Mini Residency At Fair Oaks 09/02/12

Field Two

5x7 inches

acrylic

Collins Field Beckons

The mystical place

Notes From my Residency Journal

Gosh it is hot this week. It seems that as summer begins to leave us it is reluctant to go. I arrived to lots of humidity, bugs and heat today at Fair Oaks. My canine friends Buddy and Shane greeted me on the long lane. We were by ourselves for much of the day. My friend Kate Barnes, writer and extraordinary artist came by and we visited under the shade of the pavilion with the fan on while I did the above painting. 

The air was heavy with the weight of lots of rain and now very hot. Water was standing  in the fields and I had two close calls with the cart, almost getting it stuck twice. I could hear Rick laughing in my ear and was determined not to get stuck. I have become the joke of the Fair Oaks staff  by getting stuck so many times.  My sister bought me some rubber boots so I can hike back to the cottage when I get stuck. Since the staff was gone today, I didn't want to have to leave the stuck cart in the woods, so I gave up my afternoon tour to the outer areas that I usually enjoy. I've not been out on Fish Prairie since May and I am very keen to get back out there in the fall when it dries up a bit. 

Mini Residency At Fair Oaks 08/26/12

Pond

Holy Ground Field

Henry's first day back at Fair Oaks after a long hot summer.

Field

Notes From My Residency Journal

I had half a day at Fair Oaks. The wind and rain from Hurricane Issac moved in after lunch. This morning was delightful with warm dry air and a light breeze.It was a perfect morning at Fair Oaks. Henry came with me for the first time since May. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself as we loaded up Leroy this morning with my painting gear and his water dish. He has a cozy little condo behind the seats in Leroy.

On arrival, we headed out in my favorite golf cart to do some exploring first.I like to take a drive around the farm before I settle in to paint.

We decided to paint the lovely field near the pond. These fields are lush and ever changing. They are full of color and texture, light and dark patterns, and tiny flowers that pop up here and there. I think of huge marvelous tapestries when I look at them.

 One of the farm staff from last year was back for school, Joe. He is a nice lad and always sweet to Henry and me. He is also a fine cook. He made Cuban sandwiches, black beans and rice and fruit salad for lunch. Good eats for sure!! We had a nice selection of pies from Pearl Country Store. They make them fresh. I had the chocolate Creme DE Menthe pie which was light and tasty.

 I always enjoy spending time with the staff at Fair Oaks.They are all college boys who are studying science and math. All as smart as can be. I enjoy hearing about all of the  studies they do and listening to Rick's delightful stories about the places he has traveled and the people he knows, which is just about everybody. 

I was sorry to lose my afternoon at Fair Oaks but half a day there is better than two days anywhere else.

Crystal River Painting

Artist in Residence Paintings

Notes From My Residency Journal

Since I returned from Crystal River, I have been studying the reference photos I took there, doing small and miniature paintings from the adventure. Today I finished the first large format painting from the residency. This painting is from the marshes and one of the estuaries in the Ozello area. It is truly a beautiful wild part of Florida that few know. Most of the people in this area are fishermen and hunters. It is quiet and for the most part natural compared to Crystal River. The painting is 20x24 inches oil on canvas. You will soon be able to see it in my loft studio in Gainesville, FL.

Mini Residency At Fair Oaks 08/19/12

Trees off Field One

Pond Oak

Holy Ground Field

Notes From My Residency Journal

I enjoyed a pleasant morning at Fair Oaks, first sharing a great cup of coffee and chatting with Rick and his Fair Oaks staff and then off in the woods just off field one. I chose a simple scene of trees along the path. Loving trees, I am always drawn to them. It surprises me how much visitors to my loft studio enjoy the simple paintings of trees that I do. They are not as exotic as the coastal paintings I do, but they have the quiet beauty of the woods I grew up in.

As I heard the lunch bell ring it began to rain so my gear got wet, but will dry out. Luckily, My painting made it safe and sound to Leroy. We had two kinds of quiche for lunch, collard/sausage/cheddar and swiss/ham/bacon.  I like to bake, but am not supposed to eat a lot of what I bake, so Rick's office staff and Fair Oaks staff are thankfully willing to be guinea pigs for my baking hobby.

As I walked out after lunch to think about where to paint, the sky opened up again so I packed Leroy up and headed for home.

Here is my Collard Quiche Recipe

4 eggs

2 cups half and half

3 cups shredded  cheddar cheese

4 pre-cooked Maple sausage patties chopped

1/4 onion diced

pinch of dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon Country Dijon mustard

2 T corn starch mixed with a little half and half to make smooth

salt and pepper

1/2 carrot shredded

1 T butter

1 cup chopped collard greens ( I use frozen )

Saute collards onions and sausage just until wilted. Set aside. Beat eggs with H&H and Cornstarch. Add mustard and seasonings. Line a pie pan with crust and crimp the edges. Mix sausage collards mixture and shredded cheese, filling the pie crust. Preheat oven to 300. Pour custard mixture over the pie ingredients and make sure the cheese mixture is pushed down into the liquid. Bake on a sheet pan until quiche is golden brown and firm in the middle. Cool on a cake rack and then cut and serve. The quiche freezes well and can be refrigerated and reheated.

