Six Artists Six Prairies: Springs Hopkins prairie

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Oak Edge

   Over the weekend my wife (Linda) and I took a road trip to find two of the six prairies that I will be painting, Hopkins Prairie and Putnam Prairie. There is nothing like being on the road headed to a plein air painting spot. Armed this weekend with only our cameras, we were on a research trip to gathers photos for studio paintings. Our first stop was Hopkins Prairie and while I was impressed with the landscape, it was not what I would call a large prairie. As it turned out, good things come in small packages.

   After taking a bunch of photos from on side of the prairie, we moved to the other side to where the camp grounds were located. This was a beauitful area with large oak stands at the edge of the prairie. After taking more photos, we decided to move on to Putnam Prairie. We never found Putnam Prairie! We stopped at this small park outside Melrose where there was a map of the area and on the map was Putnam Prairie but we could never find any signs stating "Entering Putnam Prairie". For all we know we could have been standing in the middle of the prairie... but no signs.

   All in all we had a great time and I did produce a small 6 x 9 inch acrylic painting ("Oak Edge") of the oak trees about the camp grounds of Hopkins Prarire. More road trips will take place soon.

Scott Hiestand

Friday, June 10, 2011

Hopkins Prairie

Hopkins Prairie

The northern part of the Ocala National Forest nurtures upland habitats of rolling sandhills topped with longleaf pines and oaks. Wiregrass thrives, carpeting the forest floor in a misty haze that turns to lilac in winter. Surface water is found only in scattered flatwoods ponds north of Kerr Island. The trail circles Hopkins Prairie, a significant natural feature rich with wildflowers and wildlife, at the south end of this segment.- From Florida Trail Association

This is a new prairie for me. I'm enjoying researching it and painting it from reference images.

Linda Blondheim

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