I submitted these two paintings, The Tree and Red Shed for the Art Farm Events that happens every year. It’s an exhibition inspired by the farmlands of Yolo County. YoloArts had scheduled a monthly visit to the farms for artists to captured the California landscape in their medium.
There are two Art Farm Events. I had entered the Red Shed into the Art Harvest. This is a non-juried exhibit and viewers who had purchased a “shovel” gets to dig up the “art” that matches their number. The Art Harvest is also a preview for the juried exhibit, Art Farm Gala. This year will be jurored by Natalie Nelson of the Pence Gallery. There are awards totaling $1,000. Art that has been jurored in will be in a silent auction. This year I had chosen The Tree to be juried. I think it’s a winner. 🙂
The Red Shed, oils by Marlene LeeThe Tree on Clos Cavanis, oils by Marlene Lee
I came up with another painting from a visit to the Clos Cavanis Farm in July. I discovered this lone tree by itself in the middle of a few fields. It was massive. I love how it dominated the whole area and make its presence known.
The Tree on Clos Cavanis Farm, 8 x 10 inches oil on linen panel by Marlene Lee
The process – the underpainting, general block in of local colors and the refinement.
The July visit for the Yolo Arts and Ag Project was to Clos Cavanis Farm in Woodland. The most striking feature on this farm is the Victorian home that Van and Catherine Overhouse had spend 20 years remodeling.
Instead of painting the Victorian home, I went for the red shed.
The Red Shed, 8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel by Marlene Lee
This painting maybe part of the annual Yolo Arts Farm and Gala in October and November.
In June, artists were invited to the Elkhorn Basin Ranch in West Sacramento as part of the Yolo Art & Ag Project. This ranch has over 400 acres of sunflowers. In this painting I tried to capture the fields of sunflowers against the rolling hills. But I also wanted to capture the hazy sky caused by the fires.
This painting maybe part of the Art Farm Exhibit in October or the Art Gala Juried Exhibit in November in Woodland.
Sunflowers Field at Elkhorn Ranch, 8 x 10 inches oil on panel
Mountain View at CR25 Ranch in Esparto CA, 8×6 inches oils on canvas panel by Marlene Lee
I am back to participating at the Yolo Arts & Ag Project. It’s a project sponsored by Yolo Arts where artists/photographers are invited to private farms/ranch to captured the California landscape in paintings or photography. Every time I go and visit a farm I am captivated by the vast landscape and the faraway mountain ranges.
For the July Art & Ag Project, the artists were invited to Fong Farms. Owned by my husband’s cousin, the farm has been in the family for many years. I had visited the farm with my sons but when I visited the farm as an artist it took on a different look. I was attracted to the different layers of fields and the purplish, pink sky of early morning.
I did a quick oil study, about 6 x 8, catching the colors of the sky and the safflower fields way in the back. The painting was completed from the study and the photos I had taken.
Fong Farms, oil on stretched canvas, 8 x 16 x 3/4 inches by Marlene Lee
“The Art & Ag Project cultivates a dialogue between artists, farmers, and the community to raise awareness about the importance of preserving farmlands and the visual arts in Yolo County. A nationally recognized creative place making project, Art & Ag has invited farmers to open their land to local artists, providing unique opportunities to capture private landscapes that would otherwise remain inaccessible and unseen.
Each month, artists visit a different farm where they can meet the farm owners, paint en plein air, or take photographs. Artists are invited each Fall to exhibit their agriculturally–inspired artwork at YoloArts’ annual Art Farm Gala, the first Friday in November.”Â
The “Red Barn” was painted at the Valley Oak Wool Mill. A young woman rented one of the buildings to run her wool mill business. She would take raw wool and spin it for clients. Her waiting list is about a year long.
Red Barn, 18 x 24 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
The next two paintings was done at the Good Hummus Produce. Caught this dog napping in the middle of the road. Love how the sun light shaped around him.
Napping in the Shadows, 8 x 10 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
The “Red Tractor” was parked underneath these trees. I did a small quick study, 6 x 8 and got up to stretched. Before I knew the owner had driven the tractor away. Thank goodness I had that quick study plus a few photos.
Red Tractor, 9 x 12 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
This last painting, “Hazy Day” reflect the fickle weather of March or maybe April. I love how the grapevines captured a glimpse of the sun peeking through the clouds.
Hazy Day, 8 x 10 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
There are still more farm visits coming up. I probably would visit up to September.
Out and about at the Capay Valley Vineyards for the Yolo County Arts and Ag Project. Breathtaking views! First time I’ve tried out my new laptop pochade box from *Guerilla and it works quite well. It stores all my paints and gamsol. My brushes I carry separately. Though built for a 9 x 12 inches panels, I can also paint 8 x 10 in. panels or any size smaller with the adjusters. Looking forward to doing more plein aire with this pochade art box