Fair Oaks Mini Residency - July 1, 2012

 The fairy houses are placed around the fields.

These are natural fairy houses. I'll be decorating them as time permits.

Golf cart stuck first. Tractor stuck trying to pull it out.

 Big tractor pulling the little tractor out.

Rick in the tractor going back to the barn.

View of Field Three

5x7 inches

acrylic on panel

Notes From my Residency Journal

Today was very interesting and fun for the most part. Not so much for the staff though. Fair Oaks has been very dry for a long time and I have forgotten how to navigate there in the wet season. The recent tropical storm left a lot of water there. The pond has come back and is lovely. I counted several white egrets and a blue heron as I drove by. First on my agenda was going around the fields and placing the little houses I made. I got three settled in their new homes and decided to go back into the woods to place the last one. All was fine until I saw the large tree across the path. I decided I would just skirt around the tree and get back on the path. I often drive all around through the woods so I thought it would be a snap. It wasn't until I got half way around the tree that I noticed I was in ankle deep water. At Fair Oaks, water means sticky mud.  I bogged down and could not get out. I tried to push the cart out but I wasn't strong enough. 

I called the house and the boys promised to rescue me. In a little while Scotty came driving along in a tractor. As he backed in he got stuck too. Off he went to get a bigger tractor. He pulled out the first tractor but could not get in a good spot to pull the golf cart out. We gave up temporarily and headed to the house for lunch. Will made a shrimp sausage rice stew that was delicious. I made a coconut crusted cheesecake for dessert, so we ate well at least. Of course I had to endure many jokes about my driving ability.

After lunch, Rick helped the boys to push the cart out of the mud. I promised to be careful and not get stuck again. Famous last words. I stopped for a little while to do a little painting and then decided that I'd  move to another location.  I skirted the edge  a plowed field carefully.It seemed high and fairly solid. I got so close to the lane where I would have been safe and boom, there I was, buried in mud again. Rick and the boys were very busy, so I carried my supplies back to my truck, left a note apologizing and left for home. I was so frustrated with myself for being so dumb, not once, but twice.

 I'm sure they would like to hang me with onions and shoot me for stinkin!!

My First Fairy Houses

These are  houses I built yesterday in my painting studio. The top is a clay flower pot and the second is an old strawberry flower pot turned upside down. I used pine bark for the roof shingles. To put texture on the bottom pot, I used paper towel pieces dipped in paint and glue and smoothed them onto the pot.  I like the idea of the clay pots, as they will last indefinitely and I can replace the roof and awnings as they degrade. I will seal them with varnish to help the paint last a bit longer, but as they age, they will begin to blend into the landscape. Hopefully moss and lichens will attach to them as well. I have painted them with neutral purples,blues and grays with just a bit of color here and there on trim. I have seen fairy houses that are bright colors but I don't like them. I want them to look as natural as possible. When I get them on site, I will add paths and ornaments of nuts,berries and dried leaves to make them welcoming for our fairy friends at
 Fair Oaks. I will make a Popsicle easel and do a tiny painting as decoration.

I'm going to be making some of the houses to put in my loft studio as well.  More houses to come....

Mini Fair Oaks Residency 06/17/2012

Field Palms

Summer Palms

Beautiful Fair Oaks

Notes From My Residency Journal

Is it any wonder that I love Fair Oaks so much? The above scene is only one of many I see each time I go there. This morning I got up and baked a fresh blueberry tart for the gentlemen who toil tirelessly to make Fair Oaks the haven it is for me and many others who visit. I arrived to greetings from Buddy and Shane and got to say hello to Rick and Mr Jake Glisson who visited and brought a fresh baked peach pie. Mr Glisson is a legend in Evinston and Cross Creek. His paintings are wonderful illustrations of life in the south. He is an accomplished writer as well, with several books about Florida. It is always a pleasure to see him when he visits Fair Oaks. 

My golf cart was ready and waiting for me when I arrived and I enjoyed a morning of painting in the shade. After my first painting I drove around to see the fields, plowed and ready for planting. They look so different bare of the rye I love to paint each spring. I love the rhythm of the seasons at Fair Oaks., The spring garden is through and now the fields are tall with grass, creating ribbons of light as the grasses wave. The cart leaves interesting tracks through the fields.

Rick's God daughter Liz arrived in time for lunch as well. We enjoyed excellent chicken,corn bread, macaroni and cheese, blueberry tart and peach pie. Great Eats!! After lunch Liz and I took the cart around the fields and Fish Prairie. We ended up on the lane through giant trees, with lots of limbs down from the recent storm.  We got stuck on a limb, tried to push the cart over with no luck, but I was able to back over it and get free. I love that golf cart. it never lets me down. 

It was a beautiful summer day and a wonderful place to spend it. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be welcomed at Fair Oaks. 

