

2 pounds Velveeta cheese
1 Cup butter
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
8 oz cream cheese
2 T horseradish
Heat all ingredients in a double boiler and stir thoroughly. Put in the mixer and beat for three minutes.

Store in a crock refrigerated. Serve with crackers.

Lots of visitors,Watercolor materials,Prime Rib arrives!!,Rotation paintings continue.

See my paintings HERE



I've had several studio visits this week. I keep forgetting to take their photos to share on the blog. Dang it!! My friend Sarah came yesterday to pick up a painting and we had a great brief visit. She is a charming and intelligent person who actually has a passion for art. She doesn't collect it to show off to the hoity toity types, but rather to enjoy it to the fullest. It always makes me happy to know that the person purchasing my work will cherish it. What a great feeling to have your work honored by someone. It made my day to have her there.

Today, I will have a fundraiser come to the studio to pick up a donated painting. I usually just give out studio gift certificates but this is a special case. Evidently, the studios of several artists were burned a few days ago in the Clearwater area. It was some sort of coop studios all in the same building. The artists lost everything. Just tragic!! Another artist is putting together an art auction to raise money so they can at least buy art supplies to start again. I am assuming that none of them had studio insurance. A bad thing. I pay for insurance because I don't want to lose everything I own. I feel terrible for them.

Yesterday I went online to Dickblick.com and ordered a watercolor field kit, and a bunch of different watercolor paper pads, along with a pad of WC canvas. I am anxious to try them. Goodie, more art stuff!!! As most of you know, I am an equipment junkie. I got myself a small crochet hook, some sharp bamboo skewers and a white candle to try out some lifting processes with the WC. I tried the white candle and it really worked great. You get some interesting stippling effects with it which were unexpected. Very cool. I have run out of WC paper and so must wait for the order to have more fun. I believe the candle will help me to keep some white areas for the lights. That is where I'm having the most difficulty. I am using Stephen Quiller Watercolors, courtesy of my sponsor Jack Richeson & Company HERE In my opinion, Stephen Quiller water media paints are glorious. I have used his acrylics for a long time. His WC paints are excellent, with great saturation.

Here is one of the WC paintings I did with the candle.



Here is Lake Alice, finished in the rotation.



I'm getting behind in my starts again. I'm not counting all of the 5x7 Palm Icon paintings I'm doing or the Mail Art paintings. I am actually painting, and have done another stage in a couple of rotation paintings, but I'm just too busy to do proper starts this week. I will get out on location Sunday morning again do do another start. I'm down to one or two starts a week right now, :>( My bad!!!

I've got a couple of cool things coming up in 2008. I'm going to be the guest at a garden party at a couple's home. It will be like a Tupperware party but for art, with couples instead of women only. I'm also going to do another Art House with my friend Rich Schleicher, the realtor in Ocala. This time we are doing a much grander house and two Ocala artists will be joining me.

I have to rant for a moment. I am always stunned by the lack of professionalism by some organizations. I was invited to teach a 3 day workshop at a well known Florida art league a few months ago. I got the contract, signed it and sent it back. We agreed on dates for the workshop. Fine, no problem. A month later I received a letter saying they were having trouble with the assigned dates and could we re-schedule. I said of course, I will wait to hear from you. Weeks had gone by, and I decided to email them to get an update. They finally wrote back to say they guessed they would have to cancel the workshop because the center was now booked solid. I have never been treated so unprofessionally by an art center or museum before. That is just bad form all around. I told the woman this too. I guess she did not like it because she didn't even have the courtesy to respond. People wonder why the arts are not respected by the business community in our society. This is an example of why that is so. OK, I'm through ranting!!



My annual gift from a dear and generous friend has arrived!! She always sends me either a honey baked ham or prime rib, western corn fed. yummy! This year it is a large boneless prime rib. Oh I can't wait to cook it!!! Probably on Christmas day.

I believe I have already posted my prime rib recipe so I will just add that I roast it with new potatoes, carrots,celery,onions, mushrooms, and add wine to the pan. Don't forget to coat the fat side with a layer of kosher salt,cracked black pepper, fresh rosemary and thyme.

When roasted to perfection, strain the juice for aujous. Enjoy, enjoy!!! I certainly will.

More Watercolor Fun, New Monthly Class,An Endless Painting,Pork Chops

Plein Air Monthly

A once a month plein air class in the North Central Florida area. We will meet at various locations around North Central Florida for painting and instruction.

