Line's End Studio

2010-01-11T00:16:00.003-05:00

The only words in me, the only sights my eyes can comprehend have no joy in them, no color to brighten the mind. Only this silence of gray shadows, this chill on the soul, a harrying wind of biting grief to endure.

I must, will, endure, a hard toll for sure. For my heart holds to the sweetness, the completeness of knowing you, of loving you and being known and loved by you, a beat patterned to the core. May this heart's memory hold true and the day come, sometime, where I'll once again lean into the strength of you.

Only not this night, during this season of winter harsher than snows, for I can just cry, so cold, so lost for you.

I cry.

I can only cry for my love, my dear.

A quick little painting

2010-01-05T21:06:00.003-05:00

A tri-color english hound, available

Just a quick study done on prepared paper and only 3 x 3". I do like working small, although this is really small! I do not know this hound's name, only he hunted for Rolling Rock. As a whipper-in, names were always my weak point. Could easily visualize a hound, but that was rarely adequate when, say, a huntsman was asking who an errant hound was!

Two Ponies

2009-12-18T16:27:00.002-05:00

Two Pony Bump

The pony on the left with the skinny little stripe was my husband's horse, Contessa. His first thoroughbred, she change his opinion of the breed with her stamina, steadiness and honesty. As his groom, I never had a worry about his safety when he rode her. This is 6 x 8" painted on wood.

2009-11-27T15:45:00.001-05:00

Goose for Dinner, available

Thanksgiving was actually a wild turkey Joel brought which we prepared roasted with apples and enjoyed with good friends, good red wine and tasty veggies. This goose was a gift from some fellows set up in a blind in the large field beyond our pastures. Jack and I were out riding when we met them heading home and had a nice chat. The antics of our horses amused the hunters. Steady on a polo field, but not the best trail horses, they objected to the strange trucks, more so to the proffered goose! Back at the barn, I took reference pics of the goose.

Painting such subjects has a long tradition, from a time when the meat for the table did not come wrapped in cellophane! Have never tried this genre before as have never had the chance to work with an actual bird this way. I do use photos for reference but also feel it is important, at least for me, to have a hands on knowledge of a subject. While I have sat near the banks of a neighbors salt pond watching live geese, this was an opportunity to examine a bird closely in a way a wild one surely won't let you. This picture shows the painting almost finished, the twine tying it to a nail are missing.

The breast marinated in port wine, honey, garlic & ginger, served with wild rice, creamy garlic beans and a side of escalloped oysters met Jack's approval.

Woodline

2009-10-12T13:59:00.003-04:00

Sold

This is one of the images from the book, a three-color pencil drawing on prepared paper. First learned the technique from Robert Liberace at the Torpedo Factory. Liberace's work is outstanding. He is also a fine teacher as several of friends who have been able to study under him for longer than I could will attest. Another artist whose drawings I admire is Jeffrey Mims, they are for sure "Wow"! Both of these artists are easily found on the internet.

It is always a plus to see an actual piece of art and I have seen Liberace's work. Mim's I have seen only on the internet so far and look forward to seeing some one day in real life. Meanwhile the internet is a great tool for "seeing" work by others particularly for those of us living a bit off the beaten track and often one website will send me on to another site, another artist's work. I am optimistic enough to think of it as a list of works I'll eventually get to see and helps when planning trips. I'm thankful that through the internet I've been able to discover so many great artists' work.

Waiting for Foxes

2009-09-04T18:29:00.003-04:00

An Early Start, SOLD

Well, the book is done, in Blurb's hands, hope it makes it here in time for Polo for the Cure! Doing the paintings for this has been a good project. Doing it with the deadline of this September meant I did need to include a few older paintings. It is 60 pages and includes 24 hunt report entries, each with a landscape painting from my time whipping-in, with added sketches, drawings, paintings of hounds and horses. Several of the past blog posts have been excerpts and paintings from it. Dealing with Blurb has mostly been fine, actually making the book wasn't bad, rather fun. Click on the book's cover in the Blurb icon to see a preview.

