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.