9 AM- 1:00 PM beginning Saturday, January 5th

As the weather gets hotter in the spring and summer, we will meet at 8 AM in the spring and 7 AM in the summer..

Anyone can come, no matter the experience level. We will study alla prima painting, color mixing, values, composition, brushework and other components of plein air and landscape painting. This will be a relaxed casual class with lots of painting time and cameraderie. I'll be happy to give advice on equipment, supplies,travel, and marketing. This class is the outdoor version of my monthly open studio class.

Locations to include:

Kanapaha Gardens

Rum Island

Paynes Prairie State Park

Farms and Ranches

The Thomas Center

Lake Alice

Any place we all want to go!!

Fee: 30.00 Payable at each class.

Beverages and snacks provided

Supply list provided

Email me if you are interested. lindablondheim12@hotmail.com


I'm having so much fun with the Palm Icons. The watercolors are a great challenge for me and they are a great medium for NOTAN Study. I have the rich darks and color saturation going pretty well, but I can't figure out how to get the lights. Working in reverse has proven to be difficult for me as an opaque media painter. It's hard to get the old brain working that way. I am wondering if there is some sort of stylus rubber tipped which would work well to lift paint from areas. The brush does some but I'm thinking there has to be a better way. I think that the old saying practice makes perfect will apply here. having done them for a week is not going to make me a superstar in the world of watercolor. :>) Kathleen Brake,HERE artist extraordinaire, suggested that I try the watercolor canvas, which can be mounted to hardboard. I am intrigued and will check that out. My friend artist Mary Jane Volkmann HERE
seems to think I may have a flair for the watercolor. I think they are fun and hopefully my technique will improve. She is a fabulous painter, so I will take her advice happily.





I am also on a quest for a watercolor field kit and would love to have suggestions on the best one. I need one which has a water bottle, palette, brush washing cup fold up brushes? and I think hard cakes rather than tubes. I am anxious to get out in the fields with the WC. I'm not quite sure how it works. Do you sit with the WC paper taped to a large board sitting it on your lap? How would they work at an upright easel? Wouldn't the paint run down? Lot's to learn about the mechanics of painting with WC on location.

I have this fun ongoing project that I work on from time to time. It is an endless painting. Mine is 18x24. I get it out and do a bit on it now and then, changing things, adding or removing things, changing the colors, brushwork/texture and so forth. I have no end in mind for it really. It is just a way to fool around in the studio and experiment with ideas. I guess I've been working on this one for about 8 months. Eventually, they get to a stage that I really like and so I declare them finished, or they just get too much paint on them so I sand them down and start again.


Endless Painting

One of the things I love about blogging is the great people I meet. My buddy Jean Hood lives on a ranch in Texas. her work is lively and colorful and she has great stories about living in the Texas Hill Country. HERE

Sharon Crute is an amazing equine artist. Wow!! Incredible work and her blog is quite interesting. HERE

My friend Jafabrit( Cool Stage Name ) has an always interesting blog about her world of art. We had a recent discussion about age discrimination in the art world. I didn't realise there was any until she informed me. See her blog HERE




Today's Recipe:

My family loves pork chops so I make them frequently. I've always loved fruit with pork. Last night I browned my chops in a bit of EVOO, seasoning them with salt,pepper,dried onion flakes,paprika,thyme, oregano,garlic powder.

I opened a can of cherry pie filling, pouring it over the chops. I added a can of chicken stock. I cooked them for a bit and then added 1/2 cup wine mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch, stirring until bubbly and smooth.

You can substitute fresh fruit, canned pineapple,pears,peaches, or fruit cocktail.

Alligators,Snakes and Bugs, Oh My!!, The Palm Icons are so much fun!!, Meatloaf Snacks

Here I am at Lake Alice painting yesterday. There was a huge Gator eyeing me for breakfast out in the lake. I kept my eye on him. Landscape painting here in Florida is serious business due to Moccasins, Gators, Rattlesnakes and Spiders who love to poison you. I have the spider scars to prove it too. I have a friend who lost his arm to a Gator a few years ago, so painting out in the swamps here is not for the faint of heart. It was a lovely day and I enjoyed meeting new friends and getting a nice start for my rotation.

