more from Hameau Farm

12x16 pastel

From all the paintings on my trip, this is the one I feel has the most possibility. Why you wonder? I think it is because I resonate with fields. Finding rhythms in the grasses and flowers send shivers through my spine. They have openings to the kind of play that is so exciting to me. Isn't that why we paint? Right now I am preparing a large board for its transformation into oil.
Here are two other pastels- not my favorites so they will stay nestled in tracing paper.

overlook 8x16 pastel

up the driveway, 8x8 pastel

hameau farm

9x9 pastel

Last week I was fortunate to spend my time working at Hameau Farm.  My friend, Susan Nicholas Gephart runs and excellent painting retreat at the farm. Being there is like being in another country. It's a quiet and serene valley between two mountains. The farm is owned and run by the lovely (and amazing cook) Gay Rodgers. It's a beautiful piece of land with views of the mountains, a stream and lots of un-mowed land. I enjoyed traveling around and finding new painting spots and later returning to the farm at night for a delicious meal and fun talks with other artists.
As soon as I get to photograph more paintings I will post them. There is one that just feels so good that I know it will become a study for a bigger piece.

May 23, 2008 The Mystery of Light and Cows

14x14, pastel and oil on marble dust board- finished
On the first morning I was at Hameau Farm I was painting on the hillside facing west. There were low clouds and the light was limited. All of a sudden I felt light behind me and turned around to see this. My mouth dropped open, "Oh my goodness!" Mystery lives on.
I still can't believe that Gay (the wonderful farm owner) gets to live there ALL the time!

May 22, 2008 Mystery and Cows (unfinished)

14x14 pastel and oil on marble dust board
Dusk and dawn are the two times of day that it is easy to feel the mystery of life. Ethereal light touches earth in a new way each day. We all feel it and sometimes believe MORE at this moment. How does an artist capture that with just 12 sticks of pastel? I love the challenge.
This one has been in the works all week and is still unfinished. More later.
Thanks to all my viewers who take the time to check my blog each day. I appreciate all of your support! XO

May 21, 2008 The Line-up

9x12, pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
I am so glad I was able to get away to the farm and paint. This is the line of trees on the hill opposite the sunrise. The thick rain clouds are leaving.
In my spare time (??) I have been ready about the science of clouds. Fascinating stuff, those clouds! I figure, if I am going to paint them I need to understand how they're formed. It's sort of like studying the skeleton so that you can paint the figure.

May 20, 2008 Summer is Coming

9x18, pastel on masonite boards with ground
Hameau Farm has the best skyscapes. Fair weather clouds like these let you know summer is on the way. I can't wait!

May 19, 2008, Cow Heaven (Looking out from Gay's Porch)

5x12, pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
I can't imagine what it is like to live in a place surrounded by so much beauty. This is the view from Gay's back porch. Imagine she can sit there sipping a coffee taking in the beauty of her land....any time she wants!
The cows are animals that understand time. There they were grazing on the hillside and all of a sudden, as if they were called, every single one of them high- tailed out of there and down to the low field. And the amazing part is they do it every night. Go figure. Cows are pretty cool.
This one took a lot of work in the studio, after the initial plein air piece.

May 18, 2008 Golden Light

7x17 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
Yesterday morning, before breakfast I made my way to the top of the hill overlooking the farm. The light was filled with moisture from the prior day's rain and the sun was low. Both elements made for a blinding light, golden -rose colored. Wow! I completed a watercolor under -painting there and today, in the studio, I did the pastel from my memory. When on the field, the jersey cows kept coming up to my backpack sniffing for some goodies. The cows made for some interesting adventures....more later.

May 17, 2008 Cloud Dance over Hameau

12x16 pastel on board
This afternoon I returned from my glorious experience at the artist retreat at Hameau Farm. What can I say, but, it was amazing! Susan Nicholas Gephart, a talent artist and warm, wonderful person organized the whole thing. It was held in Big Meadow, an Amish farm community. The Hameau Farm is run and owned by a really cool woman named Gay. Check out both of their websites, www.snicholasart.com and www.hameaufarm.com
The sky was so big out here that it called like a siren..,"Paint me, paint me!" So I did.
I will post more paintings as I finish them.