October 20, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... 2008 SHOW!

October 19th, 2008

Photos from our group show at the Point Reyes Vineyards today! It was a brisk, but exciting day, with excellent wine, art and a beautiful backdrop of autumn colors in the vineyards for our annual, group show of Art on the Farm. The oysters were delicious, and the Doughty's were terrific hosts. Thank you to all the volunteers, and we look forward to the results of the day from Alan Mart. To view more photos from the event, please click here.

September 17, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Fresh Run Farm

At Fresh Run Farm, owned by Peter Martinelli, beets, kale, collards, and chard grow alongside flowers, strawberries and potatoes on two bowl-shaped plots ringed by wild blackberry bushes. These bushes are heavy with fruit by midsummer and become just another of the many products that Peter purveys. There are also chickens, goats, plenty of dogs and even a few alpacas on the farm. In addition to growing over 40 kinds of fruit, vegetables and flowers, Peter also collects nettles, mushrooms, watercress and other treats from the wild.


Tractor with Goats
Originally uploaded by cproppe
Sunday, September 14, 2008

I drove out to Bolinas Sunday morning just in time to catch Peter Martinelli, driving off to a family reunion. He welcomed the artists to his farm in a secluded spot off Horseshoe Hill Road. I was greeted first by the sheep on the way in, and over the hill was a large field, full of colors of the season.




The sunflowers were definitely the most photogenic , but the goats win for friendliest. It was a nice day, and I visited with Larry Bryson, this year's Art on the Farm organizer, before several other artists arrived in the afternoon, including Maude from Bolinas, with her well-loved artist chair. Sorry I don't have a photo of that rusty relic, but it was quite charming.

To view my photostream from Fresh Run Farm, click here


To contact Peter at the Farm:

Fresh Run Farm
Peter Martinelli
P.O. Box 237
Bolinas, CA 94924
email

Art on the Farm Weekly... Drake's Bay Oyster Farm

Oysters purchased on Sunday, August 31, 2008, directly from a smiling, blue-eyed, Kevin Lunny of Drake's Bay Oysters, Pt. Reyes, CA. Kevin gave a talk and tour to the "Art on the Farm" group of painters and photographers. I ran into the artists as I was purchasing oysters for a 40th Birthday party at the beach. Kevin is donating oysters to our group show next month. Thank you, Drake's Family Farms! Here are some additional photos of the oysters that were beautiful, and gone all too quickly.
and below...a painting, by David Miller, that graces our group poster for next month's art show.

September 13, 2008

Postcards for our Show!

Saturday, September 13, 2008
These are the postcards that will be available 9/16 for the "Art on the Farm" group show on October 19th, in Point Reyes Station. These cards were ordered before our poster was finalized, so a bit of the information is not updated, including the fact that we will have 46 artists on display, and locally grown grapes, not organic wine(my error on the type, not false advertising!). All other information on the card is correct. These cards are blank on the backside, and artists involved, if you wish to get some from me, please email me. If you are a patron or would like to visit our show, I am happy to email you a postcard to the event, so please email me also! Thank you! -Colleen

August 25, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Clark Summit Farm

Sunday, August 24, 2008


The Art on the Farm group ventured out to Tomales for the day, and were greeted by the most friendly farm animals yet. Clark Summit Farms boasts "twin" dogs, and goats, coming right up to say hello, and some rolling over right away for a belly scratch.

There were baby pigs in all different colors.

A plethora of chickens were dancing around and jumping on top of a bright blue bathtub at the top of the hill, overlooking the valley.

There were many different old barns of all different shapes and sizes. The painters settled right in and the animals roamed around us, often coming over to check on our work. I met a new artist this week, Dianne Hull (pictured below), and she had a very nice painting in progress by the time the wind drove me down the hill. I am including some photos of the artists and farm residents at work, and many of the great animals at Clark Summit.



To view more of my favorite shots from this outing, click here.

August 20, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Little Organic Farm

Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Art on the Farm group spent the day at Little Organic Farm, owned by David Little, on Tomales Rd. in Petaluma, between Tomales High School and the Coast Guard Station. David's primary crop is potatoes. He grows over 30 varieties. David also grows winter squash, strawberries, melons, onions, lettuces, corn and tomatoes. Text below and Photos by plein air artist, Donna Solin
Donna writes:
"The day started out beautiful. The sun was shining and it was quite warm. We had the opportunity to view grazing cattle, big and small sunflowers,
ripe tomatoes , bolting lettuce and wonderful strawberry rows.

I realized the weather was not going to last. I chose to paint one of the many building sites with some of the wonderful big trees sheltering them."

To visit Donna's website, and learn more about what she painted this week, please visit: http://www.donnasolin.com

August 14, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Regenerative Design Institute

Sunday, August 3, 2008
Set way back beyond in the nether regions of West Marin, even beyond hidden Bolinas, is Regenerative Design Institute. What a fantastic place! I got lost and was a bit frantic, but once I parked and unlatched the wooden gate, I found a 17 acre site full of quiet and wonderful growing things. Overlooking the gorgeous field of vegetables are two cob-built (straw and clay) houses for workers, each with beautiful insets above the entry made from green glass wine bottles. Bees buzzed, taking in pollen from all the wild flowers and bringing it back to their hive sandwiched between two cookie sheets on an outdoor picnic table. The smell of honey was wonderful! While roaming the grounds, I fell in love with the beautiful purple blossoms of the artichokes. These plants were sprouting here and there, giving the gardens a sweet highlight of color.

I wound up by a little greenhouse where some luscious pink roses were drooping their pink blooms and the nasturtiums sprawled around a cow's skull. While I was painting, little red plums were falling around me like rain! A worker quietly gathered them as best she could in a bowl, saying they're falling faster than she can collect.

