Today my friend and student Lisa had our second plein air painting lesson. 

We joined the Lyme Art Association Plein Air Group on Tiffany Farm in Lyme, CT. The farm was once one of the largest dairy farms in Connecticut. This iconic farm has been in the family since 1848.  According to the Tiffany Farm website, in 2017 the dairy cows were sold and then in November the almost full silo fell. The farm now provides the best beef around (so I've been told) and a Saturday morning farmers market with a nice selection of local farmers and vendors sell their goods. We'll definitely need to return to purchase some beef and check out the garden flowers and vegetables.

The cows weren't out that day. 

It was very hot but we found a nice place in the shade to paint.

I decide the painting needed a friendly face of a cow standing by the gate so I painted it in when I returned to my studio.

A few years ago I painted a series of farm scenes and farm animals. It became an obsession of mine. I would drive around looking for different farms to paint.

New England and especially Connecticut have some of the most interesting farms. Perhaps because these farms have been around for years and probably passed down from generation to generation,  you'll find all sorts of stuff on these farms,

Yes, the classic old tractors and farm equipment, weathered barns and haystacks. But some will have rundown cars, rickety boats, an old bath tub or sink. You just never know when you show up to paint what you'll find. It's always a surprise!

At Tiffany Farms, all the painters stayed close to the road and side property so we really weren't able to peruse the property. There was construction going on that we might be interfering with. There was plenty of subject matter right from where we were standing. So we settled under a huge tree next to the side of the main white house. I could see a John Deere tractor near one of the barns behind the house, something I've been wanting to paint for years, perhaps another day.

It's fun exploring new places and seeing all the incredible beauty Connecticut has to offer.

Thanks for reading my blog - hope you get a change to explore your area!

Linda

Looking for a larger size of this painting? Contact me, I   would be happy to paint a custom painting like in the photo above  or custom prints is another option. Original art just makes each room in the house special and unique.

#tiffanyfarm #connecticutlandscape #connecticutfarm #ctpleinairpainting #cowandbarnpainting #onthefarmseries #artforsale #originalart #lymeartassociationpleinairpainters

'I knew the moment I stepped onto this property and took a quick look around, this was no ordinary garden shop. And you could tell by the way each section is carefully designed and maintained. For a painter I could quickly spot 5-6 different locations that would make a great painting. The only trick was to find a place that could offer shade and be out of the way of customers. 

I opted for this spot, tucked into a little nook and off the path. The sun made it's way out from behind the clouds half way through our painting session. I was with 6 other painters from the Madison Art Society. This was our first time painting at Acer Gardens in Deep River, CT. 

I spotted the gardens on my way back from the Goodspeed Opera House in May and popped in to take a quick peek.  It was busy with plenty of folks pulling around carts filled with an array of colorful flowers and shrubs. 

Along with  beautiful surrounds, we found the staff to be just a wonderful group of friendly and helpful folks. They were busy moving plants here and pots there but never too busy to stop and take a peek at our paintings and engage in an enjoyable conversation.

We exchange instagram info and shared posts and tags - They seemed very happy to have us there. And the best part... they invited us back!

The painting is shown in a dark brown mahogany finish with a 3" wide frame - other framing options are available. Custom prints are available in larger sizes. 

More details  for purchase here

Thanks for being apart of the journey!
Linda

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Love this painting but want a larger size or custom print?
​Contact me here - for more information. 

Painted on location at Bauer Farm in Madison CT. This is a beautiful property with plenty of great places to paint. There is an old white farm house close to the main road with barns and an old tractor off to the side. Then in the back there's a lily pond with a covered bridge. As you follow the windy driveway up to the back of the property there's a community garden that offers a wide array of colorful flowers and vegetable plants. This feels like such a classic New England property I could only imagine the history of the family and activities that took place on this picturesque setting. It feels like a scene out of a Nicholas Sparks book. 