Meissonier

2009-09-03T10:21:00.002-04:00

Etude de cheval pommele, copy

Every painter has earlier artists, icons, to whom they look for inspiration, guidance, even education. Jean-Louise-Ernest Meissonier is one of my heros. 'Study of a dappled horse' painted sometime in the 1870's was one of his sketches for, undoubtedly, a war horse. Although he painted many subjects, a good body of his work were grand epic things chronicling the conflicts of his time, these sketches of horses are what interest me most. Not so surprising considering my own likes.

A Different Day

2009-08-20T17:18:00.002-04:00

Whip's View - Long Fields, available

Leaving the cornfield, the Huntsman dashed through the woods to the rim, hollered, "C’mon!", touched heels to his horse, and plunged over. As my horse reached the spot, I clapped my legs tightly. The little horse never hesitated. Down, down, down (truly, this was worth three downs) he butt-slid past saplings and trees, descending the pathless ravine slope courageously. He slopped through the muddy bottom, bounded into the stream, haunches gathering to charge the opposite side. Halfway up, we clattered over a broken culvert to lunge finally out onto a dirt roadway. "OMyGod!!" I gasped. "Get to them!" he bellowed, giving me no time to wonder about what I’d just ridden. Hounds needed stopping and the little horse gallantly got me there!

Early Spring

2009-08-05T16:37:00.002-04:00

Crossing Hatton, SOLD

The day was warm and whatever scent had long since risen. Little enough remained that hounds could pickup. The fox were no doubt cool in their dens but deer might be near, hoping to catch a breeze. A hound opened occasionally but not enough for any other to honor. Finally, in the large swamp, their voices rose, sweeping towards us. Whips moved to cover different points. Just behind the Huntsman, I got that whip’s feeling thinking somewhere else needed covering. Somebody should have stayed at the far end where we’d just been. I started back as the hounds turned our way. I pushed my horse into a canter, wanting to get ahead of the hounds should anything break. Indeed, out jumped a buck, our hounds coming along. I needed to get on that line!

An Early Morning

2009-07-30T16:33:00.001-04:00

Far Fields, available

Just after 8:00 A.M. a most beautiful sound rises on the air. It’s a new season; the hounds have hit! Their voices lift gloriously above the trees with the horn an underlying accompaniment. Such a joy to finally hear this song again! My horse’s ears perk forward listening to the pack’s progress. Crows complain heartily along the treetops while the hounds rustle deep on the line, picking their way. On the dirt road, easy work, my horse is content to stand while we listen.

An Opening Day

2009-07-24T16:06:00.001-04:00

Mt. Victoria Coverts, available

Although it was brisk, the wind wasn’t strong enough to muffle the Huntsman’s voice, which carried easily. Eventually I heard that soft surf sound hounds make working through underbrush. Several minutes later one hound opened. Then another honored the first and soon all joined! At the old rail trail the first hound came flying from the covert. The Huntsman and the Field galloped out of the woods in time to see the hounds work the pines before slipping right towards the coverts between here and town. They lost the line along a dirt roadway but not before giving the field its first gallop of the day and the folks in the vehicles a chance to see them work.

A Cool Morning

2009-07-13T15:53:00.002-04:00

Off Jutland, available

Hounds went into the small swamp and almost immediately we heard them speak; the music rising above the treetops as they tracked the scent through the swamp. A Halloa! followed from the far side. A whip viewed the gray coyote our hounds had pushed out. Away we went, along the wood line and over the next field, listening to the hounds, finally to check but not for long.

Winter hunting

2009-07-02T13:14:00.007-04:00

Wintry Return, SOLD

It had been cold when we had started some three hours earlier but now, topping the rise, a winter front truly set in! The wind that had been torturing us all day brought out the heavy artillery, a hard driving sleety snow that we had to face directly. As snow collected on our coats, our helmets, there was no question about being time to go in! One member remarked that a glass of port or hot buttered rum was the remedy needed for the cold. Such was our luck that both waited for us!

Mulberry Fields

2009-06-29T13:09:00.005-04:00

bBelow Mulberry Fields, available

Poised to fly after his hounds, alert to hound voices, he paused asking if the Field was far behind. They were hungry, I replied. For a moment he looked crestfallen but the hounds were running and I swear I heard: Food? Let them eat common .... We’ll dine with the gods! Or some such thing, I’m sure what he said was as flowery in its own way. He galloped off, following the cry.

