Our Next Residency

New Smyrna Waves

Notes From my Residency Journal

We will soon be on our way to New Smyrna Beach for a week's residency thanks to our generous host Louann Hall. We will be using her beach house for the week of January 9-14, 2012. What a great way to start the new year with a week in my favorite beach town. Mary Jane and I will be painting around town in various locations. I love to paint the waves down on Flagler Avenue under the pavilion, stopping to have breakfast at the Beacon Restaurant. We will explore the National Seashore as well and a place she likes to go. I will spend a fair amount of time painting at Spruce Creek and at JB's Fish Camp too. I'm looking forward to our time there and I expect we will visit with friends who live there as well. I am really looking forward to this opportunity. I'll be posting photos and stories from our adventure so stay tuned.

Linda Blondheim

Our February Residency House

The House at Fair Oaks

I like to show the houses we stay in for residencies. This photo was taken by Fair Oaks resident photographer, Magda. This old house is wonderful. The huge porches on both stories are much used by guests. The floors are wide wood planking and the rooms are very tall. There is a room upstairs with easels for artists to use. It will soon be under construction for restoration, though I love it as it is. Mary Jane and I are looking forward to our next week long residency there from February 19-27th, 2012.

Linda's Mini Residency 12/04/2011

The Orchard

Fair Oaks has an impressive orchard with a variety of citrus fruits. Rick helped me gather a crate full to take home.

As Henry and I drove around the farm in our golf cart, we found these young cows. The neighbor's cattle invaded. Who can blame them? I want to live there too.

Rick keeps the bonfire under control. Each time I go, there is a new activity. It's always fun to discover the plan for the day. A place this big needs constant care and it is lovingly provided by Rick and his team of college boys who put in long hours of labor there.

Today's plein air painting. It's always fun to study painting at Fair Oaks. Henry naps beside me in the cart and I listen to the Sandhill Cranes and the crows as they fly overhead. Today I saw a paint of Bald Eagles. They are much bigger than they look in the sky. Beautiful and majestic.

For lunch we had Venison Italian sausage, hunted and made by farm manager Mark. It was really delish!! What a treat. We ate alfresco and enjoyed looking at the trees and watching the clouds go by. There is nothing I would rather do than be at Fair Oaks. I am so lucky that they put up with me.