Fair Oaks Mini Residency- September 28, 2014

Landscape Art

Field Three Winter

18x24 inches

oil on canvas

 

Fairie House

Notes From My Residency Journal

Henry and I had a swell day at lovely Fair Oaks today. We arrived to a cool and comfy studio thanks to our thoughtful host. Today I finished up the painting at the top of this post. Last week I forgot to bring back my brushes that I took home to wash, so I used a couple of palette knives to do most of the painting. Today, I finished it up with a tweak here and there. I enjoyed the process, though it is a bit different from the way I usually paint. It is good to shake up my routine now and then.

I noticed that the dried flower and grasses arrangement that I keep on the porch of the old house are getting kind of worn out and faded, so I will make it a mission in the next week or two to get some nice replacements and rearrange that corner of the porch. My assistant Carolyn will help me. She is better at choosing something pretty than I am.

After I cleaned up my painting station the lunch bell rang, so I was off to my favorite part of the day, some time with my friends who make all things possible at Fair Oaks. Todays lunch was splendid. We had boxed lunches from Blue Highway in Micanopy. I got ham and cheese on flatbread with salad and there were chicken sandwiches too. They came with crispy peppery potato chips and a huge brownie, topped with yummy chocolate frosting and whipped cream.

The best part of lunch is always our interesting conversations about the world. Today we talked about planets and the difficulty of colonization, which led to a bunch of stupid questions from me. That followed by talk of UFO's and weird happenings in life. They all laughed at my story about a little white car that I see frequently and Tommy's story about wild turkeys he sees at the same time and place frequently. We always have a great time discussing the world of weirdness.

After lunch, Henry and I took a ride around the fields. I noticed that the fairie house was looking sad and dilapidated. The roof had come off and the paint was fading. I made it about two years ago, so it was time for a redo. I brought it home and painted it, so it is as good as new. I'll take it back next week and put it back in it's home place for the wee friends who live there.

As I cruised the fields, I managed to get the pedal stuck on the golf cart AGAIN!! I freely admit that I am the worse golf cart driver ever! I am constantly breaking it, getting sticks stuck in it or getting it stuck in mud.  I dreaded telling my host as he always laughs at me, but I finally had to fess up after the staff could not fix it.

I knew it was time to hit the road, so Henry and I headed for my studio. Naturally, I forgot my Ipad, left in the gold cart! Gee Whiz!

Another day in Paradise!

Fair Oaks Mini Residency-September 14,2014

Marsh Clouds

8x10 inches

Oil on linen

Henry takes a drink

The late summer pond

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today was clear and sunny with spectacular clouds sailing  over the fields and the pond at Fair Oaks. Henry and I arrived to our blessedly cool studio, thanks to our thoughtful host. Leroy is not air conditioned, so walking into a cool studio is glorious after that long drive. 

Today I worked on a small oil painting on linen first and then started a larger oil on canvas, which I will work on for a few weeks. 

Lunch was really delicious today. We had a fabulous salad with blueberries, kiwi, tomatoes, lettuce and hard boiled eggs. It was full of beautiful color and texture and the blue cheese dressing was perfect! We also enjoyed steamed broccoli, and grilled chicken with toast and lemon marmalade. Our meal was topped off with key lime pie and a fine cup of coffee. Is it any wonder that I am so spoiled.

After lunch, Henry and Shane played ball for awhile and then we hopped into our golf cart to tour the fields. I wanted to take a look at Field Three today so we threaded our way through the tall summer weeds in the woods to see it. There is a new bird house in the field. The weeds are tall in the field and they will soon turn to gray and bronze as the season changes. That will be my favorite place in the cold months as well as Fish Prairie. 

It was so hot that Henry needed a water break again, so we headed back to the bucket. Our host found a step for Henry so he can reach the bucket. I decided to let him rest in the shade while I cleaned up our cart. It is so nice that I try to keep it spiffed up when I have free time. It is the nicest cart I have ever used. I'm so grateful for all of the privileges extended to me and Henry by the host and staff at Fair Oaks. 

We headed for my studio after a wonderful day in paradise.  

Fair Oaks Mini Residency- September 7, 2014

Landscape Paintings

 

 

Notes From My Residency Journal

 

 

Henry and I arrived at a quiet Fair Oaks this morning. We headed up to the studio to get right to work on the above painting. I enjoyed painting through the morning while Henry explored the studio and snoozed on his little bed under the air conditioner. We listen to Bob Edwards on NPR each week and enjoy his guests and interesting stories.

 

 I let Henry explore the upstairs porch, which he loved. It is a charming porch with a view of the old trees and pond at the end of the vast lawn. There are nice wooden rocking chairs inviting me to sit and watch the birds as I rock.

 

 

The staff returned from work in town and we enjoyed a special treat for lunch, my very favorite meal. Steak, baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, and a fresh salad. No meal is better than that. We also had nice toasted and buttered rolls, Yummy! Naturally it was all served with Fair Oaks tea. Our host saved steak for Shaney and Henry as is their due as Fair Oaks dogs. Henry is very proud of that honorary position.

 

 

After lunch, we got back to work on a different painting in the studio and then cleaned up our mess, heading out for an adventure in the golf cart. Henry loves riding in the cart. he sits right beside me like a big dog and enjoys the ride. In the winter, when I paint in the cart, he snoozes while I work.

 

 

Today was wild life day at Fair Oaks. I saw a deer, a water moccasin, 3 Sandhill cranes, 2 wild turkeys and the best part, three red foxes, 2 adults and one kit who was young but not newborn. Then there were a variety of herons and egrets at the back pond. Such an exciting afternoon! Is it any wonder that I love Fair Oaks better than any other place!

 

 

We headed for home with fond memories of another day in paradise.