The Necklace

This is the necklace my dad made for me!

It's almost midnight here in Denver and I'm not in bed reading yet, in fact I'm listening to my new CD that I just burned for the 2nd time. It's a compilation of some of my favorite songs from the last 32 years although mostly '80's and I had to throw in some Enya ( but can take it in small doses), since I will be looking at lots of scenery.

Anyway I am relaxing now after all that work to prepare for the trip, cleaning the house and gathering paperwork and what not. I love traveling although it's work to get ready for any trip. Not like the prom where you get ready for months and the dance itself is lame. It's hard for me to believe I'm finally coming back to Big Sky Country after 32 years. I guess it will sink in once I'm on the plane.

My Dad Wayne Archambault and me Spring 1993

The story about this necklace, I remember in the mornings at the ranch when my Mom slept in and my Dad and I were up early. On those Saturday mornings he would play records of native drumming and teach me to dance. I remember one morning he quickly put together this necklace, I must have been about 5 or 6 at the time, but I remember very young. That necklace has always been with me throughout the years and got misplaced and kept turning up. This represents one of many bittersweet memories with my dad. We reunited for another 13 years and he passed me down books on Native American literature and took me to the Denver March Pow Wow that I still do every year. My interest in my heritage has since been renewed. This necklace is coming with me on the Montana trip and it will be like my Dad coming with me although not physically. This trip will not only be all about me celebrating 40 years but dedicated to my Dad.

Now an Art Student

We are now almost 3 months into the year and it's almost March and now 20 degrees outside. I am very underemployed now with time in my hands. After being on the phone for hours with the Art Institute in Pittsburgh online division after much hesitation I'm now in my second week into the course so far so good. I focused so much on school that I have not made the time to look for a job although I need the income. I originally was going to do Interior design but realized it was another ball of wax and it was like architecture but doing the inside. Graphic Design is up my alley and I can go many directions with that. My career path will hopefully be designing greeting cards and stationary but that may change as I go further into the course.
The class I'm taking now is perspective drawing which is a good base for drawing and it's step by step. I had a brief overview of that at the Art Student's League of Denver but they went over it so quick that I had trouble grasping it and I was afraid of it. Nothing bad about the League as I would continue to support it and use it as a networking source. I have to remind myself that I'm paying more for the course with deadlines and being graded on it so that's a different animal.

Below are samples of my work for the class so far:

1 point perspective using shapes

Here was the difficult assignment using cylinders:

This is what I've done so far, but I will not keep boring you with the details but I can usually paint better than drawing.

Leaning Pink Vase Project

Happy Valentines Day followers! I have a lot on my plate right now to start 2011 and 2 months into it and 1 year at my apartment. My hours were cut so bad that I've been spending time tweeking my resume and looking at online job postings that painting has hardly been a priority. I've been away from art classes for a while due to lack of hours to pay for them. I'm also thinking about cancelling my Core Power Yoga membership and switching to buying classes in blocks if they'll let me.

Anyway to my project which I thought was going to be an easy painting but there were challenges that went along with it. The pink vase was a simple vase that I picked up from the ARC thrift store down the street that was dull without the shine unlike the other glass subjects I did. Like anything else there were various shades in the reflections in both the vase and the cloth.

Photo Reference

Leaning Pink Vase, Oil on Canvas 18x24, 2011

Filet of Fish Pizzaiole

Yum yum even if you're not a fan of fish this is a treat! According to my mother, "When Sunny brought home his school chum, Tom, to 14th street for dinner, Grace served this dish. Tom couldn't get enough of it and was shocked to discover he was eating fish because "he hated fish!" Cooking with Grace, pg. 11, by Nancy Accetta

The recipe calls for the following fish ; Sole, Flounder, or Salmon- I used Cod last night and that was just as good!
That cold and snow and being home a lot at night has enhanced my cooking skills, saved money, and the advantage of homecooked meals.

Depending on the amount of fish break eggs in bowl, add basil, parsley, chopped garlic, black pepper and grated Parmesan Cheese

Blend 'til blended and should not be watery.