This is a favorite place for the painters of the Madison Art Society to go. It's not only convenient and close to home it offers so many choices. There were about 8 or 9 of us painting yesterday. Some working in oils, others in watercolor and a few in pastel. Each painting is so different, so unique. That's what I love about going out plein air painting. So much variety and an abundance of inspiration.


this painting and many more are available in on shop page here

#Ct painter #ctartist #pleinairpainting #farmhousepainting #whitehousepainting #farmand gardenpainting #CPAPS #Madisonartsocietyct #connecticutcoast #connecticutlandscape #Connecticutcoastalliving #shorelineCT #mynewengland #pleinairmag #artforsale

So how did I get connected with Weir Farm and have the honor of my artwork selected for the cover of the mailer distributed by Friends of the Weir Farm to their supporter list?

​

I'll tell you a little story that started back in 2015. I had heard about Weir Farm for a few years since several of my artist friends would recommend the farm as a highly desirable place to paint en plein air (on location). I knew a little about the history of Weir Farm since Julian Alden Weir, the owner was a famous American Impressionist painter. 

It was late October and I read that the park grounds would close by the end of the month for the season. It was a cold day, I definitely could have used gloves and a warmer jacket. But the grounds were magnificent  and the autumn trees made the perfect backdrop. The narrow and curvy roads that led up to the 68 acre farm heightened the anticipation of finding this hidden prize. 

​I walked the grounds, snapped a bunch of photos then jotted down a few notes in my sketchbook. I found a spot on the hill just below the studio. That day I had only small canvas panels with me, 8 x 10 so I knew my limitations for the amount of information I could capture on the canvas. 

As tour guides would walk guests through and around the studio some would walk down to check out what I was painting. I always get caught off guard when someone asks to see what I'm painting when I'm just getting started.

I of course say, "Yes!..... but there's isn't much to see yet. I just started."

But once someone asks to see what you're painting, there's no turning back.  They have initiated the conversation, their curiosity is peaked and they take action.

Yes, I have to say it's a little awkward when they make their way to the front of the easel and see either a blank canvas or one that might have a really rough sketch. 

But it usually turns into an amusing moment where we both smile, I shrug my shoulders and say something like "what do you think? -hahah" or "come back in a few hours and you'll actually see a painting" 

I know of only a few artists who don't like to engage in conversation when painting, but for the most part, my artist friends, including myself enjoy the connection and conversation when out on location. It makes each experience unique and enjoyable. And you never know, you might just be talking to a future collector!

Once I completed the painting on location, which usually takes about 2 and half hours to 3 hours to complete, I headed home.

I looked the painting over the next day with "fresh eyes" to see if any minor adjustments need to be made or a second layer of paint needs to cover some bare spots. But I try not to rework the entire painting. I love the energy that is expressed in the brushwork from working on location and responding to the subject in front of me. 

I then take a photo, crop and edit, label and tag to put into my inventory system. Next, I'll upload the image to my website and sometimes I'll write a blog post about the painting. I'll then share on social media.

Fast forward 5 years later, the coordinators of the Friends of Weir Farm were looking for images of paintings of Weir Farm and discovered mine through a google search. Jim, contacted me, asked for permission to use the image for their mailer and that's how the  connection was made.

So the moral of the story to my artist friends: you never know who is looking for your artwork right now, especially if you paint local recognizable scenes. Having a way for your paintings to be discovered on google searches could lead to some exciting and amazing things! 

Below is what the mailer looks like. It's not a very large piece, approximately 4.5 x 6 inches and came in an envelope. A real US quarter was glued on to the silver emblem on the front.

The inside of the card reads: 
 Weir Farm NHS (National Historic Site) is the only national park dedicated to American painting and was home to America's most beloved Impressionist, Julian Alden Weir. The  reverse (tails) design of the quarter portray's an artist, wearing a painter's smock, working outside Weir's studio. It is inspired by Weir's paintings an the many images of this site by artists who have lived and visited here.  The design perfectly captures the feel of the cultural landscape of the state, and how Weir Farm NHS is connect to it through art, nature and creativity."

I feel honored that my painting was selected to be part of the celebration! 

To read more about Weir Farms National Historic Site go here.

The  Weir Farm - US quarter can be found here.

At the time this blog post is being written, we are still in the quarantine period for Covid-19. The Farm is not open to the public but I'm sure they're eager to open their doors again and invite visitors to enjoy the grounds. 

Hope you get a chance to visit this charming historical New England farm and if you're a painter - I hope you get to paint there someday! .... oh, and if you have painted there.... let me know in the comments below - I would love to hear about your experience.

Keep creating,

​Linda

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