Here’s a photo of alpacas. I was in an enclosure with some while I was painting and then would come fairly close to see what I was up to. They have the sweetest faces! I thought I’d like to have one but then I learned they’re very unhappy unless they have companions. One morning while I was concentrating on a painting I heard a loud bleating. Soon afterward the owners returned from town and announced excitedly that one of the mothers had just given birth. If I’d only paid attention I could have seen the little one born! I couldn’t believe that it was up and walking around less than an hour afterward.
I’ve been painting at the alpaca farm near South Strafford, which is about 5 miles from Strafford. It’s a wonderful place with beautiful views and the cutest animals! My method this summer has been to do a small painting, block out a larger one from the sketch and then go back and finish the larger version on site. It’s easier to work on location if I’ve gotten everything correctly placed before I plunge in. This painting is looking down on the studio of another Strafford painter and then across to distant buildings. I started this one before everything had turned so green. When I went back another building in the far background had been completely obscured by new growth!
May Morning oil on masonite 18 x 24 gold frame $700
It has been too long since I’ve posted anything. Once we get a little warm weather I’m out in the yard trying to get ahead of the weeds that are exploding everywhere. I’ve also started going out with the group to paint the landscape but don’t have anything yet to put up from those outings. Yesterday I had planned to go somewhere but felt too lazy to load up the car and drive to the site. So I wandered around here and in the backyard saw a little group of pine trees–volunteers all–that are starting to fill up the slope behind the house, just at the edge of the woods. They’re bursting with new growth. I love the soft look of pines and thoroughly enjoyed slapping these down on top of an old painting.
Morning Pines oil on masonite 18 x 12 $350 unframed