The Palm Icons has turned into a great little series of fun. I have discovered the joy of watercolor painting, which is a miracle for me. I've always disliked it as a medium because most of the work I saw was pale and lifeless. I didn't know you could use rich darks, high contrast and saturated color. I've not yet figured out how to get enough light in the paintings but I am doing ok with the rich darks. Today I had a conversation with a friend who does watercolors and she said that a lot of painters are using traditional oil and acrylic supports for their watercolor paintings, to avoid using matting and glass. This sounds interesting to me so I tried a painting on gesoed masonite. It was an interesting process. One advantage that became clear immediately was the lifting ability. I was able to lift color off quite easily, as opposed to traditional WC paper. She also suggested I try it with Ampersand boards.



Three Sisters
5x7 inches
WC on masonite

The above is the masonite painting.

Here is oils on the masonite. They really do look like two distinct mediums, though the supports are exactly the same.



It's all very interesting and I'd love to hear from others about these kinds of experiments.


Regarding my dream of traveling around in a van to paint, I saw an interesting article about a guy in Europe who took a cargo van, like UPS truck, and tricked it out with a full studio. He had a framing counter, bins for art supplies, etc,good size easel, and travels around selling his paintings, framing them right in the van. What a life. It gave me encouragement to dream of this. All I have to do is save up about 30,000.00 Piece of cake.

No worries!!!

Did I tell you all about the Women's Work Show?

Thi is a long time event with brief periods between shows. It is held at High Springs Gallery in High Springs Florida, a hamlet near Gainesville. Women's work has about 25 artit all with different styles and themes. It is an eclectic mix of artists and craftswomen. We do most of the PR ourselves and it has a waiting list each time. It has become somewhat of a weird status symbol to be in Women's Work. I remember one year I got left out and I was depressed, so there is never a guarantee that you will be invited. This year I made the cut. Each artist is asked to bring one tray of ho rs' dourves, which really keeps the cost for the gallery and the artists down. The gallery provides the win and beverages and does the post card mail out. This year we are having a small works show with nothing larger than 11x14 inches. There will be hanging art and browse bin art, but all in small format. NO REPRODUCTIONS. I'm excited!!

Today's Recipe:

I like to bake a meatloaf in a loaf or square pan and pour off the fat. I carefully wrap it in foil and refrigerate it. When I want a good snack, I take it out and slice it, spreading cold pack cheese over half the slices and I mix sour cream with Lipton onion soup mix and a heaping teaspoon of horseradish. Spread this over the other half of the meatloaf slices and slice into small cubes. Put the two kinds on a tray and top with a half grape tomato on each cube. Yummy and easy. Great for a family snack or a party. No need for heating at all. That's what I had for lunch today, with a few orange slices and yogurt.

Palm Icon Series, Finished up the Prairie painting, Thinking about next year.,Mexican Wrap Bites

I'm having a wonderful time with my new series PALM ICONS. I have long been obsessed with the palms in Florida and the more exotic Mediterranean Palms you see in the drier parts of the world. I taught a Palm Workshop a few years ago and it was the most popular workshop I've ever taught. I should do that again someday. It was great fun. I went out to the botanical garden and got a section of a trunk and lots of fronds, decorating my studio with all of the parts and pieces of palm trees. I saved the trunk, which functions as a plant stand on my studio porch now. There is no tree more diverse and interesting than the palm as a painting subject. I am attempting to do one Palm Icon each day.

I finished up the Prairie painting in my rotation and have gotten through another one about mid way.



I hope to get back out on location this weekend on Sunday. I have found consistent painting to be difficult for the last few weeks, between normal holiday distractions and a family situation with my sister's illness. However, in looking back over my files from last year at this time, I find my production to be better this year than in other years. I am finding the time to do my mail art, and small works, though I am behind in the larger oil paintings. No matter, as long as I am painting something every day, I'm happy!!

It's that time again to be thinking about next year and what I wish to achieve in my career. I have a loose idea of what I need to do and the number one item is to have my web site optimized by a professional. I have sold enough paintings from the site to know that it is possible to really make a living of your web site. My site was excellently re-designed about two years ago by a top notch graphic designer, but she has moved to New Jersey and now has a son to look after. I like the design as it is and I have the software to do the updates, but I don't know how to do the html and the coding and so forth to update the search optimization for it. I think I need an expert for that. I want someone who can add RSS feed to it, redo the text for optimal key wording and so forth. I know a lot about marketing but nothing about the technical work to do this. I think I will be able to pay someone to do this sort of thing once or twice a year. Now I must decide on who is to do this for me.

