Mini Residency at Fair Oaks- May 26, 2013

Pond View

16x20 inches

oil on canvas

Landscape Art

Lane

A wonderful view of the current wildflowers

A portal view I like

My dear sweet friend Shaney!! He likes to explore with me.

Notes From My Residency Journal

Today was one of those splendid early summer days  that make me so grateful to be at Fair Oaks. I arrived and set out in my favorite blue golf cart to find the right painting spot. This time of year it becomes important to find good shade that will last a few hours. I camped out next to the fire pit near the pond and started my painting. As I worked, I could hear the mower in the distance and see glimpses of the big yellow tractor mowing the fields. The fragrance wafted across the fields and I enjoyed the instant memories it brought to me of my Daddy mowing the fields at my house. That green smell is so wonderful. I soon heard the lunch bell and headed in to the cottage. Fair Oaks had visitors for lunch and we feasted on fabulous BBQ. Who in the South doesn't like BBQ? I was raised on it, along with fried chicken. We had ribs, chicken and pork along with collard greens, slaw, mac and cheese and baked beans. OH MY!!! Added to that, interesting conversation about what constitutes "good art" so it was a very successful lunch indeed. 

I moved to the upstairs studio in the house and enjoyed an afternoon of painting in the cool air conditioned room. As always, the time races along and it was soon time to pack up. I took some time to explore with Shane and take reference photos.  I have been doing a series of paintings around the fields, studying the grasses and wild flowers at Fair Oaks. Today the Spiderwort and Dandelions were nearly spent, beginning to go to seed. They have been replaced by the tiny white daisies that are so common in this part of Florida. They have tiny white heads with yellow centers, very delicate and bloom on long stems. They are beautiful in the fields. 

Other painters ask me from time to time why I paint so much at Fair Oaks? They ask me why I don't get tired of painting there? How could I ever get tired of such a beautiful diverse land, that changes almost every week year round? I could paint there every day for a hundred years and not grow tired of it. I always say that Fair Oaks has the best light I have ever seen. No place else compares to it.