Wrap Up of My Vero Beach Residency

Notes From My Residency Journal

My last two days at Vero were great fun. I went back to the Pelican Island Reserve in better weather to take a few reference photos and wander down one of the trails a bit. There were lovely grasses in a variety of colors, turning rusts and grays for winter, and the cabbage palm hammocks looked so pretty. 

I enjoyed the condo so much. It is beautifully decorated and very comfortable. The Lemon Tree restaurant was a great place to eat and they made me feel right at home each morning. 

I saw a lot of trees that I was not familiar with and I will enjoy painting them from my reference photos. 

The town was really charming, with friendly welcoming residents. I headed home with fond memories of my residence and with thanks to Judy and Jim for their generosity.

Pelican Island Wildlife Reserve

Vero Beach Residency- Day 3

Banyan Tree

9x12 inches

Oil on panel

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today I visited Ft Pierce, FL just a few miles south of Vero Beach. Ft Pierce appears to be Vero Beach's shabby neighbor. I didn't see much of interest there. All of the art focus seems to be on Bean Backus and the Highwaymen.  There was a museum with his work. The Navy Seal museum was there as well. 

I went to the state park at the Ft Pierce Inlet and enjoyed the large Seagrape trees in the park. The wildlife preserve was closed and under construction, so I made my way back to Vero for breakfast at the Lemon Tree Restaurant. It was equally delicious today. I had poached eggs with grits, crisp bacon and an English muffin. The coffee is excellent there too. 

I took a walking tour of Ocean Drive, and found the Laughing Dog Gallery, very nice for glass and 3 D art. I decided to head over to the 14th St arts district. I found a sweet space run by 6 partners, called the Tiger Lily. The ladies were charming and friendly, making every effort to give me information about the art scene in Vero Beach. I enjoyed a short stroll around but it was chilly and overcast so I headed back to the beautiful condo, provided by my friend Judy, to do the above painting. I am enjoying these new trees I find here in South Florida. 

Vero Beach Residency- Day 2

Notes From My Residency Journal

I had a busy day. I started with breakfast at the Lemon Tree on Ocean Drive, a charming breakfast restaurant. It was warm and cozy, with lovely hand blown glass chandeliers in the dining room, decorated with greenery with tiny white lights and ceramic platters. It was painted a soft butter color. The service was first class, starting with a carafe of excellent coffee.  I chose the homemade hash with poached eggs, English muffin and grilled home fries, all good. A very pleasant breakfast, well served.

I headed north on A1A though the weather was dreadful, chilly, windy and misting rain. I only have a few days to explore this time so I was determined to get out to see what I could find. I checked out the Sebastian Inlet State Park first. Luckily, I have a state park pass. I was surprised at the fee of 8.00 for this park. Most of the state parks I have visited are 4.00-5.00. It is the perfect park for boaters and fishermen. Lots of access to the inlet. I saw white Pelicans and other shore birds. The camping area is very nice and right next to the water. It wasn't so good for nature lovers. It is definitely for water,boats and jetty painting lovers, none of which I have interest in. 

I headed back to Pelican Island Wildlife preserve, much more to my liking. It is quite pretty with lots of natural vegetation and fields of big palms. It reminded me of a small version of Merritt Island Wildlife Preserve. I want to go back there on Thursday if the weather improves by then.  The painting today is of the Pelican Preserve. 

Tomorrow I'm off to ft Pierce to see some of the nature parks there. 

Vero Beach Residency - Day 1

View From My Residency Patio. 

I arrived late this afternoon and settled into the condo. It is a lovely, quiet place with it's own covered paking space in front of the door. That is really nice! It is beautifully decorated and has parque floors. I love those! This is paradise! Thank you so very much, Judy and Jim for sponsoring this project.

Tomorrow I plan to get out and about the town to see some art galleries and start looking for nature preserves in the area. I'll check out the waves too.  I passed ranches and citrus groves on SR. 60 which I am very interested in for reference photos. Hopefully I can find a good spot at one of the ranches to paint a bit too. 

The drive down was lovely once I got past the Orlando concrete and traffic.  More to come tomorrow.

Royal Poinciana Tree

20x24

Oil on canvas

Getting Ready for Vero Beach

Notes From My Residency Journal

Monday I'll be off to my painting residency in Vero Beach, FL for 5 days. Thank you so much Judyth Dawson for sponsoring this residency. I am lucky indeed to have such a generous friend. I will be exploring the nature parks, taking reference photos, checking out the art galleries and painting every afternoon. Yay! I can't wait!

http://www.lindablondheim.com

 

Big Talbot Island Residency- Day 6

Notes From My Residency Journal

Big Talbot is a happy memory now. I am very grateful to North Florida Land Trust for their generous gift to me for two years. They are saving thousands of acres of wetlands for birds,artists,  naturalists, wild animals and recreational boaters and fishermen. Please support your Florida Land Trusts to save what is left of our wild lands.

My favorite places were Big and Little Talbot Islands, Ft Clinch State Park , and the Kingsley Plantation, a national monument. 

I really liked the Marche Burrette restaurant in the Omni Resort for breakfast and the 29 Bistro in Fernandina Beach. 

The views from the back yard at the house were spectacular.  The best time to go the Rebault Club Road is morning, and the best time at Little Talbot Island is late afternoon for the color and light. 

I hope to find a residency in that part of Florida again.

Residency at Big Talbot Island- day 5

Afternoon Palms

Ft Clinch Boardwalk

Fishermen with their catch at Ft Clinch State Pa

Notes From My Residency Journal

For some bizarre reason we were up at 5:30 AM today. It is not an hour of the day I am fond of😫 After a cup a Joe, we were off the Ft Clinch State Park. We enjoyed taking some photos and exploring the park. We ran into these two fishermen who asked us to take some photos of them. We gladly obliged. They went through an elaborate staging for their photos. They are evidently in the fishing business, so wanted publicity shots. They were a lot of fun.

After the park, we headed for Fernandina Beach, to check out this quaint town. We toured two art galleries and enjoyed lunch at the 29 Bistro. They had service out on the porch and it was a cool day so we opted for that seating. The service was very good and so was the food. They serve an upscale version of Southern cuisine. I had the roasted pulled pork Cobb salad. It came with fried green tomatoes stuffed with goat cheese, delicious, and corn bread croutons, with a nutty flavored shredded cheese over greens. It was called BBQ pork, but it was roasted pork with a tangy sauce. Very tasty but not true BBQ. True BBQ must be smoked.  Mary Jane had a pork sandwich with napa cabbage slaw. She said it was good. A very good lunch, well served. 

We headed back to the Big Talbot where I did today's painting, while Mary Jane watched the critters on the marshes. We left for our late afternoon drive to study the light and take photos of Little Talbot Iland. The light was glorious indeed. My last day in paradise. I must get back to my town studio tomorrow and will go with gratitude to North Florida Land Trust for a fine week of painting.