Hi Subscriber,
Funny how a random image can instantly spark a whole montage of vivid memories. That's what happened this week.
I posted the Quiet Places paintings from last week on Instagram Monday morning after letting you see them first. Once that was done, I took a few minutes to explore IG for painting inspiration.
It's easy to get sucked into the vortex of distractions there, but I've learned to be very selective about what I click on. This reduces the ads and often leads to new and exciting ideas.
It started this time with the image of several very pregnant mama goats approaching their due dates. I checked back each day and was rewarded with images as more kidlings came into the world, each more adorable than the last.
And that montage of memories I mentioned?...
It washed over me like a warm summer rain..., the neighbor's hay loft where I used to sketch, the sweet smell of a barn when it's been freshly cleaned, and the soft sound of animals munching contentedly on the grain I served them.
Then years later, I helped tend a friend's dairy farm while they were on vacation and my heart was smitten by the enthusiastic greeting the goats gave me every time I approached.
You haven't lived until you've enjoyed a hot mug of fresh goat's milk right before bed, all foamy rich and laced with raw honey and a dash of nutmeg. It'll put you right to sleep.
This friend named one of the newborn kids 'Jan' in my honor.
Go ahead. Laugh all you want, but people who raise goats give a lot of tender thought to naming the kids each spring.
Thus it was with Hope Hall at Sunflower Farm Creamery. Each image included the name of the newborn with his or her mama and a touching note about their personalities.
I contacted Hope and asked permission to use some of her images as photo references.
She gave a hearty yes and I've started painting some of their newborns. If it goes well, I may include some of them in my solo show this September.
I discovered that this creamery is located about an hour away from the Golden Apple Art Residency! Yet another reason to return to Maine one day.
Oh if you only knew what a gift this week was!
Now for the Giveaway and a surprise!
The winner gets to choose from among any of the tiny paintings in the "Quiet Places" series thus far.
Any except the goat, that is. That one is on hold for now.
So here they all are!