I loved the frumpiness of this place as well as the idea behind it all--
"(a) farm ... being transformed into a permaculture model of human beings living in harmony with the earth." Grey water use, classes involving kids and community, organic gardens featuring all kinds of vegetables and fruit--it was exciting to be there but also very relaxed and carefree, at least for the painter visiting for a day! It's a ways out there, but well worth the drive.
Post Photos and Article by Kate Peper
peperprojects:kate peper
textile and surface design
www.peperprojects.com

August 10, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... October Show

The 2008 Group Show took place on October 19th, 2008.
To view photos of the show, click here.

The above is our poster in progress for the October 19th show. The paintings on the poster, from top to bottom are by artists, Linda Larsen, Kanna Aoki, David Miller, Sherrill Miller, Babara Lawrence and Kay Carlson.

***SAVE THE DATE!***
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Art on the Farm Annual Show
Pt. Reyes Vineyard Inn and Winery

Food from Marin Organic family farms, wine and art available for purchase with 50% going back to the Marin Organic Interest-Free Loan Fund; a fund that is used by Marin Organic farmers and ranchers who are in direct, financial need. Point Reyes Vineyard is about 1 mile north of Point Reyes Station on Highway #1.


Postcards!
For information about postcards for this show, either picking some up if you are an artist, or receiving one if you are a patron or would like to attend the show, please click here.

July 27, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Mt. Barnabe Farm

Sunday, July 27, 2008
Today, the Art on the Farm group ventured up Mt. Barnabe in Lagunitas, CA to Mt. Barnabe Farm, owned by Diane Matthew. Diane has been growing raspberries, blackberries and garlic at her farm perched on the East side of Mt. Barnabe for 16 years. Diane also raises Navajo Churro Sheep, and Dominique Chickens, for eggs. Mt. Barnabe Farm is a member of Marin Organic. Several artists participated in today's trip, although I was only there long enough to chat with Connie Smith Siegel, Barbara Lawrence, and Larry Bryson.
Connie is a native of this valley(San Geronimo Valley, in Woodacre), stayed the longest; well into the cold foggy afternoon, and was dressed in earthtones, blending in with the native, West Marin colors. Her image on her easel was large, and full of energetic pastel strokes, delineating the dry summer grasses and brush. Barbara Lawrence had her dog, Matisse, on site, and it was so funny, to be painting on the hillside and hearing a woman calling, "Matisse, Matisse, come..." Plein air pleasantries...

July 10, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Cow Track Ranch

Sunday, June 8, 2008
Heaven on earth tonight, at Cow Track Ranch, in Nicasio, CA. It was just a stunning afternoon, with 360 views of rolling hills, valleys, rock outcroppings and grazing cows. The ranch itself has a redwood barn, now greyed with age and covered with yellow lichen, that was built in 1871, as well as colorful antique tractors and rusted farm equipment from times past. Much of this info was written up in a recent article by Jim at the West Marin Citizen. Thank you, Jim! Click image below to read the article...

May 27, 2008

Art on the Farm Weekly... Gospel Flat Farms

Sunday, May 25, 2008
Flag art located on Gospel Flat Farm, Bolinas, CA.

Artists had the joy of painting in afternoon light this Memorial Day weekend on this unusual farm in Bolinas, CA. One building had and entire whale skeleton on the roof; apparently all bones that had washed up on the shore in Bolinas that had been each collected over time and left on the roof to dry. A duck house, made of an old windsurfer, buoys and odd recycled goods, glided back and forth on a duck pond, with an island inhabited by rabbits in the center. Under the arched bridge to the island, 4 ducks paddled and swam in the green and blue hues.Bolinas Ridge in the distance, and artists painting for hours, quietly engrossed in their work. Lettuce and chard rows were plentiful, and a friendly girl name Anna Rose, who sat down to read a book in the lettuce rows, explained they have no problems with deer or rabbits eating the food. An old rickshaw style bike with a large, metal basket painting, "Eat Local" seemed like a throw back to another time, when life was this simple and peaceful. For more information on Gospel Flat Farm, please visit their new website.

March 14, 2008

March 13, 2008

Art Gallery



This gallery includes a small sample of images from 2007. To view or purchase 2008 images, please visit the Art on the Farm website, maintained by Larry Bryson.



***If you can't see a gallery of images above,please upgrade your internet browser to the latest version. Pictobrowser does not work with IE 6 and some older browsers.***

Participating Farms & Ranches


Marin Organic Farms
Who have participated in Art on the Farm:

All Star Organics
Blackberry Farm
• Carbon Farm
• Cerini Ranch
• Conlan Ranches California
Cow Track Ranch
• Creekside Gardens
• Devil's Gulch Vineyard
Drake's Bay Family Farm
Fairfax Fresh
Fresh Run Farm
Gospel Flat Farm
Green Gulch Farm
• Historic L Ranch
• Internatural Harvestors
• Little Organics
McEvoy Olive Ranch
Mt. Barnabe Farm
Paradise Valley Produce
• Point Reyes Vineyard
Redhill Farms
Regenerative Design Institute
Sartori Farms
Slide Ranch
Star Route Farms
Stemple Creek
• Stewart Ranch
Stubb's Vineyard
Toluma Farm
Wild Blue Farm

Contact

Founder + Marin Organic Liason + Farmer + Artist:
Alan Mart
Web, Communications Volunteer + Artist:
Colleen Proppé

twitter:   @ArtontheFarm         webartonthefarm.org

Join our mailing list >
Helge Hellberg, of Marin Organic, speaks to artists on Carbon Farm, in Nicasio, Spring 2008.

2008 - 2011 Artist Organizer:
Larry Bryson