Down on the Farm
Scouting out painting locations is fun and something that occupies a good deal of my time. So while in the Silicon Valley a few weeks ago I was searching for unique places to paint.
One that I found and turned out to be a gem, is a historical working farm just off the highway in Fremont, California called Ardenwood.
The Winnower, Ardenwood
Oil on Linen Panel
9x 12″
Available from Studio One Big Sur
The joys of getting to a farm brought me back to being a kid. In fact the whole place was filled with kids and me. This kind of setting complete with barns, wagons, chickens, goats, pigs and horses along with tractors, stalls and the full range of farm gadgets, was like being in a painter’s candy store.
Since I only had a few hours I walked the entire property and chose to just capture one moment, this old winnower in a barn.
I did stay to attempt and sketch the pigs (who are unbearably smelly!), the peacocks and study a few tractors, but an entire day would have been necessary to get more painting in.
I chose this scene for the light and deep rich shadows, something that never ceases to capture my attention and create drama in a painting. The blue of the winnower catching the light surrounded by deep shadows was stunning. The arrangements of dark and light in this painting seemed harmonious.
If you’re ever in Fremont, California I highly recommend a stop at Ardenwood Historical Farm.
And don’t forget your sketchbook!