A WOOL NEEDLE FELTED PAINTING!

When we moved to our farm in 1981, a young family lived next door in what used to be the tenant house to our property.  There were three girls and one of them turned out to be quite an artist!  Her name is Julie Tabbitas Moore and this is a fabulous example of her work.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS....

Today we visited A Different Path Gallery in Brockport.  Here are some of my favorite things from the current show.  You can see more pieces on the Skoog Farm Journal.

Aren't these lamps beautiful?

MUCH TO MY SURPRISE!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful painting by my friend Brenda (we were at her house for dinner).  These are three of the horses from our farm!  She captured them just right.  As she reads my blog regularly, there are times when she grabs shots and paints them...ok with me, she does beautiful work.

A PASTEL FOR WANDA'S ART CHALLENGE

Today one of my students, Tina Eibl, came to class with this pastel drawing from one of the photographs in the latest challenge.  It was done on sandpaper!

THE WINDMILL

Look at what I got in my email...a beautiful watercolor of our windmill.  It was sent by my friend Brenda Cretney.  A few years ago she was in my class and has since moved on...now she is a member of the Rochester Art Club and as you can see, is very accomplished.  This is a strong example of good composition and technique.  That's what happens when you are willing to paint everyday.   Thanks Brenda!

A DIFFERENT PATH

It takes a lot of time and money to start a new gallery.

But that didn't hold back Kathy Weston and her husband Stewart.  She is an artist and he is a professor in the Biology Department at the college.

There are three parts to A Different Path.  They started off with a shop...most of the inventory gathered from local artists.

Unique and the kind of items I would have in our house.

This night light for example....it has to be my first purchase.

There are also some socks that I need to buy...those mismatched hand knit kind.

The  second part is the gallery itself.  It made it's debut with work from the Arena Group.

This was one of the artists.  And she was wearing a pair of those socks I want!

Even to they were still working on the facade of the building, the show went on as planned.

The majority of the work is now complete (and done with great integrity I might add) and they are ready to go out to phase three.  Preparing studio space on the second floor.

We are fortunate to have a gallery of this quality in our little village.

DRAWING EXERCISE FOR WANDA

Colored pencil topped with pointilism and a photoshop background.

MADE IN SCOTLAND!

This piece is unlike anything I have ever seen.  My friend Andrea (horse pal, Glen Darach Farm)  moved here from England over 20 years ago.  Her sister Helen now lives in Scotland and came over for a month long visit ... bringing this birthday present to Andrea.  It is made of felted fabrics and depicts Andrea's house.  A lot of effort went into this...Helen did a great job!

SIDNEY, SEYMOUR AND BERMUDA ALA WANDA'S ART BLOG

I started "doinart" when I was introduced to Wanda's Art Blog.  After I sent her about 60 photographs to be used whenever, she posted 5 or 6....subject matter "cats."  These are the interpretations.  What a fun concept...select one of the photos and draw or paint it.  If you would like to participate, check out http://watercolorsbywanda.blogspot.com

BILL STEWART CAN'T COME TO THE PARTY 'CAUSE HE HAS AN OPENING IN CAZENOVIA!

In the past, I have posted many photos of sculpture created by our funky friend, Bill Stewart.  This Friday he has an opening at the Chameleon Gallery....53 Albany St....in Cazenovia.  The hours are 5-8pm.  If you live near there, check it out.  We have been pals since 1966 and have been developing quite a collection of his work.

As you can see, he has quite an imagination!

A CONTRIBUTION FROM BRENDA CRETNEY

Brenda was one of my students awhile ago.  Since that time she has moved on to more workshops and classes and is now part of a show put on by the Rochester Art Club.  She had to submit work to become a member of this prestigious group and just had two pieces accepted for their current show.

As she reads my blog regularly, Brenda was aware of the photos I sent to Wanda's Art Blog (Sidney, Seymour and Bermuda...our cats) for others to paint or draw.  Here is a water color sketch that she sent to me today...  I hope to post more of her work as soon as she sends it to me.

SELF PORTRAIT

A couple of days ago, Bob S. (who lives nearby), dropped off a dressage saddle to see if I could sell it for him.  He used to take classes from me several years ago and now teaches art in a Rochester program.  On his 81st birthday, he did this self portrait and I want to share it with you.

It looks just like him!  He has always been great with pastels and portraits.  Kudos Bob.

WANDA

Here is a quick sketch of one of the cats (Bermuda).  I had to start somewhere and it's going to take me awhile to get back in the groove.  When I have not worked for a long time, it's hard to get loose.