The Bluegrass Painter

A Busy Week

The Queen Bee and I had a busy weekend dropping off art at various places for some upcoming exhibits.  "Over the Edge" was dropped at The Gallery at The Garrett County Arts Council in Oakland for the seasonal art change out.  We had a nice visit with Sue and Alan Arnson at The Loft Shop,  while dropping a piece that they are helping us to deliver for jurying in the GCAC's juried event.  Then, it was off to the Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA, where we made it within minutes of the drop-off deadline for the upcoming Westmoreland Art Nationals.     This week, I'm looking forward to visiting a company down on the river to discuss a commission.  

Below is the piece we dropped at the Garrett County Arts Council. 

"Over the Edge"
Original Watercolor On Canvas
40"x30"
 ©copyright 2011 Robert Yonke 

Westmoreland Art Nationals

I was pleased to learn last week that "Foamy Falls" was accepted into the Westmoreland Art Nationals exhibition at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA.  The exhibition runs from Saturday June 2 to Thursday June 14, 2012.  

"Foamy Falls"
original watercolor on canvas with mixed media
36"x24"
©copyright 2011 Robert Yonke 

Our Town Theatre Christmas Market

If you are near Oakland, MD this weekend stop by and visit us at the Our Town Theatre Christmas Market being held in St. Peter's Catholic Church social hall on Saturday. That's December 3, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Plug Rte 135 and 4th street into your GPS.

There will be many vendors and we will have some new work to show along with our line of winter and Christmas cards. Pictured here is a watercolor on canvas, Winter Rush. Finished image size is 30 X 40 inches.

Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival

Next weekend is one of my favorite events of the year - the annual Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival.  Attendees get to visit with over 30 outstanding artisans while sampling wine from local and national wineries and the event benefits the Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross. If my memory serves me correctly, this will be my fifth year to exhibit at the event.   I'm planning on exhibiting mostly from my works on canvas and have a number of new pieces to present this year.   If you are attending, please stop by and say hello. 

Garrett County Artist Studio Tour - July 30 and 31

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Garrett County Artist Studio Tour once againt this year.  I participated last year and really enjoyed the event.  Artist and friend Judith Becker will be joining me again this year.  We hope to see you. 

Next Stop: Our Town Theatre's 4th Annual Christmas Market

Thanks to the folks at Our Town Theatre in Oakland, MD for inviting me to be a part of their annual Christmas Market at St. Peter's Parish Social Hall on December 4th. Below is a press release regarding the event: 

On Saturday, December 4th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Town Theatre's 4th Annual Christmas Market will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church Parish Social Hall, as part of Oakland, Maryland’s “A Small Town Christmas.” OTT’s Christmas Market will enable shoppers to support Garrett County artists and contribute toward Our Town Theatre's Backstage, which is the scenery, costume and prop shop on Center Street in Oakland, Maryland. Market activities include shopping for handmade gifts, a Christmas Cafe with chili and Fair Trade coffee and tea, Bake Sale, and Christmas music and readings.

New artists this year include Robert Yonke, who will be selling his acclaimed watercolors and note cards, and Paul Dixon, who will be selling his handmade soy candles, soaps, and fragrances.

Handmade fine stoneware, nature photography and cards, art glass jewelry, ornaments, bottle stoppers; crocheted, hand-knit and felted gifts, animals, and dolls; wooden puzzles, baskets, cutting boards, handmade rugs, silk Christmas flower arrangements and wreaths; sock animals, Gortner folk art, handmade Christmas cards, Amish cookbooks, Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolates; and sign-up for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares are some of the gifts shoppers can choose at OTT’s Christmas Market on December 4th.
      
OTT’s Bake Sale at the Christmas Market will feature festive plates of confections and cookies ready for holiday party tables and gift giving. Pre-order "Reggie's Favorite Dog Biscuits" for $3 per dozen, by calling OTT at 301-334-5640. Leave a message with your name, phone number, and number of dozens. Pay for your order at OTT's Christmas Market on December 4th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Orders will be taken until 11/30/10.
      
Musicians playing during the Christmas Market include Lynn Grimm on hammered dulcimer, Marci McClive of Marsh Mountain Consort, Sherri Remley on Celtic harp, and the Our Town Theatre Christmas Band. Members of Garrett Reading Council will read holiday children’s books for young shoppers at 12:45 and 2:45 p.m. 
        
50/50 raffle tickets will also be sold, and the drawing will be held Saturday at the Christmas Market. The winner will not need to be present. A door prize will be given away every hour. OTT’s board encourages all to come and support local artists and theatre at OTT's Christmas Market. For more information, call OTT at 301-334-5640.

Autumn Glory

This upcoming weekend is the annual Autumn Glory Festival in Garrett County.  I'll be exhibiting at the Heritage Craft Fest in Broadford Elementary School at booth #12.  The arts and crafts show is presented by the Garrett County Arts Council.   The show is open from 10 am until 6 pm on Saturday and 12:00 until 4:00 pm on Sunday.  

Art & Wine Recap

Friends...just realized that this post on the Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival was never published.  Hope you'll forgive me.  I guess it's better late than never!  

This past weekend's Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival seemed to be a success for all involved.  The weather was perfect, turnout was strong and there were good "spirits" all around...It's always fun to run into fellow artisans and friends, such as Sue and Alan Arnson, Judith Becker and Judy McCaughey.  It's always fun to meet new friends as well. Our booth was next to newcomer Chris Skovira of Jackson River Gallery.  Chris is based out of Hot Springs, Virginia and specializes in nature inspired slate frames and mirrors.  His work is beautiful and seemed to be well received by all.  

Petunia took a couple of photos of our booth.  I was pleased to be able to exhibit some new art I worked on over the summer.  Most of it is work on canvas, which I've been doing a lot of lately.  

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.  

  

Studio Tour Wrap Up and Upcoming Events

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and visited during the Garrett County Artist Studio Tour this past weekend.  The family and I had a fun time meeting and greeting with the folks. It was a hot weekend in Garrett County, with the heat wave broken by a big thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon.  The storm slowed things down for a bit, but after it was over, we enjoyed a late afternoon flurry of activity.   A big thanks as well goes out to Judith Becker, who was a great guest to have on our property.  

Next up for the Bluegrass Painter is a short exhibit at the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival during the upcoming John McCutcheon concert on August 6, followed by Art at Aurelia on August 7 in Addison, PA.