Six Artists Six Prairies: November 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Prairie Sketch

Spent another day sketching Paynes Prairie through the trees a few weeks ago. I had such a great day. The prairies reflect so many colors and set the mood for painting and trying to capture that moment with a quick sketch.

Charles Dickinson

A Day at Tuscawilla Prairie

Charles Dickinson Hard at Work

Mary Jane Volkmann With a Lovely Painting in Progress

Linda Blondheim Enjoys the Prairie View

Steve Andrews, Mary JaneVolkmann and Charles Dickinson Take a Break

We had a nice adventure on Tuscawilla Prairie today thanks to the Alachua Conservation Trust who graciously provides us with the Prairie Creek Lodge and the Tuscawilla Cabin, both with spectacular views. We are making an effort to get out on Tuesdays when time permits. Scott Hiestand is out of state traveling for awhile, so cannot join us regularly but keeps up with the goings on, checking in and posting his paintings to the blog. Mary Jane and I took a tour around the praire in the car early in the morning through narrow paths which have been mowed. That was a wonderful treat.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Socked In

"Socked In"

At last my favorite time of year! There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting in a thick fog while painting. The colors are muted and soft and the landscape just becomes flat patterns. Its amazing the calm that fog can provide.

Scott Hiestand

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A Fall Look at Tuscawilla Prairie

Notes From the Prairie

Today Mary Jane Volkmann and I took a quick look at fall on the Tuscawilla Prairie. It is spectacular right now with layers on layers of texture and color. The trees in the distance look smoky blue and make a fantastic backdrop for the many subtle grays, greens, rusts, and wheats showing in the plants. It is a feast for the eyes and we can't wait to get back there soon to paint again.

Save the date for our next event at Prairie Creek Lodge with the Alachua Conservation Trust on February 25, 2012.

Linda Blondheim

Monday, November 7, 2011

Fun at the Fall Round Up

CTF Fall Round Up was perfect!!

Thanks so much to Conservation Trust for Florida for hosting and featuring the Six Artists Six Prairies at their wonderful event on November 6,2011. Thanks to Hans and Deborah Tansler for providing their fantastic FARM for the event. The food was outstanding, the music wonderful and there was a huge turn out. I ran into many old friends and made new ones there. Six Artists Six Prairies was represented by Mary jane Volkmann, Charles Dickinson and myself. We arrived early in the afternoon and painted until the light was gone. Sales were made which will benefit the organization and the artists. It was a great experience for all and CTF did a fantastic job!!

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Our Mission

We are professional artists working together to preserve in paint the beauty and importance of Florida’s prairies. Providing a home to a vast array of native plants and animals, whether resident or seasonal, the unique ecology and vistas of prairies have long been an important part of our culture in this county. Reflected in folklore, literature, music and scientific journals, prairies have stirred our sense of wonder and honed our sense of observation. Finding access to them is not always easy and this access is becoming increasingly limited through development. For twelve months we will be watching and painting six different prairies, observing their dynamic seasonal changes, exploring and discovering their exciting secrets and creating a unique historical record in the process. Working with like- minded organizations, we hope to add our share to the efforts they are undertaking to preserve these unique prairies for future generations.

The Artists

Steve Andrews
Tallahassee Florida

Artist Statement

I am excited to be involved in this project. I was born and raised in Florida and I love to paint the Florida landscape. Unfortunately, at times, that landscape seems to be vanishing before my eyes. It is great to be able to contribute to conservation efforts while at the same time getting to do what I love to do -- paint. When most people think of Florida landscapes they think of beaches and water, but the interior of this state is also amazing. I look forward to trying to show you my view of this part of the state. Thanks for taking the time to check out our paintings of these beautiful and little known Florida prairies and for supporting efforts to protect them.

Linda Blondheim
Gainesville, FL

Artist Statement

I have painted Paynes Prairie for thirty years and Fish Prairie many times. We Americans have a kinship and history with western prairies.There is a nostalgia about them. I want to make Florida residents and visitors aware of the treasures they have here in north Florida. This project is a way to combine my love for the Florida landscape with my desire to preserve the wild places in Florida for future generations.

My prairie paintings are available for sale on this link. Just click on the images:

Linda Blondheim Paintings

Charles Dickinson

St Augustine, FL

Artist Statement

The Florida prairies hold the natural beauty and timeless qualities that are the foundation of powerful landscape painting. Their skies, their flora and fauna, their compositional and atmospheric possibilities make for a beautiful painting experience that I am excited to share with the public and work to preserve.

Scott Hiestand
Ormond Beach, FL

Artist Statement

Florida Prairies--these are not the prairies reminiscent of Conestoga wagons slowly rolling over short grasses while pheasants scatter in all directions. Rather, these are Florida prairies, where Sand Hill Cranes and other wildlife walk among small wetlands, palms, and prairie stands. I look for atmosphere in my landscape subjects--low light or a soft mist of fog rising over a stump filled pond. It is this type of image I hope to bring to you in my acrylic paintings. The next 18 months of my life painting these prairies will be challenging and exciting. I look forward to painting with the other five artists in our group who are the cream of the crop and masters of their craft.

Mary Jane Volkmann

Gainesville, FL

Artist Statement

I have a nearby refuge from the sights and sounds of the city: Paynes Prairie. I enjoy its vistas and the beauty of its many moods. I go there to listen to the birds and critters, to smell the dust and plants, to watch the changing colors of the seasons and even sometimes to watch meteors. As an artist, painting the prairies of north Florida is a way I can share with others the peace, joy and curiosity I experience in them. It is my humble way to add my voice to the call to preserve these special places and their contents for future generations ~ not only of humanity, but also of the birds, critters and animals who take their own refuge in prairies.

Help Us With Your Donation or Sponsorship

This project is a marriage of art and conservation. As stewards of nature we will host several public events combining conservation education and art. Obviously as artists we need to sell our paintings to survive in our profession. To cover the additional items and expenses connected with this project and to help it succeed we are soliciting support, either directly or in kind. If you would like to donate to this project directly, please use the PayPal Donate Button. The in kind contributions we are looking for range from printing, signage, stationery and postage; tables, chairs, tents, lighting, food, beverages and insurance for public events; accommodation while traveling to and residing in prairie areas as well as financial help to cover these and other expenses we would not normally carry as artists. To become a business or corporate sponsor or to help with any of the above, please contact our acting treasurer, Linda, at lindasasp@gmail.com