In terms of career path, I know I am going to cut back on teaching formal workshops. I need some time to research and paint, and to write more study books for other artists. I also want to put out a coffee table book based on the musings and art from this blog.

I have a new idea of doing Art Guide Painting Tours of North Florida for painters who don't really need instruction, but who still would like to paint with a professional getting some advice and companionship.

I'll be thinking about other ideas and things I want to accomplish next year. One of my major goals for the future is to save my money to purchase a minivan. I want to get one with the seats that fold into the floor. My plan is to trick it out with an Aero Bed, a camp stove, a cooler, my art supplies and clothes and hit the road, staying in Florida and Alabama state parks for 2 week trips, several times a year. I think I would get so much painting done and I would really enjoy the camaraderie of other campers, making new friendships along the way. This has been my dream for a long time. I believe I could also sell a lot of paintings this way and make many gallery connections. It would also enhance my writing skills, sorely needed.

Today's Recipe:

Mexican Wrap Bites

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 C sour cream
1 package taco season mix
1 cup drained pinto beans rinsed, drained and coarsely smashed
1 small tomato diced
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
small onion diced
soft flour tortillas( plain or vegetable flavored)

Mix everything up and spread on tortillas

Roll them up tightly and cut in small slices.
Serve as appetizers

Fun at the Cookie Exchange,History of Troy Springs, a new series, The Palms

I've had a busy week. I just got back from picking up my show in Valdosta, GA. Next week I go to pick up the Leesburg show, so I will have lots of good work in my studio for a bit.

This week I was invited by my friend Nan to her annual cookie party. She is a new friend, introduced to me by my agent Caroline Hufty. Nan lives in a beautiful home with lots of wonderful Western and historical paintings. Many Native American paintings and lovely Civil War paintings. There were about 20 ladies there for the party, and it was a huge success. We all brought about 4 dozen cookies. People would cut them into small pieces so that we were able to sample all of them before the exchange. Many of us brought recipes with us in multiple copies to share. Near the end of the evening, we all lined up and took trips around the table, until all of the cookies were plated up. Nan gave us huge Christmas decorated, sturdy bowl shaped plates and plastic wrap to take our cookies with us. It was a delightful way to spend an evening and I met new friends. Thanks so much to Nan for hosting the evening. I won't use her last name to protect her privacy.



Nan at her party.


Nan gave me some interesting history about the Troy Springs area where I will be painting. Here are her remarks:

TROY SPRINGS BETWEEN BRANFORD AND MAYO- BOY DO I HAVE MEMORIES OF THAT PLACE. I GREW UP IN BRANFORD - IN THE LATE 40S AND FIFTIES. MY GRANDDAD- DR. PHILPOT WAS COUNTRY DOCTOR - AND PROBALY DELIVERED- AT HOME - 90% OF BABIES DURING THOSE YEARS. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS SPENT MANY DAYS AT TROY SPRINGS - AND ALL UP AND DOWN THE SUWANNEE RIVER. DO YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A SUNKEN CONFEDERATE SHIP IN THE MOUTH LEADING TO THE RIVER? AT ONE TIME THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER IN BRANFORD LEADING TO MAYO- AS KIDS WE USED TO PLAY ON IT- CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? MY SISTER, SHIRLEY HATCH , HAS EDITED THE BRANFORD NEWS FOR 30+ YRS AND KNOWS AND REMEMBERS SO MUCH MORE THAN I DO. SO YOU REALLY SPARKED MY MEMORY- I COULD GO ON AND ON- FLOYDS DINER- YES, THATS A GOOD PLACE.


When I have long drives I use the time to brain storm and think about what I want to paint next. Today, I was thinking about the Palm Tree and it's significance to our Southern culture, as well as cultures around the world. I have always said I would never be willing to live where there are no palm trees, because I love them so much. They are so exotic and beautiful that I decided to do a small format series of paintings in a series called "Palm Icons" They will all be 5x7 inches in various mediums including Oils, Acrylics,Casein, Water Color,Markers and Ink. I'm excited about this idea, so watch for them on my Specials Page of the web site.

Yesterday I painted at Paynes Prairie in one of my favorite spots. It is a field full of palms and old trees with tall rusty colored grasses. It is just a plethora of weeds and grasses against the smoky backdrop of trees. This time of year is the best for this scene.





