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| Paint-out Week at Fair Hill, Maryland - Art Show and Benefit Auction The paintings produced during the Paint-out Week will be available for viewing and/or purchase at the Arts Alliance of Oxford, The Simon Building, 38 South Third Street, Oxford PA 19363 |
| Opening & Benefit Auction: Saturday, October 4th, 2008 from 5 - 9 pm. |
Orientation Day at Fair Hill Maryland Natural Resource Area - 9/14/08
The artists were met by a Resource Area Ranger, the event organizer and colleague
artist, Carole Huber, and Arts Alliance of Oxford representative, Richard Beards. We
artist, Carole Huber, and Arts Alliance of Oxford representative, Richard Beards. We
were given a talk about the history of the Resource Area. Previously, a fox hunting 11
were given a talk about the history of the Resource Area. Previously, a fox hunting 11
contiguous farms. The property is surrounded with deer and fox fencing. Deer fencing
is tall, hurricane fence with a top element that keeps the deer from jumping into or out of
the area. Fox fencing is a concrete barrier that extends below the soil line to day and is
the home of several horsey activities. In addition to myself, there were a dozen or so
other juried artists that participated in this event.
After the orientation, another participating artist, Vicky Vinton, and I decided to stay and
paint. We took the Green Trail and walked across the covered bridge and up the hill on
the other side on a Horse and Buggy path. (Watch out where you step)
The artists were met by a Resource Area Ranger, the event organizer and colleague
artist, Carole Huber, and Arts Alliance of Oxford representative, Richard Beards. We
artist, Carole Huber, and Arts Alliance of Oxford representative, Richard Beards. We
were given a talk about the history of the Resource Area. Previously, a fox hunting 11
were given a talk about the history of the Resource Area. Previously, a fox hunting 11
contiguous farms. The property is surrounded with deer and fox fencing. Deer fencing
is tall, hurricane fence with a top element that keeps the deer from jumping into or out of
the area. Fox fencing is a concrete barrier that extends below the soil line to day and is
the home of several horsey activities. In addition to myself, there were a dozen or so
other juried artists that participated in this event.
After the orientation, another participating artist, Vicky Vinton, and I decided to stay and
paint. We took the Green Trail and walked across the covered bridge and up the hill on
the other side on a Horse and Buggy path. (Watch out where you step)
| Green Buildings |
The buildings in my first painting, "Green Buildings", were visible from my vantage point, and I liked the
building on the left, nor in the larger building to the right. The dormer windowed building was someones
home, and we could hear children playing. The brush pile directly in front of me and the grapevine that
Buildings", a horse-drawn carriage would pas by to the pleasant sounds of the clomp-clomp of horse
Buildings"hooves. I invariably got a smile and a wave from the drivers.
building on the left, nor in the larger building to the right. The dormer windowed building was someones
home, and we could hear children playing. The brush pile directly in front of me and the grapevine that
Buildings", a horse-drawn carriage would pas by to the pleasant sounds of the clomp-clomp of horse
Buildings"hooves. I invariably got a smile and a wave from the drivers.
| Coral Shirt |
the beautiful path going downhill, uphill, and then disappear into the woods. With Vicky sitting right in the
middle of the scene, I decided to add her to the composition. In "Coral Shirt", the small spot of coral color
adds a great deal to the composition. I was interested in the scale of the trees as they related to the path
and the small figure juxtaposed to everything else taking place in the piece.
middle of the scene, I decided to add her to the composition. In "Coral Shirt", the small spot of coral color
adds a great deal to the composition. I was interested in the scale of the trees as they related to the path
and the small figure juxtaposed to everything else taking place in the piece.