Now our hounds ran an amazing fox, racing along the dark wooded shoreline. Crossing broad corn-stubble fields where cannonballs once flew, the fox took flight before the hounds. Slipping through culverts and ditches slowed the hounds some but never did they lose the line. Past Jubilee’s stark grapevines we rode, over muddy creeks and steep little ravines. A run over two hours that took us into territory not covered in years.

Fall cubbing

2009-06-29T12:59:00.004-04:00

Sunset on Fall Fields, available

....exclamations of Whoa Dammit and similar endearments as the Huntsman’s horse crashed out from the corn up onto the roadway, its sides heaving. It is not easy to gallop pell-mell through a stand of ripened corn. The Huntsman was barely hanging on, covered in chaff, corn stalks sticking out from under his legs. Dammit, (this isn’t a common horse name near you?) evidently didn’t like cows. We both burst out laughing....

A Landscape Series

2009-05-24T12:44:00.004-04:00

Below Mt Victoria, available

One of the things I loved about hunting was seeing so much of the countryside from my favorite transportation: the back of a horse. This summer Jack encouraged me to take up an idea that I've been batting about since we left Ohio, a series of paintings of some my favorite spots combined with excerpts of the email hunt reports and newsletter I used to do.

The emphasis on these will be the landscape, the hunt will be secondary. The idea is for the viewer to feel they are where I was, seeing my point, while whipping-in.

Also, it is interesting how the time between the conception of an idea and the execution can vary so widely. I think if the idea stays with you, the lapse of time can actually help.

Evening on the Marshes

2009-01-14T09:37:00.003-05:00

Evening on the Marshes, available

Well, one thing that stays constant around here are the wonderful skies and I often catch myself grabbing a camera to take a few evening photos for references. Right now it is way too cold to consider trying to paint such scenes outside! Come spring I would like to try some late evening paintings, will have to be small and I'll have to paint quickly! Meanwhile, I continue to do these small studio paintings from memory and references. As of late my favorite support remains linen with an oil ground mounted on panel. Depending on how bucks up I am, New Traditions remains my favorite but both SourceTex and Art Box make panels I enjoy using. The truth is there is no way I could make panels comparable to any of these for the cost any of them asks. But this painting is on a homemade gesso panel, which for quite awhile was my first choice and may yet be again.

Another in the White Horse series

2009-01-12T12:36:00.007-05:00

White Horse Series 11, available

We have, over the years,often had one white horse in the paddocks. As studies in white and something to paint they have made good subjects. I usually visit the subject a few times a year, so the series of these white horse paintings is growing. This is Nevada, again, 8x10" oil on gessoed board.

Another ladle

2009-01-10T13:16:00.006-05:00

Pronged ladle, available

This was one of our combined efforts, that is: Jack or I have an idea, I do a drawing, Jack translates it into wood. This one is made of poplar wood and was from a block leftover from a different project. I was thinking of fingers or branches when sketching the idea, Jack had bone and stag horns in mind while carving, either way, we were both pleased with his results.

North End Recession Show

2009-01-07T12:12:00.005-05:00

Summer Sunset, sold

I belong to a cooperative gallery in southern Maryland that is very active. With about 35 members, painters, potters, jewelers, photographers, etc, there is something new being offered in the front galleries just about every month. Some months showcase work by individuals, other times its special group shows. Awhile back a member suggested devoting Jan 09 to a a "recession" show which stirred up a bit of a buzz! This was last summer and some still agreed with the pundits that thought evoking the word "recession" premature and lowering prices somewhat distasteful. But quite a few thought the idea plausible and as with many group ideas the onus of making it work fell to the soul who first proposed the idea. "If it works, I'll be a hero", she remarked, "If not, I'll never hear the end of it". "You got that right!" I replied.

We set up just before New Years day and had lots of work dropped off, which made for a full gallery. First Friday was a few evenings later and the gallery had a great turnout, both of customers and of artists. To go along with the theme, many of the artists came in '30's garb, like young Mr. Ball, pictured here, whose folks are gallery members, pictured. Christina Allen, (feeling more heroic than tradgic) offered a soup line, not the typical gallery fare! Sales were brisk and have been good during the following week. Pieces not on sale, from the back galleries have also found new homes and the weekday traffic has been steady. All in all, it has turned out to be a very useful idea!

