Inn Along the Way

It went well! My first artist residency in Maine from August 21 - 26 is in the books, literally, look at my scrap book below. :)

I was pleased to be featured in the Lincoln County News on August 10th, and to have finished this huge 36" x 48" painted "bonad" (Swedish wall hanging) ready in time for the party on Saturday, August 26th. To thank the volunteers at Inn Along the Way and they had a band, and a nice spread for everyone. I worked away and answered questions as I put the finishing touches on this beauty.

The amazing thing was that John - who had lived in the house before it became an inn, and was married to Mary Chapman (the last owner of the Chapman Farm) - was visibly touched by my painting. He could not believe that I had chosen a border that they used to have in the dining room and loved my depiction of the farm! 

It was a moment where I almost got chills to hear him say that they chose the exact border that I had painted for their room and it's no longer there! I just happened to see it on some china in the barn and incorporated it into my piece. Everything included in the painting was there for a reason - the class, the garden, the barn, the inn, the logo, the kurbits flowers (Swedish flowers), and the border. The heart on the wall hangs int he barn, the zinnia is from their garden and the chair with the flowers sits by the  barn door.

It took me a long time to paint that border, but I am so very glad that I did. To hear his stories about the Chapmans and to see his reaction made it all worthwhile! I worked really hard on this painting (bonad). I am so glad that he liked it. I gave my first attempt to the Inn Along the Way so that the volunteers could sign it. A big 38" x 48" canvas now hangs in the barn with their names on it! If they wish they can buy the finished piece as well.

Here I am working really hard here to get it done in time! I got up early most days, and was lucky to work hard and then have fun with my friend Anne who lives nearby. You can see the one that didn't make the cut on the wall below. 

This is the one that I gave to Inn Along the Way that they used during their volunteer appreciation. It shows the inn on top, a table, some kurbits (which I taught other how to make) and the barn on the bottom. I taught a class and gave a presentation on Wednesday, 8/23.

Here are some of the class participants proudly showing their work. They did a marvelous job! Thank you for coming, it was so nice meeting you all!

The class was humming on Wednesday, and then I held a presentation on the history of kurbits. It's quite interesting. Please let me know if you're interested in either. My next class is on 9/23/23 in Amesbury, MA Sign up here.

My rendition of the zinnia from the garden. The gardens and grounds are just lovely! There's a pond and a nice trail to it too which I walked with a new friend and her cute dog Pip. 

This space was originally going to be my work area but they had a lunch there on Wednesday called "lunch bunch" which I was happily invited to join. I set up in the longer barn instead and it worked well with good light and a nice breeze.

The house is now an inn but you can see how it used to be a family home and still feels like one. It's very welcoming and now it's open to all with a reservation. I included this sweet yellow garden cart in my painting because it provided the funds to help keep their mission* alive during Covid. 

This was just one of the very many pretty touches around the barn and the inn that I captured on paper. Thank you Inn Along The Way, I won't forget my stay as your first artist in residence and the many nice people that I met there. 

*Mission

A collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting.

 - from Inn Along the Way's website, please learn more here: https://www.innalongtheway.org/