Serenity Oak at Fair Oaks
Notes From My Residency Journal
Today was a joy!! Henry and I arrived at Fair Oaks around 11 AM. We decided to paint in the studio today. I am working on a painting of the Serenity Oak, pictured above. This is my third painting of this fabulous Live Oak. It is quite a difficult tree to paint and so I am determined to continue to paint it until I am satisfied.
The studio is one of my favorite places to be at Fair Oaks. It is upstairs in the old house. Rick has kindly allowed artists to paint there, providing a variety of paint boxes, a table and easels. It also has the all important air conditioner/heater. The floor has a large old threadbare carpet, faded with much use but wonderful. The floors are wide wood, the real kind that I don't often see anymore. The windows are sash and some have the old wavy glass in them. There is an old fireplace at one end. I love it so much and have logged many happy hours there over the last six years. I spread out my paints brushes and palette at the table and use the big wooden easel to paint on. Henry likes to stretch out on the rug for a good nap. I play my Pandora and listen to Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong while I try to figure out the mysteries of painting. It is a most pleasant room. I'm so lucky to be there. I left my painting on the easel, so I can go back to it after my next residency. When I am there next, I must do some studio cleaning. It needs a good scrub.
At lunch time I took my paint box over to the cottage and asked Casey to fix the palette. We couldn't quite make it work, so Rick took on the task and made it work with a bit of creative engineering. Yay!! I will be able to use it on my next adventure.
We decided to eat outside on the picnic table for lunch. We enjoyed fabulous salad and pizza from Blue Highway in Micanopy. It is a favorite for me. I love their pizza and the salad has a variety of greens, Feta cheese, toasted pecans and great Gorgonzola dressing. Today we had buffalo chicken pizza and pepperoni/sausage. One of Rick's friends brought a chocolate pie on Saturday, so the boys and I devoured it for dessert. One of my favorite things about being artist in residence is the fun we have at lunch time. Spending time with these wonderful people is just a delight. I always learn something and the camaraderie is very special. It will be these days at Fair Oaks that I will remember when I am old, with pleasure.
Henry, and Buddy played kick ball with me and then Shane joined in. It was wonderful and lively to play with my three best canine friends. Henry was beside himself with joy at being allowed to wander freely and play with his friends. They snacked on new treats and got lots of great pets. It was a wonderful Fair Oaks day.
Tomorrow I am off to New Smyrna Beach for my next residency. More to come on that adventure.
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