Spatulas

2008-12-16T11:58:00.003-05:00

Available

Jack has been working on this collection of spatulas and will include a few in the Feb show. The first on from the left, is a mahogany slow twist, then the second & fourth are tiger maple/mahogany with a bevelled throat. (This is my favorite design of his). The middle one is made of New Zealand lace wood and the last one is simple mahogany. They all have his comfortable rounded grip handles. While spoons seem to have the greater following among woodcarvers, at least from what I've seen, I tend to use my spatulas more often then the spoons.

Lots of Sky

2008-12-04T11:40:00.004-05:00

Sunset Skies, available

In warm weather one of the nicest things to do is to relax with Jack and a glass of wine on the deck and watch the sun go down. We have great sunsets here. In the cold weather, painting these is a good stand in.

Nevada or white horse, early morning

2008-11-15T11:18:00.004-05:00

Nevada, SOLD

With these nippy mornings, the two girls like to doze in the early morning sun, catching all the warm rays they can. This raking light is pretty dramatic and fun to paint.

Two tone ladle

2008-11-10T10:58:00.007-05:00

Tiger maple & Mahogany, available

This is one of Jack's latest hand carved pieces. He has been invited to show in the My Maryland show at the North End Gallery in February. This is one of his nicest handles and he really likes the way the bowl came out.

Getting Ready for a Small Show

2008-11-02T15:53:00.010-05:00

"Shell Down" and "Shell Up" sold

Did a little studio cleaning and found a handful of small frames, really small, like 2x2" to 4x6". Which suggested doing some little paintings, not a bad idea as I have a one evening exhibition coming up in a few weeks. Some small pieces with small prices might be a good thing to try. These are a couple 2x2's and were fun to do and with several landscapes makes for a nice collection.

Polo for the Cure 08

2008-09-25T15:32:00.005-04:00

Another wonderful weekend in Ligonier, we so enjoy participating in the festivities of this affair. The polo game was very close for several chukkas and this made for an exciting game to watch. Good thing, because between all the spectators in their party mode, the good food and wine and the wonderful items offered, there is always enough to watch on the sidelines of this event! All the white tents with flags flying in the breeze made for a beautiful setting. Under theses and the blue sky could be heard the buzz and laughter of the guests, the bustle of the caterers and Cure crew, even the blare of the huntsman's horn when he presented his pack. Combined with the speed, power and color of the polo ponies and players, it all makes for a very gala time. I can't help but feel it could compare with the tourneys of medieval days.

Carving

2008-09-10T14:59:00.003-04:00

This was a new challenge as I have never carved before but as I came up with the suggestion of a horse head whip handle, seems, I got to be the one who carved it. Working three dimensionally was trying enough, the choice of wood, called lacewood, made it nearly impossible. The lacewood is pretty and I like texture of its pattern. Working it was not easy for neophyte carver. Probably had anyone with experience been near us when Jack and I picked it, they would've told us "no". Still, I do like its look and the way the finished handle fits in the hand. It does need to get a leather tip to attach a whip thong to it.

Whip's Views

2008-08-28T21:09:00.006-04:00

"Whip's View, Gray Morning" sold

One of the things I liked most about whipping-in and miss is the point of view that a whip has. So often it is a lot of waiting and watching....and enjoying the views of the land. How the light lays across a field, the play of cloud shadows in the sky and land, the quiet sounds of "empty" areas, how a rustle in the brush can be fox, deer, hound or raccoon and how loud and annoying one vehicle can be! I loved sitting on my good horse, aware of how the hounds were working across the countryside and enjoying the expanse of land. It was always a good way to spend time. These views from my often solitary positions remain some of my favorite landscapes to paint. In my sandwich case is always a camera.

Hounds in kennel

2008-08-14T20:46:00.007-04:00

"Interesting" sold

"Kennel Warning" sold

"Reddish Hound" sold
During the July polo the huntsman brought his hounds out for us to see and admire. I did get some photos. The reddish hound was a handsome and seemingly laid back fellow , I rather liked him. Later a friend had mentioned feeding time in the kennels and what a frenzy that was. Having been in kennels at dinner time I can attest to the raucous noise that ensues! I think a painting of this might be fun to do and decided to do a few hound studies.

