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Mandolin Cafe News
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Just last week we delivered art to two new venues (for us). Through the Allegany Area Arts Alliance we were able to hang three paintings in their display at the very nice Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort near Cumberland We also hung several pieces at Bill Humbertson's unique shop,Manhattan Golf and Gallery. Bill combines his profession (PGA Golf Pro) with a high quality gallery and framing business. Check them out.
Word is that the VFW Post in Deer Park, MD is planning to revive the very popular Friday night music jams starting June 27. These open jams were well attended for years before being discontinued about two years ago. The format will be the same as before, with limited food service being provided by the Post and desert type snacks by patrons. No admission is charged but a donation is welcome. Starts at 6:00 PM and goes until 9:00.
The Deer Park VFW Post is on MD Route 135 just about on the Deer Park-Oakland boundary.
July 19 is the date set for a day of bluegrass and country gospel music to raise funds and support for the restoration of the historic Mt. Beulah Methodist Church near Grantsville, MD. Music will be provided by local groups and food service by members of the restoration committee. The event takes place at the Trinity United Church of Christ which is right next door and is the reason that the road is called Twin Churches Road. Your old bluegrass painter is working on a commemorative print to be used in the fund raising. Activities begin at 11:00 am and go through the afternoon. Music will be played all day and lunch will be sold in the church basement. Donations are welcome and appreciated. If you are going to be in the area, stop by to support this good cause. For more information, call 301-895-5735.
Sailors around our parts tell me that sometimes it isn't a bad thing if the wind doesn't blow real hard. They say that light wind might slow down the racing but still makes for a pleasant day of relaxed on-board conversation and cerebral maneuvering to stay with the capricious zephyrs. This watercolor is what I see from shore on those light wind days and I call it "Drifters". 
Over the winter we added some new retail partners. In Texas, you can purchase prints and cards from Austin's Fast Frame and the Prickly Pear Galleries. A little closer to my stomping grounds, you can purchase bluegrass art cards at the House of Musical Traditions, located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Cards from the Garrett County and Outdoors Collections are now available at the Pro-Shop at the Adventure Sports Center International in McHenry, Maryland as well.
One of the fun things about this work is that you get to meet and talk with folks all over the country. Give us a shout at info@appalachianstudio.com if you're interested in placing cards, prints or originals in your shop or gallery.
One-design sailboat racing is a big deal around here. Deep Creek Lake has a very active and competitive sailing association and regularly hosts national competitions in addition to the regular sailing program. The dominant class on the lake is the Flying Scot which is manufactured in nearby Deer Park, MD. An active and growing group races Lasers as well.
Your old Bluegrass Painter has relied on these picturesque craft for subject matter, and actually used to own and sail a Scot back in the day. Here is the first for this year which will shortly be produced in cards and prints. It is my interpretation of a full crew having a ball and sailing right on the edge of disaster. I call it "The Edge".
Congratulations to Brance Gillihan of The Bluegrass Blog, who welcomed the arrival of a baby girl this week.
I just loved the way the Rock County band did the old tune "Roustabout" and every time I hear it I start to paint riverboats. One of our objectives for this year calls for an increased inventory of riverboat paintings. I worked out two new ones that could be set in a number of places from old St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico.
We moved the music out of the house, which happens every year about this time. As soon as the temperatures permit we move our Friday pickin' to the out building shop area. We've been out there for the last three weeks.
A hot new picker joined us this year, Scott McMillion, all the way from the state of Washington. That's him in the dark blue shirt, just ripping on that mandolin.
Claire Lynch challenges fans to write their life story in six words. Contestants can submit their bios to Claire and the winner receives an iPod Shuffle, pre-loaded with all six of Claire's Rounder Record releases.
This sounds like a pretty good challenge. Visit April News from the Claire Lynch Band for more details.
