Fair Oaks Mini Residency - January 5, 2014

http://www.lindablondheim.com

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today was my first day back at Fair Oaks since December 15th so I was delighted by everything. I decided to paint in the citrus grove today, as it is near the end of the picking season. The fruit is so pretty on the trees. The tarps are all ready for covering the grove trees. We are expecting a hard freeze shortly. 

 There were several guests for the day so we dined al fresco, enjoying the perfect outdoor day. We were treated to Pearl BBQ, one of my favorite places to eat. 

After lunch I headed out to the fields to explore. I found a new scene I want to investigate. It is one of the scenes I wouldn't notice in summer but in winter it is lovely. I had trouble with my blue golf cart again today. The poor old fellow seems to be slowing down. I need to find him some sort of tonic :-) I'm so fond of that cart. We have had so many adventures together. There are spots and speckles of paint on the floor and all sorts of fine memories for me each time I climb in. I hope it will last. 

Leroy and I headed for home after a fine day in paradise.

Fair Oaks Mini Residency- October 27, 2013

Flowers on Fish Prairie

Path Between Fields

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today I came to Fair Oaks with my pal Mary Jane Volkmann. We were reconing the estate and Fish Prairie for next weekend's first Invitational Painting  Retreat. We owe it all to Fair Oaks, Paddiwhack Gallery, Gamblin Artists Paints, French Canvas, and Claudia Ballard. 

This is a special privilege for painters and I'm very excited!

We spent the morning exploring and taking reference photos. This was my first trip out on the prairie since May. It was great to be back on the trails. They were in pretty good shape. There were a few paths blocked by trees, but most were easy to navigate. The prairie was full of beautiful yellow flowers, blooming everywhere. 

We had a fabulous lunch of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. Super good, topped off with famous Fair Oaks iced tea. Thank you Mark, our chef for the day.

The weather was perfect and the company too. 

Another delightful day at my favorite place in the world.

Fair Oaks Mini Residency September 15, 2013

Today's Beautiful Fair Oaks photo comes from Scotty. He saw this mysterious flower growing in the side yard at Fair Oaks today. He showed it to me from the window of the studio upstairs. I can't wait to paint it. 

It is hot and humid at Fair Oaks. The humidity hangs like a curtain over the fields and trees. My morning tour took me through chest high weeds in some of the fields. It is really fun to plough paths through the weeds and grasses.

I didn't bother to take my paint box out with me in the golf cart. As long as I was moving, the air stirred and the Mosquitos couldn't keep up. If I stopped long enough to take photos, they were immediately buzzing me. I didn't 't dare go back into the deep woods or out to Fish Prairie. They are patiently waiting for me to return in cooler weather.

After my tour I got busy up in the studio. I worked on my painting until 12:45 and then headed for the cottage for lunch. I knew I was going to get smoked chicken. Mark put two chickens in the smoker and the smell on arrival was glorious! He added potato salad, mac and cheese, and fruit salad for a real feast. I  missed Mark so much during the year he was traveling the world. It is wonderful to have him back at Fair Oaks. I don't know how long he will stay this time, but I am delighted to sit down at the table with him again. We enjoyed a lively conversation about world economics. He is a very smart young man.

I headed for home in Leroy with thanks in my heart for the privilege of being a part of Fair Oaks.