The piggies at River Dog Farm were adjacent to this verdant meadow. Altogether, probably 40 or so beehives formed this little condominium development, and it was far enough out from the center of the farm that none of the other painters ventured out here. In contrast to the swine squealing and arguing, the honey bees set up a warm, delicate vibration throughout the area so that you could almost feel the pulsation against your skin. We've had so much rain that the grasses and wildflowers are deep around the bases of the hives, and the hills are covered in green velvet and peau de soie.
I snagged one painting out of the morning, and invaluable advice from the master artist of the trip, Philippe Gandiol. I will spend the next several days practicing painting with white, and learning to refine my values more dramatically when painting en plein air. Great teachers are such a gift!
I decided that Saturday morning's painting trip was like going to the golf course and hitting one dead, solid, perfect tee shot down the middle of the fairway, clearing the water hazard and lying up just 20 feet shy of a downhill putt that you know you can sink in two. It just doesn't get any better.
Unless you could take a piggy home with you.
1 comment:
Looks like a place I'd want to return to often! A beautiful description and painting! Leave the little piggies there and just go visit!
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