Linda's Mini Residency at Fair Oaks 04/08/2012

The men who make Fair Oaks beautiful. L to R Danny, Mark and Joe.

 View from Fish Prairie. Sorry it won't show in the right direction. 7x5 inches acrylic on birch panel.

This is a scene I really love. I want to paint this view.

Henry checks for fresh veges in the Fair Oaks garden.


Notes From My Residency Journal

I've been on the road for about 6 weeks, so I'm excited to be home for a little while. As I turned into the drive at Fair Oaks, I felt so happy, as if I were coming home again after a long absence. Henry, my French Bulldog loves Fair Oaks. He has two pals to play with, Buddy and Shane, the Border Collies who watch over their home turf. They are very patient and kind to Henry. They are much larger dogs and try as he might, he can never keep up with them as they race around the fields.

As I drove around the fields I was amazed at how different it looked two months ago when I had my week long residency. Everything is green and fresh in early spring, full of bright color. The rye fields are tall and graceful as they ripple with each breeze.

Rye Field

9x12 inches

acrylic on birch panel

After a quick cup of coffee and chat with Rick and his old friend from Montana, Henry and I were off to decide where to paint. I chose the path around one of the rye fields. I got a good start on the first painting of the day, 9x12 inches.
We broke for lunch and Henry enjoyed playing with Shane and sneaking treats from Mark while he grilled hamburgers for lunch. Yum!!

After lunch, I headed for Fish Prairie to do a little 7x5 inch study. The weeds are already impressive. I have about two more weeks to paint there before it gets too hot. In the summer I don't get to go to Fair Oaks often. It's a long way for me to travel and gas gets too expensive. I miss it so much during the summer months.