Artist Marcy Chapman Launches Etsy Store

Renowned local watermedia artist Marcy Chapman is proud to announce the launch of her Etsy store. The site will feature collections of Chapman's smaller pieces, with a focus on seasonal series. Larger works are available in Chapman's studio. Commissions are welcome.

Although most of Chapman's subjects are traditional, she presents them in a contemporary manner. Using her own technique, she archivally bonds her paintings onto canvas, permanently protecting them and eliminating the need for glass. Chapman frequently works in series, using watercolor, acrylic, inks, and other media.

"My paintings enable me to share the joy I find in nature and everyday living," says Chapman. "Painting in watermedia offers a delightfully interesting life in the world of art."

The first collection available in Chapman's Etsy store is a series of fern and moss paintings, celebrating the new growth and promise of spring. Pieces in this collection feature unique approaches such as wrapping imprinted vintage script around canvas, mounting paintings on handmade rice paper, and using vintage woodcuts, texturizing media and chalk to achieve desired effects.

About Marcy Chapman: Marcy started painting almost thirty years ago as a result of a "happy accident." At that time, she put down her pen (a degree in English) and picked up a paint brush, with great intensity. Her work has been internationally published and sold in venues as varied as street fairs, Bed Bath and Beyond, and the art auctions held on the QEII luxury liner. Marcy enjoys teaching, both locally as well as at the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in Brasstown, N.C.

Summer Special: Dinner for Two Delivered, $39.95

May 15, 2009 (Sarasota, FL) -- Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, and Café Italia Grill are offering a Dinner for Two Delivery Special, available throughout the summer. The special includes a bottle of select imported Merlot or Pinot Grigio, two House or Caesar Salads and choice of two authentic Italian Pasta Dinners, delivered to your home for $39.95 (plus service fee, tax and gratuity).

Dinner choices include: Spaghetti with Meatballs; Ravioli Marinara; Gnocchi Marinara; Fettuccine Diavolo; Linguine Pesto; Angelo’s Rigatoni Meat Sauce; Fettuccine Alfredo; Rigatoni Vodka; Pietro’s Tuscan Pasta with Chicken; Ravioli Anna Maria with Shrimp; Six-Cheese Lasagna; Eggplant Parmiggiana; and Butternut Squash Ravioli.

To place your order, or to view the full Café Italia Grill delivery menu, visit www.AshleysFood.com, or call 953-3663.
About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

About Café Italia Grill: Located at 5406 Fruitville Rd., Café Italia Grill offers a wide selection of authentic Italian and original pasta dishes, specialties from the grill, gourmet pizzas and more; a full catering menu is also available. Lunch and dinner delivery is offered through Ashley’s Food Delivery. Café Italia is open Monday-Friday, 11am to 9pm; Saturday, 5-9pm. For more information, call 343-9979 or visit www.CafeItaliaGrill.com.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Receives ASLA Award

May 4, 2009 (Sarasota, FL) -- The Sarasota landscape architecture studio Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. will receive an Award of Honor from the Florida chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects at their upcoming annual conference and expo in July. The project being recognized is the Cherokee Park West residence, a design collaboration with Jonathan Parks Architect.

The Cherokee Park West residence integrated landscape architecture, architecture, interior design and client involvement, to successfully create an extension of the interior spaces through the gardens of this Moroccan-inspired home.

Project Synopsis:
The design concept for this Sarasota residential landscape was to extend the architecture by creating a series of intimate spaces within a unified exterior composition. Each space is artfully defined using architectural and landscape elements, while integrating the composition through form, repetition, views, and materials. Just as the courtyard architecture brings the outdoors in, the landscape extends the interior and mimics the architecture in both style and function.

Great care and ecological sensitivity were displayed by selecting a Florida Friendly plant palette, consisting of drought tolerant plants and limited turf. Waterwise irrigation practices were implemented, matching precipitation rates of a low volume system, ensuring maximum efficiency. Native aggregate and groundcover were used throughout the property, as was responsible grading and drainage with on site water storage.

The intent of the design for the Cherokee Park West project was to optimize the use of every square foot of exterior space. Spaces were provided for the needs of a young family, for an intimate conversation, for entertaining and outdoor dining, for relaxing, for swimming, for viewing. True outdoor rooms were created, extending the interior space into the landscape. Tree canopies create ceilings, hedges create walls, shrubs accent the ‘rooms,’ hardscape elements form floors, and paving pattern breaks act as thresholds. The result is a cohesive outdoor composition that balances simple, usable spaces within an overall unity, creating an atmosphere of calm, organic beauty.

Project Credits:
Landscape Architect: Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. / Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.
Architect: Jonathan Parks / Jonathan Parks Architect
Interior Designer: Suzanne Sultana / Suzanne Sultana & Associates
Builder: Jeff Birnbach / Collingwood Construction Group, LLC
Landscape Contractor: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.
Photographer: Gana Gilkey / Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.

About Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com.

Ashley's Delivers Gift Baskets for Mother's Day

May 1, 2009 (Sarasota, FL) -- Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, is now delivering gift baskets, ideal for Mother’s Day or any special occasion. A variety of gift baskets are available for delivery, full of edible delights from partners Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Troyer’s Dutch Heritage.

“Imagine Mom’s delight when a basket full of locally-made, high-quality chocolate or fresh, homemade bakery goods, arrives at her door,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Our gift basket delivery service is designed to make gift giving easy – you choose the basket from a variety of options, we deliver it. It’s both convenient and unique.”

Featured baskets for Mother’s Day delivery include “The Chocolate Lovers” Gift Basket from Peterbrooke Chocolatier. This bountiful basket is piled high with Peterbrooke’s signature milk-chocolate covered popcorn, chocolate covered pretzel twists, a handmade assortment box, hand-dipped chocolate smothered treats and a generous “Happy Mother’s Day” engraved chocolate bar.

Also featured is “The Bakery Breakfast” Gift Basket from Troyer’s Dutch Heritage. This basket is filled with an assortment of homestyle delights to start Mom’s day including a loaf of homemade white or wheat bread, bakery-fresh assorted muffins, buttermilk or blueberry pancake mix, country biscuit or cheddar garlic biscuit mix, fresh apple butter, homemade peanut butter spread, a box of breakfast tea and a Troyer's Heritage Mug.

Both featured Mother’s Day Gift Baskets are priced at $55, including delivery. Delivery is available every day; 48 hour notice is required for delivery on Mother’s Day. The full Ashley’s Food Gift Basket delivery menu, including seasonal and year-round gift options, is available online at www.AshleysFood.com. Orders may be placed online or by calling 953-FOOD (3663).

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.