Fair Oaks Residency- Day 7

Tree Paintings

Collins Field

518x24 inches

oil on canvas

Fish Prairie

Fish Prairie in Light

Notes From My Residency Journal

The temperature has gone from the 20's on last Sunday to the 80's with high humidity today on Saturday. Florida is amazing that way. 

Today was full of activity around Fair Oaks with lively college boys here and there planting and doing other chores around the fields. I love being around them. They are so smart and enthusiastic. What they learn here, they will take along with them into their bright futures. They are always interested in whatever I am painting and are amazed that anyone would actually choose painting as a career. They are all future engineers, scientists, lawyers and doctors, seeking sensible professions, ;>)

Tonight I will have dinner with friends at the Yearling in Cross Creek. It is a wonderful restaurant with indigenous regional specialties. My favorite is the sampler with frog legs, gator, and fried green tomatoes. What a special treat!!

As I wrap up this year's residency at Fair Oaks, I think about all I learned about the discipline of painting. I worked very hard and consistently, with routine each day. I believe that is the key to my success at every residency and in my own studio. A sense of purpose and real goals help me to improve and  understand my work. Tomorrow I will pack and head for home with fond memories of a wonderful week in my very favorite place.