Fair Oaks Mini Residency - July 27, 2014

One of the beauties at Fair Oaks

Royal Poinciana Tree

20x24 inches

Oil on canvas

Notes From My Residency Journal

After a particularly difficult week, I breathed a sigh of gratitude when I pulled into my parking spot at Fair Oaks this morning. This is my place of respite and peace from an often hectic schedule.  Honestly, if I lived at Fair Oaks I would become a hermit and never want to leave. When I stay for a week in February, I rarely do.  

I headed up to the studio and enjoyed finishing the above painting. It is my habit to have paintings in progress, leaving them to dry between sessions. I brought a poppy field painting to work on next week. After the paintings are finished, I leave them to dry for a week. I bring them home to my own painting studio to frame and take to my town retail studio. 

The lunch bell rang and I hurried over to the cottage for a great lunch of baked chicken, a medley of squash, carrots and green beans and baked sweet potatoes. We enjoyed summer berries with cool whip for dessert. So refreshing. As usual, I was thoroughly spoiled! Today our topic was ethics and logic. I love these discussions at lunch every week. 

I headed back upstairs to get a bit done on the poppy painting and then headed out in the golf cart to see the fields. The bugs are bad now but if you keep moving they don't land. The big purple weed is blooming now, signalling the beginning of August. The grasshoppers are out in force flying in all directions in front of the cart and the keening sound of insects was loud as I drove along. I was thrilled to see the lilly pads growing in the big pond again. It's been some time since we have had them in the pond.  I plugged in the cart, enjoyed a bit of time with sweet Buddy and Shane and headed for my studio in Leroy after another day in paradise.

Fair Oaks Mini Residency and Fun at Oak Hammock Studio- July 20, 2014

Work in Progress

20x24 inches

oil on canvas

Progressing at the Fair Oaks Studio

 

My Mentor Students with painting panels provided by my sponsor Art Alternatives

 

Notes from my Residency Journal

 

 

I arrived to the cozy and cool studio at Fair Oaks. The sun was shining in the yard of the old house and I could hear the staff in the distance making all kinds of sounds with weed cutting gizmos and saws. Here they were in the hot July sun working tirelessly to make Fair Oaks the beautiful, graceful, and welcoming estate that she is. I have become hopelessly spoiled by the special little gifts always given to me by the stewards of this fine place.

 

 

I started the second stage of a new painting I've been preparing for with some trepidation. The Royal Poinciana Tree. It is a royal tree indeed, also called the Flame Tree. I've not seen anything like it before in my tree studies. I did several small studies before I tackled the subject with a serious painting. It will need another session next week at Fair Oaks for completion. I enjoyed painting away the time and listening to Bob Edwards on the radio. I came to a stopping place, knowing I must leave after lunch,

 

 

Before the lunch bell rang, I headed out to the yard to enjoy the lush green lawn and beautiful flowers. I sat on the green park bench and enjoyed the sounds of Fair Oaks.

 

 

Lunch was a 5 star feast with a classic Florida dish, swamp cabbage. The staff had taken down a small palm so we had this delicious and historic dish with chicken a'lorange and a huge salad with deep green lettuce, fresh kiwi, tomatoes, avocado, carrots and wonderful blue cheese dressing. For dessert a rich, dense chocolate pound cake and ice cream. They really should charge for these feasts and I am so very grateful for them!

 

 

As my Fair Oaks adventure ended another began at the Oak Hammock Studio in Gainesville. The members of their art league have graciously donated their studio to me and my mentor students for a once a month session through December of 2014. We meet once a month to paint and enjoy dinner after our lesson, in the private dining room. I look forward to this monthly adventure and I always learn so much from the artists there.

 

 

Another wonderful day for me from my Artist in Residence Project. Thanks to all who make it possible.

Fair Oaks Mini Residency July 13

Pond Area

24x24 inches

Oil on canvas

Notes From My Residency Journal

My drive to Fair Oaks was hot and humid. Opening the door to the studio was like stepping into an oasis, cool and welcoming, thanks to the staff. I worked on completing the painting above all morning, listening to Bob Edwards interviewing authors and musicians, always interesting. 

The best experience of the day was lunch. We enjoyed the best BBQ pork sandwiches I've ever had. The buns were toasted with butter and the pork was tender and delicious! We had a lovely salad and mixed vegetables. Wonderful! Lunch is always special at Fair Oaks. I'm always offered an excellent cup of coffee at the end of the meal, a special treat! There is a wonderful sense of community via lunch at Fair Oaks. We sit around the table and discuss history, philosophy,culture, art, politics, anthropology, science, and world travel. I try to soak it in like a sponge. I am with people who know a great deal about the world. Most of them are highly educated and this country girl is lucky to be included in these elevated conversations. It is like being back in college, I look forward to it every week.

I puttered around the studio after lunch, starting a new painting, then cleaning up the space and heading home after another day in paradise. Thank you dear Fair Oaks friends for the privilege of being part of the culture of this remarkable place. 

Fair Oaks Mini Residency - July 6, 2014

I forgot my IPad today so I don't have any good photos to share. 

I'm getting so spoiled at Fair Oaks. Today the AC in the studio was already on again and the studio was cool and inviting. I was greeted by the 24x24 inch painting in progress. I enjoyed working along on it until I heard the lunch bell. We were treated to an inspired lunch of paella with clams shrimp and chicken and fresh green salad, sliced tomatoes and thick crunchy toast. Dessert was a huge bowl of ice cream with fresh mango slices and chocolate syrup.WOW! My friend Kate Barnes was guest of honor and we all enjoyed her lively stories and interests. 

I made a blanket for my canine friend sweet Buddy. I want him to have a warm blanket this winter when it's cold. I'll start on Shane's next.  

I headed back up to paint a bit after the marvelous lunch and then headed Leroy for home. As I drove along I knew how lucky I am to have my Fair Oaks family who nurtures and supports me.