Welcome to My Project!

I was born and raised in Florida. After many years of travel, attending plein air paint outs, I discovered that residencies are the best way to explore the natural world I love. Working for an extended period from seven to ten days really enhances my painting experience. I am lucky to have friends and collectors who make it possible to explore the exciting and interesting locations I love to paint. Supporters provide their unoccupied vacation homes or hotel lodging for my residencies throughout the year. I am always delighted to leave an original framed painting for them as my thanks for their generous gift. If you would like to sponsor a residency, I would love to hear from you.
Contact me at: linda@lindablondheim.com

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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Linda's Fair Oaks Mini Residency- 04/29/2012


One of the many beautiful scenes I love at Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks - One of the many portals around the fields. Is it any wonder that I love it so much?

Field Three 
5x7 inches
acrylic on panel


Palm Path
5x7 inches
acrylic on panel

Notes From My Residency Journal

I was delighted to spend the day at Fair Oaks. Today was a beautiful early summer day in Florida. As I explored, I could see the last of spring flowers already beginning to fade. The trees have taken off their prom dresses and packed them away, preparing for the brutal heat to come with deep green skirts. I saw a few blue wildflowers left in the fields but they too are fading. The fields are tall with grass and the rye fields are bleached almost white now. 



I spent a fair amount of my time today exploring the edge of the fields, hugging the shade. You never know what you will find there and today I learned that the new neighbor has goats. I don't know much about goats, but evidently they are hoping the goats will clean out a lot of underbrush on the property. A clever way to clear land if it works.

Next week there will be a nice party late in the day so I'll look forward to some good BBQ. Today's lunch was prepared by Danny, one of the men who take care of Fair Oaks. We had lasagna, garlic bread, and key lime pie. Yummy!!

Henry has to stay home now. It's too hot for him. He has trouble breathing in the heat.

 As always I am so very grateful to be there.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Anticipating Residencies



Notes From My Residency Journal

I will soon be on the way to St Augustine Beach Florida, staying in Sarah and Chad's Condo May 14-20th. I usually have some time between each residency to prepare for the next trip. I am working on some paintings with coastal themes in anticipation of this residency. It helps me to be prepared for what I will see on site. I am very fond of painting waves and dunes when I travel to the coast, so I will spend a fair amount of time painting from the condo patio and the boardwalk there over to the beach. There is a lovely deck right over the dunes at their condo with benches. I'll be setting up my paint box there for sure. 

St Augustine is such a lovely beach community, with a lot to do there. It is close enough to the Alligator Farm and the tourist district if that appeals to you. I enjoy hanging around on the dunes, watching the waves, driving up and down the coast taking reference photos, and the wonderful restaurants in the area. 

My favorites include:
The Oasis-breakfast
Cafe 11- yummy Internet cafe
Sunset Grille- Great seafood
The Little Cafe in the Publix Shopping Center. Can't remember the name but great food. 
The restaurant in Vilano Beach on the water, can't remember the name. 

I'll be posting to this blog when I eat there in May and will be able to get the names for you. It's a great town and a beautiful condo.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Linda's Mini Fair Oaks Residency 04/15/2012


Notes From My Fair Oaks Residency

Henry and I had a swell time today at Fair Oaks. I decided to take another crack at the Collins Field rye, which is in another part of the estate from the field I painted last week. This is a difficult subject for me with lots of challenges. I've not found a way to paint it quickly. This little painting took me several hours to complete. The texture is complex, and the color is very subtle. A lovely way to spend the day. Henry and I found a nice shady spot. He snoozed on the seat next to me while I constructed the painting.

Joe, Danny (not in view), Mark and Rick chowed down on delicious lasagna and pizza. It was really good!! Our canine children Shane, Buddy and Henry enjoyed the cool air conditioning.


After lunch Henry and I toured Fish Prairie to check out some painting locations. It is beginning to get hot now so Henry will have to stay home for most of the summer. He has trouble breathing in the heat. These ferns are now growing all over Fish Prairie. It is amazing to me how different the prairie looks, now that winter is just a memory. Fair Oaks is lovely now, but the first blooms of spring are giving way to summer green quickly. Soon it will bake in the sun with oppressive heat. Summers are intense and very long in our part of the world.

As always, I am deeply grateful for this residency.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Linda's Mini Residency at Fair Oaks 04/08/2012

The men who make Fair Oaks beautiful. L to R Danny, Mark and Joe.

 View from Fish Prairie. Sorry it won't show in the right direction. 7x5 inches acrylic on birch panel.
This is a scene I really love. I want to paint this view.

Henry checks for fresh veges in the Fair Oaks garden.


Notes From My Residency Journal

I've been on the road for about 6 weeks, so I'm excited to be home for a little while. As I turned into the drive at Fair Oaks, I felt so happy, as if I were coming home again after a long absence. Henry, my French Bulldog loves Fair Oaks. He has two pals to play with, Buddy and Shane, the Border Collies who watch over their home turf. They are very patient and kind to Henry. They are much larger dogs and try as he might, he can never keep up with them as they race around the fields.

As I drove around the fields I was amazed at how different it looked two months ago when I had my week long residency. Everything is green and fresh in early spring, full of bright color. The rye fields are tall and graceful as they ripple with each breeze.

Rye Field
9x12 inches
acrylic on birch panel

After a quick cup of coffee and chat with Rick and his old friend from Montana, Henry and I were off to decide where to paint. I chose the path around one of the rye fields. I got a good start on the first painting of the day, 9x12 inches.
We broke for lunch and Henry enjoyed playing with Shane and sneaking treats from Mark while he grilled hamburgers for lunch. Yum!!

After lunch, I headed for Fish Prairie to do a little 7x5 inch study. The weeds are already impressive. I have about two more weeks to paint there before it gets too hot. In the summer I don't get to go to Fair Oaks often. It's a long way for me to travel and gas gets too expensive. I miss it so much during the summer months.