My first trip to the Lavender farm and I was so amazed at how beautiful and peaceful this place is. It's a 25 acre farm that grows lavender plants. But that's not all... they make lavender oil and from that they have fragranced a huge variety of charming gifts and products.... all with the intention to relax and stay calm!

The first time out here I came with the Madison Art Society we were just a little bit early for the full bloom season. So I began my painting, blocking in the shapes and the gazebo with full intentions of returning a few weeks later.

My friend Patty and I have been painting together for a few years now. We headed out around 9:30am on Friday morning. We arrived about 20 minutes later - walked around, checked out the shop and found a cool place under a shady tree. 

I brought this painting back with me just to pop in the violets and bluish-purples of full blooming lavender plants. When I was here the first time the day was slightly overcast. The dark tree line in the distance gave a nice backdrop for the gazebo architecture. I was debating to put a few people in the painting but for now I'll just assume they are laying down in the fields.... relaxing of course! 

Definitely planning a trip back again soon!


Painting Details:
11 x 14" oil on canvas
coated with protective varnish
framed
$425 + tax and shipping 
click here to purchase

Lavender Pond Farm website

Chester Winter Carnivale, oil, 11 x 14" $225 unframed, email me if you are interested in purchasing
3" gold leaf frame available for additional $75

So happy to be back posting on my blog. I've been very busy these days with the Corks and Canvas Painting Parties. I love teaching and the parties are the perfect combination of sharing my knowledge with offering a night of fun and relaxation for those who want to paint but not sure where to begin.

However, It also feels good to balance out the teaching and parties with time in my studio working on my own pieces. This painting was started and almost (95%) completed back in February. 

 I joined a couple of my fellow artists at Maple and Main Gallery on an all day paint out during the town wide Chester Winter Carnivale. Although the sun was shining, it was still very cold outside. Cold enough for the ice sculptures not to melt. Lot's of people, great food and even a tractor pull right down Main Street!

I was able to put the finishing touches on this painting today and so happy to share it here on my blog. I thought today would be a great day to post this snowy winter scene since we actually had snow on the ground this morning when I woke up! Yes, snow on April 16th! How crazy is that! It didn't last long and I doubt we'll get any more... but those poor crocuses in my garden must be so confused!

Here's a few photos from the Winter Carnivale

Early Sunday morning I met up with my painting buddy Patty at Bauer Park in Madison, CT. After scouting out the location on Wednesday morning, I knew I had to return soon. With two lily ponds, a cover bridge, sunflowers blooming in the garden, barns, and a white farm house ... you get the picture... beautiful scenes everywhere you turn.

The grass was still wet with morning dew and the only other folks we bumped into was a couple and their two dogs. 

One was  an older chocolate lab but the other was a funny breed I had never seen before..  a Plott Hound mixed with blood hound. The tiger-stripped fur, face of a lab yet short legs and long body just threw me for a loop. The dog's name is "Bo" and I found out very quickly that he and his brother were rescued from a Florida highway. A very happy, friendly dog was right at home sniffing the sent of my dog on my shoes and wagging his talk. He must have know we were talking about him.

So, back to this morning's painting. I knew I didn't have much time, I was racing the clock because the spot I chose at 8am was cool and comfortable behind the big tree on the right but by 9:30 it was shining right on me and warming me up. I finished up by 10:15 packed up, headed home, showered and made it to church by... well, a few minutes after 11. :) 
This painting will be up for auction on Dailypaintworks.com. If you'd like to bid on it please click here

So the day started off drizzle and overcast when I arrived at the Lyon's House in Southbury, CT. I met up with the POP group (Pomperaug Outdoor Painters) to paint plein air today. What a beautiful farm... tucked away behind a row of thick trees and a stone wall. There were so many different scenes I could have painted but I chose this one because I like the way I could capture all three of the buildings yet  give a  sense of being encircled by the enormous blueish green trees.

 The chickens roamed freely up and down the circular driveway.  And finally settling in a shady spot near me to take a nap while I painted. The owners Mike and Lauren... (and their precious daughter Abby) were lovely hosts... offering a delicious spread of cookies, cheese and crackers and homemade ice tea. By 3pm the sun started to peak through casting a nice warm glow. 

Thanks again to Ellie Boyd for organizing this event and I look forward to putting this painting and the Pine Meadow Pool Painting in the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters Show this September at the Southbury Library. I'll post more details soon.
Linda