Greek tomato + feta salad

Lunch at the office does not have to be boring. For me, lunch always has to include loads of colors. Here is a simple salad of peppery arugula leaves and slices of various sizes and colors of tomatoes, which have been topped with chopped fresh herbs—including oregano— and a briny crumble of feta cheese. I dress this Greek inspired salad with a light Greek or Italian dressing, and finally, a toss a few a few nasturtiums and pansies blossoms to make lunch at the office extra special.

Color inspiration—dahlias

How lovely are these dahlias in shade of demure pinks and apricots? No bold fuchsias here—grabbing attention and stealing the show—just dainty ladies in their frilly dresses, all getting along at the ball. The colors remind me of frosty sweet sherbet.

To see more colors, click on the red "color inspiration" label below.

Bean + barley salad

So often it's the simple foods that are comforting, like this bean and barley salad. It's only got a handful of ingredients; cooked barley, 3 kinds of beans (here I've used dark red kidney, chickpea, and small white beans), tomatoes, diced red onion and dressed with your favorite Italian dressing. I mix all the ingredients and place over a bed of baby kale, spinach or arugula. Fast and filling.

Rhubarb, alliums, and irises

Beautiful alliums and irises in one of my gardens. The rhubarb leaves look great this time of year... it’s leaves are enormous—the about 3 feet in diameter. For reference the white rhubarb plume shown here is about 7 feet tall.

Flaming Ipswich Marsh

Flaming Ipswich Marsh 20 x 16

This oil painting will be available for sale at the upcoming Art in the Barn Show in Essex.

Two Egrets

Two Egrets 5 x 7" 

Here is another small watercolor that will be for sale next weekend at the Essex County Greenbelt's annual Art in the Barn exhibition and sale. I painted this scene in oils as two large diptych paintings, called Egrets at Dawn. Click here link for more information on that painting, winner of the People's Choice Award at the 2018 Crane Estate art show and sale.

Essex marsh

Essex marsh 5 x 7" 

Another sneak peek for some of my work that will be for sale next weekend at the Essex County Greenbelt's annual Art in the Barn exhibition and sale. 

Happy marsh

Happy marsh  5 x 7" 

Here is another small watercolor that will be for sale next weekend at the Essex County Greenbelt's annual Art in the Barn exhibition and sale. 

Gnarly old cherry tree

 Gnarly old cherry tree  5.75 x 8.25" 

Here is another small watercolor that will be for sale next weekend at the Essex County Greenbelt's annual Art in the Barn exhibition and sale. Friday, Saturday, & Sunday—June 8 - 10.  Hope to see you there!

Spring marsh

 Spring marsh  5.75 x 8.25" 

I will be putting some of my oil paintings, pen and ink drawings and watercolor field studies (like this marsh painting), in the Essex County Greenbelt's annual Art in the Barn exhibition and sale, coming up next weekend (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday—June 8 - 10.  Hope you can swing by.

Celery + bean salad

Celery—usually more of a supporting actor—gets a starring role in this salad. Or at least equal billing with beans. Mix 3-4 kinds of beans with chopped red onions and a generous about of chopped celery. Dress with your favorite Italian vinaigrette, mix, and put over a bed of lettuces. I also like to add the delicate celery leaves at serving.