I used my tetradic palette and the NOTAN principles to process through this painting in about two hours. I still have touch up work to do on it after it dries a bit. Just a bit of correction in contrast will make it right. I got an email fom an artist I admire today. She has downloaded the course in NOTAN from the Virtual Art Academy and it is very good, but I suggested to her that further study of the NOTAN in design concepts would be an enhancement. I suggested that she google search design and notan or go to Amazon and search. Then go to the library and ask for those books to be ordered.


Today's Recipe


Pork Roast

This is a recipe I used to make for the family I was a chef for. It was a wonderful recipe they gave me, which I adapted.

1 pork roast
3 or four sweet potatoes
i small jar of honey mustard
1 cup brown sugar
1 bag Sour Kraut drained and squeezed completely dry
1/4 bunch fresh sage leaves
pinch of thyme
salt and pepper
dash of garlic powder

Brown roast evenly on stove top with a bit of olive oil.

Place roast in a large roasting pan (Dutch oven works great)

Combine 1 cup brown sugar with enough honey mustard to make a spreadable paste. Add garlic powder, thyme,salt and pepper to this mixture. Spread on roast. Put fresh sage on roast. Cover roast with sour kraut and then thick sliced,peeled sweet potatoes to cover the kraut and roast. Pepper the sweet potatoes.
Roast in a slow oven, around 300 degrees until the roast is thoroughly done and breaks apart with a fork. Serve roast with sweet potatoes and Kraut. Yummy!!!

Visitors to the Studio,Putumayo,KISS Rule,Shrimp Bisque

I had a delightful visit with Paul and Lynn this morning. They came out to see my work and purchase 2 paintings and some Mail Art. We had a nice time. I always love to have visitors. It's the best part of my job. I always feel so fortunate that people enjoy coming to my studio and seeing my work. Artists spend isolated lives for the most part. Having friends come is a welcome diversion.

We played Putumayo music today. If you don't know this company, they are really great. They record music from all over the world. I love their CD's and have many of them. My personal favorites are the French Cafe' songs and all of the Latin CD's.


Chek Out their music HERE


Here is a start in my rotation for this week. It is a painting of Troy Springs on the Suwanee River.







I'm going to try to get back there on Wednesday to start another one on location. I started this one from memory. One thing I have tried to do is use the KISS rule when I paint from memory and photo references. It's very easy to junk up a painting with too much information. Keeping the composition clean and simple seems to work well for my style of work. I think using the NOTAN process has influenced me in that direction even with larger paintings. My goal is to get the major elements in place, the value groups and the composition down with little fussiness. I'm not sure about what value I wish to dominate in this painting but it is leaning toward the mid value at this stage.

What I love the most about the rotation system of painting is the anticipation and the time it gives me to think and strategize. I look at paintings and wonder what the heck I'm going to decide to do? It's a lot more fun than just doing one painting after another with little contemplation. I realized one day a while back that I was simply a rote painter, giving little thought to what might be better. For me it's not about producing master works. I don't have the skill for that, unfortunately. I can with hard work, be a better painter as I continue to practice and grow. That makes me happy and isn't that why we paint?

I have worked hard over the last couple of years to get rid of the envy of better painters, the jealousy I might have felt when someone else got good PR or a break,or sold paintings when I didn't. I have focused a lot more on my own career and work, leaving theirs to them to sort out. I am a lot happier now that I am less competitive. Getting off that treadmill was good for me. I don't know whether it was costly to remove myself from that arena or not. Even if it cost me recognition it was still a good decision. We should be happy in our careers, not afraid.

When I started the NOTAN study and my new palette, I worried that patrons might not like the new me, but they seem to. I get many nice comments on the new paintings. I am relieved to be on a good path, combining my happiness with theirs.


Today's Recipe:

Shrimp Bisque

5 pounds shrimp cleaned
1 cup butter
2 green onions finely chopped
3 quarts half and half
1 cup sherry
3 T chopped fresh parsley
salt
pepper
paprika
pinch nutmeg
2 Cups sharp cheddar cheese

Saute chopped shrimp in spices, herbs onion and butter, just until pink.

Place in large pan and add the other ingredients, saving cheese for last when bisque is ready to serve. Add cheese and stir in until smooth.

