Lavender Labyrinth

6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"Creating expressive art demands more than just rendering. It requires you to develop and give voice to your point of view."
- Dan McCaw


Gosh, I would hate for you to think I've been sitting around doing nothing- because it's been anything but that! I just got back from a week in San Diego, (hubby had work/meetings out there, so of course I went along to paint). I returned to Keys Creek Lavender Farm for part of my three days there- what a wonderful place- even in the off season. I really fell in love with the place back in June during my first visit (during peak bloom time). I found a new appreciation for the lavender I was growing back here at home and have since nurtured it to get a second bloom this summer.

I really wanted to be there and paint from life- as that is what truly enables one to paint 'with conviction' in the studio. I can look at these paintings done outdoors and feel the sun warming me, hear the birds, and the breeze, it just brings back the whole sensory experience.

So, some thoughts on this painting- "Lavender Labyrinth", a 6x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board. I feel especially fortunate that 'life's journey' has taken me to live in (and make return visits to) my favorite regions of American impressionism- that of the northeast, as well as the southwest. My husband didn't have to ask twice if I'd like to go along with him to San Diego. So I packed up the painting gear & made it 'flight ready' for three days of painting. Even in the off-season, the farm is beautiful. As a painter (and gardener) it's still fascinating to me to see this place in all seasons. And as luck would have it, I found the lavender labyrinth still in bloom, not yet harvested! There is a big bouganvillea arch with fuchsia & gold & coral colored blossoms. On Tuesday morning there was still a distant fog out towards the coastline.

It really is a blissful place for me that truly connects to all the senses - not only color and fragrance, but texture, and sound as well (of bees humming over the lavender, humming birds zipping by to check out who is standing in their midst, songbirds in the nearby tree, a hawk screeching across the distant hillside, and the rustle of the breeze across the hills). If you've used lavender in cooking, you'll understand what a total sensory experience this flower is.

***As luck would have it, the farm will be open for visitors again on weekends in December for the Christmas holidays and they will be carrying some of my small unframed paintings of the farm! I'm also working on a few other surprises yet to be revealed!

They are already booking weddings and events for next year's bloom season (May & June). Small paintings make such a lovely, memorable wedding or anniversary gift - as I've learned from many commissions this summer and fall. It's a unique & wonderful way to commemorate your special event!

Now, I don't know if you remember me mentioning that I juried into two art events in Norfolk, VA - Well I'm headed down there today! Out and About Norfolk is a juried paint-out event and Saturday night is the big event! It is also combined with a juried show which is a fundraiser for the Ballet Virginia International. Four of my paintings were selected for this show by Jeff Harrison, Chief Curator, The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Virginia. The big event will take place:

Saturday October 23rd 6-9pm
Ballet Virginia International (BVI)
700 West 21st Street, in Norfolk

If you are in the area - I'd love to see you there!

Contact me for more information on this painting: roxannesteed@gmail.com