The Bluegrass Painter

Annual Bluegrass Concert Celebrates St. Joseph House of Hospitality

 The 14th Annual Bluegrass Concert for Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph House of Hospitality will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, at Synod Hall, 125 N. Craig Street in Pittsburgh. 

The concert kicks off a year of festivities commemorating  St. Joseph's 75th anniversary of outreach to the homeless. Founded in 1937 by Father Charles Owen Rice at a time when  one third of Pittsburgh's employable were unemployed, St. Josephs'  provided meals, rooms, and other necessities. At one time, both men's and women's shelters were also operating.

Today, St. Joseph's is located on Bedford Avenue in Pittsburgh's Hill District in the former Roselia Foundling and Maternity Hospital where  59 men ages 50 or older receive a room, three meals a day and supportive services.  In addition to celebrating the 75th anniversary, administrator Paul Dvorchak enters his 25th year
with St. Joseph's. He and his son, Paul Jr. will once again be performing  at the bluegrass concert with the group, Fern Hollow Boys.

"The concert has become a family affair as my son and I have played in every one," Dvorchak said.  "My wife and daughter are integral to helping plan and carry off the event that is just plain fun for all involved, the musicians who donate their time, and the audience who enjoy the music."   

In addition to Fern Hollow Boys, Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Allegheny Drifters, Midnight Drive and Mon River Ramblers will also perform. Tickets are priced at $20.00 and festival seating is available.

For more information about St. Joseph’s or to purchase tickets, call 412-471-0666 ext. 227, or pdvorc@ccpgh.org.

Hazards of the rivers

The riverboat pilot had to be on his toes constantly. A hazard, such as a fallen tree or submerged stump and branches, could quickly put a boat out of commission or worse yet, sink it.

This little watercolor depicts one of these hazards and a sternwheeler making an evasive shift of course. There is an old fiddle tune called "Mississippi Sawyer" and these treacherous tree obstacles were often called the same.

"A Mississippi Sawyer"  (approximately 12 X 16 image, watercolor on paper)

February Workshops

Petunia has booked a fairly full month of workshops and demonstrations for February. All of them are in the state of Florida which makes the Queenbee happy since she loves the opportunity to get to a warmer clime if only for a short while.

So far, all of the workshops are for private groups with the exception of a demonstration of water color on canvas to be held in Sun City on February 27.

Winter has been milder than most so far and I guess that is good except that I find painting winterscapes with lots of snow a favorite thing to do. Not that lack of snow should hinder the painting of such but it an issue of stimulation. Anyhow, I've retreated to subject matter that is always appealing to me and that is the rivers and riverboats. Here is a quick watercolor that I just finished of the towboat "WES McDONALD" that I did from an earlier sketch made from a vantage point in Elizabeth, PA.

This is a practice for placement of selective detail and contrasts and use of a limited palette.

I do want to get back to painting bluegrass music themes as well. Last weekend was the annual  Ice Jam in Butler, PA. I did spend Saturday afternoon there and had a great time talking to some old friends and picking a bit with some new ones. 

 

 

On the road

Petunia tells me that some folks were asking the whereabouts of the bluegrass painter. Glad somebody was interested. The fact is that we've been on the road for a couple weeks and are now hanging out on the edge of a swamp in sunny Florida. Kind of cool down here but no snow to shovel.

The drive down was a visual delight, particularly through those rolling hills of southern West Virginia. 

While down here, have had a couple of fun evenings picking some tunes with Ron and Peggy Rogers from up near Terra Alta WV and plan to do that some more. Stopped in Indian Trail NC and attended the fundraiser for the Armed Forces Museum and Archives of the Carolinas. What a great turnout. The VFW Post there has a large hall and it was packed. As we find out about more of these concerts we'll post them here.

 
 
 

 

John McCutcheon, Master Entertainer

We were honored to be a part of the recent John McCutcheon concert, sponsored by Garrett Lakes Arts Festival, on August 7th.  GLAF invited us to hang a display of music art in the college gallery for the reception that followed John McCutcheon's stellar performance.  What super talent.  

John McCutcheon, meeting the folks at the after reception.  

 Some of the art that we hung in the gallery. 

Petunia's favorite..."Faded Love".  I don't think she'll ever let me sell it. 

Jeff Reitz and I.  Jeff was the winner of the raffle.  

  

Delfest!

 
Delfest, the Del McCoury Music Festival, kicks off today in Cumberland.  If you're going, look for this artwork.  The first piece is the graphical foundation used for the 2010 event's poster and other promotional items. The second painting of Del was developed in the creative process.  Both paintings will be up for auction, to benefit the Delfest Foundation, at the event.  The old Bluegrass Painter was honored to paint for this bluegrass legend. 
 

Delfest is presented by MD Mountainside in association with McCoury Music and High Sierra Music.  The event includes four days of live music, workshops, arts and craft vendors, as well as a kids’ area.  The line-up for the 2010 event includes the Del McCoury Band, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Dailey & Vincent, The Avett Brothers and more.   Additional information on Delfest can be found at www.delfest. com.

 

IBMA World of Bluegrass

The IBMA World of Bluegrass starts today in Nashville and, sad to say, I'm going to miss it this year.

Bluegrassers from all over will be there. Business ands social events will be highlighted by the awards show this Thursday at the venerable Ryman...and, FanFest this weekend.  Even though I won't be able to partake, I will make a point to catch the awards fest on my Sirius Satellite radio and will pick a tune or two this week as a tribute.

I'll be there in spirit.

Mixing Visual and Musical Arts Makes for a Fun Evening at Garrett Arts Council

The Garrett County Arts Council (Garrett County, MD) combined their annual membership meeting on June 30 with their summer show opening at the Gallery Shop in Oakland, MD. I was flattered to be featured in the gallery and happy to see that some of my picking buddies were there to add some down home mountain music to the event. 

The evening was orchestrated by director Karen Reckner and it was her idea to add the pickers to the bill. Musicians included Pat Skipper on fiddle, Roger Kitzmiller on banjo, Bill Brenneman on bass, Jim Rayner on mandolin, Harold fike on guitar and Dave Bittinger on guitar as well. All of these guys can sing. The music was only for the opening reception but the art will be on display until August 8 so if you are in the area please stop by.  Thanks to Fabian Green for the photos. 

 

 

 

 

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.