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 !!!