The Project Ends but More Projects to Come

A Big Thank You!

We have come to the end of this specific project: Six Artists Six Prairies, and would like to thank our sponsors and each one of you for your interest, encouragement, appreciation and support.  It has been an interesting time for all of us.  We learned so much ourselves, not only about prairies, but more importantly about the role artists can play in bringing about an awareness of the unique world around us and the need to protect and conserve it.  Art and conservation are natural partners!  Stay tuned as we continue our artistic journeys and projects....

 Linda Blondheim

 Mary Jane Volkmann

 Steve Andrews

 Charles Dickinson

 Scott Hiestand

Old Boundary

"Old Boundary"
   I would like to express a very late thank you to all who attended out opening show for the Alachua Conservation Trust. I enjoyed meeting and talking with all of you about art and the prairies.
   It is in the works for a second show at the Visitors Center at Paynes Prairie. Opening dates have not been set as of this post, but as soon as more information becomes available, I will be posting it here.
  
Scott Hiestand

Fish Prairie

Ferns on Fish Prairie April

 Fish Prairie February

Fish Prairie

18x24 inches

acrylic on canvas

February

Notes From Fish Prairie

I spent a week at Fair Oaks as part of my residency project there. Part of Fish Prairie is on the Fair Oaks property and I love painting there. The staff has cut nice trails through the prairie and I spend very happy hours deep in the prairie painting. I was traveling through March, so I missed the gradual transition from winter to spring. Yesterday I drove around back there in the golf cart, thoughtfully provided by the owner for my painting excursions. It looks so different from the winter time I painted last that I thought I was lost a couple of times. It is now jungle, with tangles of vines, weeds, huge ferns and rich greens. I could have been in the rain forests of Latin America with a bit of imagination. Though our project will end in June, I hope to continue to paint at Fish Prairie for years to come.

Linda Blondheim

Prairie thrills

At certain times of the year the grasses and bushes in the prairie are tall and thick, making access challenging.  Once winter sets in they turn glorious colors of golds, oranges, browns and purples, then gradually the vegetation thins.  During this time the prairies receive their winter visitors ~ birds on their migratory routes dipping down to forage and thrill us with their circling calls.  Smaller birds dart from bush to bush.  Often when I'm painting I will suddenly be surprised as a flock of small birds I hadn't noticed flees from a nearby bush, started by a noise I may have unconsciously made!  I always return from these trips refreshed and rejuvenated!

As you will have read, our big event at Prairie Creek Lodge is just around the corner!  The postcards are ready and are being mailed and we're inviting everyone we can to come and see what we've done and hopefully purchase our paintings to support art and the invaluable work being done by the Alachua Conservation Trust.  ACT has gone out of their way to prepare a fun day for this project on February 25.  It will run from noon to 9 p.m.  One or the other of us will be painting on location throughout the afternoon, so you can come and watch and talk with us as we work.  There will be live music and hors d'ouvres.  This will also be a great opportunity to learn about the educational and land acquisition projects of the Alachua Conservation Trust.  If you'd like more information, you are welcome to contact them directly at 352-373-1078.  We hope to see you there! 

Mary Jane Volkmann

Alachua Conservation Trust Hosts Six Artists Six Prairies

Prairie Creek Lodge

Our paintings will be on display at Prairie Creek Lodge from February 18- March 16, 2012.

Our main event will be February 25, 2012 from Noon-9PM. We will be painting in front of the lodge from noon to dark, rotating artists throughout the day.

Come meet the artists, watch us paint and purchase original framed paintings while enjoying hors d'ouvres and live music. Our painting sales will support the efforts of Alachua Conservation Trust and their many educational and land acquisition projects.

This will be our last formal event for the project, so we are looking forward to seeing our many friends. If you miss the party on February 25, you will have several weeks to browse the paintings and make your selections. You will also have the opportunity to purchase a painting for the permanent collection for Prairie Creek Lodge through their purchase award program. A plaque will be placed next to the donor's painting.

 Linda Blondheim

Dawn

"Dawn"
Early morning on Paynes Prairie...a nice place to be with a hot cup of coffee!

Scott Hiestand

Autumn Dance

It was such a colorful autumn in northern Florida this year.  Was it a combination of dry weather and a seemingly slower changing of the seasons?  I just finished this painting of Paynes Prairie.  I was attracted to the scene because of the colors and design everywhere I looked. As I observed I had the feeling that autumn was dancing in the landscape. 

Over the next couple of weeks I hope to put the finishing touches on several prairie paintings I have in various stages towards completion. I'll post them as they find their resting points. 

Mark your calendars because our big event at Prairie Creek Lodge is drawing near!  On February 25 the Six Artists Six Prairies Project will combine forces with the Alachua Conservation Trust, showing and selling the prairie paintings we have done in an effort to support conservation and artists.  More details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year to everyone!  May this be a special year for each of you!

Mary Jane Volkmann

Happy Holidays from the Six Artists Six Prairies Project!

It's the time of year when so many of us are preoccupied with preparations for those special days we share with family and friends.  The past couple of years I've taken time out to walk in the prairies with those close to my heart.  We enjoy the quiet togetherness, sharing thoughts or none, exclaiming when a bird suddenly jumps out of the bushes and smiling at their calls and song.  This year the prairies seem particularly beautiful and the Sandhill Cranes are still flying overhead, calling as they circle.  It's a great time to be in nature, appreciating that we still have these pristine places to enjoy in peace.  We are so grateful for our conservation partners! The artists of the Six Artists Six Pairies Project wish each of you the happiest of holidays and the joy of wonder and wander! 

