Painting for MALT - Magic Can Sometimes Happen

MALT's "Ranches & Rolling Hills" Art Show is unique to the world of Art Fundraisers. As one of the family of artists who participate each year, it's an honor to be associated. I spend an enormous amount of time and energy focused on producing thematic work of the highest quality. As a by-product of this focus and dedication... sometimes the alchemy of challenges contribute to the magic of a special creation that prompts me to say to myself, "How did I do that".

I'm not sure everyone can grasp what I mean by this surprise, but I'll try to explain. As an artist, we put ourselves out there with our best work for the public to view and encounter all sorts of challenges along the way. We stand in muddy pastures, often get rained out, drive on roads that can split a drive shaft in half, log countless hours scouring the countryside, visit some smelly ranches and some pristine ones too, then either paint on-site or in the studio to hopefully complete a set of unique work for the show. The process makes you grounded to the earth that we are looking to paint and exposes you to beauty that can put a tear in your eye. The main challenge for an artist like myself is to communicate this beauty to someone else who wasn't there. As I said before, the magic sometimes happens.

Come to the Druid's Hall in Nicasio on May 15 and 16th to see the work of more than 40 artists who have all worked hard to bring this unique show to you once again. For more information go to: MALT INFO

MALT - an artist's journal continued

All of my paintings for this weekends "Ranches & Rolling Hills" show have been completed, titled, photographed and signed. My job is done now! Tomorrow the paintings will be delivered to the capable hands of Elisabeth Ptak and Cindy Jordan at the MALT offices where the next phase of the event continues.   Elisabeth and Cindy have had multiple responsibilities to coordinate over the past months and weeks that will come to an exciting finish this weekend.

For me, there is the Friday night MALT reception to enjoy, the Collector's brunch Saturday and the opening for the general public on Saturday and Sunday.  Having been a show admirer over the years, it should prove to be quite a different experience as a participating artist.

One of my goals since becoming a Marin painter has been to become a part of this show... now that it has happened, I am just thrilled and look forward to seeing each and every one of you there.

MALT New Artists Dinner

This past Tuesday evening... Krystal Allen - Kristen Garneau - Davis Perkins and Richard Lindenberg, the four MALT "Ranches & Rolling Hills" artists that were inducted for the 2009 show, met for dinner.  The purpose of the gathering was to forge a bond to carry forward into this years show and the future.

We asked each other such questions as "Are your paintings finished yet?", "how many paintings were you showing?", "How was you first experience of painting for MALT?", and even "What are you wearing at the opening?".  We had some wine, some laughs and some art conversation. 

There are only two more weeks until the show and we are all very excited and honored to be part of this years event that takes place on May 16 (2-5pm) and May 17 (10-4pm) and is free to the public. 

MALT - an artist's journal

 

It was an honor to have been been selected this year as one of four new MALT artists.  At first my acceptance filled me with joy, but since then I have discovered that there are really a list of considerations that accompany the honor.  Here are my reflections thus far.

I have decided to paint anywhere from 10-12 paintings of which an appropriate number of the best will be chosen for the event. It is suggested that all paintings should be rendered in and of Marin County with subject matter that relates to the ranches and rolling hills of the area.  Special relevance is given to MALT properties. Taking this in to account, there is always an abundance of subject matter in West Marin.   Christin Coy and I have made many day trips in search of inspiration.  Now, with only a month left before the show, deadlines are approaching.  I have completed eight paintings.

Being a newcomer to the MALT artist family... I feel a responsibility to produce my very best work.  What type of subjects should I paint?...  barns, open fields, trees, water, animals or all of the above.  Clear choices sometimes present themselves, but often it is simply my desire that makes things work.  I usually don't plan where I am going, unless I need to make an appointment with a rancher to access their properties, but just driving west in the late day opens up the vistas.  

Painting mostly en Plein Air, another set of variables are put into play.  What should I wear if it's cold, did I pack all my supplies, do I have enough in the fridge for lunch preparations, gas in the car, does the weather permit outdoor painting, are the wildflowers blooming?  What an exhilarating experience it can be.

As the days pass and the events approach, I'm sure it will produce a new range of emotions for me.  I'll write about them soon.

MALT - Ranches & Rolling Hills Show Coming in May

Ranches & Rolling Hills, an annual sale of western Marin County landscape art to benefit Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), will take place on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, 2009, at the Druid’s Hall on the Village Square in Nicasio, California. 

 

The show features more than 250 images of natural and working landscapes, including many of the family farms that have been permanently protected by MALT. The work of 40 outstanding artists is included in this significant West Coast exhibit.  

 

Ranches & Rolling Hills art also depicts other private farmlands as well as historic landscapes located within Point Reyes National Seashore—all of them reflecting the human and natural history that make West Marin such a special and beloved place.  

 

Ranches & Rolling Hills was celebrated in a 2008 book of the same name which showcases the art and provides a historical record of protected farmland in Marin. The book can be purchased at Bay Area bookstores or at www.malt.org.  

 

Curator Michael Whitt of Point Reyes Station co-founded Ranches & Rolling Hills in 1998, along with the late Ray Strong, dean of Santa Barbara's highly respected Oak Group of painters.   

 

Artists participating in the 2009 show include Marin painters Martha Borge, Christin Coy, Willard Dixon, Timothy Horn, Susan Hall, Richard Lindenberg, Wendy Schwartz, and Zee Zee Mott, along with Santa Barbara artists Arturo Tello, Sarah Vedder, Meredith Brooks Abbott, Whitney Brooks Abbott, Ward Walkup, and other members of the OakGroup. Marin County lithographs by Russell Chatham also will be available for purchase. 

 

Proceeds from art and book sales benefit MALT’s farmland preservation program, which provides a conservation alternative to the sale or subdivision of Marin farmland. Some of the Bay Area's most highly acclaimed dairy products and organic crops, including Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, Straus Family Creamery dairy products, and Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese are produced from farmland protected by MALT conservation easements.   

 

The Ranches & Rolling Hills Landscape Art Show and Sale is open to the public at no charge from 2–5 P.M. on Saturday, May 16, and from 10 A.M.–4 P.M. on Sunday, May 17. For information, visit www.malt.org or phone 415-663-1158.