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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

JD's A Hardhead



This head was a a three hour, free hand affair. Note the cross lines as I was lining up this to that. Some I lifted, some I left. It's the closest I've come to a likeness. I haven't finished the pencil drawing yet, but I will. I must.  I need the study with the grid. This is one hardheaded kid. I don't mind telling you, (and if you don't think so,would you mind keeping that information to yourself). I don't know why I find it so difficult. It has got to be the angle the head is tilted at and the angle from which the photo was shot. I was going to do a large painting, but this week has changed my mind--knocked me down a bit. I think 18 by 24 will be just fine. And I will use a grid on that one too.




 Breaks were spent cooking of course. But today, there's no computer punched up pictures of food. This is the real Lentil Spaghetti Sauce in my dutch oven on my cooktop. It came out well, (lose at drawing, win at cooking). Ellis and I prefer lentil sauce on our spaghetti, it's low in calories and  sustainable in protein. I make it with all low sodium products; I have chronic vertigo from having lost my hearing as a toddler. As you get older, a measle damaged nerve in the ear can cause Meniere's syndrome, a charming nudgy that means your balance system is unbalanced. So mine is a low sodium household, but peppery, unbeknownst to Ellis who hates spicy.

 HERE'S THE RECIPE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. IT'S FROM THE NEW AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION COOKBOOK MINUS THE RED PEPPER.

 Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray; add a dollop of olive oil; saute 1 medium chopped onion and 1 tsp.of minced garlic two to three minutes. Stir in LS (low sodium) Vegetable broth, lentils (wash and de-stoned--I haven't found a stone yet)and one 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for thirty minutes.

 Add the following: one 15 oz. can diced LS tomatoes, six oz. can NS tomato paste, one tblsp. cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp. basil and 1/4 tsp oregano. Simmer, uncovered, thirty minutes. That's it. Low salt, low calories spaghetti sauce. Serve 1/2 cup (one soup ladle)over two ounces of whole wheat spaghetti pasta; It's just 322 calories with 23 mg sodium, 2 g. fat none of them saturated, 11 g. fiber, 14 g. protein--so it qualifies for vegetarian status. This recipe serves twelve. We'll have it tonight. I'll freeze the rest. If there's any leftover, I add a tiny can of LS V-8 juice and I have lentil soup for lunch.

20 comments:

  1. I am loving this sketch and the lentil spaghetti sauce sounds delish!!

    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Vicki. This one has been a struggle. The spaghetti sauce was easy--I only go for easy.
      Thank God for having chores to interrupt the pain of failure.

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  2. The boy greets us with a smile and seems to say ok!
    Your pasta should be delicious ... pity that you're so far away, Linda!

    I know the health problem because Danilo, my husband suffer this
    unpleasant problem but not life-threatening
    low-salt diet ... we do by instinct, we do not like salty food.
    When we eat outside , we suffer a little ...
    because everyone is eating more salty (as added salt and as a type of food) of us!

    Your portrait seems to me very near to materialize!A domani!

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  3. This is a beautiful sketch, Linda!! He has a wonderful expression and you did an amazing job!!.....My husband loves lentils and I make that for him SO I took this recipe and will try it. My daughter, who is a Registered Nurse suffers from Vertigo....I feel bad for her when she goes through it...thank goodness she doesn't get it all the time. Thanks for the recipe...

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  4. OH yum! Thanks for sharing. I LOVE lentils and hope that one day my family will too! They eat it, but do not love it. JD's sketch looks great!!

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    1. It's an acquired taste, a bit sophisticated but not as sophisticated as black bean soup with a shot of Sherry. Ellis and I adore thick soups and a small salad for dinner. It's just right at the time all of our metabolisms are going to sleep.

      JD's sketch will eventually tur into a painting--maybe as early as next week?

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  5. Mmmmm. I love lentil. I think this is a superb sketch! I like his confident look. (We do low sodium too, because my wife has much the same thing, but darn it - she doesn't like lentil!) Yes, I am back to the food. And, by the way, thank you for your response to the comment of the last post - you are a class act.

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    1. As are you Dan. I wasn't kidding when I said, I enjoyed our meaty conversation. I love to talk art. You gave me the opportunity to explore my feelings towards our brave new technical, just click a masterpiece world. I like getting my hands and clothes in the paint too much to ever let that go.

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  6. The Lentil Spaghetti Sauce looks fantastic. I am a vegetarian, and a low sodium guy. Thanks!

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    1. The only draw back on this dish is the tomatoes. As life has dealt my hand, I have acid reflux too. I'll take my chances. How austere can you be? Enjoy.

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  7. Recipe looks good; so does drawing. But since you're not happy with it, maybe take a break, do something else and return with fresh eyes. Should be easier to see what's bugging you and fix it.

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    1. It's surprisingly good and freezes. Drawings? Not so good in the freezer. This is the best one so far. The pencil one, where used the grid to layout the drawing, will come out fine too. I just think for him to look as relaxed as he looked in this photo, I have to be relaxed with his pose, the cock of his head, and his position above eye level. I also have a desire to ruffle his hair. It's too set. I'll get there.

      I was thinking of painting pastries today. I never did finish a triptyke I was working on that Ellis hates and I find amusing and relaxing. I just hope I've got enough acrylics to see it through. I'm been investing in oil these last months.

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  8. It's your best drawing yet of your grandson---very good resemblance. I admire how willing you are to draw the same pose over and over. I know when you go to do the painting, it will be great (because of all this preparation)!

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    1. Too much? I don't think so. It's been a very long time since I've drawn figuratively or used oils. It's appropriate to proceed slowly and then I suspect, I'll speed up. But who knows when that'll be? I will never reach your bravado with the medium, but then I'm a new kid on the block. I've been in the bathroom for thirty years:))

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  9. Wonderful expressive drawing, you add that spark that gives your drawings life and will very soon do one that YOU are proud of.

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    1. If I could achieve close to the finesse that you have with this medium and oils on this project, I will be thrilled.You are very kind. It's still on the easel, I'm still going after it.

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  10. Preciosos trabajos, un abrazo desde España,
    M.B

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    1. Gracias Muñoz. Es un honor contar con usted como un seguidor. Usted es un artista más talentoso. Un nuevo abrazo de Michigan, EE.UU..

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  11. I admire all the work that you do. I have started to sketch a little, lining up the subject before starting to paint, but if I would do as much studies as you do, I would get bored with a painting before I have finished it. I admire your patience.

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  12. Lentil sauce over spaghetti--thanks for that recipe! JD's coming along fine--wonderful expression--great gestural style.

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