Root Vegetables

 I just love root vegetables. When I was a chef in my catering days, I used to grow them in raised beds. I grew turnips, parsnips, beets, rutabagas and carrots. I used them both for cooking and for food garnishing. These vegetables make incredible flowers. There is nothing lovelier than a silver bowl on a tray surrounded by beet and turnip roses. My years in art school served me well, not only in painting, but in sculpture too and food design. As any true foodie knows, food is as much about art as it is about eating. Most anyone can learn to do basic cooking, but truly wonderful food needs an artist to create it. I always wanted to work in a test kitchen. That would be so interesting to me to develop recipes for restaurants or the food industry.

 

I would like to start teaching a food garnishing class again some time. What a great way to have people come into your business who are already interested in your product. Once I was invited to do a cooking class/demo for a kitchen cabinet shop. it was really great. They had a staged kitchen set up and I went in to cook and do a tasting. It was great fun. I can't let my love for cooking and baking go, even though I am a full time artist. I love cooking and all things foodie. Cooking is art after all.

 Country painters are foodies too….

 

Don’t be Concerned

 I think a lot of artists are overly concerned about how others in the art community view them and their work. In my youth, that was all important to me.  I rested my future on the opinions of others, my peers, art professors, gallery owners, and museum directors.

 

I was missing the whole point of being a painter. It really isn’t about any of those people. It is only about me, what I am willing to learn so I can grow. None of those people make a living for me. Yes, I have shown in many museum exhibits, galleries, and occasionally sell to folk who run the art community, but the people who support me regularly, don’t publish art magazines. My supporters come from every career path. They love nature. They love the agricultural and primal Florida that I am devoted to.

 

Abstract is king to the current movers and shakers of the art world. A few years ago, plein air was the big deal. Many artists change genres like their underwear, trying to be on the latest trend. Some succeed. Many don’t!

 

Those of us who don’t much care about the art communities’ tastes and trends tend to be pretty happy with our careers. I go on my way, experimenting, trying stuff I’ve never done, combining experiments, painting stuff that is hard for me, often failing. There is enormous freedom in not caring about what “important” people think.

 

Experimenting is swell for country painters....

2023 Word

 Each year about this time, I think of a relevant word to use in my mind and my actions for the new year. I write it down as a reminder to myself each day to use the wisdom and action I possess for good. I tape it on my computer to see it each day while I’m doing office chores and tape it to my easel in the studio, as I work there as well. 

 My word for 2023 is STUDY

 It is a reminder that I have much to learn about history, science, the natural world, business, and painting. I have always considered myself an avid student of many subjects. I will enjoy exploring and growing in 2023. I believe the key to happiness is a purposeful life. Continuing to live with a learning mindset keeps me happy with what I have, not wishing for more toys.

 Life is wonderful for country painters……..

Blessings

 Friends,

Whatever your faith, I wish you the best holiday season. I hope 2023 will be the best year yet for all of us.

Blessings,

Linda

Workshops 2023

 Yesterday I enjoyed a breakfast tea party of eggs,bacon,toast,and fresh fruit with my best friend, Mary Jane Volkmann, artist extraordinaire! We caught up on life, families, and careers. We then got down to the business of planning three one day workshops for 2023. 

We will team teach two of these workshops in March and April outdoors. Our July workshop will be indoors, in my air conditioned studio. This is the first teaching I have done since March of 2020. I’ve always loved teaching one day workshops and I am looking forward to this series of three fun adventures. Each workshop will be limited to 12 students, lunch included. 

 More information to come from this Country painter…….

Winter Woods

  

 

 

Today I encountered a lovely site on Deer Woods Trail. A flock of wild turkeys were foraging along the trail in front of me. What lovely birds! They took off in flight at noticing me, so I was able to view their large wing spans. It took me back to my childhood days of being out in the woods with my daddy and his friend Mr Bailey.

 This time of year is my favorite. The leaves are slowly turning, and the grape vines are dotted with yellow and oxide colors. There is such a wonderful feel to the walk in the woods each day. I see the fields turning to wheat and rust. Some trees are silver and gray now, having already lost their foliage. There is an odd little grassy plant that grows in one section. it is a spiral of stems coming out from the root, looking like Don King's hair.

 I read an article this morning about the benefits of hiking in the natural world. I have often thought that being urban, away from the natural world was harmful and now I have proof. 

 "The researchers noted that increased urbanization closely correlates with increased instances of depression and other mental illness. Taking the time to regularly remove ourselves from urban settings and spend more time in nature can greatly benefit our psychological (and physical) well-being."

 Artists have a wonderful life....

Earth’s Palette

 I live for fall and winter in north Florida. It is a wonderful subtle palette for a painter of the earth. This palette reaches deeply into my core on many levels. I have spent much of my life on trails and in pastures. These colors bring back many memories of times when I was young, strong and agile, riding horses, running cross country, and of an active life of discovery. 

 

I’ve been watching the bright leaves beginning to fade and the grasses and sedges are turning to red iron oxide and pale ochre. The trees are silver and linear without their foliage, and the evergreens are deep and dark green in contrast. The afternoon shadows grow longer as the winter arrives. I see smoky blues and purples in the distant trees in early morning and late afternoon. The hickories are always the divas, showing off last in their golden robes, striking against the muted winter color. 

 

Country painters love the land…..

Life is Generous

 Hard times can bring out the best in us. It is all about our attitude. If you find yourself obsessing about COVID, politics, the economy, you might want to step back. If you are angry every day, you might want to step back.

 Our citizens have lived through terrible adversity many times in our history. I have been through many economic downturns. One of my gallery dealers once told me that hard economic times weeds out artists who are not prepared and not professional. I don’t know if that is true. I would not wish for failure for any artist. 

There are organizations who are putting in place aid to artists, for supplies and other needs. I am working on these projects with kind souls who wish to improve lives for creatives. There are wonderful people who want to donate to these plans. Blessings for them. Don’t give up your dreams.

 Life is generous for country painters....

 

Artisans Guild Gallery

 I love walking up the steps to the Artisans Guild Gallery. It is in the old Pleasant Street neighborhood two blocks from Main Street. The houses are quite old but in good repair. Most of them have lovely large front porches. 

The Artisans Guild porch is especially inviting. There is a large swing to your left, and small table and chairs to your right. The porch continues around the right side of the house where an old wooden easel stands as a symbol of the treasures inside. The front door is festooned with garland during holidays and has an old brass knob to turn. 

Once inside, the magic begins! Color, design, patterns, surround you in this dignified, timeless space. Beautiful wood floors creak slightly, reminding me of old family homes I have adored through the years. 

The gallery is masterfully curated by a team of two. The art, whether whimsical, traditional, or modern, weaves through the spaces, fitting into the old house making it cozy and inviting for you to stay as long as you like. You will find something you must have or must give to a friend or loved one.

Visit the Artisans Guild seven days a week, from 11AM-6PM at 224 NW 2nd Avenue in Gainesville, FL.

Country painters love a fine gallery……

Love Crows

 Most of you know that the crow/raven family are my favorite birds. I recently did some research and discovered that though they may look quite a bit different, magpies belong to the bird family Corvidae, a group that includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws and jays, as well as lesser recognized members like treepies, choughs and nutcrackers.

 Magpies are among the most intelligent family of birds recognized by modern science. I had not known that jays are related, but it does make sense with their similar behaviors. I’ve never seen a magpie but they are very pretty with their white on black markings. I also learned that magpies can recognize themselves in a mirror and their tails are long compared to crows and ravens.

 

Life is swell for country naturalists…..