Final Day of Our Pastel Workshop at Stone Ridge Farm

Susan Ogilvie and Myself

Our workshop came to an end today.  It was a very good week.  I feel happy to have worked for five days with such a wonderful group of artists.  I learned a great deal, made some new friends, and even finished a couple of paintings.  We made a pact that we will try to make art everyday and continue the growth that we began at Stone Ridge Farm and Bucks County Art Workshop with Susan Ogilvie. 

This is almost everyone from our group.  Donna had to leave early this morning and so was not in this picture.

This is Linda M. and Joyce G. having a tea party on Thursday.  We were all working so hard and we got a little silly.  It was fun.

 This is a view of the studio.  It was spacious and well equipped. 

I hope that I will be able to return for another workshop next summer.  Bucks County Art Workshops at Stone Ridge Farm has been an experience I will not forget.

Stone Ridge Farm Art Workshop

Today began with instructor, Susan Ogilvie, giving a demonstration.  Her painting is of horses beside the stable.  We watched as she described her thought process in beginning this painting.   It was tremendously helpful to follow her reasoning and choices as the painting developed.  Tomorrow we will see this painting develop further.  Every painting is a series of problems and the artist learns to solve these problems in better ways as they gain skill and experience.

This is the owner, Jackie Walker, and our chef, Micardo.  Jackie was choosing fresh flowers from the garden for the house.

 These are some lovely scenes from the garden today.  I was thinking about painting something in the garden, but instead chose an old gnarled tree in the back pasture.

 

Old Gnarled Tree

Susan Ogilvie Pastel Workshop at Stone Ridge Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

I arrived at Stone Ridge Farm for a pastel workshop with artist, Susan Ogilvie, on Sunday afternoon.  After a delicious dinner, my classmates and I got settled into our rooms at this picturesque Bed and Breakfast. It is a working farm with a Bed and Breakfast in the converted barn.  The property was once owned by famed author, Pearl S. Buck. The studio space is fantastic as are the accommodations. 

Owner, Jackie Walker, does a great job making sure that we are all happy, comfortable, and well fed.  

 
These are some of the horses on the farm.  There is a large riding arena with a viewing area just outside the studio space. 

This is our instructor, Susan Ogilvie.  I wanted to come to this workshop because I really like Susan's use of bold, bright color and her unusual compositions. 

I have not been disappointed.  Susan has already given me lots of new ideas and things to consider in painting.  

 This is Susan's color study from today.  Notice her pastel box and the way she has it sorted by value and temperature.  Also notice the value study that she has clipped on the left.  

My plan is to get a nap and go back to the studio tonight.  Please pray for me that all of this new found knowledge starts to show in my work.  Love'n it here!!!! --- and very glad to have this opportunity!!!!  Thank you, God!!! Also--- A big thank you to my good friend Linda M. and her husband for coming to this workshop and helping me in so many ways in this adventure.

The Fulton County Art Club met today to paint en plein air at the Kelso Estate in McConnellsburg.  Linda Moseman, Linda Best, Anne Gobin, and myself had a marvelous morning strolling the grounds, photographing, and painting.  The heat and humidity were not a deterrent as these brave artists worked in oils, pastel, watercolor, and pencil.  A special "thank you" to owners, Linda and Allan Kelso.  Your hospitality was greatly appreciated!!!!

 

Environmental Ed Workshop

Paper mache tree display at Fresco

Fellow teacher, Susie Cordell, and I traveled to Lancaster today to attend a very good environmental education workshop.  This was sponsored by DEP and Fresco, a green products company from Lancaster County.  We learned about alternative energy, ways to conserve energy, lots of activities for our students, and new products.  We toured a passive solar house and got to see the DEP environmental ed trailer.  We are hoping to get the trailer for our Earth Day activities.  We received a huge folder of materials that we will sift through and process.  We are thinking that we might write a grant to get some solar car kits.  It is a classroom set of solar cells and motors to power small toy cars that the students create.  This would work into my Motion and Design science unit in 5th grade. 

Participants pedal the bike to show the energy needed to power incandescent and CFL

Display at Fresco-- recyclables and products made from them

Another Corks and Canvas Success!

Last night 8 brave women painted a wetlands scene in 3 hours!!  What a great job they did.  I had a blast and I think they did too.  If you are interested in a corks and canvas night at the Arts Council in Chambersburg, just get a group of friends together and get in touch with me or with the Arts Council.  The cost is very reasonable and all materials are provided.  You will go home with a finished work of art that you produced.  Who knows--- maybe this class would awaken your inner artist!!

