Monday, September 23, 2013

A Harvest Blend... Celebrating the Summer's Bounty

Early this summer, I was approached by manager Debra Marshall of Eagle Point Winery to consider joining forces with her to create an event that joined plein air painting with the fall harvest activities in the vineyard. This newly emerging vineyard is located in a pastoral farmland setting just eight kilometers north of Rockport,... far away from the summer tourist din of  Rockport. While I enjoy (and am dependent upon) the bustle and action of the hordes of tourists visiting our small village and the constant view of the River.... it is refreshing as well to retreat at times for a brief few hours to think... and of course paint.

It took all of one moment to respond to her request... since I had walked the grounds of the vineyard and well knew of the variety of landscape subjects that were available to paint on the 300+ acres owned by the winery. A road could easily carry painters to the very back of the acreage to visit creeks, rocky, wooded and more remote painting sanctuaries and to the large beaver dam which sprawled across the main creek that slowly meanders throughout the entire parcel of land.

My answer was immediate, so Debra and I needed only to sit down together to share ideas to create this event. We first decided that the event be held on the weekend of October 4th-6th... to avoid conflicting with our Canadian Thanksgiving Day celebrations on the next weekend. It was agreed, that because of my contact with the plein air scene, I would be be responsible for the selection of invited artists. I would also assist with constructing the weekend itinerary and creating advertising materials such as a poster/flyer and a media release. The winery would handle all of the media contact and actual physical details surrounding the public hosting and artist entertainment.

Here is a preliminary special "tasting" ...  "Harvest Blend" of Fine Art and Fine Wines that we will be offering at this unique Thousand Islands regional event.



On Friday and Saturday, the participating artists will enjoy the privacy of the entire The Eagle Point Winery grounds and facilities. At the conclusion of the actual painting part of the event Debra has generously offered to "wine-and-dine" the attending artists in true "harvest style"... informally from the kitchen table in the original farm house located on the property.

On Sunday, October 6th, the entire body of  plein air paintings created during the previous two days will be exhibited at the Sunday Reception and Exhibition... open to the general public from 1: 00-5:00 pm. This event will combine wine tasting with mingling opportunities between the public and the artists present. It is hoped that this unique blend will forge a stronger public relationship and understanding of the art of wine making and the creation of paintings made ... en plein air. It is hoped as well... that perhaps its success might lead to it becoming an annual event at the Eagle Point Winery.


This is a view of the main winery building down some through some of the vines... offering visitors a view of what lies in the acreage deeper on the property.


"Hanging On" - oil on panel 24x20 inches

This is another plein air painting that I made a week ago along the creek at the back of the property. Lots of exciting landscapes to paint ... as well as the opportunities at the actual winery site.

The Fall Equinox has arrived... the die cast. Autumn no longer waits on the wings. Rich autumn colour has bled slowly... but now more prominently into the fast-fading summer green of the landscape everywhere in our area. Though this season is too short, it provides some of the most exciting painting opportunities for the plein air painter.

I will be using the time between now and the winery event to play with my new palette of colour... in readiness for the fast-approaching weekend "Harvest Blend paint Out."

If you happen to be within our region, why not plan to drop by taste some fine Eagle Point wines... and at the same time taste the visual harvest of our ten plein air painting friends! Come join us! If you are unable to do so.... stay tuned....

I'll keep you... "posted!"

Happy Fall Painting ... All !!!

10 comments:

  1. I so wish I had the money and the heart for such events, Bruce. The spirit is sure more than willing. I know you will have a grand time and that is the bottom line for me. Cannot wait to see what you turn out!

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  2. Good morning Sherry!.... Wish that you were closer and could join us at this event! I know that you would fit in with our group and would most certainly enjoy the event and painting together! It will be great fun!

    I will post outcomes afterward... so that interested folk like yourself... unable to actually because of distance can get a feel for this harvest and autumn celebration!.

    Stay tuned... and thanks for visiting Sherry!

    Happy Fall to you and your family!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Hi Bruce! I know, it's been a while since I visited blog land. I' m trying to get back in the habit:-) Your joint venture with the winery sounds idyllic and I know it is going to be a big success! I look forward to seeing the results.

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  4. Hi there Karen!... Thank you for returning to blog land! Life tends to get in the way for us all at times... and breaks are necessary!

    The winery event will be fun simply because the folks that I have invited all share my passion for painting outdoors and are easy to be with! The colours are mountring to a crescendo this morning... should be at full force during the event time frame!

    I much look forward to sharing the results of our painting toime together! Stay tuned!

    Good Painting!... Welcome back!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Bruce - sounds like a great event - I bet it will be absolutely beautiful by then with all of fall's gorgeous colors. Your painting "Hanging On" is stunning...love the thin strip of blue in the middle and also echoes in the forefront that comes from the sky. So lovely. Have a beautiful day.

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  6. Hi there Debbie!... Thank you for your enthusiastic response to the post and the painting!

    Fall has a way of spawning excitement and enthgusiasm ... like no other season! It is that symphony of colour and light that rouses one to paint above their heads. How can one not respond deeply with such sights in front of you?

    I very much look forward to this special occasion and location to paint together! It can'y fail to produce wonderful results... for all who are participating!

    Happy Fall Painting to you!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce, this looks like being another great weekend. I hope everything goes well and the weather behaves itself. I hope you find some time for yourself in that back country as well!

    All the best,
    Keith

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  8. Hi there Keith!... Thanks for visiting! It will be a great weekend of painting "out there".... with a great group of kindred spirits. I am really looking forward to it!

    I don't think that I'll find much time to visit Algonquin... at leat during Fall. Too bad... but one has to focus on one set of goals and see them through. Our personal and business lives in Rockport depends a great deal upon putting our creative minds and energies towards readying ourselves for next year.

    I already have ample new large painting ideas and several projects and new commissions that I have to fulfill... so it will be busy right from closing in mid October... right through to spring! I am happy to have these things to work with!

    Good Fall Painting Keith!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. exciting and wonderful and this painting is a slam bangin' winner. Every area is composed beautifully. I am in awe...really.

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  10. HI there Mary!... Thank you for visiting and for your kind and encouraging comments! They are all the more significant and meaningful to me... being that I admire your work so much as well!

    Life has been hectic... and exciting as of late... lots of plein air painting! Being "out there" really does energize one's work... I think you'll agree!. ''I will now get a trip mover to your site to check Mary's world!!

    Good Fall Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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