My next opportunity to paint at Fair Hill took me to Parking Lot P3 off of Appleton Road, it
would not make a particularly good composition. So, observing the map, I noticed then
would not make a particularly good composition. So, observing the map, I noticed it to
the north. It was probably about 1/2 to 3/4's of a mile to the ruins. There I that there
were ruins marked nearby. I set off on the Green Trail, first to the west and discovered
the ruins of an old building and silo overgrown with grapevines. I was immediately
drawn to the feel of decay and age. As soon as I began to consider compositional
choices, the vines announced themselves as subject matter. The silo and building
would have to take a supporting role. "Grape Vine and Silo", is the resulting painting,
and is my favorite of the week spent at Fair Hill.
would not make a particularly good composition. So, observing the map, I noticed then
would not make a particularly good composition. So, observing the map, I noticed it to
the north. It was probably about 1/2 to 3/4's of a mile to the ruins. There I that there
were ruins marked nearby. I set off on the Green Trail, first to the west and discovered
the ruins of an old building and silo overgrown with grapevines. I was immediately
drawn to the feel of decay and age. As soon as I began to consider compositional
choices, the vines announced themselves as subject matter. The silo and building
would have to take a supporting role. "Grape Vine and Silo", is the resulting painting,
and is my favorite of the week spent at Fair Hill.
| Grape Vine and Silo |
| Scott's Mill Ruin |
knew there was so much crisis calligraphy in the world? my
painting gear, I set out on the Yellow Trail for 3/4 of a mile.
Travelling west through the woods, I headed to Scott's Mill.
Creek. The mill is a picturesque ruin with very thick walls, and
with details of some of the windows still in place. The
challenge of "Scott's Mill Ruin", was portray the stone walls
without being overly "fussy". The window on the right side of
the building had weeds growing out of the sill and looked like a
window box, which became "Window Box".
I love the way one has to look at it for a while before you notice
through the window. In contrast to "Scott's Mill Ruin", I stated
every single stone in detail and as viewed. I lavished attention
on these shapes, enjoying every moment ! Now I ask you, who
would have expected there to be traffic at a location like this?
Several times truck drove by. Surprise!! There were also
mounted equestrians, dog walkers, bicyclists, and
pedestrians. I also had surprise visits from other artists, who
had taken a break form their own painting to go for a walk
through the park.
painting gear, I set out on the Yellow Trail for 3/4 of a mile.
Travelling west through the woods, I headed to Scott's Mill.
Creek. The mill is a picturesque ruin with very thick walls, and
with details of some of the windows still in place. The
challenge of "Scott's Mill Ruin", was portray the stone walls
without being overly "fussy". The window on the right side of
the building had weeds growing out of the sill and looked like a
window box, which became "Window Box".
I love the way one has to look at it for a while before you notice
through the window. In contrast to "Scott's Mill Ruin", I stated
every single stone in detail and as viewed. I lavished attention
on these shapes, enjoying every moment ! Now I ask you, who
would have expected there to be traffic at a location like this?
Several times truck drove by. Surprise!! There were also
mounted equestrians, dog walkers, bicyclists, and
pedestrians. I also had surprise visits from other artists, who
had taken a break form their own painting to go for a walk
through the park.
| Window Box |
| My thanks to e. jean lanyon and Carole Huber for offering me this opportunity. I hope you had a chance to come and see the resulting show. |
| Vintage Barn |
Friday morning, 9/19, was my last chance to paint-out, and I only had a half day to spend. I parked near the Nature Center and decided to paint the
oxidized copper color of the barn's surface with the rust showing through was what "grabbed" me. "Vintage Barn" was the result. With a beautiful
clear blue sky to set it off, the abstract shapes of the barn engaged me. Walking around the barn a bit, there were interesting views in abundance.
I feel like I could paint dozens of watercolors of this barn.
oxidized copper color of the barn's surface with the rust showing through was what "grabbed" me. "Vintage Barn" was the result. With a beautiful
clear blue sky to set it off, the abstract shapes of the barn engaged me. Walking around the barn a bit, there were interesting views in abundance.
I feel like I could paint dozens of watercolors of this barn.
| Plein Aire Adventure |