Barn Life And Baby Goats
Jane
"Jane" Oil 8"x8" photo reference credit: Hope Hall of Sunflower Farm
Creamery
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!
minilandscape-pntgs-1-6
Top row: Cornflowers, After The Rain, Tall Marsh Grass
Bottom row: Early In The Corn, High Above The Corn, Cornflower And
Queen Anne's Lace
Top Row: White Crane, Sentry, Into The Setting Sun (tiniest yet)Bottom
Row: Landing, Firey Shore, When Day Is Done
Top Row: White Crane, Sentry, Into The Setting Sun (tiniest yet)
Bottom Row: Landing, Firey Shore, When Day Is Done
Top: Sailor Take Warning, Light BreezesMiddle: Dawn On The Farm, Beyond
The Sunset, Rain QuenchedBottom: Dawn's Promise
Top: Sailor Take Warning, Light Breezes Middle: Dawn On The Farm,
Beyond The Sunset, Rain Quenched
Bottom: Dawn's Promise
Colckwise from top: Winding Creek, Evening Waves, Tea And Gold Roses,
Bee With An Attitude, Sailors Delight
Clockwise from top: Winding Creek, Evening Waves, Tea And Gold Roses,
Bee With An Attitude, Sailors Delight
I pulled a name last night and I've emailed the winner. If I don't hear
back by Sunday night, I'll pull another name.
May these quiet places remind you this week to...
Take time for birdsong!
Jan
P.S. Next week is the release of new finished work. If you've had your
eye on something, be sure and let me know so I can put it on hold for
you!
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