Sunday, October 1, 2017

Great Way to End the Plein Air Season


Scott Peterson and Zufar Bikbov with "Best of Show" award
Scott Peterson of the Middlebury Land Trust presents Zufar Bikbov
 with "Best of Show" award.
14 Painters trekked to Brookdale Farm to enjoy a day of painting, free hotdogs and Dottie's donuts, and some beautiful scenery to paint.  The weather held until halfway through the judging/voting, but it was gratifying to see all the beautiful paintings lined up, and painters laughing, chatting, having a good time.  Congratulations to Zufar Bikbov of Watertown, who won Best of Show ($300), by judge Tom Adkins, and also got the votes for Artist's Choice ($100), and sold his painting.  Cathy Liontas, of Milford, rose to the top of the visitor's lists, and captured People's Choice ($200).   Congratulations and thank you for supporting the programs of POP and the Middlebury Land Trust.  Many thanks to our judge Tom Adkins, and to the MLT, LPOS and Rob Fenn for hosting this event in such an ideal location.  




It was great to meet painters who traveled to Middlebury to paint, and see old painting friends come out.  The weather was back and forth all week with rain predicted one day, then partly sunny the next.  Thank you to Cathy Liontas, Carolyn Currie, Arline Corcoran, Carrie Mecartney, Edward Magnotti, Tom Adkins, Lorraine Chapin, John Forgione, Frank Bruckman, Betty Ann Medeiros, Zufar Bikbov, Chuck Fulkerson, Liz Coyle, and Jill Nichols for coming out to try your luck.  Special thanks to Arline, John, and Carrie for helping at the sign in table.  
Cathy Liontas receives "People's Choice" award from
Scott Peterson, Middlebury Land Trust.
Scott Peterson and assembled Brookdale Quick Draw artists.



Approaching Fall by Zufar Bikbov
Best of Show winner "Approaching Fall" by Zufar Bikbov.

  Malcomb Todt, Scott Peterson, and Ray Pietrorazio of the Middlebury Land Trust
Malcomb Todt, Scott Peterson, and Ray Pietrorazio of the Middlebury Land Trust
and pumpkin friends.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Paint the Farm! September 30th

Paint the Farm 9-30-2017 Info Card

Artists and History Lovers Unite September 30th

On Saturday, September 30th, the Middlebury Land Trust,  the Town of Middlebury’s Land Preservation and Open Space Committee (LPOS) and Pomperaug Outdoor Painters will host a one-day “plein air” (outdoor) paintout from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the annual Farm Tour Day at Brookdale Farm, 55 Artillery Road, Middlebury CT.  Tours of the farm will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Rain Date:  October 7th.  

The Middlebury Land Trust, Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit membership corporation formed to acquire and preserve land or conservation easements to maintain and preserve a healthy, attractive and balanced environment for living in the Town of Middlebury. It seeks to preserve natural areas, including forests, meadows, swamps, marshes, ponds and streams which contribute to and enhance the rural nature of the Town.  Brookdale Farm is a beautiful private 66 acre site featuring open fields, Victorian-era barn and home buildings.  Painters may also find the adjacent pond, graveyard,  and wetland area ripe with subject matter.  History buffs will enjoy the many interesting features of the farm, founded in the 1790's, like the chestnut framing and siding, a spring-fed water supply in operation since 1880, and the history of the Fenn family.  The barns are painted an unusual color of vibrant yellow.  Rob Fenn says, "It was chosen by my Father, because it was the color of my grandmother's pudding, a favorite of my Father."  

Optional Quick Draw:  there will be an optional "quick draw" competition with prizes during the event from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Link http://bit.ly/2wpd5u4 to download registration form and preregister.   All artists need to supply their own equipment and materials.  Artists may use oils, pastels, watercolor, acrylics or graphite, but must paint outside the day of the event.  

