Birding

 

BIRDING

My bird adventure continued this morning as I walked along. I was first greeted by a chorus of Sand Hill cranes hooting along in rhythm from my neighbors large wetlands. It was a marvelous chaotic symphony, rather like a modern composer would write.

Next came the song birds warming up, accompanied by the two silly roosters who live next door. One is a tone deaf tenor, they other a baritone. These roosters are hilarious and completely inept. They try to herd the hens around, who completely ignore them. Definitely southern, as we ladies do that to most men here in the south. 

The final adventure was the most exciting. I have learned to approach the front porch quietly so as not to disturb the nesting wren family. As I approached, three wren burst out of the nest, two ladies and one gentleman. Evidently the second female had tried to horn in on the existing nest, not realizing it was occupied. The pair gave her what for in no uncertain terms! While they were in the trees cursing each other, I got a peek in the nest to see at least two tiny eggs.

 

Country artists love birds…..

Residencies

 I've been very lucky to have several artist residencies on private estates, condos on the coast and homes over the last 10 years. I became restless and tired of the paint out system abut 7 years ago. I decided to pursue private residencies and artist retreats instead. It was the best decision for me. 

 Private residencies allowed me to explore an area at my leisure and own schedule. I don't have to paint for the crowds or be shuffled around to places I don't want to paint. The only thing I miss about paint outs is the friends I made along the way. 

 I had a wonderful residency at a private estate near me for 8 years. it was the best of all. The estate was 160 acres of prime Florida. No livestock. Everything from wet lands to upland. Huge live oak trees, tall pines, beautiful palms,and many large hardwoods. Beautiful citrus groves. Many native birds and animals. It was paradise. I learned much I know about land management and conservation during my tenure there. 

 Another favorite was my occasional stay at my host's condo in St Augustine Beach. That one was divine. I have several painting friends in that area who are always happy to meet to paint together. it is beach front and lovely. I like to go down to the pier to hang around and watch the fishermen. I know where all the good restaurants are for breakfast, and it is a sweet little beach town. 

 My third favorite residency was in Vero Beach, provided by my wonderful host. It was waterfront, with a balcony porch right off the dock. I could sit out and drink my coffee, watching the dolphins and manatees. 

 Life is very good when country painters have generous friends who share their vacation homes and farms with artists. 

Busy Busy

 I’ve had a very busy couple of months this year. Lots of tea party guests. I bought an apartment sized refrigerator for my studio. It arrives on Thursday. Everything in the room is pushed to one side for now. 

I am showing in a new gallery for me, in Greenville, SC. I shipped six paintings to them today. It looks like a nice little gallery. It opened in 2019 so it has survived through Covid years. A good sign.

 

Tomorrow I hope to get out to the studio to make a batch of paper. I am trying a new method of drying the pages on some interface fabric instead of couching sheets. A friend told me the pages would come right off the fabric without tearing or sticking. I am anxious to try it. I bought a bolt of fabric, and I’ve been trying to find the time.

 

country painters stay busy…..

Second Studio

 My first away from home studio was in Ybor City, the old part of Tampa in an old cigar factory. It was a very old building. I was on the third floor in a loft with a couple of other art students. There was no heating or air conditioning. The fold out windows allowed pigeons to enter the building, so there were droppings around the edges of the room where they roosted on the window ledges. I soon learned to stay in the middle of my space, away from the windows. The floors were wood planks. We froze in the winter and broiled in the summer. 

 

 

I loved that studio. it was vast with incredibly high ceilings. The rent was about 40.00 a month. We thought of ourselves as the elite of the art student world. After all, we had studios off campus. I remember that the entrance floor of the factory had mosaic tile laid in the name of the factory and it was so pretty. The neighborhood was Cuban and there were many shops and tiny cafes where you could get wonderful food for very little money. We loved to hang around there after painting sessions. There were also street bodegas where they sold deep fried crab cakes with hot sauce. They were the best I ever tasted and I long for them to this day.

Studios

 I don't think there is any place more important to a painter than their studio. My first studio was in the old closed in porch at my first house. I was eight years old. I did a lot of drawing and painting with tempera and watercolor paints. The ones in the tin box with the brush. I believe the brand was Prang. I set up card tables around the room and held classes for the neighborhood kids. My fee was a candy bar.

 We studied horses and flowers. We would go out in the yard and bring in flowers, limbs and acorns to practice with, and I had several horse books for reference materials. It wasn't far different than the classes I taught more recently the exception that I actually know how to draw and paint now. I believe that was the beginning of my life long career in art and my amateur role as a naturalist. My relationship to my studios is an important part of my life as a painter. 

Country painters love their studios…..