The Bluegrass Painter

"Art Under Glass"

This Saturday, I'll be exhibiting at Bedners Farm and Greenhouse in McDonald, PA for their "Art Under Glass" event.  Every Weekend in October, from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sundays, Bedners hosts fine artists and crafts, alternating each weekend.  In addition to the artisans, there will be live music, food, pumpkin picking and lots of things you would expect to find on a farm in October.   Visit their website for more information or directions. 

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. 

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.  

Deep Creek Lake Art and Wine Festival

Tomorrow is one of our favorite annual events - The Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival.   It looks like the weather is going to be perfect.  If you're attending the event, be sure to stop by the show ring where we are located and say hello!  The event benefits the American Red Cross. 

 

Art at Aurelia

 The second annual Art at Aurelia arts and crafts festival, sponsored by PATH arts organization was a good experience with pleasant weather, people, music and more.  We could only participate on Saturday of this year, but hopefully next year will be able to be there both days.  

The event is held on the grounds of historic Aurelia in Addison, PA.  Joan Whetsell tells the history of Aurelia, Addison and the National Road, and her plans to expand the event into a combination of history, art and music next year.  

It's definitely worth a visit, traditionally held the first weekend of August.   Here are some photos from the event, along with a couple of sketches I worked up that afternoon.   

 

Our display in a great tent provided by PATH. 

 Sketch of Aurelia

 

 
 

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.  

PATH Presents Art at Aurelia

Participating Artists of the Turkeyfoot Highlands presents two days of art, music, food and fun at historic Aurelia. Aurelia is located at 7151 National Pike is Addison, PA.  Area artists will exhibit a variety of work for sale alongside music and food.  Vendors are wanted for the event.  Visit www.pathart.org for more information.

 

Appalachian Festival and More

This past Saturday was a red letter day for me. Our band for the day,  Bloomington Hill, was privileged to be one of the mountain music groups playing at the Appalachian Festival on the campus of Frostburg State University.   It was a pleasure to have Randy Thomas, Eric and Wayne Weimer, Dave Funkhouser and Walter Dixon with me on stage

 This a well run event that showcases the mountain culture of western MD and surrounds. Thanks to Kara Rogers Thomas for inviting us and Greg Latta and the sound crew at the Sowers Stage for making it easy. We were flattered to be included with so many performers of significant stature. Saw Karen Artis, bassist and vocalist with the Allegheny Drifters. Also,  Pat Skipper on fiddle and Jim Rayner on mandolin, who perform as part of the Broken Glass and Rusty Hinges, were nice enough to sit through our set along with their wives.

Loretta Hummel, accompanied by Robert Broadwater and Bill Nelson, preceded us on stage and was kind enough to extend an invitation to an afternoon pickin' party at her home near Grantsville. I went and had a real good time although I had to leave just as things were getting going for another commitment.

I didn't get any photos, darn! But here are two watercolors that seem to capture the day.

Hope we get invited back to both of these events.