I’m off tomorrow to my much needed week long painting residency at Fair Oaks farm in Evinston. I am so happy.  I get this privilege once a year.  I live in the guest cottage on the farm. It is adorable. It has all the modern conveniences too, including a large tv with all streaming channels. 

I have painted on this farm for 20 years now. It is truly my favorite place on this good earth. I explore every acre while there. It is prime old Florida. The diversity of upland, forest, and wetland is wonderful. There is a great scene to paint in every direction throughout the 160 acres. More notes on my adventure to come.

Country painters live their best life…..

My bird feeding morning chore never fails to make me smile.  This morning there were the 2 woodies, red winged black birds, blue jays, tufted titmouse, black birds and the regular murder of crows waiting impatiently, talking trash.  I love to watch them zoom in for breakfast. The woodies and blue jays are pigs, gobbling up 3 or four at a visit.  The crows like to eat on the ground.  I often stand on the porch to watch them.

As I carried my coffee to my design table in my studio I heard hundreds of birds out the window on the west side of the yard. I looked out to see masses of robins in the holly tree feasting on the berries. The tree had been full of berries this season. Within two hours it was totally stripped of berries. What a wonderful experience for me. 

This country painter has a wonderful life……