Arts Express Class at Grove Library

Last week, I taught 6 art classes for Arts Express in Chambersburg.  Each day was a different group of kids in a different location.  This picture was taken on the last day at The Grove Family Library.  Other days were BPOIC, Boys and Girls Club, Migrant Program, Coyle Free Library, YMCA Camp.

It was fun for me as well as the kids.

Cops Stop Behind Me--- Lights Flashing--- Funny Now---Scared Then

Officer Brunner Driving Away

Cow Photo I Risked Life and Limb to Get

Why do these things always happen to me?  Here's the story--- it's actually kind of funny-- reveals a lot about me.  Anyway, I was on my way to Chambersburg to teach an art class to migrant workers' kids and while I was driving toward St. Thomas I happened to see cows in the stream by a lovely old spring house.  As I drove further I said to myself, " You should go back and get a picture of that bucolic scene."  So, I did exactly that.  I had to park right on the berm of a busy section of route 30.  I left my flashers on and hopped over the bank to get the photos (saw a snake too, but that's another story).  As I walked back to my car continuing to photograph, a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper had pulled in behind my car.  I glanced up from my camera to see the flashing lights and I nearly had a heart attack.  I didn't think that I had broken any law (maybe trespassing?).  A nice young trooper named Officer Brunner assured me that they were just stopping to see if I needed help.  I told him that I was an artist and I just wanted to get a picture of the cows for a painting.  Then, I boldly said that I blogged events from my life and asked if I could take his picture for my blog.  He declined, but said that I could photograph them as they left.  I think he floored it because I only got a tiny bit of the back of the state car.  I continued on to my destination very much relieved.  My art class went well with a wonderful group of creative, polite, attentive 3rd grade migrant children and my heart is now beating normally.

Sunshine and Waterfalls

My lovely daughter and I hiked Rickett's Glen today.  This is my favorite spot on the face of the earth.  It is a spiritual experience, not just a hike.  Rickett's was especially lovely today with a good volume of water and lots of changing light effects.  I have painted at least 5 different paintings of Rickett's and will likely paint more in the coming days.

 I want to hike Rickett's every year with my daughter.  We think that we have been doing this for about 6 years.  Rickett's Glen is in north eastern Pennsylvania, about half an hour north of Bloomsburg.  The hike that we enjoy has 24 waterfalls.

It is a special place---- a place to pray and renew.  I thank God that I was able to come here again and experience this with my daughter.

Rickett's Glen Hike 2011

Girls Try Kayaking in Beautiful Cowans Gap State Park

Six friends, 3 kayaks, a great state Park, and a beautiful summer day  were the ingredients for exhilarating fun.  Many of our group had tried kayaking before, but none was an expert. Yet, we all had a wonderful time and we all agreed that we must do this again before summer fades. 

 Cowan's Gap State Park boat concession rented us the two man kayaks for one hour at a reasonable rate.  An hour was about right for us.




We saw a turtle swimming across the lake and many fish. 

 I think I got Pam wet from my paddle dipping out of the water.  Next time, I'll sit  in the back seat.

I had lots of fun, girls!!  And even though I can't swim I want to  do this again soon!!

Reedsville Flea Market Day

Wednesday was a quintessential Pennsylvania summer day and I spent a large part of it leisurely meandering through the flea market at Reedsville for unique items.  Fresh produce was also plentiful as you can see from this Amish produce stand.  

Fine older pieces were mixed in with more contemporary items.  The people were charming and fun to strike up conversations with.  There was the elderly woman who sold me a block and tackle and the gentleman who had a dazzling yellow glass candle stick.  In the years that I have been going to this flea market, yesterday was the best I've ever seen it--- many vendors and many vintage items all at super prices.

All American Fourth of July!!!!

 There's nothing like a huge community yardsale to get an artist inspired!  My 4th of July began early (5 a.m.) with the Hagerstown 4th of July community yardsale.  This wonderful 1953 Ford truck was just one of the many items in this miles long festival of unique stuff.  

My English setter, Meg, turned 14 on the 4th and Sarah helped her celebrate with this stylish birthday hat.  Meg put up with this for a while because she knows she is pretty.  She even smiled for her picture.

First Friday in Chambersburg AND a Customer Buys Art!!!

This was my set up in Chambersburg tonight for"First Friday".  A customer, Jen, bought two encaustics!!!!  Many people stopped to talk and took business cards and one gentleman purchased a notecard!!  I had a really fun time and I got a lot of knitting done also.