Bird Island Day 4

Marshes at Bird Island

9x12 inches

Oil on panel

Sunset

8x10 inches

Oil on panel

The boardwalk beside the marshes

Horseshoe crab

View from the dock

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today's weather is too rough to be out. The wind is howling and the sea is up with lots of foam and broken waves. I've not seen a single boat. It is quite cozy in the house and I'm enjoying reading a Travis McGee adventure. This morning wasn't bad on the porch so I was able to finish 2 paintings, the first started yesterday. I have 6 paintings and expect to get at least one more tomorrow. 

You haven't lived until you have tried tuna salad on Lays potato chips instead of bread. It is really delicious! I have had that for lunch every day this week. Just scoop up the tuna with a spoon and carefully put it on a big chip like an appetizer. 

Last evening I had a great walk over the marshes in the boardwalk. It is a lovely view late in the day with everything warm and rich in color. I found a Horseshoe crab shell and saw tiny little crabs scuttling along the path. I watched a pair of Dolphins feeding, scattering Mullet as they swam along.

This is a foreign world for me. I am a landlubber having lived all of my life in forests and fields. My visits to the coast are always educational. I know nothing about boats or the sea. I am always amazed by the startling changes in the weather when I visit the coasts and Bird Island. It can change in just a few moments. 

With good luck this storm will be gone tomorrow, giving me another day in Bird Island paradise!

Bird Island Day 3

Bird Island Palms

8x10 inches

Oil on panel

The Old Birdhouse

5x7 inches

Oil on panel

Patsy's Sculpture

Native American Artifacts

Notes From My Residency Journal

The weather at BI changes very quickly. It started sunny this morning, quickly becoming overcast and windy. By 1 PM it was sunny again with calm sea. This is the perfect time each year to be at BI. No bugs, warm, with low humidity. Just marvelous!

I enjoyed the process of both paintings, listening to Eta,Ella, Billie, Frank and Louis on the IPad radio. There are no better specimens of cabbage palms than are growing here on the island. Palms are tricky. I've painted them all my life, yet they are still a complex mystery.  There are several bird houses here, after all, it IS Bird Island. My favorite is the old two hole one I painted today. It leans a bit and there are cracks in the wood, making it all the more charming. 

Patsy is a very talented sculptress, using all kinds of found objects to create whimsical pieces, placed around the house. I look forward to seeing them each time. The above is my favorite. She is also a fine painter. There are lots of good paintings scattered around the house, done by well known Florida painters who come here from time to time. The family has a fine collection by Ellie Blair, Kate Barnes and Elisabeth Ferber to name a few. 

The family has an interest in archeology and anthropology, having teamed up with the University of Florida's departments for occasional digs. There are numerous display of interesting artifacts throughout the house and on the porches. 

I look forward to seeing the red ball drop into the sea again at days end, after another day of Bird Island paradise. 

Bird Island Residency Day 2

Notes From My Residency Journal

Just before sunset

Looking toward Horseshoe Beach

This morning I started my day with bacon and eggs for breakfast. I took my coffee out on the porch to enjoy the boats passing by.

I decided to start my first painting around 9 AM. No rush as I am on no schedule. The morning was lovely and I enjoyed doing this palm.

8x10 inches

Oil on canvas

After the painting, I took my first stroll of the day around the perimeter of the island. For lunch I made tuna salad and dipped it up with potato chips. Yummy.

After a bit of time, reading my Travis McGee novel, I got busy with this second painting of the day.

9x12 inches

Oil on panel

I love this view from the east end of the boardwalk toward other barrier islands distant. As I painted, the front began to move in, turning the weather cooler and overcast with a nippy wind. I moved to the porch to continue the painting. 

After I finished, I took another walk and now it is chilly and dark. I don't think I will get to watch the red ball fall into the sea tonight, but last night it was spectacular. That is one of the big highlights of a day at Bird Island. The sun looks huge and scarlet red as it quickly dips into the sea. 

Another wonderful day at Bird Island, thanks to the Nelms family.

Bird Island Residency Day 1

The Cafe

BI from Captain Rob's house.

The front porch at BI

Notes from my Residency Journal

Here I am on the big screened porch at Bird Island having just arrived by boat. My boat captain Rob delivers me to the island and opens the house for me. It is sunny and warm and I'm watching the fishing boats go by.  This is a large island house and as comfortable as an old cotton shirt, washed many times. It is affectionately called the Hilton. I will set up my easel tomorrow morning to start painting.

I started my trip at the Horseshoe Beach Cafe with a delicious fried shrimp sandwich. The shrimp were large and fried to perfection with a light crispy batter. A glass of tea helped to hit the spot.  Rob stores my car for me under his home in the huge shaded carport for my stay, and ferries me and my supplies over to BI as we all call it. 

The island is owned by the Nelms family who generously give me this painting residency in early April. I look forward to it all year. What a life to live on an island. Tonight after it cools down, I will do some exploring and take some photos. I like to explore late and then early in the morning for the best light. 

BI is my second favorite place in the world with Fair Oaks being the first. I am so lucky to have wonderful generous friends who share with me. 

Packing

www.lindablondheim.com

Notes From My Painting Studio

I had a nice rare day in the painting studio to catch up on my packing for the Bird Island Residency, this Friday-next Thursday. This is my second year of the residency, though I have been there a couple of times with groups. Living on an island accessible only by boat is a real adventure and the most peaceful trip I have. It is a time for painting, reading my Travis McGee novels, puttering around, climbing up to the Widow's Walk to watch the boats go by, and walking the Island to explore. A wonderful residency indeed.