These are a Few of My Favorite Things…
Alfred spends a great deal of time observing the world and has developed strong opinions regarding paint, books, gardens, tea, and other necessities of civilized life. The following items have been tested, approved, and occasionally supervised from a comfortable chair.
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Favorite Partnerships
Blick Art Materials - Providing quality art materials since 1911
Frog & Mantis Fine Art Printing - A local Fredericksburg treasure
Parsons Fine Art Services - Museum-quality archival scanning and Heritage Giclée printing
In the Studio
To find a listing of many of my very favorite “can’t paint without it” items, click this link to the Clucking Hill List at Dick Blick
Things Alfred Also Approves Of (Entirely Unrelated to Art)
Native Pet – The Daily
A simple daily supplement that helps keep our dogs feeling their best.
Alfred's Verdict: Petey gives this recommendation two paws up.
Deer Out
My hostas, lilies, and other garden favorites are thriving for the first time in years. If deer regularly treat your flower beds like a buffet, this has been the most effective deterrent I've found.
Alfred's Verdict: Strongly approved. The roses remain uneaten.
LaLaGreen Self-Watering Window Boxes
These self-watering planters make it much easier to keep flowers looking their best during Virginia's hot summer months. Perfect for porches, patios, and places that occasionally get forgotten during busy painting days.
Alfred's Verdict: Approved for gardeners who become distracted by watercolor projects.
On Alfred’s Side Table
How to Be a Good Creature
A beautiful collection of essays about the animals that shaped the author's life and the lessons they taught her. Warm, thoughtful, and full of the kind of wonder Alfred appreciates.
Alfred's Verdict: Strongly approved. Especially for animal lovers.
The Eyes and the Impossible
An extraordinary adventure told through the eyes of a very fast dog who believes joy, friendship, and freedom are among life's highest callings. I laughed, I worried, and I cheered for every creature involved.
If you have the opportunity, the audiobook—beautifully narrated by Ethan Hawke—is an absolute delight and well worth experiencing.
Alfred's Verdict: One of my favorite recent reads.
Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark
A fascinating exploration of the natural world after sunset. Perfect for anyone who loves fireflies, moonlit gardens, and the quiet mysteries that emerge when the sun goes down.
Alfred's Verdict: Recommended reading for evening porch sitters and amateur naturalists.
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
A guide to the quiet clues hidden in the natural world. From the shape of trees and the movement of birds to clouds, stones, and shifting winds, it teaches readers how to notice the stories that nature is already telling.
Alfred's Verdict: Every proper naturalist ought to own a copy. The woods are forever speaking; one simply needs to learn the language.