Tomato Bruschetta

French bread loaf

7 Tomatoes diced

Mozzarella cubed

1 Garlic head finely minced

½ Onion diced (if you like)

Basil leaves roughly torn as much or little as you like

Extra Virgin Olive Oil      

Sea salt

Black pepper freshly ground

Directions:

Mix all  ingredients – except for French bread and 1 clove of garlic - together in a bowl. After making the tomato mixture let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors marry.

While that is sitting and getting yummy, slice the French bread on the bias as thick as you prefer. Drizzle with EVOO. Turn the oven to Broil. Toast the bread slices until lightly browned. When you remove the bread from the oven, use one whole garlic clove and rub over bread.

When you are ready to serve. Place tomato mixture on the already toasted bread. Garnish with extra basil. Enjoy!!

Purchasing Art Online

When you are looking for fine art online you have tons of artist sites to visit. (Of course you will want to check out my Gallery.) Still, it can be almost overwhelming. To help you feel more comfortable, find an artist that you LOVE their style. Sometimes you will want to watch the artists site for a time period and other times you can tell they have been there for a while and aren’t going anywhere. Either way don’t buy until you feel good about the purchase. Hopefully the canvas that you LOVE will be there when you are ready.

It is okay to actually purchase a piece of art online. Most artist want you to enjoy and love the piece of art that you buy from them. They are not going to leave you holding a piece of art that you receive and then HATE because it looks different than what you thought.

Some of my clients have felt better about purchasing art over the Internet after a telephone conversation. This way you know the artist is a REAL person. And, you feel better about making the transaction. 

Purchasing At An Art Show

When you are at a Fine Art Show you are limited to the artists that are displaying at the time. That is fine, too. This makes it easier to narrow down to your favorite pieces. The benefit to an art show is that you can feel and see the texture of the painting. Not only that, you can hold your favorite pieces next to each other to compare them.

Often at a Show you will get to meet the artist who put their time and energy into the piece that you love. Artist like to meet the people that are taking their “babies” home to enjoy. Trust me each piece of art is like a child. From conception to completion, each stroke took time and care.

Of course you choose which way you feel best about making an investment in your art collection.

You know when you hate something, like something and when you LOVE something. You and I have both felt each of these feelings when looking at Art. Art is created to elicit an emotion. So, don’t be afraid of what you feel. Trust that instant reaction you have to a painting – whether it is like, hate or LOVE!

The OMG test is when you are viewing piece after piece of Art and all the sudden you stop in your tracks — or your mouse does — and you say, “OMG!” (Oh, my Gosh! or Oh, my Gawd! –Depending on where you are from and your religious convictions.)

When you utter those 3 words, you know you have found a contender for the area on your wall.

So the next time you are in the market for the PERFECT piece of art to grace the interior of your home or office, dig through oil paintings and water colors of all genres until you find the “OMG!” piece you can’t live without.

Trust me! If you don’t LOVE it, you won’t want to live with it and look at EVERY day.

Happy Fine Art Hunting…