Paper Making

 

 I have finally built up my stock of handmade paper enough to begin to sell it. My paper is 5x7 inches per sheet, plain, smooth, or rough in texture. It comes in packs of five sheets for 10.00 with free shipping. You can have all the same color or a variety pack of colors. This is the same paper I use for my collages and paper quilts.

 

Yesterday I tried another experiment. The couching sheets work for some time, but eventually they begin to fall apart, due to constant wetting and then drying over and over. I decided to use the old ones to make paper. The pulp had much more texture than the usual recycled paper. It was ok and the paper was good, but it was harder to work with. It might be interesting to use one couching sheet in a normal mixture of paper.

 

Country painters love to make hand made paper….

Story Board

 This is a painting story board to demonstrate the process of completing a painting from start to finish. I have divided the process into four simple stages. In reality, there are many more subtle changes in the process of painting.

 My palette for this painting is:

 Cadmium Red Light

Cadmium Yellow Medium

Ultramarine Blue

Paynes Gray

Titanium White

 Stage one is the simple stage of toning the canvas with ultramarine blue. It is actually a pale stain of paint rather than fully applying the color. I use one color to draw in the simple composition. I let this dry for a few minutes before proceeding.

 Stage two is a simple application of the colors that might work for the composition. There is no real detail at this stage. I use big flat shapes of the basic colors of my palette. I work all over the pai ntin g adding paint to set the painting. I still have plenty of time to change whatever I wish to in my colors, the composing and values of the painting. Values mean the dark, light and mid tones of the composition.

 Stage three begins to become more permanent in the composing, values, and color selections for the land, trees, clouds and sky. My mind is made up at the end of this stage.

 Stage four is the embellishment, finishing stage of the painting. Thicker paint is applied, and refined brushwork and details are added. This stage pays attention to the crisp and softened edge work and clean non muddy finishing. Smaller brushes are used. Highlights are added to the lighted areas and deeper shadows are added under the trees

I hope you enjoyed this.

 Country painters love projects……

Fair Oaks in Evinston, FL.

 I have spent 15 years on and off at Fair Oaks in Evinston ,FL. Eight of those years were as an artist in residence, painting weekly, and staying in the old house for a week each year. 

 Fair Oaks is like no other place. It is a view of old, natural Florida at its best. There are no livestock at the estate. Invasive species of plants are removed constantly and the 160 acres are managed with care and love by the steward. He likes to say that no one owns Fair Oaks. It owns all of us who treasure it. 

 Please join us on Saturday, February 11th for a day of fun and exploration at beautiful Fair Oaks in Evinston, FL. There will be yard games, a bounce house for your kids, a food truck to feed you, hay rides, a talk by Tom Kay at 1PM, the UF Jazz Band performance and six of Florida’s finest artists under the tent. A percentage of their paintings sales will go to Fair Oaks Foundation,Inc. Purchase your tickets for a day of learning and fun at: https://fairoaksfoundation.org/garden-party-2023/

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…..