Had to get out of studio and enjoy the beautiful weather.

I started to get bogged down in the studio so went out painting.  The weather has been amazing, but I am praying for rain to help end this drought.

1/10/14   Just north of Main Beach, Laguna Beach, CA

1/17/14   Montage, Laguna Beach, CA

First Painting of the New Year, struggling along: Guardian 17

Holidays are over and it is out of the kitchen and into the studio.  First thing was to clean a palette that was left to dry for about 2 weeks.  The scrapings were very beautiful (you had to see them to believe it) and I decided to use them in the painting.

Around the holidays I started interviewing people via video, asking what they think of angels. Several people mentioned that angels were there to bring them aid.   It has inspired me to paint this next painting.  The painting began with a wash of burnt sienna and burnt umber over a gold primed canvas .

Using Golden's thick gel, I began to 'glue' the paint scrapings into the painting.  Then I switched to the soft gel which was easier to handle.

The scrapings were used to establish the general values of the area.  I used a lot of paint and added gold leaf.

It was great fun while it lasted but not happy with this one yet.  It feels too contrived so I kept painting

Just not happy with it.  Time to scrape everything off.  It's time to see what happens with haphazardness.

I see angels.....this is going to be fun.

Keeping in theme for the holidays.......Angel Strudel

I remembered eating this when I was young so I checked it out on line.  Different grandmas seem to claim originality.  Two recipes I found on line which were conflicting so I experimented.

http://www.familycookbookproject.com/recipe/106756/grandma-leesons-angel-strudel.html

http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/762972-Grandma-Famor-s-Angel-Strudel?full_recipe=true

This  is what I did.

Ingredients

DOUGH

   * 2 cups flour

   * 1/2 lb. (2 sticks) margarine or butter

   * 3 egg yolks

   * 2 Tbs. white vinegar

   * 1/4 cup cold water

FILLING

   * 10 oz. finely chopped walnuts

   * 1/2 cup sugar

   * 2 Tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice

   * 8 oz. jar of maraschino cherries

   * One box of angel food cake mix

Directions

   * 1 Make the dough: Cut the butter into the flour until crumbly, but do not over-mix it. Add the egg yolks, vinegar, and water, but again, do not over-mix it. The final result should be the consistency of pie dough. Refrigerate it for at least three hours.

   * 2 Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped walnuts, sugar, and maraschino cherry juice until thoroughly incorporated. In a separate bowl, make the angel food cake batter according to the package directions, but to not bake it.

   * 3 Assemble: Divide the dough into four equal sections. Roll each into a rectangle, about 10x15 inches Use parchment or wax paper to roll out balls into rectangles.  Make ball into log.  Sprinkle a bit of flour.  Roll out to rectangle, lift paper and sprinkle bit of flour on the bottom so it won't stick to paper when you roll the strudel. Working with one rectangle of dough at a time, spoon cake mix into center of rectangle, spreading to 1/2 in. of edges. (about 1/4 inch thick). Add 1/4 of the walnut filling, and top with 1/4 of the cherries. Roll the loaf to make a log. Use paper to lift and roll strudel.  Spatula helps in the final lifting to pan. Repeat the process with the other three dough portions.

Place the rolled loaves on an ungreased cookies sheet, and bake for 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees. Sprinkle with powdered sugar as it comes out of oven. Cool, slice, and enjoy!

Honestly, it is delicious, but difficult and messy!