July Polo

2008-07-14T20:34:00.005-04:00

"July Polo" sold

Past weekend was polo in Pennsylvania at Ligonier. As always it is a fun weekend and a beautiful place to visit. Once again Jack umpired and I enjoyed watching the play. Did get to do a small painting of the far corner of the field with the players, the mountains in the background and the wide skies.

Escape Artists

2008-06-13T13:27:00.002-04:00

This past hot Tuesday afternoon I drove up to St Michael's to join the Escape Artists at the Wade's Point Inn for a few days and evenings of painting and camaraderie. This group of a dozen or so women have been meeting the first or second week of June for at least a decade. Several of the ladies are in the North End Gallery and I knew a few others from living on the western shore. A few came from a good distance and all came ready for fun, painting and good food. I haven't laughed so much in a awhile!

Wednesday morning started cooler and with glorious sunshine. I did this little painting of a hayfield behind the inn before breakfast and did a couple paintings each day. Some others worked plein air, some were trying new ideas, others developing ongoing ones. All were there to bounce thoughts and ideas off one another. It was a great retreat!

Three Spoons

2008-06-06T10:53:00.001-04:00

For the past few months Jack has been carving spoons and other utensils. These are three of his latest. Part of the fun for him is trying new challenges with the wood. All of these feel good to hold. My favorite is the spatula, the tiger maple stripes are a nice touch and the finish is great.

Birthdays & Birds

2008-04-26T18:28:00.002-04:00

Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to put a smile on your face! For Jack's birthday he got a spoon carving knife...weeks early as that was what he was working on at the time. But Joel and I devised this little surprise several months ago. Back then we suggested Jack enter his loon in the Ward Museum National Carving Show. -No, no, not good enough! I can't think of it!- Well, we could...and did!

Jane and Rick were on their northward visit and happily came along. Rick suggested that looking at the Novice division might be a good way to start to which Jack agreed. His reaction when he first saw the loon, then recognized it was wonderful, one we all enjoyed. That the judges had awarded it a third in its division was also rewarding. We gave him his exhibitor's badge at that point which made viewing the rest of the show from the vantage of an exhibitor a delight for him. He called Joel at once, then my mom and who knows who else! That it was his birthday was just an added bonus and probably one he's enjoyed most.

Sunday Last Day

2008-04-20T15:53:00.001-04:00

"Corner of Box Iron & Pruitt's Landing" available

Got an early start on Sunday morning, as the forecast was calling for a good chance of rain. I thought to perhaps do last evenings painting again but when I stopped at the Bayview fields the sky was gray, the water and islands lost in haze. A few miles down, the sun came out as I turned onto Box Iron and saw these huge clouds marching north south above an old chicken house. Stopped, set up and quickly went at getting the clouds and sky down as it was a windy day. Since there is so often a good breeze blowing in these parts, this was really windy! The color of the field, the trees, the sky, cloud colors, even the dilapidated chicken house had good color. Only once the sky was laid in did I work on the rest and then only until the clouds closed in.

"Sentinel Trees" available"

After that the light had changed drastically. Let's face it, after a few hours on the best of days the light changes the scene being painted completely. Time to find a new spot. Saturday evening, Ann Coates put on her feast for the artists which is a really nice thing to do. I stopped by the gallery, Bishop's Stock, for a donut & coffee. I wasn't sure where to go next and Ann graciously offered property in her family. No one had gone there yet this year, would I care to? Yes, indeed! So for the rest of the day I had Cropper's Island, a piece of land jutting out into the bay, to myself. I set up for the Sentinel Trees first. Beyond them lay a corn field still harboring some winter wheat and the marshes surrounding all. The winds whipped up waves and the skies were cloud filled and spectacular. For a few hours my attention was focused totally here.

After I walked the farm field at this end of the island. There is a great long stand of cedars and beyond them crashing waves that I wanted to check out. As only a few months ago, because of thyroid problems, such a walk was impossible, it felt especially good to be striding out quickly! A fair number of deer prints show its a favorite haunt of theirs. Back closer to the causeway, a young eagle glided over the treeline towards the far marshes and I decided to set up near there to sketch the interrupted line of pines midway across the marsh. Once again, some dramatic cloudscape demanded attention first before settling into painting the marshes and water trails.

