Artist Analysis: Chris Johanson


chris johanson.

is our artist for today.

i can't help, but start with "Born in 1968 in San Francisco, California, now residing and working in Portland, Oregon...."
doo-da. doo-da. doo-da.
But afterall, it is true. The man gots some talent on his shoulders. I think he got his 'fame' after he had got in the Whitney Biennial in 2002, or whatever, he just worked EXTREMELY hard and developed his awesome talent, hes showing (has showed) in all kind of places now. He's a self-taught painter and has a chunk of work thats really worthy at looking at. He's kind of spacey, nonlinear, and excessive...all kind of put well in all of his paintings. As far as I know, he started making these punk rock flyers for his friends as a little skate punk kid he was, and continued with his sort, which led to his work today. Thanks for making such great work Mr. J (above pictured without his long beard he usually has)



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images via here

i know i know







i know "a little princess", what a "aw" "cutesy" "girly"....etc. adorable story.
but yes i did watch it tonight and i can't help but LOVE IT. Its charming and magical, and Sarah, the main character plays such a likable and clever girl in so many ways. I also think that there is much to admire in this kids movie. I think set aside from being cute, dainty and sweet. We can all appreciate the imaginable possibilities that can be brought along with the relationships within several characters in the film.

It was first written by Frances Hodgson Burnett (pictured above) in 1905 as a children's novel than more commonly known, her most popular play was written a while after that, the Secret Garden. The newer version, pictured with some of my favorite stills is done by Alfonso Cuaron who also did the movie, Paris Je T'aime. He has some great movies.
But A Little Princess has a perfect charm that every girl must see.

Lentil Soup, yum.


I know what I'm cooking tomorrow.

Lentils: A Versatile Staple Flavors Classic International Dishes

Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times


Published: January 26, 2009

If you have lentils, you have dinner. This high-fiber, protein-rich legume cooks in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the dish, and requires no soaking. Lentils are the basis for many starters and salads, soups and stews, side dishes and Middle Eastern pastas. The distinctive flavor has been adapted to a variety of classic cuisines, from France to the Mediterranean, from India to Mexico and North America.

The usual supermarket offerings are brown lentils, but there are other varieties and they’re all worth looking out for. Chefs prefer the pricier small black “beluga” lentils (in their raw state they glisten like caviar, but the resemblance stops there) and the firm green Le Puy lentils from France, because when cooked both types stay intact and maintain a firmer texture. But the flavors of all three are similar enough to make them interchangeable in this week’s recipes.

Red lentils, available in Indian and Mediterranean markets, have a different taste, more akin to dried favas or split peas, and a very different texture when cooked, so do not attempt to substitute these for the brown, black or green varieties.

One fact worth noting: unlike other beans, lentils do not contain sulfur, the gas-producing element in legumes. And in addition to being an excellent source of soluble fiber and a good source of protein, manganese, iron, phosphorous, copper, vitamin B1 and potassium, lentils are an excellent source of molybdenum, a mineral important in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and iron.

Lentil Minestrone With Greens

A number of greens work well in this hearty Italian dish. Chard and turnip greens are growing in my garden, so those are ones I’m using now, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use kale, either.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

Salt, preferably kosher salt, to taste

1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid

1 pound lentils (brown or beluga), washed and picked over

2 1/2 quarts water

A bouquet garni made with a bay leaf, 2 sprigs each thyme and parsley, and a Parmesan rind

1/2 pound Swiss chard, mustard greens or kale, stemmed, washed in two changes of water, and roughly chopped (about 6 cups)

Freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup elbow macaroni or other soup pasta (optional)

Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat, and add the onion and carrot. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add half the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir together for a minute, just until the garlic is fragrant, and add the tomatoes and their liquid. Turn up the heat slightly and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the lentils, water and bouquet garni, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and add the greens. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 15 minutes. Add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in the pasta, and continue to simmer until the pasta is tender, five to 10 minutes. Remove the bouquet garni and serve, passing grated Parmesan at the table.

Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Advance preparation: The soup can be made up to a day or two ahead of time, but do not add the pasta until you are ready to serve. Reheat and add as directed.

A note about salt: From now on, I will indicate a preference for kosher salt in my recipes. Because of its crystalline structure, kosher salt is not as salty as fine sea salt.

backyard teepee's anyone?

benjamin & i decided once we move to a city where green grows, we will have a teepee in our backyard. problem..considering if we had one here in the desert 1.) we'll freeze and get wet or 2.) we'll melt with 117 degree weather.
cheers to the northwest where we will be once he finishes school !















update on mel kadel

recently i just did a post about artist Mel Kadel and had gotten her permission to. And I just saw that fecal face just had studio visit with them (plus her love, another great artist, Travis Millard). Please go read about it! They both are awesome!



woke up at 4:12am. took my pop to the airport as he went off to go see my brother in seattle, washington. wish i could of gone, but instead i have to work and post this lovely blog!
:)
isn't this house immaculate?
dream home.
dream home.


this home sits on california's ground, Los Angeles to be specific. definitely a living with an indoor & outdoor feel. real open as most homes should be, my opinion. and i love the mixture between smooth white plaster and the wood. its not too square or raw, its just right ! as a matter of fact, its just so right, that it would fit me and benjamin perfectly inside!


did i say dream home?
yes.
and...
thats why im going back to school hopefully in the fall of this year. i want to pursue my masters degree in journalism. and outsmart these people cause this girl needs a j-o-b that pays me MORE!

vegas spot: crown & anchor british pub

no doubt about it, crown & anchor has been mine and benjamin's favorite hang out for quite some time now.
the fish & chips are superb.
they have draft beer from all over the world.
our typical drink order there are:
benjamin: Blackthorn
me: Magners with ice

Both are ciders, both are imported, and both are delicious especially if you pair them with fish & chips.
i'm gettin hungry now.







Located on 1350 East Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas 89122
an update on my favorites from the facehunter once again, from all around.
A. grass between bricks.
B. dripped writing
C. bike wheel
D. blue scribble
E. yellow skirt

all make this photo more fascinating to look at.
image above via fadtony
you know, i asked myself, why not?
Why not show some studliness within this little guy above here? I'm always posting chic flicks & style bites solely on girls, but why not show some little studness creature like this one. (thanks facehunter!) his red hair is beautiful!

these cute girls with short hair always makes me want to cut my hair.
will i ever have the balls?
who knows.
may be.

i like to call this purse the twist-puff.

its giant and fluffy.

fun.


her hat has mad style points.
its amazing.

dine out: kabuki sushi/sake bar



via las vegas, nv. inside the townsquare outdoor shops located south las vegas blvd. the service was good. the sushi is good. the price was right. they have a good happy hour too !
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