My Excellent Bulldog Adventure,Floyd's Diner,Some new marketing ideas

Yesterday I had an adventure, getting out of the studio with my family. I have been looking at dogs online. My sweet old man is starting to get old now. He is a miniature Schnauzer. I don't know how much longer he will be with me. He is about 14 years old. With this in mind, I've been thinking about what breed I will want next. I have settled on the French Bulldog as my next companion in life. They are too cute for words with their rolly polly bodies and Bat ears. They do not shed and there is no clipping or grooming required due to their very short hair. We visited a breeder in Mayo a little farm town about an hour north of my town. It is the best of rural Florida for a landscape painter. Fields of stately large Live Oaks with swaying moss, herds of black and white dairy cows, and tall silos.

She is a delightful woman who spent all kinds of time with us, patiently answering our questions and showing us her elaborate kennels. She breeds Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs. Naturally we fell instantly in love with her little Frenchies. Talk about cuteness!! The cream colors and the black and white were our favorites. They are happy little dogs, eager to please but not hyper. The special thing about this breeder is that she keeps the pups until they are potty trained, crate trained and socialized,selling them at about 4 months old. This is perfect for me. I don't really have time to do a potty training schedule. I want a dog who will adjust quickly to my work and travel schedule. I'm excited to know I will have a good dog, when my sweetheart leaves me. My dog and I have been together for about 8 years now. He is my best friend and companion. I hope he will be with me for few more years.

On the way home, we stopped at a state park I have been wanting to investigate. It is called Troy Springs State park, right off US 27 between Mayo an Branford. It is on the Suwanee River. An ideal painting situation as the path is a gradual concrete ramp rather than steps. Easy to pull file box loaded with equipment and a huge deck overlooking the springs and river. There are lovely gnarled cypress trees lining the shore. I am anxious to go back there on a week day to paint. The ranger said it is very quiet on week days. They also have clean restrooms and a good parking lot, a definite plus.





We then stopped for lunch in High Springs at Floyd's Diner. It is a swell, retro diner with all the trappings of the 50's. Clean and comfortable, with a very sophisticated menu, which includes the old favorites like meatloaf and mashed, but also some really interesting dishes like Black and Blue salad, which was exceptionally good, pastas, seafood and other interesting items. The best part was the good old fashioned hand made malts and milkshakes. The waiter brought the mixer cylinder to the table with a glass full, so we got a double helping. Delicious!!! The service was first class. Not a typical greasy spoon. An excellent dining experience. I finished off the day by going to the High Springs Night Christmas Parade, featuring small town bands and homemade floats covered in tacky Christmas finery complete with lights. It was wonderful as always. We sat in old lawn chairs and toasted the participants. What a fabulous day!!!

Back to work, Sigh.....

My daughter Jessie, is a business major starting her last semester in college January 2008. She will go on to start a masters degree program in Hospitality in 2009. She has become my marketing mentor/guru. We have a meeting at Starbucks once a month away from distractions at home and studio. I throw around ideas and she gives me advice and insight for them. After the parade last night, we had coffee and a meeting. I came up with a few ideas and now to see if they are good or bad. Only time will tell. We decided it would be fun to have a Mail Art Club which works like a lot of restaurants and book clubs. Members get a free Mail Art original after they purchase 9. If sandwich shops can do this successfully, why not I?

If you want to join my Mail Art Club, email me at: lindablondheim12@hotmail.com


I highly recommend that you find yourself a marketing and business mentor who will listen to your ideas and give their insight on them. Just having someone you trust, who will listen to them is always helpful and insightful.


Today's Recipe comes from www.Epicurious.com It is similar to the salad I had at Floyd's Diner. Their recipe had tons of blue cheese on the salad, at least 8 oz.

For spice mixture
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
11/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
For salad
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 cups (packed) mixed baby greens
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 5- to 6-ounce beef tenderloin steaks, each about 1/2 inch thick
3 tablespoons butter, melted
6 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese (about 3 ounces)
1 tomato, quartered

Preparation

For spice mixture: Mix all ingredients in small bowl. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
For salad: Whisk oil, vinegar and mustard in large bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Add greens, bell pepper and onion and toss to coat. Divide salad between 2 plates.

Spread spice mixture on plate. Coat both sides of steaks with spice mixture. Dip both sides of steaks into melted butter. Heat heavy large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add steaks and cook to desired doneness, about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board; let stand 2 minutes. Thinly slice steaks crosswise. Arrange slices atop salads. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with tomato and serve.