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Archive for the ‘Small Town Life’ Category

Montpelier-Madison’s Home

Posted in Little Known Facts, Serendipity, Small Town Life, Travel, tagged James Madison, Montpelier on September 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

We took a little trip yesterday to pay our respects to James and Dolly Madison at Montpelier, the Madison home. It’s a short drive from Front Royal and an amazing place full of history. The foundation has done a beautiful job restoring and recovering the history of the time. “Via interpretation, research, and civic education, Montpelier engages the public with Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people.” It’s worth a visit. (Click here to see the visit I made there 4 years ago.)

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Tobacco and Barns

Posted in Landscape, Little Known Facts, Small Town Life, tagged barns, tobacco, Tobacco barns on August 7, 2020| Leave a Comment »

On my drive back home today from a short trip to North Carolina I came through some backroads and ran across a few tobacco fields….and tobacco barns. As I grew up working on tobacco farms as a kid I was interested to see these. I got a few photos. I’ve been wanting to do a painting of a tobacco barn. Maybe this will get me started.

And I was interested to look up the Tobacco Barns Project. They are trying to save some of the old barns. See about that here.

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Kids Complete Quilts

Posted in Sewing, Small Town Life, tagged Kids Rag Quilt, Rag Quilt, sewing camp on August 5, 2020| Leave a Comment »

The kids who attended Sewing Camp completed their Rag Quilts yesterday….and boy, did they turn out great!!! Nice job young ladies! Keep sewing.

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6th Anniversary of The Studio

Posted in daily painter, Serendipity, Small Town Life, tagged Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday, Studio Anniversary on August 1, 2020| 2 Comments »

grand open Today is the 6th Anniversary of The Studio-A Place for Learning on Main Street in Front Royal. And while we have been in this location for 14 very good years (as Delilah’s Art & Gifts before The Studio) this year has been a wonderment. We started off the year in January and February with the best two opening months we have ever had and then the governor closed us down. I love The Studio and what I do. I love that people discover their creative sides here and come here for a much needed outlet for stress and frustration. But in the light of everything happening with the pandemic I wonder if we will see the 7th Anniversary. It’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when people are fearful to attend classes. The income is slim but the bills keep rolling in. How long can we keep it up?! And when I say “we” I speak for other very small businesses like mine that are experiencing the same problems. We are not looking for handouts….we are looking to continue to make our livings! Business owners are trying to come together to promote and support one another but some of what is being done supports one type of business over another. I don’t think it’s intentional…it just is that way and it’s not a good situation. We don’t want to see any business fail….ever! I encourage everyone reading this, no matter where you are, to try to make an effort this week to support a small business or two. It doesn’t have to be a huge purchase. But just having someone come in and show support will do so much to boost the spirits of a small business owner that is beginning to lose hope. We have already lost three businesses on Main Street and if we lose more we will only have service businesses (law offices, non-profits, and real estate) along with restaurants on Main. It would be a shame not to have actual shops on Main Street. Having said all of that, let me say how much I have appreciated the support and friendship of so many who have come to The Studio over the past 6 years. And I truly hope that next year we can have a big Anniversary party with another round of “Make and Take” projects for everyone. In the meantime take a look here and here at some of the past celebrations! And thanks again!!!

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Old Feed Mill Paint Party

Posted in daily painter, Landscape, Little Known Facts, Paint Party, Small Town Life, tagged Feed Mill, Local Scenes on July 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

We are continuing to paint local landmarks….this time it’s the Old Feed Mill….known as the Main Street Mill today. Join us on August 23rd at 2 pm and paint along with us. Click here for more info and to register.

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Please Vote!

Posted in daily painter, Serendipity, Small Town Life, tagged Best of Awards on July 6, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Layout 1 It’s time to vote in the Best of Warren County survey. And everyone can vote…you don’t have to live in Front Royal to vote….and you don’t have to vote in every category. Just scroll down to the ones you know and want to help. Click here and go to the survey and vote for your favorites. We would appreciate you considering voting for The Studio and Kelly in category 5, 34, 99, and especially 107…Best Local Artist. Many thanks. And you can vote each day and share with your friends. We would really appreciate your help!

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Best of Voting

Posted in Serendipity, Small Town Life, tagged Best of, Best of Awards, Northern Virginia Daily, Voting on June 27, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Layout 1 It’s time to vote in the Best of Warren County survey. Click here and go to the survey and vote for your favorites. We would appreciate you considering voting for The Studio and Kelly in category 5, 34, 99, and especially 107…Best Local Artist. Many thanks. And you can vote each day and share with your friends.

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Yes, We’re Open!

Posted in Small Town Life, The Studio/Classes, tagged Open on May 19, 2020| 1 Comment »

Over the past few weeks, especially this last one, people seem to be anxious to re-open, to go back to work, to return to the way we did things before we were all hit by the pandemic. It is essential that local economies begin to open, to save our community and our livelihoods. It is crucial that it be done safely…with empathy and understanding for those who are concerned about their physical health as well as those concerned about their economic health. Many people have said that the economic part of this isn’t as important to consider or that it is greed that causes us to want to open but if you are one of us who have no income without your business then you have no idea. It is not greed….it is survival! Be understanding. As we begin to get back to our normal daily lives let us be compassionate. Take it slow. Do what feels right for you! Apply what you have learned from reliable sources. Try not to be judgmental toward those who must work in order to survive. If you are lucky enough not to have experienced a financial downturn during this time, help those who have…not the big box stores but rather the small locally owned shops….the ones who have helped you each time you have asked for donations to your causes and your kid’s causes over the years. These shop owners are the ones who have suffered both financially and by the judgement of those who continually berate them for wanting to get back to work. Understand that many of us have no choice. We are at the point of losing everything. Just because our businesses were shut down our bills still had to be paid, our mortgages came due, none of the expenses came to a stop…just our income. Try to keep that in mind. We know these are most unusual times. But if you feel comfortable venturing out, The Studio is resuming our schedule with regular weekly art classes on Wednesday and Thursday for adults and a variety of Paint Parties with limited number of painters and heightened sanitation of our space. The schedule is here. We hope you will attend an event with us soon…or if you aren’t ready to come out perhaps commission or purchase a painting. You can see some of what is available here. We are just trying to be here when the dust settles but that is looking less likely all the time. Until we do see you again, stay healthy.

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Train and Station

Posted in art class, daily painter, Landscape, Paint Party, Small Town Life, tagged Depot, Train, Train Depot, Train Station on May 12, 2020| Leave a Comment »

We had a great time painting the Train and Station a few days ago at The Studio. This group has been painting local scenes. Can’t wait to see what they do next!