Mary Jane Volkmann for SASP

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.

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



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

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!!

Fall Color on the Prairie

Landscape Paintings

Sometimes it's fun to push the color on a painting, particularly in the fall when all of the possibilities on my palette are available. The landscape comes alive with rusts, purples, reds oranges and wheat colors added to the Florida greens that grow year round. Lots of fun mixing these delicious colors even though they are exaggerated.

Linda Blondheim

Mark Your Calendars!

“Last Child in the Woods” author Richard Louv struck such a chord with the staff and board of ACT that we brought him to Gainesville in 2006 to be the keynote speaker for our Conservation Stewards Banquet. He spoke to over a thousand people that week as we carried him around to any group who would listen, and his message forever changed the mission of Alachua Conservation Trust. His book is a compelling investigation into the implications of raising a generation of children without any meaningful connection or comfort with the outdoors. Mr. Louv is returning five years later to Gainesville with a new message in his book, “The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and The End of Nature Deficit Disorder.” Supported by ground-breaking research, anecdotal evidence, and compelling personal stories, Louv identifies seven basic concepts that can help us reshape our lives. By tapping into the restorative powers of nature, we can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more
sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds. Louv makes a convincing case that we are entering the most creative period in history, that in fact the twenty-first century will be the era of human restoration in the natural world. This encouraging and influential work offers renewed optimism while challenging us to rethink the way we live.

Richard Louv will be speaking and reading at Prairie Creek Lodge on Saturday, October 8th in an evening that includes a social hour and dinner. Florida Defenders of the Environment and Santa Fe College are cosponsoring his visit with ACT – please come for an interesting and inspiring evening, but we do require reservations at: fde@FlaDefenders.org or (352) 378-8465.

~ From the Alachua Conservation Trust, whose latest Gazetteer full of interesting news has just been published!

On a prairie tour with Hutch

This morning we went to Prairie Creek Lodge to meet with “Hutch” (Robert Hutchinson), the Executive Director of the Alachua Conservation Trust.  He took us on a tour of the properties surrounding Prairie Creek lodge, along the way explaining the ecology, the response of the land to hydrology as well as their monitoring and observations about the recovery of the land from its past use for grazing.  Hutch showed us different wildflowers and berries, osprey and eagles' nests and so generously answered our many questions!  Driving through thick and tall bushes, we followed along and then crossed over Prairie Creek,  learning about cypress trees and the distinct signs of prairie rims.  We walked along the creek for a ways looking at the amazing array of cypress knees.  At one point we came upon a little pool of water in which Hutch pointed out a rather large gator just under the surface.... We learned many interesting things about the different types of prairie habitats and plants. We also saw the Green burial cemetery, which is in a beautiful and peaceful setting. The headstones have been so tastefully fashioned from tree trunks, cypress knees, and other natural materials. We are looking forward to observing and painting this beautiful land in different seasons.  We came away with such an appreciation of the work being done by the Alachua Conservation Trust to purchase and preserve tracts of land for future generations.  We hope that our prairie project will help spread the word about the importance of supporting our conservation partners.  Thanks again, Hutch!

Mary Jane Volkmann and Linda Blondheim

Prairie Riot

Walking in the prairies at different times of  the year I am always delighted to observe how nature changes her drapery.  From exposed branches and the tangled design of grasses to the riot of color as the buds burst into bloom, each season brings both its subtle and bold changes, never ceasing to point out to me something I haven't seen before! This painting is from a spot I often visit along the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie.

Mary Jane Volkmann

Pines

Pines

24x18 inches

acrylic on canvas

I have a great love for trees and particularly for pines. I often see tall pines that rim prairies. This time of year there is an abundance of wildflowers and of Goldenrod. Pines are a challenging painting subject. Their tall, graceful statures and interesting canopies are beautiful. I really love their bark and color. When I was a child there was a tall pine in the school yard and we all spent much recess time carving our names and symbols into its bark.

Linda Blondheim

Why Care About Prairies?

Tuscawilla Prairie

Why Care About Prairies?

 From http://www.prairies.org/

1. •The prairie ecosystem, unique to North America, is an important part of our natural heritage
2. •Only 1% of the original prairie land remains -- 99% of prairies are gone
3. •Because so little of their native habitat remains, many prairie plants and animal are very rare, endangered or extinct
4. •There is still lots to learn about the prairie ecosystem and how it is impacted by natural processes
5. •The prairie is home to many kinds of beautiful flowers and hardy grasses; some prairie species may have important uses for science
6. •Millions and millions of bison used to roam the prairie; they are America's largest land mammal

Linda Blondheim

Susie,
Thanks for following along on the journey with us.
Love,
Linda

Shady Spot

"Shady Spot"

   I have always liked palm trees, but to this day I struggle when I have to paint them. I do like the long, leafless branches of the trunk where interesting negative space can be obtained and its a great place for light to pop through in a dark, shadow environment. Over-all they still remain a challenge for me.
   At last September is here and I'm sure that soon the weather will change, making plein air painting more comfortable. Fall is my favorite time of year in Florida. The colors can't compare to the north, but if you know where to look, they are every bit as beautiful.

Scott Hiestand
  

Conservation Trust For Florida Fall RoundUP