Appleton-based artist Lydia Andersen has had an interest in illustrations for much of her life. Throughout childhood, Andersen drew and illustrated short stories. Andersen has carried her artistic interests into adulthood by turning what was once her side hobby into a full-time career. “The Paint Chip Series” has been Andersen’s ongoing project since 2016. She READ MORE
“You don’t realize when you are faced with death and you don’t have a choice. It changes your life completely. You see things differently. You’re completely open because you have nowhere to hide. I’ve been given a second chance.” Looking at me through my computer screen, Menasha artist Karla Lauden professes the event that transformed READ MORE
Q. Now that I’m working from home, I’m looking for some easy weekday lunch ideas. Ideally they would be things I can make the night before and to help streamline the next day. Any ideas? – Peter, Kaukauna A. As a recent empty-nester still trying to adjust to cooking for two, my knee-jerk response is READ MORE
Classifying one as an art rebel is a bit redundant – haven’t painters, sculptors and makers long been the rulebreakers of society? But even within art, a practice rooted in creativity and disruption, conventions exist, traditions are followed and classics are celebrated. Megan Fredrich is having none of it. “The art scene is a little READ MORE
Painter Nate DeRidder creates work that functions as both art and activism. Environmental awareness and animal rights are common themes for the artist whose interest was sparked after reading “Food Matters” by Mark Bittman, a book that addresses environmentally ethical eating. “I did my own research after that and from there I researched climate change. READ MORE
Q. Is there a faster way to soften dried beans other than just soaking them overnight? – Martha, Kaukauna A. Soaking beans overnight to soften them is recommended, but it is not required. Soaking beans softens the starches in the beans which allow them to cook more quickly, but if beans are not pre-soaked it READ MORE
Sitting at Luna Coffee & Roastery in De Pere on a sunny, but freezing January morning, Jonathan “Cujo” Mojock takes the pen from my hand and scribbles a few notes to himself in my notebook. The notes are topics he wants to be sure to discuss during our interview. “I’ve always needed to pare down READ MORE
Q. I see so many different types of flours on the market – rice flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, oat flour. What are the differences and are they interchangeable? –Clark, Menasha A. The many different types of flours on the market seem to be a directly proportionate response to the increased demand by consumers to READ MORE
Artist and Lawrence University senior Tanner MacArthur focuses his creative energy on 2D abstract paintings. He prefers working with acrylic paint to explore the interdependency of elements. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, MacArthur has moved numerous times in his life, the majority being along the East Coast. He graduated from high school in southern Florida READ MORE
Q. I received a meat smoker as a gift and would love to use it, but am not sure where to start. What do you recommend? – Lois, Little Chute A. The desired outcome of smoke cooking is a product that is both flavorful and tender. Great flavor starts with buying a high quality piece READ MORE
