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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Nimrod's Studio Row

Nimrod’s Studio Row

Nimrod Main House and Dining Hall

Nimrod Main House and Dining Hall

Inside the Dining Hall (Old Hunting Camp)

Inside the Dining Hall (Old Hunting Camp)

Nimrod Housing

Nimrod Housing

Nimrod Housing View

Nimrod Housing View

The Square House - More Housing

The Square House – More Housing

Post Office

Post Office

View of one Room

View of one Room

View of the Boat House and Pond from the pavilion

View of the Boat House and Pond from the pavilion

This past weekend I went to Nimrod Hall in Bath County Virginia to attend an artist workshop.

Nimrod was established in 1783.  Originally it served as a summer resort dating back to the late 1800’s.  It operated as Camp Nimrod for Boys and Girls from the 1930’s to 80’s then it became an Artist’s Retreat.

Read more about Nimrod’s history here.

I found the beauty of Nimrod to be the relaxed atmosphere where you could just relax and create with other artists  who were there to do the same.

The beauty is inspiring.  You feel as if you have stepped back in time with screen doors slamming, breezes blowing and wonderful old-fashioned 3 meals a day following the ringing of the dining hall bell.  I really loved my time there.

Check out the information on the website.  They have weeks and weekends for artists and writers.  Many people go year after year so when they release the schedule in January you must sign up quickly to be assured a space.   It’s worth the time and the money.  Consider enjoying it for yourself.

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I came to Nimrod Hall for a weekend workshop to try something new. Collage with paper and paint.   What an experience.   Our instructor was Susannah Haddad. Her knowledge of the subject and generosity with it made us all feel like we could do it.  I am thrilled to learn from her. 
This was my first attempt at paper and paint.  I call it “Checking the Pee Mail”.

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Copyist at the National Gallery working on a "Monet"

Copyist at the National Gallery working on a “Monet”

While visiting the National Gallery of Art a few weeks ago to see the wonderful Wyeth and Degas-Cassatt exhibits I had time to walk through a few of the permanent exhibit galleries.  There were several copyist at work.  I have seen some there in the past and often wondered if I could ever have enough courage to do that.  Maybe one day.

You can see more about the copyist program at the NGA here.

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Andrew Wyeth, Wind from the Sea, 1947, tempera on hardboard, National Gallery of Art, Gift of Charles H. Morgan, 2009.

Andrew Wyeth, Wind from the Sea, 1947, tempera on hardboard, National Gallery of Art, Gift of Charles H. Morgan, 2009.

The second of the two special exhibits that I saw Tuesday at the National Gallery of Art was the “Andrew Wyeth – Looking In, Looking Out”.  It was amazing!

You must go see it before it ends in November.  His watercolor work is unbelievable.  And the subject matter is so interesting to see.

I saw the painting, Wind from the Sea, right after it was given to the National Gallery and was so taken with it.  I could feel the air blowing through the window as I walked by and saw it.  (Here is the first post I did about it.)

This show is only going to be on display in Washington so do yourself a favor and take time to go see it.  You will be glad you did.

Andrew Wyeth, Frostbitten, 1962, watercolor on paper, Private Collection.

Andrew Wyeth, Frostbitten, 1962, watercolor on paper, Private Collection.

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Mary Cassatt's Little Girl in a Blue Armchair, 1878

Mary Cassatt’s Little Girl in a Blue Armchair, 1878

Close-up of dog in Cassatt's "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair"

Close-up of dog in Cassatt’s “Little Girl in a Blue Armchair”

Sleeping Lincoln

Sleeping Lincoln

Take time to go to the National Gallery of Art before the end of October to see two exhibits that are currently there – Degas/Cassatt and Andrew Wyeth.

The Degas/Cassatt exhibit features gorgeous paintings by the two artists, several from private collections that I had never seen, as well as many prints by the two with an explanation of how these became important during that time period.  Of course, my favorite painting in the show by Cassatt is “Little Girl in a Blue Arm Chair”.  I just know that the little dog in the opposite chair is an ancestor to my Lincoln.  I always say that Lincoln thinks he should be leading the life of a wealthy French family’s dog!

Degas, Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery, 1885, private collection.

Degas, Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery, 1885, private collection.

My favorite Degas’ are the two he painted of Cassatt and another woman at the Louvre and the pastel study of Cassatt for the painting.  This is the first time I have seen the painting as it is in a private collection on loan to the show.  I love the perspective of these.

Take time to go see this exhibit.  It really gives insight into the way artists of the time work together, critiqued each other, and collected each others work.

Edgar Degas, "Mary Cassatt at the Louvre", 1879, pastel, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Edgar Degas, “Mary Cassatt at the Louvre”, 1879, pastel, Philadelphia Museum of Art

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20140515_205007_resizedThe next workshop in West Virginia has been scheduled!  The one last month was so well received that we are planning another one.  Here it is:

Fall 2014 Primitives & Pioneers Retreat!  – September 13-14 in Clio, WV  – This retreat will span two days taking you from the kitchen, to the woods, and to the artists easel featuring lessons on corn-cob jelly making, hand-dipped taper candles, homemade potpourri, rustic breads, painting a primitive landscape and a decorative bucket plus more!  The retreat includes all instruction and 3 meals per day.  The host and my teaching partner is Suzanne McMinn of “Chickens in the Road” and Sassafras Farm.  Learn more about her and her farm and get registration information here.

Come join us!

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Photo from "Chickens in the Road" website

Photo from “Chickens in the Road” website

A few weeks ago I taught art at a retreat at Sassafras Farm in West Virginia.  Click here to read Suzanne’s report on our Creative Retreat.

It was so much fun that we are planning another one for September 13-14.  Be sure to sign up early and join us for another great weekend!

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1902716_10202121268928339_1379206020109407286_nThe second painting project we did during the weekend “Creativity Workshop” was a gourd bird house.  And didn’t they turn out terrific?!  Super work everyone.

Don’t forget if you missed this fun weekend that we will be hosting another one September 13-14th.  Just contact me for details on signing up or learn more about it  here.

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The first painting turned out terrific at the workshop. For the second painting project we are painting gourds!  If you missed this workshop and wish you had come for the good food and fun projects we plan to do another one on September 13-14. We will give you all the info to register for that one soon.

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SF all SF cows SFgoatsI arrived at Sassafras Farm yesterday afternoon to prepare for this weekend’s workshop.  The farm is the home to my friend, Suzanne McMinn of Chickens in the Road fame.  (Check out her blog here.)  I am excited.  The workshop is full and I am sure it is going to be  a great weekend of learning and fun!

The farm has a multitude of animals from goats, sheep, chickens, cows, horses to of course, dogs and cats.  There will be many opportunities for  photos to build my reference library for painting.  🙂

In the painting portion of the workshop we will be doing a canvas, landscape painting, as well as a gourd birdhouse.  I’ll show you the results tomorrow.

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