Linda's Mini Residency at Fair Oaks February 12, 2012

Ana and Mark

Mark is the foreman at Fair Oaks. They are such a sweet couple.

Rick Knellinger with his dog Shane. Rick makes all things possible at Fair Oaks. I'm so glad he is my friend.

Henry is my studio dog. He makes my world work!

Notes From My Fair Oaks Residency Journal

Winter has finally arrived in north central Florida. My morning painting session at Fair Oaks was in 42 degree weather. BRRR!! Henry wore his sweater and bandana. I wore my hoodie, which was insufficient to say the least. It's been so long since it was cold here that I forgot to dress warmly. I will be wiser next time. I felt like a Popsicle before lunch time.

It was my turn to contribute to the lunch menu today so I brought roast pork with gravy and cheddar thyme cornbread. Anna brought wonderful rutabaga and greens and Rick brought stuffed baked potatoes and  a fabulous chocolate pecan pie. Lunches at Fair Oaks are always the best part of the day. After I thawed out for awhile, Henry and I took off again to start a tree painting and then out to explore Sebastian's Trail. New paths have been cut since I was there last and they are beautiful.

I am so excited that our week long residency at Fair Oaks is almost here. A week from Monday, Mary Jane and I will move in for a week of painting and fun. I am going to be spending quite a bit of time out on the new trails. The studio upstairs in the old house is available for larger paintings, so I will probably work on a larger painting while I'm there too. I can't wait!! This week at Fair Oaks is one I wait for all year long. This year will be special because the old house will soon be under renovation and no longer available, so I will treasure this time.

Our May Residency 2012

Sarah and Chad's Condo
Sarah and Linda enjoy the view.

Notes From my Residency Journal

Sarah Carey wrote:

"One thing you'll notice at our place are several pieces of original artwork by renowned Southern landscape painter, Linda Blondheim. We are happy to be hosting Linda and her friend, fellow painter, Mary Jane Volkmann, for a painting residency in May 2012! In this shot, Linda came to visit in the summer of 2008."

I'm so happy to have this opportunity again in May. They have the best condo in St Augustine, charming and comfortable with all of the comforts of home as well as a splendid view of the dunes. For information, click on the link to their facebook page.

Linda Blondheim

Linda's Fair Oaks Mini Residency 01/08/12

Field One

8x10 inches

acrylic on birch panel

alla prima on location

Notes From My Fair Oaks Residence Journal

I leave for my New Smyrna Residency tomorrow morning. Today I was lucky to have a few hours at Fair Oaks where I am an Artist in Residence. It could not have been more lovely. This is Florida at it's best. Every time I go to FO I see a completely different world. I have observed the gradual change from summer to fall, and now I begin to see the transition to winter, or what I like to call "Wintering in at Fair Oaks". The colorful cadmiums of oranges, golds and rust reds are gradually ending now, replaced by numerous shades of gray, dusty blue and mauve . The gray purples are moving in that Mary Jane loves so much. The winter rye has just been planted so we will soon have an impossibly emerald green field that is so striking in winter. Winter is my favorite at Fair Oaks so I am really excited about our week long residency there the end of February. The perfect time in Florida's most beautiful painting place.

I did this little painting this morning in Field One. Studio dog Henry came along to keep me company and enjoy the birds and smells of the land. We are happy painting companions.

Lunch was served alfresco in the shade with real table linens. We feasted on Paninis, Chicken/cheese/rosemary sausage, fresh fruit salad, sliced tomatoes, and homemade key lime pie, made with key limes from the Fair Oaks grove.

Is it any wonder I love Fair Oaks so much?

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.

Linda's Mini Residency 11/27/2011

Fair Oaks

Dry Pond

9x12 inches

acrylic on birch panel

Field Three at Fair Oaks

Henry Blondheim and Shane Knellinger

Notes From My Fair Oaks Residency

I am one of the lucky people in life who have the privilege of having a permanent residency at a wonderful and beautiful place. I can come and go as I please and I never take that for granted. I am an artist in residence at Fair Oaks, a hundred and sixty acre estate in Evinston Florida. It is a true luxury to work there and I have been painting there for about four years. I have done a significant body of work and much of my current painting process has been developed at Fair Oaks.

Today was a perfect day to take Henry, my French bulldog, and enjoy a day at Fair Oaks. I am provided with a golf cart to explore and paint, so Henry and I often head out to explore and paint together. He is an exceptional companion with great patience. He usually snoozes on the seat while I paint. Sometimes we are joined by our friend Shane, one of three Border Collies who own the place with their dad Rick.

I did the above painting today of one of my favorite spots, the big pond. It's dry now but in wet season it is full of beautiful mint green lily pads and all kinds of aquatic birds.

I spent some time taking photos today. There is a giant tree in the new field that I have my eye on to paint and I got several reference photos for a studio painting. It is huge but the canopy is so low that it's hard to get a good distant view, so it will need to be a close up. I'll probably want to do more than one painting. It is an exceptional tree.