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.