Fair Oaks Mini Residency- June 22

I finished this painting at the Fair Oaks studio today.

The Summer Grasses

Reference photo for my next 40x60 inch painting

Notes From My Residency Journal

I arrived today at Fair Oaks and met the newest staff member Becky. She is very sweet and is to take care of Buddy and Shane, my sweet canine friends. After a great cup of coffee, I headed out for a short trip around the fields to take some reference photos for a large painting to come. The grasses seeded out and turned a rusty color as they dried. The fields are a lovely rich green from the rainy season. The birds are everywhere as well as the insects. All is beautiful at Fair Oaks.

I headed upstairs to work on the above painting. I have 2 or three paintings in production at the Fair Oaks Studio most of the time. I start one in my painting studio and then take it to Fair Oaks on Sunday to continue on Sundays. It gives me time away from the paintings for a week so I can look at them with fresh eyes and new ideas the following week. 

The lunch bell rang and I headed to a delicious beef stew, vegetable and salad. Magda and Sebastian arrived and I'm always happy to spend time with them. I headed back up to the studio to finish my painting and then steared Leroy toward my own studio after a swell day in paradise. 

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.