Missouri Getaway - Day One

 This past week, we traveled to a couple of destinations in Missouri for a quick get away.  I had discovered some things that I wanted to see and they all happened to be not too far from each other.  We reserved a VRBO in Hermann, Missouri as our resting spot.  

 First of all, we drove to Fulton, Missouri on the way to Hermann.  In Fulton, is Westminster College.  Westminster is a beautiful little campus in the small town of Fulton that has beautiful architecture and some interesting history.  I specifically wanted to see America's National Churchill Museum that is on campus.  It is set in a chapel building that was moved from London and rebuilt onto the college campus.  The chapel is the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. Originally from the 1600's, it was bombed by Hitler during the blitz of World War II. The story of how it came to rest in Fulton, is worth the visit. The museum commemorates the life of Winston Churchill and they also have a small exhibit of his paintings.  Did you know that WC was an oil painter? He was invited to speak in the chapel and his "Iron Curtain" speech, "Sinews of Peace" was given there.  

Lake Scene at Norfolk

oil on canvas

1930

A big piece of the Berlin Wall is also on display next to the Chapel.

Check out more about this museum at https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org

Plein Air Workshop

Who is this you ask?  It's me.  Still hanging around.  I'm usually on Instagram @imkarensb if you're curious.  I had a wonderful week attending a painting workshop and thought I'd share some photos here with you.  Let's see if I can remember how to post on here.  Things have changed a lot and I also don't remember how they work.  

The workshop was by Kim Casebeer in Manhattan, Kansas.  Kim is a well known oil painter and has multiple awards and professional associations.  Since the workshop was reasonably close to me, I decided to take the leap and join in.  

This area of Kansas is home to the Tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas.  We were able to enjoy beautiful vistas like this of the Konza Prairie which is owned by The Nature Conservancy. It is located within the largest remaining area of unplowed tall grass prairie in North America.    

We spent 3 days painting plein air (outside) in the wind, sun and rain showers.  For this rookie painter, that was a challenge.  

Kim demonstrates at our first location.  Her subject is a big, gorgeous tree that is sweeping over the trail.  This was one of the few days that the sun was out and the sky was beautiful.  

Packed up and ready to find my spot.

This is the spot I chose.  I loved how the trees arched over the creek.  Of course, I would choose a complicated scene.  Finished painting to be revealed at a later date.  

Scenes from the drive back to the hotel.

In the evening Ken and I went to the overlook and waited for the sun to set.  This photo was taken just an hour after the first one in this post.  I really will try to continue posting over the next week about this wonderful experience.  

Take care and try something new!

Karen

Vermont Art Retreat

 

For years I've been wanting to attend "Meleen and Charlotte's Vermont Getaway" in Arlington, Vermont.  It's an art retreat that happens twice a year with several attendees from all over the country. Many have attended several times so sweet relationships have been built over the years.  I had a few of these ladies as Instagram friends, but we had never met in person.  I managed to make it happen this year and during October seemed the ideal time to visit Vermont.  It was a rainy week, which gave it a subtle, moody feel all it's own.  We managed to have one afternoon of sunshine, so any photos you see were during Friday afternoon.

 I flew in on Wednesday, because you can't get to Vermont by noon from Texas, just so you know.  A sweet friend picked two of us up at the airport in Albany, New York, and drove us into Vermont.  They were much obliged to stop and let me get out in the rain to take pictures of the covered bridges.

Warm Brook Barn is a lovely spot where the retreat is held. There are two houses and a new event barn. It is filled with beautiful antiques and warm hospitality. Meleen is the most generous and gracious hostess who served us delicious meals three times a day. She uses her vintage china, silver and antique serving pieces.  

We all bring a gift for each other.  Some are simple, others are extravagant. Robin brings a bouquet of flowers for EVERY participant from her abundant garden in Massachusetts. I'd love to see the garden in person. They included Dahlias, zinnias, forget me nots and cosmos.  

Delicious soup and salad for lunch.  

Breakfast was steel cut oats, fresh fruit, yogurt and cinnamon rolls.  

 Swag bags met us in the barn workroom.

I only took a picture of Becca's embroidery at it's beginning stages.  

The variety and creativity that everyone used on theirs was fun to see. 

Our Friday morning session with Rebecca Sower was acrylic painting using the flower bouquets as inspiration. Everyone struggled as almost all of us were new to painting. With Rebecca's patient help, many of us actually liked the final products. As with anything, practice makes perfect. You can see how different everyone's turned out.  I definitely have my favorites.  

 Friday afternoon we headed out for a field trip to Studio Hill Farm. 

This little building at the top of the hill was the owner's grandfather's studio. 

It still held old drawing tables and a rustic stone fireplace.

As you can tell, the sheep were highly entertaining.  

 Studio Hill has an Airbnb that is very popular in case you're interested in heading to Vermont.

I met Lauri who lives in the Kansas City area.  She and I have an unbelievable number of things in common.  It was so fun to discover the similarities. We will definitely be connecting again when I move back in the area.  

Saturday morning we went to town to visit area tag sales. We went to the Dorset Church sale which was very fun and crowded. I bought two small copper skillets for $15, and this pretty little pin for .25.

Later in the afternoon we dyed a bunch of things in the indigo dye pot.  

The sun came out and gave us quite a show with this gorgeous rainbow. It was actually a double rainbow, but you can't see it in these photos.  

  

We had another session Saturday where we drew landscapes with pastels. You'll notice that there is no picture of my piece. For good reason. We finished up on Sunday morning. There were lots of hugs and goodbyes. On the way back to Albany we stopped by Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center. Which is huge and fabulous, by the way. This is getting too long, so I'll show you next time what I made for everyone.  They loved them.  

Visit to the DMA

The Dallas Museum of Art that is.  A Dallasite (made that up) friend that had NEVER gone to the Dallas Museum of Art suggested we go for a visit this week.  Today was the day.  It's a good time of the year to do inside activities in Texas.  My car said the temperature was 108 degrees this afternoon.  Good grief that's ridiculous.  I took a few pictures, of course, some were just okay and I didn't get information on everything.  The museum is great and definitely a must see.  

We began our day at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

This piece depicts Jews as they were being shipped by train to concentration camps. 

Very sobering sculpture.  

We went into the DMA cafe for lunch.  There is a beautiful Dale Chihuly display in the café.  

There is a large display called the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection.  The Reves donated many pieces of their collection which had also been the collection of Coco Chanel.  They had purchased the home, La Pausa, including the furniture and art from Coco.  Emery collected art and had several collections confiscated by the Nazi's during WWII.  This collection had so many originals from famous artists that it was unbelievable.  The display is constructed much like the French house.  The furniture was beautiful.  

This is Bougival by de Vlaminck

It is in the Fauvism style.  Here's a little more information about this piece.

A section of the above painting.

 These are the paints of Winston Churchill and below is one of five paintings that he gave the Reves.  

 Vase of Red Tulips

Winston Churchill

Incredible carving on a gilt frame. 

 a portion of 

River Bank in Springtime by Vincent van Gogh 

This one really reminded me of Sakura season in Japan.

 A small portion of Apple Harvest by Camille Pissarro

These two above are just portions of paintings using Pointillism.  

 Fishing Boats at L'Estaque by André Derain

If you are ever visiting, take the time to see the Dallas Museum of Art. It is located in the Dallas Arts District which also holds the Symphony Center, Opera House, and theaters.  When is the last time you went to an art museum?