Exhibit A: Add fish and marinate 'til ready to cook, it can be as little as 20 minutes. Here it is ready to marinate, a ziplock bag is best.

Press fish in bread crumbs, put oil in pan, take each filet and turn both sides in oil over medium heat.

Take plum Tomatoes (I used Roma Tomatoes) in hand and squash over fish until well covered. Sprinkle grated Parm. cheese, oregano, basil, parsely and pepper over tomatoes. Bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.
FYI-You can also sprinkle the dry ingredients prior to topping it with the tomatoes.

The finished product served with Linguini noodles mixed with Paul Newman's Olive oil and Vinegar dressing and Shredded Parmesan Cheese. Very quick and easy if you don't mind wiping your hands constantly, bon appetite!
Recipe Cooking with Grace, pg 11, Nancy Accetta, December 2010.

Easy and Good Marinara Sauce

Since my painting slowed down slightly, I thought I would share a recipe that I tried out tonight. My Mother's wonderful Mother-in-Law left us some wonderful recipes, her cooking was always tasty and created a wonderful aroma in the house. I think like Julie and Julia, I'm going to blog about my Step-Grandmother Grace's recipes. That is more doable than experimenting with Julia Child's recipes that are complex.

The recipe is as simple as follows:

"Saute chopped Garlic in Olive Oil, add plum tomatoes and squash them til the plum is broken, cook 15 minutes-then add Basil, Oregano , Salt (optional), and pepper and one can of tomato paste. Cook 15 minutes more. All done!!"-Cooking with Grace by Nancy Accetta, December 2010, p.5

This is old school with no measurements so you have to rely on your sense of smell. I used Roma Tomatoes  which works fine and fresh Basil.

I chopped them prior to placing in pan

I used a similar concept from Martha Stewart Living 13 years ago but she complicated it by peeling the tomatoes. I don't find that step necessary.

The finished product on the pasta of my choice!

Nothing like simple fresh Marinara sauce that doesn't take a lot of preparation and I even have leftovers!
It made for a delicious dinner!

Happy Belated New Year!

Hi Followers,
I have not posted in a while but 2010 has been an interesting year! As I want to continue painting, I've come to terms that I can't actually make a living as an artist. I'm still making up my mind on what classes to take since I have more choices being in the intermediate level. I'm growing weary of retail and when rent has gone up and I'm paying for membership for Yoga my hours are being cut. It may be god's way of telling me to move on or make a career change and I have to do it quick. My ideal career would be in the arts. I considered administrative although it would pay the bills it could be boring or unfullfilling.

What I Accomplished in 2010:
Produced more paintings and took up Yoga. Spent more time with my family and be more a part of it.

What I wished I did more of in 2010:
Have more of a social life and travel more. Explore more career options.

The Highlights of 2010:


A new family member a little second cousin born to my cousin Christine and her husband Steve.

The Shrimp and Crawfish boil at my Cousin Christine and Steve's home in Ft Collins.

Reuniting with Jim Eaton and seeing his Family in Sacramento.

Seeing the Big Trees near Sacramento.

Learned Photoshop techniques for my paintings.

What's to Come in 2011:


Take a sculpturing class at the Art Student's League

Visit the Denver Design Center and look into Interior decorating

Take a portfolio class at the League

Be more involved in AA

Look for a new job

Take my dog Cookie to obedient school

Take a trip to Montana-look at Conrad Mansion and Marcus Daly Mansion for decorating inspiration

Go to predecorated open houses for inspiration too in affluent neighborhoods

If Interior decorating is something I want to do (after talking to decorators), get Certified via online or at-home study

Day in the Life of an Artist: Painting Completed

Happy Monday!After about a month or 2 I finally completed a challenging painting with a bottle and sauce server with a checkered and red cloth! I am pretty happy how it turned out. It being a dreary day in Denver it was a perfect day to paint.

Photo Still Life reference taken and set-up myself 2010

Checkered Still Life Oil on Canvas 18x24 Fall 2010

Doing the reflection alone was challenging by using a closeup of the silver design to work on the reflections. Working on drapery or cloth requires a lot of detail based on how the light hits it in the various spots. Onward to my next project as I keep plugging away.