A "quick draw" competition is a timed painting event.  All registered artists begin with a blank canvas, stamped by MLT at the welcome table, and begin to paint at 9:30 a.m. and stop painting at 11:30 a.m.  Artists bring their artwork to the judging area at 11:30 a.m. for judging for Best of Show ($300) by guest artist Tom Adkins of Southbury, CT.  Visitors to the Farm Day will cast their votes for "People's Choice" award ($200).  Participating artists may cast their ballots for "Artist's Choice" award ($100).  Prizes and awards will be announced at 12:30 p.m.  Paintings will be for sale the day of the event, and a portion of onsite sales will be donated to the Middlebury Land Trust to support land conservation programs.  

The Middlebury Land Trust, Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit membership corporation formed to acquire and preserve land or conservation easements to maintain and preserve a healthy, attractive and balanced environment for living in the Town of Middlebury. It seeks to preserve natural areas, including forests, meadows, swamps, marshes, ponds and streams which contribute to and enhance the rural nature of the Town.  Brookdale Farm is a beautiful private 66 acre site featuring open fields, Victorian-era barn and home buildings.  Painters may also find the adjacent pond, graveyard,  and wetland area ripe with subject matter.  Middlebury Land Trust will offer free hotdogs, and there are excellent restaurants nearby.  
Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) is a plein air painting group formed locally to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and preservation of natural landscapes.  
For additional information, please contact Ellie Boyd, (203) 429-4356, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com 

 #pleinair #artists #art #oilpaintings  #watercolor #pastelpaintings #fennsfarm #middleburylandtrust #brookdalefarm #farmart #middleburyct 

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Flanders Open Paintout 9/16



Photo of field of sunflowers at Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury CT
Flanders is a haven for birds, bees and artists!


Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) and Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust will co-host a free, open painting/sketching event on Saturday, September 16th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with Oil Painters of America.   The center is located at 5 Church Hill Road in Woodbury.  Flanders offers a visual feast of preserved pastoral scenes with barns, colonial architecture, ponds and a variety of fields with hiking trails—many painting opportunities for artists and nature enthusiasts. In addition, the former studio of noted artist Natalie Van Vleck will be open for visitors and artists.   The event is free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction is provided. Young painters welcome with a parent.  Please, no pets.

In addition, collectors and visitors are encouraged to attend the event to find out more about plein air painting and add to their collections.  Artists will be available to discuss their work, and may display/sell paintings at their easels.  A portion of each sale will be donated to Flanders to support ongoing programs.  Parking is adjacent to the center.  

Artists should bring an easel and art supplies, water, bug spray, a sack lunch, and a couple of paintings to display at their easel if they wish.  Group will break for lunch around noon.  Facilities available.  Rain date: Sunday, September 17. 

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst area artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces in Southbury and the surrounding area. 


Directions to event: from I-84, Exit 15, travel North on Route 6, pass through Woodbury, then turn left on Flanders Road.  Center will be three miles up, at the intersection of Flanders Road and Church Hill Road.  

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Pick Veggies or Paint! Maple Bank Farm

Maple Bank Farm in the Fall, Roxbury CT
Maple Bank Farm in the Fall, Roxbury CT

Maple Bank Farm Stand, Roxbury CT
Maple Bank Farm Stand, Roxbury CT




Maple Bank Farm—stock up on veggies or paint!

Saturday, July 22nd, Rain Date Sunday, July 23rd
57 Church St, Roxbury, CT 06783

8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters will meet for an open plein air painting session at Maple Bank Farm, 57 Church St, Roxbury, CT 06783, on Saturday, July 22nd, (Rain Date Sunday, July 23rd) from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The farm is a popular destination for extremely fresh vegetables, heirloom variety apples, and local goods and delectables.  

It features rolling hills with rocky outcroppings, apple trees, livestock, including chickens, sheep and Scottish Highland cattle, and an adjacent farmhouse with outbuildings. 

This painting event is free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction will be provided. 

Visitors welcome to observe art in the making.  Parking at top of hill adjacent to greenhouses. (Please do not park at the farm stand below.)  Painters may drop their gear at the farmstand if they plan to paint there. 