"Cropper's Island Marsh" SOLD

For all these paintings I used mostly the new Blue Ridge oil paints that I just got and really like. I like the naples & yellow ochre, the prussian blue is useful as are the earth colors also. These paints are easy to use and I don't feel like I'm fighting them or require lots of medium to make them usable. When needed I used a little medium, still the c. balsam, stand & spike mix I like.

Like last year, I had a great time. Like last year, I painted some paintings I liked, some not so and like last year, I met very, very few people. Course, most of the time I was painting out in the middle of no where and totally enjoying the time spent painting. Hopefully a few of these will get juried into the May show!

Saturday Paint Out

2008-04-19T15:08:00.001-04:00

"Knox Marsh" available

Up early Saturday morning to get out and take advantage of the morning light. Drove out through Stockton to the boat landing on George Island Rd and set up to do a small painting of Knox Marsh. This morning, like yesterday, did not produce the most exciting of skies but at least it wasn't raining, just clear blue gray skies.

This weekend I've been using linen covered panels from SourceTek. I am liking them well enough, with the lead oil ground. The New Traditions linen on board remains my favorite for the finer linen and beautifully finished wood panels. If price were no problem, I'd use only those.

"Bayview Fields" available

For the afternoon painting, I headed for this beautiful field stretching down towards the Chincoteague Bay. A year ago, after a glimpse through the hedgerow, I slammed the brakes to back up for a better look. Standing at the head of this field, enjoying the play of light over the grasses and the far waters and islands is about as good as anything gets. I admit to a soft spot for lovely fields, attended by stately trees that wind gracefully down to the bays of the ocean, be they in Wareham, Westport or Worcester County.

Snow Hill Paint Out

2008-04-18T23:00:00.001-04:00

For the second year I am doing Paint Snow Hill sponsored by Bishop's Stock Gallery. It is three days of plein air painting in and about Snow Hill, Maryland. There year there are about 70 painters. Ann Coates, the owner, invites a guest to jury paintings from the weekend for her May show.

My first painting in the morning was not much but I was happier with the afternoon's work. This was done along Bayside Rd.

East Meets West

2008-01-29T12:41:00.001-05:00

"Set Sail" SOLD

"Gallery Duck"

Christina Allen and I collaborated again for a two person show at the North End Gallery. The East/West idea came from my move to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Christina's staying on the Western side of the Chesapeake Bay. I think the show looked pretty good, a lot of work went into getting ready for it. Putting it up actually goes pretty quickly. The opening was fun and we had a good crowd all evening. Jack manned the bar and in keeping with the theme offered guests a Dogfish pale India ale, made in the Eastern Shore or 10 oz Bud Lite cans, a staple of St.Mary's County! Of course wine was available but the Dogfish was appreciated most!

We sold some that night and also throughout the month so we both had a respectable month. I do appreciate seeing the folks who come to see our shows. I got to meet a few collectors and put faces to their names and paintings which was a great pleasure. Several bought again and also some paintings went to new folks. I love it when someone sees a painting (of mine in particular, of course, but of any one's ) and decides it must be theirs!

Part of the pleasure of doing these collaborations is the chance to show many paintings all at once. Christina's watercolors and my oils seem to mesh nicely and it is a joy to see them hanging all together. It was also quite pleasant to put Jack's duck in the show also. As several of his buddies, shooting & woodworking, came to the opening, he was able to show it them and discuss it.

Mallard

2008-01-20T12:04:00.001-05:00

After Polo for the Cure, I spent the fall getting ready for a January show at the North End Gallery. Jack spent what free time he could working on this duck. Not having a model right in front of him presented several challenges as sculpting is new to him and he comes to it "cold" so to speak. No drawing preps, no lessons on anatomy, basically none of the things an "art student" would expect in order to work. Just his own two eyes, patience and a willingness to hone his skill. I help with drawing, anatomy as I can but his budding carving ability carries it off. Everything about this new craft allows him to appreciate the competence of the master carvers from their knife work to their capacity to observe. Jack is enjoying gaining the first steps of these skills.

I had the first week in January to address painting the duck. We didn't want it bare naked for the show opening! Painting decoys is as new for me as carving them is for Jack. After this duck and the loon, we have more questions as each has shown us weak spots in our abilities. Not a bad thing, just shows how far we've still to go! We did finally find a small book, that unlike others we have, includes many good pics of carving and painting from a chunk of wood through blocking out, dealing with details and painting. It would be excellent for us to do the decoy from this book as the exercise would help on so many levels our understanding of carving.

