Art Show Bedford

I am honored to be invited to participate in Art Show Bedford for another year. It is a wonderful show with 45 participating artists. There are some returning artists and some new artists that will be filling the hall with beautiful painting, sculpture and pottery. The show raises money for many local charities and all the hard work putting the show together is done by dedicated volunteers. Come and enjoy the art and support the community on a wintery weekend :)

Sending peace and good wishes for the year ahead…all the best, Laura

For information on the artists, dates and times please go to http://www.artshowbeford.

Summer at Stonecrop Garden

This summer was full of painting. Twelve artists were invited to paint the gardens at Stonecrop from May through August. I was out in the field several days a week. There were so many beautiful days, some smoky days, some afternoons escaping thunderstorms, and sometimes way too many mosquitoes!

It’s such a beautiful place full of endless inspiration. There will be so many different points of view through the eyes of each artist. I have only seen a few of the paintings and look forward to seeing everyones work once it’s on the gallery walls!

All the artists will be on display from September 18th- October 31st. I hope you can come and see the gardens and the show. Give yourself time to stroll the grounds. If you’ve never been to Stonecrop you will be amazed at the beauty there.

For gallery and garden hours and any additional information please go to https://www.stoncrop.org

Art shows and ramblings.....

This past weekend was the first weekend of Art Show Bedford.  There was a great turn out by the community and many friends.  There are 70 artists represented from our area. The art ranges from contemporary to traditional paintings, drawings, printmaking, jewelry, and pottery.  Sales have been good and it is nice to know the art will help to support many local charities in our area.  The show is at the beautiful St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford NY. The show is run by hard working volunteers every year, and all profits go to the charities listed below.

Abbott House, A-Home, Boys and Girls Club, Community Center of Northern Westchester, Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Hope’s Door, Hour Children, , Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, Neighbors Link, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, Hospice Care In Westchester and Putnam VNA

The remaining days of the show it will be this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday - February 3-5 - from 11am to 5 pm.  If  you're in the area drop in, see some art, enjoy gathering with friends and family. There is a warm fireplace always stoked…rumor has it that winter is finally coming in with a blast soon :)

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Rumex crispus, the curly dock - One of the stunning paintings now on exhibit at the Westport Library

Yesterday I went to see Dick Rauh’s Artist Talk and Retrospective. Dick is on one of the most influential people I have ever studied under.  I was lucky to meet Dick in 2004 when studying for my Certification in Botanical Art. I had never had a teacher so full of passion and love for his subject.  His joy is infectious and I learned so much about plants and their world while taking his Plant Morphology class. We all had microscopes on our desks and tried our best to keep up with the volumes of knowledge that Dick was imparting to us. I am so thankful that I had the honor to take his classes.  When I became a botanical art teacher I invited him to come and teach some workshops on drawing trees. We gathered outside with Dick and sketched one of his favorite subjects.  Everyone that attended his workshops has memories of what special days those were. He still teaches online through the New York Botanical Garden…there is no stopping this man and his love for teaching.

Hundreds of people crowded the Westport Library yesterday to hear Dick’s talk and to wish him Happy Birthday! They brought a cake up on the stage and everyone in the hall sang Happy Birthday to this man admired by so many. He will be turning 98 this Tuesday!!!  If any of you would like to see some of  his fantastic works of art they are currently on display at the Westport Library.  For information on the exhibit to this link. They are huge…the painting pictured above it at least 3 feet x 2 feet.

https://westportlibrary.org/event/dick-rauh-a-botanical-retrospective-in-the-sheffer-gallery/

So now I’m settling into teaching, sketching, painting and woodblock printing for the rest of winter….and of course walking the doggies ❤️ Stay warm everyone…..

Fall came on with a bang!

After such a dry dry dry summer I wasn’t very hopeful for a beautiful fall….but the trees this year are blazing with color they seem more vibrant than ever.

Classes have begun and it’s wonderful to have everyone back in the studio or out in the field. I am so happy not to be looking at friends and students through the computer screen.

I’ve been busy with classes, plein air painting and lots of framing for upcoming shows. Lots of shows coming up as the holiday season closes in.

My website has some updated content….adding pages of class downloads, supply lists etc. hope you find them helpful :)

So happy fall everyone….enjoy!!!! 🍂🍁🍂❤️🍂🍁

Summers end....

September is less than 24 hours away…honestly I don’t know where summer has gone.

I had time to paint and work on my woodblocks this summer, now my thoughts are turning towards our visit to The Cape. The painting above was done at Weir Farm National Park when the day-lilies were in full bloom. It was a beautiful morning and I found a lovely place to set up in the shade. We have some beautiful weather coming up this week and I look forward to more painting!

Classes will begin on September 22nd and 24th. Looking so forward to having everyone back in the classroom :) If anyone feels uncomfortable your are welcome to wear masks 😷 I am setting up the calendar later today….we will have 6 week sessions with one week off between each session.

Hope everyone has had a good summer….looking forward to hearing all your stories :)

See you all soon!

Art Show Bedford

This time last year the virus was in full swing and our lives were mostly shut down. Art Show Bedford cancelled all live events….along with the rest of our country..

This year with more hope the show will open the doors again. This Friday the festivities begin….people will be gathering at St. Matthew’s Church to see friends, meet the artists and view the art from 30 local artists.

If you’re in the neighborhood and looking for something to do on a wintery weekend come to the show and see some wonderful art…bring your mask ;)

Go the link for all the show details :). https://artshowbedford.org

Stay warm and safe,

xox

Laura

Summer is here ☀️

So many changes in this last week. NY has opened up Covid restrictions…..little by little the masks are coming off as we all try to adjust to this new feeling of a breeze on our chins :) We have had a few nature journaling classes and life almost feels normal when we meet outdoors with our pencils, pens and watercolors.

It has been a very long year for us all…full of fears…loss….and continuous adjustments in our lives. I want to thank everyone in my classes…you were a true refuge for me…a touchstone of friendship, art and laughter even if it was through a computer screen.

Now with our vaccines I am hoping for the best….hoping that as summer turns to fall the virus continues to loosen its grip and that this new taste of freedom continues until living with Covid becomes a distant memory for us all. Happy summer ☀️

x❤️x

Laura