Artists should bring an easel and art supplies, and a sack lunch.  Group will break for lunch around noon.   For views of the property visit https://maplebankfarm.com/

Friday, May 19, 2017

May 27th --Saturday -- Private Estate Middlebury

Quassy Overlook May 27th  Middlebury CT
Quassy Overlook -- Saturday May 27th
Weather looks fine for our morning session tomorrow.  69° and partly cloudy.   Come out and enjoy this beautiful location.

Private Residence — Lake Quassy View
Saturday, 5/27 
8:30 AM to 1:00 PM,
[Rain Date, Sunday 5/28] 

Middlebury, CT
Call (203) 429-4356 or email
pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com to reserve your spot and get directions. Limited number of participants.  Painters must pre-register to participate.  Share with friends, but ask them to register.
Features:  beautiful distant view overlooking Lake Quassapaug.  Historic garden area with flowering peonies, an interesting rock sundial.  Renovated carriage house.  In neighborhood of surrounding estates.  A special place to paint.  Bathroom available.  Free.
Please:
PRE-REGISTER (to receive address)  -- No fee.
CARPOOL—limited parking. No pets. No instruction. 
Bring Sack lunch, drink, folding chair, for noon-time break.

Sign up for email notifications for future paintouts and opportunities.
http://pomperaugoutdoorpainters.blogspot.com/

#pleinair #MiddleburyCT #Quassy #artists #pomperaugoutdoorpainters

Monday, April 17, 2017

Painters Peony Heaven--Cricket Hill Garden

Paint outside with POP Thursday, May 18th at Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston, CT.
UPDATE:  Dan Fuhrman says there are peonies starting to bloom!

Thursday, May 18, 2017 -- POP painters will gather at Cricket Hill Gardens—an herbaceous and tree peony specimen garden in Thomaston, CT--for a morning painting session from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  The property will be open to painters who love the challenge of expressing the beauty of tree peonies and herbaceous peonies in a natural setting. The garden is located at 670 Walnut Hill Rd, Thomaston, CT 06787.  https://www.treepeony.com/   Painters are in for a treat -- to see the gardens in full swing, and to paint these beautiful specimen flowering plants.  In addition, plants may be ordered for Fall delivery, and your gardening questions related to growing peonies may be answered once and for all.  Rain Date: Monday, May 22.


Please arrange to carpool with your painting buddies, as parking is limited.  Also, you will be walking over mulched pathways on uneven terrain, so bear that in mind.  Please do not block the paths.  Bring a sack lunch and a chair.  We will break at 12 for lunch together.  Portapotty on premises.  NO PETS PLEASE.

If you are into "the figure in the landscape", a clothed model will be posing.  Please let me know if you are interested and can help share the model fees.

Visitors to the gardens and to see plein air painters in action are welcome.

#pleinair #pleinairpainters #peonies #gardens #crickethillgarden

Ellie Boyd, (203) 429-4356   Pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Tax Help for Artists......Just in Time


Artists and Musicians:  Make Tax Prep Easier This Year

Monday, March 20th, 6-8pm,
Washington Art Association & Gallery presents
Kris Roberts, The Roberts Tax Group of Torrington
A talk on advance planning skills, with Q&A
for self-employed artists.

4 Bryan Memorial Plaza in Washington Depot, CT.
Seating is limited.  $15 per person.

Registration: (860)868-2878 or email washingtonart@snet.net.


Monday, February 6, 2017

Your Dream Painting Spot

Your Dream Painting Spot?

Now is the time of year to offer up ideas for POP painting locations/dates for the 2017 schedule.  To be notified by email of painting locations/dates, and other events, please sign up using the form to the right.

If you have a good spot you'd like to share with a group of 2 to 10 painters, preferably with OK parking and a portapotty or on site bathroom, please email pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.

Thank you,
Ellie Boyd (203) 429-4356