A Stroll through the Past/Santanoni Barn

14x20

There is a Adirondack Camp called Santanoni, back in the woods, about 5 miles back in the woods. It was built in the 1870's by one of those very rich robber barons roaming New York City during those times. He built a Japanese inspired Adirondack home overlooking Santanoni Peak, beside Newcomb Lake. It has history, but getting back to it takes time and patience. My husband and I have walked the 5 miles in and 5 miles out a number of times. About a mile in, they put a farm in an open clearing, built some stone and wood buildings for the managers and workers. Put in a silo and barn. During those times, all they had to do was get back there (which wasn't an easy thing, even for them) and all their food for the summer was grown and stored right on their own grounds. Now, that's the life! Unfortunately, a few years ago, someone burned the barn buildings down, including the silo. The police have concluded it was arson. I recently found this photo of my husband walking near the farm. Of course, I wanted to paint it. I hope to include it in the solo exhibit I'm having this January at the arts center here. If you get a chance, google Santanoni and you can see the camp. It's in the process of being restored and I feel lucky to have seen it before the restoration and after. It's so beautiful.

At the Campfire

8x12

We were at a resort/Adirondack Camp a few weeks ago, visiting some friends who stay there every year. It's called The Hedges in Blue Mountain Lake. Before building our house, we used to take our grandson there every year for two weeks in the summer. What a great place this is! We left at night as the campfire was lit and I took this picture. I'm sure, after we left, a lot more kids were sitting around that fire, roasting marsh mellows, just like we used to do with Matt. It took a couple of weeks to get to it, but I enjoyed painting this.

Pasley Falls, Indian Lake, NY

14x11

Last fall we hiked to this beautiful spot in Indian Lake. It was a little bit hard to find, as the trail had become overgrown, but we made it, with the dogs. I usually have my camera with me on all our hikes, but this time I had to use my cell phone. Call phones in Indian Lake are only good for photos, as finding a cell signal is sketchy, at best. Anyway, the photo came out great and two weeks ago I finally got around to doing a pastel from it. It was raining and I set up on the porch. I got very detailed with it but I wanted it to look like an early 1900's painting. That's the feel we got when we hiked back there and I hope this painting has the same feel to it.

I haven't had much of a chance to paint lately, as we've had our granddaughter with us for the last month. I take her back to Florida tomorrow for five days, then I can paint to my heart's desire!

Flamingo -

11x14 $100.00 +s&h

The oil spill in the Gulf is so upsetting. We spent 28 years in South Florida and took the oceans and the parks for granted. We enjoyed the everglades and used to go to Flamingo Gardens to spend the day and admire the beautiful flamingos.

Laguna Niguel Park - 8x10

A beautiful day at the park near our condo in Dana Point.

At the Market

11x14 $85.00 +s&h

A Market in Peru, from a photo taken by my sister-in-law, from their many travels. I tried simplifying the scene, especially the background.

Water Lillies - 20x30 - sold

We're on the road now, heading to the Adirondacks of New York from California. A week before we left I had a commission to paint - water lillies. It's nice when someone decides they want a piece of art and they want you to paint it. I'm always thrilled and then a bit apprehensive that they'll like my interpretation. The client had a photo for me and I actually simplified it for the painting.