Heart of Florida Paint Out Continues Tuesday

Tomorrow is the last day of the painting part of the paint out. I have emptied out my car tonight because we must pack up our paintings and deliver them to the Thomas Center in Gainesville Friday. Friday will be a hanging marathon for all of us at the Center. The patron's gala begins at 6:00 PM and all must be ready by then. We are given Thursday off to frame and so forth. We are all very tired but exhilerated by the beauty of Evinston and The Orange Lake overlook. The time has flown by.


I have made some new friends. :>). The paint out covers so much distance that there are artists I've not even met. I would say all of the artists I've painted with except one, were generous and respectful people. That is really great considering the diversity of personalities involved. There are hundreds of paintings in every price range from bargain basement to high end. A large variety of subjects and styles as well. It is the largest collection of paintings anyone will probably ever see in North Central Florida and it portrays my beloved South in it's finest way.

I have discovered the joy of painting in the Wood Swink Post office/store and Freddy and Wilma Sue have graciously extending the invitation to continue, and of course to paint on their farm. Today I painted two jars of peppers in the store in gouache and it was so pleasant to be in the store chatting with other painters and visitors. They have begun to show and sell small paintings for their artist friends. We can show paintings up to 500.00 I will be adding a few to the the store after the paint out is over. Evinston is becoming an art destination for North Florida and I'm so glad.

This morning I fought the wind and the cold to do one of the cows on Freddy's Farm. I was given the great honor of naming that particular cow. I decided to name her Molly. She is a beautiful cow in a cream color. Freddy said we would call her Molly Blondheim from now on. I am thrilled.

I think I have 19 paintings in the show, but at least one was sold today, so hopefully more will sell tomorrow and Friday night. The rest I will make available on the web site as the Heart of Florida collection. Several of the local artists want to put together an exhibition of the body of work for late fall. I think that would be wonderful.

My plan tomorrow is to take one large panel and work on one painting, taking my time to complete. At 6 PM, we must pack up our work for Friday.

More to come.......