Heads or Tails this Quarter is a Double Winner!

Weir Farm in Ridgefield/Wilton, CT selected for
​US Quarter "America the Beautiful" -  A National Park for Art

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?

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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!

My Easel set up on location at Weir Farm, October, 2015

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! 

Weir Farm National Historic Site - A National Park for the Arts

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.

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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