Ligonier: Polo for the Cure

2007-09-18T16:36:00.002-04:00

For the past several years Jack & I have participated every September in Ligonier Polo Club's charity match for the Leukemia Foundation. Jack umpires the match and I donate a percentage of the sales from my paintings. He has the harder job! I probably get to see more of this game then when he was playing and I was grooming for him. This past weekend the weather was beautiful and this isn't said lightly as the event has coincided often with hurricanes coming through the area. It is a gala event with the large white tents lining the length of the field. Everyone, people, horses, hounds are beautifully turned out. Rolling Rock Hunt parades their hounds before the match and then the game starts. This year it was closely battled throughout the six chukkas and excited for those watching.

It is always a fun weekend with parties and dinners. It is good to see polo and other horse friends. Watching some of the young players go from gangly teenagers to handsome young men is also fun. Mountain Meadow Farms where we, and our horses and dog, stay is ever so beautiful and pleasant. It is always a joy being there and we appreciate the warm welcome we get! This year the affair raised about 150,000, about 1% of that was my contribution from sales. Hey, every bit helps! As Jack says, When the umpire isn't shot and I sell some paintings, it's a good day!

Saddle Seat

2007-07-26T07:18:00.002-04:00

Jack much admired a set of stools a friend has, comfortable with a stylized saddle seat, a small horn and turned legs. They inspired a project for Jack. Without the tools to turn or steam and bend wood, and wanting more "horse" under the saddle, he glued and carved his saddle seat with legs fit for a draft pony. One of our friend's stools was a guide for the shape of this seat but there were no plans to follow for the legs. Jack gave me the blanks he had made and asked for guide lines drawn onto them. He got that, along with some sketches. Through much of late winter and spring he carved the seat, the horn, the legs. As he had no experience joining things, he left extra length to the tops of the legs. Which we used as it was a challenge getting it all balanced and to sit right that, for a while, thought we might need to shave the legs down to the fetlocks!

A farrier friend's version of an old ditty inspired the stain & paint job: "One white foot, try 'im; two white feet, deny 'im; three white feet, buy 'im. Four white feet and a snip on his nose, cut 'im to pieces and throw him to the crows!" While this pony's a keeper, there are no plans to breed and create more.

Hit the High Note

2007-07-25T10:03:00.002-04:00

This is a fellow I've painted before, just like his expression! This sketch and two others also of hounds gave me chance to try some new colors I just got from Natural Pigments. I had ordered several colors and as a special a few extras were added to my order. One of these, a red earth called pozzuoli has turned out to be very nice and I like it a lot!

Pinto pony

2007-07-23T10:24:00.001-04:00

Caught this fellow dozing in the early morning light of a warm July morning and did this small sketch. No, not from life, as lazy as this model seemed to be, the flies and interest in grazing kept his poses changing. A digital camera helps jog the memory in these cases!

J Loon

2007-07-18T18:11:00.002-04:00

Early this spring Jack took a one day workshop on carving at the Ward Museum and came home with, as he called it, a painted "Folk Duck". It is a cute palm-sized thing and, proudly, I promptly put it on a pedestal. A day or two later he came home with a hunk of basswood and declared his next project. A good friend has admired a loon carving we have, gotton quite awhile ago at auction. Jack decided to copy it as a bithday present for Joel.

Having the original was helpful and it has been a good learning experience for Jack. That it came out rather nicely for his first real try is pretty cool. Since he is color-blind, he declared painting it would be my job, which was fine. Although one friend did comment, "Yeah but, so, loon's are just black & white." True, true, I'll call it experience for me because the next bird on the block is a mallard.

Out the Back Door

2007-07-17T21:22:00.002-04:00

Some days it is easiest to just set up the easel right outside the backdoor. There are some great sunsets over the fields and marshes leading down to the Pocomoke River. Also, plenty of good shade, something I really like if I'm painting outdoors. Plus, there's usually a pretty good breeze coming up the river from the bay. Around here, helpful against humidity and bugs. We do have bugs. Having all the amenities of home, literally, ain't bad either!