Being Seen at the Farm

To the farm I drove - to the sheep I viewed, to the artists I met, to the farmhouse I visited, to the cows I couldn't see, to the fresh air I smelled, to the old barns I peaked into, to the cookie I ate, to the dog I held, to the grasshoppers in the field I marveled at, to the 12 year old dairy cow who was oh so sick and once again to the sheep I talked to.

I have never even entertained the thought of "plein air" painting.  Up until this year, I had no idea what it meant - ahhhhh, outside in the air.  I went to the Kiparoo Farm in Middletown, Maryland. http://www.kiparoofarm.com/ farm yesterday.  I didn't take paint, just paper and colored pencils knowing I would be hanging out with animals.

There is something about walking the fields, smelling the crisp Fall air and the quiet, the quiet. I KNOW that this is where I am most peaceful.

A painter complete with umbrella at the top of a very long path.

As far as the eye can see-shadows of trees.

Where the grasshoppers moved the leaves.

 Walking up the hill (below the first picture above),  I passed dilapidated barns.  I peaked in because I'm nosey and I like "what came before".  Look at this old easel - don't think I wasn't prompted to offer to buy it (but I didn't).

Up to the sheep barn - I heard what I thought were voices - found out it was the radio on NPR - very informed ladies and young ones I'd say. The breed is Bluefaced Leicester- some are very dark brown with black faces and black legs and then the lighter ones with white legs.  They have wonderful long faces.

Nice view for them

Hello there - we exchanged looks for quite some time.  Notice the lady in the back taking a nice scratch.

I had to be careful here because they were wary - especially the girl lying down (very big eyes)  and ready to leave.

A group of what may be boys - not sure since they were not with the girls.

I took many impressions away with me - the one in the forefront of my mind is the exchange of "seeing" the sheep and having them "see" me.  That look of "I don't know you" on their part and the look of "I'd like to know you, be with you and would never hurt you" on my part.  If I stood quietly, I was accepted-as I talked to them, I let them know all was OK.

   

The sketch in and of itself is not fantastic - but for me it is my memory of that frank, quiet exchange.  The story behind my paintings and those of other artists is always there - and we endeavor to convey that to the viewer.  Maybe what touches us touches you-it may be a different feeling but it touches you. So here are my three ewes studying me and I was studying them - THANK YOU LADIES FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND LOVELINESS.