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.

 

Fair Oaks Mini Residency - August 24,2014

A Chestnut in the grove

Today's Painting

20x24 inches

Oil on canvas

Notes From My Residency Journal

I enjoyed a long and busy day at Fair Oaks.  I arrived to paint all morning. I brought a small cake to share with guests. I knew there would be some big dogs visiting today so I left Henry at home. I finished this painting and one of a poppy field, and started a new one. 

We enjoyed lasagna, a lovely salad and bread with dipping oil for lunch. It was delicious! A full crew was working and I enjoyed talking to the kids about school starting at college tomorrow. They are all such kind young people, always welcoming to me. 

I headed back upstairs to clean the studio and bathroom and put away my paints. By the time I got to the cottage, some of the company had arrived. I got to meet some of my host's family and then friends from Poland arrived. We enjoyed cake and coffee and toured the estate. A lovely day in paradise. 

Fair Oaks Mini Residency- August 11, 2014

Notes From My Residency Journal

I brought Henry with me today. I will be bringing him with me again most of the time for awhile. He was so happy to come back to Fair Oaks. He loves Buddy, Shane, the staff and his friend who can speak French with him. The drive from my studio was really hot for him, so I got the idea to bring back a bag of ice for the trip home. It would keep his seat cool. I brought a little pad for him to lay on up in the studio. I am thinking I will get one of those small pad dog beds to leave up in the Fair Oaks studio. He likes to sleep on a little bed. 

We walked into the blessedly cool studio, thanks to the staff who spoils me. While he snoozed, I worked on the painting of the week. I'm just about done after today's session. I'll take one more look at it next week when I get back. The second painting I'm working on is not working very well, so I will have to see what I need to do with it next week. 

When the lunch bell rang, I left Henry in the studio and headed over to the cottage for our wonderful weekly lunch together. I look forward to it each time. We had a special treat today, Pearl Country Store BBQ. I dearly love BBQ and never tire of it. We had pulled pork sandwiches, French fries,baked beans and cole slaw. Dessert was Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and strawberries. Wow! Good eats!  Our topic of discussion was how intelligence relates to success. I love our lunch topics. I always learn so much from these wise friends. 

After lunch we finished up in the studio and headed out in the cart for a quick ride in the golf cart. Henry loves to ride around the fields.

We reluctantly headed for home in Leroy after another marvelous day in paradise.

Henry poses in the studio.

Chris pays a visit to see Henry in the studio. Mark stopped in too. 

East Hay Field

18 x 24 inches

Oil on canvas

Buddy's Birthday!! August 3, 2014

Buddy and Shane with their Daddy

I love Sweet Buddy

Chris with Buddy

Cloud Beauty

The new generator

Mark moving dirt

 

Linda's Art

 

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today was a special event. We celebrated Buddy's 15th birthday. Buddy is the gentleman of Fair Oaks.  He is incredibly sweet and kind. I haved learned a lot about good character being around Buddy and Shane, the Border Collies who own Fair Oaks. Buddy shared his party with Shane. They got to have balloons, birthday cards, doggie treats, hot dogs and cake with ice cream. There was even a Happy Birthday banner around the room. 

We all had a wonderful party and after lunch we got into the golf carts for a ride around the beautiful fields. It was a day of fun and celebration, one I won't forget. One of the perks of being an artist in residence is that I often get to be a part of the celebrations and parties at Fair Oaks. The people and dogs there are family to me and I treasure them.

I noticed how beautiful the clouds were as we rode along. When we returned, I grabbed my camera and made another round through the fields to take lots of cloud photos. Great fun, but really hot! August has arrived.

I headed for my studio with happy memories of a swell day at beloved Fair Oaks. 

 

Fair Oaks Mini Residency - July 27, 2014

One of the beauties at Fair Oaks

Royal Poinciana Tree

20x24 inches

Oil on canvas

Notes From My Residency Journal

After a particularly difficult week, I breathed a sigh of gratitude when I pulled into my parking spot at Fair Oaks this morning. This is my place of respite and peace from an often hectic schedule.  Honestly, if I lived at Fair Oaks I would become a hermit and never want to leave. When I stay for a week in February, I rarely do.  

I headed up to the studio and enjoyed finishing the above painting. It is my habit to have paintings in progress, leaving them to dry between sessions. I brought a poppy field painting to work on next week. After the paintings are finished, I leave them to dry for a week. I bring them home to my own painting studio to frame and take to my town retail studio. 

The lunch bell rang and I hurried over to the cottage for a great lunch of baked chicken, a medley of squash, carrots and green beans and baked sweet potatoes. We enjoyed summer berries with cool whip for dessert. So refreshing. As usual, I was thoroughly spoiled! Today our topic was ethics and logic. I love these discussions at lunch every week. 

I headed back upstairs to get a bit done on the poppy painting and then headed out in the golf cart to see the fields. The bugs are bad now but if you keep moving they don't land. The big purple weed is blooming now, signalling the beginning of August. The grasshoppers are out in force flying in all directions in front of the cart and the keening sound of insects was loud as I drove along. I was thrilled to see the lilly pads growing in the big pond again. It's been some time since we have had them in the pond.  I plugged in the cart, enjoyed a bit of time with sweet Buddy and Shane and headed for my studio in Leroy after another day in paradise.