The Bluegrass Painter

Red, White and Bluegrass Festival

A project that I had a lot of fun working on recently was artwork for the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival down in Morganton, North Carolina.  This popular festival takes place every year July 1 through July 4. If you live near or can arrange to be in the area, this is one to attend. It's real Americana, complete with fireworks. Check their website for details on scheduled performers. By the way, the model for the youthful fiddler is my grandson who is just getting started with the instrument. Maybe he'll be on that stage someday.

Andy Hall and The Infamous Stringdusters

This spring I had the pleasure of working on this painting of Andy Hall and The Infamous Stringdusters at the behest of Janice Young.  I worked on it throughout the winter, and then had the pleasure of seeing the band again recently at the Club Cafe in Pittsburgh. 

Back in 2007, the Infamous Stringdusters were but a name on a page to me. Then, my dear wifey and I and some friends did the Cottage Music Bluegrass Cruise to Alaska. Along with bluegrass giants like Blue Highway and The Claire Lynch Band was this new gang. Wow. They more than held their own with that strong company and I came away a real fan.

They are all nice guys, as well as talented. Interestingly, Jesse Cobb tried to explain to me how an adjustment in how I was holding a mando pick could make a big difference. It took me a while but I finally understand...Thanks Jesse. Watch for these guys at IBMA this year...lots of nominee potential...lots of awards.

 

 

 

Western Maryland Watercolor Society Spring Show

The folks at the Western Maryland Watercolor Society asked me to jury their upcoming spring show, to be held at the Saville Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland starting next week.  The Show runs from June 11 until July 12 and the opening reception is on Saturday June 13th from 6-8 pm.  I'm heading down to Cumberland this week to see the work of this talented group. 

Waterworks 2009

Head out to the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society's Waterworks 2009 Exhibit, currently showing at The Pittsburgh Technical Institute in Oakdale, PA.  The show runs through May 27.  This is the PWS's annual member show and each member is allowed to enter one piece.  My entry is "Working Margaret" pictured below. 

Passing It On

Summer came to our mountain this past weekend and we all know that the Bluegrass Music Festival season is here as well (Wasn't this Merlefest weekend?). The warm weather really gets the juices going and a lot of long put-off picking is happening again in garages, porches and groves all around here.

This home-grown music scene is more than just a whole lot of fun. These are the times where our culture is indeed passed along from one generation to the next. Listening leads to playing and tips from the old-timers are of immense value. Most all the good fiddlers I know started this way.

 

I call this painting "Passing It On".

Bluegrass Painter Steps Out

Last week I stepped out of my normal Friday night pickin' to attend the opening performance for the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) , a worthy organization here in my second home of Garrett County.  Dave Leonhardt and the Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers performed and all of the artists involved were masterful.  GLAF was kind of enough to ask me to exhibit my art at the event as well.  Here is a rare picture of the Bluegrass Painter all cleaned up.  Also, my granddaughter was on hand and helped out with a raffle during intermission. 

Bluegrass Painter Heads to the Whitehall Library Art Show

The Whitehall Public Library will hold it's 3rd Annual Art Show on Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M at South Hills Country Club.   The club will host 37 artists and fine craftsman that will be selling their art.  There will be a wide variety of art and quality crafts for sale.  A few of the artist mediums include: watercolor and oil paintings, photography, handmade organic embossed paper, jewelry, ceramics, pottery, fiber arts, sketches, glass and metal, just to name a few. 

In addition, there will be a Chinese auction as well as a bidding auction on a 2 day tour of Washington D.C. that was donated by Senator Arlen Specter.  This tour will include a tour of the Capitol Building, Senate Gallery, Kennedy Center, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  The tour package also will include dinner reservations at the Senator's Only Dining Room.  The auction items are currently on display at the Whitehall Public Library.  Stop in to buy some tickets and place a bid on this wonderful event!

The Art Show is one of the major fundraisers for the Whitehall Public Library.  All proceeds will help fund and support the many programs and services the library offers every year.

Tickets for the event are $5, which includes refreshments and can be purchased at the Whitehall Public Library, or at South Hills Country Club the day of the event.  The South Hills Country Club is located at 4305 Brownsville Road in Whitehall.  The Whitehall Public Library is located at 100 Borough Park Drive.  For more information contact Staci Zemaitis at (412) 882-6622 or zemaitiss@einetwork.net.

What Are They Thinkin'

You bluegrass fans probably have already heard that "Music Choice Networks" is discontinuing their bluegrass music channel as of April 15. If you have bluegrass music on your cable TV system it is most likely through "Music Choice". I don't like it and if you don't either...let them know how you feel. Tell your cable provider.

Saturday Nights in Garrett County

In the eastern Canadian provinces, they might call it a "kitchen party" or in Ireland, a "session' but in Garrett County, Maryland it'is just a "jam". What you have in any of these venues is real "down home" music, some good food, sweet treats and a lot of fun, I'm lucky to have friends who are kind enough to invite me to their jams and I sure don't like to miss one.

I was invited to the Skipper home this past weekend. And, I sure had a good time. These pickers did a gospel medley that lasted the better part of a half hour.

 

 

 

GLAF Art Exhibit

The Garrett Lakes Arts Festival in Garrett County, Maryland recently invited me to exhibit at their upcoming kick-off concert on the evening of April 17, 2009.  I'm honored that they would ask me to join in this event with them.  I'll be exhibiting before the concert and during intermission.  Petunia has more detail over on The Deep Creek Blog.  The entertainment for the evening, jazz and tap,  is a departure from what I'm used to but it looks like it will be good.  GLAF will be raffling off this painting, Pleasant Valley, as a fundraiser.  You don't need to be present to win and can read more about this raffle here.