Artist and Their Paintings
Reflections on the Lynch Preserve:
This public woodland preserve has blazed trails that meander through the 206-acre parcel. Once inside the interior of this protected area I had such a sense of peace. The only sound came from the pinecones that crunched underfoot while walking over the soft bed of pine needles covering the woodland floor. Loblolly Pines and Holly trees dominate throughout the interior, mixed with other deciduous trees acting as a roof top overhead. I saw a Box turtle making its way through the forest and observed many different varieties of birds. It’s a haven for wildlife. Making my way along the trail I came upon a few openings through the trees revealing ponds, marshes and views of the Choptank River. I felt the solitude here and a deep appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice made by others to preserve this land for our future generations.
Reflections on Train Farm:
“As an artist looking for inspiration, I found the Train property to be more than abundant. The caretaker, Mr. Richard Willey, drove me all over the property pointing out the beautiful views and the lay of the land. He showed me the old pond, the newly formed ponds from reclaimed fields, the best view of the buildings from a point, the most beautiful walk in the winter through the evergreens in the snow. Occasionally, he came to a halt to reveal a group of wood ducks that he knew were there, or, he stopped to show me a lone sapling and gave me its name. Mr. Willey knew where the newly migrated black ibises were, the herons, and all the different egrets. He explained how Mr. Train would come home from a world trip exhausted and would be refreshed after a week on the property. Mr. Willey said that “if these trees could talk..” . There has clearly been a lot of love and care put into this beautiful property. It is truly a glowing pearl.”
- Nancy Tankersley
Reflections on Smokey Farms:
When I heard I was assigned a “working farm” my imagination gave me images of farm workers in the field, grain silos, tractors and miscellaneous farm equipment, and an old farmhouse. What I saw when I first visited Smokey Farms was 500 acres of flat fields, two white concrete buildings, and a few trees.
I visited the farm an additional four times to paint and take pictures and on each visit the land opened itself up to me. I began to see the subtle differences in the contours of the fields and sense how each day nature was working her magic. The corn began to rise quickly and straight and by the third visit what had been empty fields were now marked by lines of soybean seedlings. The cool green of the winter wheat crop had become a lovely ochre.On my last morning, standing there in the sunlight with a fresh breeze keeping the insects at bay, I listened and saw and felt the beauty of this land. I feel priviledged to be able to share this with others through my paintings.
I visited the farm an additional four times to paint and take pictures and on each visit the land opened itself up to me. I began to see the subtle differences in the contours of the fields and sense how each day nature was working her magic. The corn began to rise quickly and straight and by the third visit what had been empty fields were now marked by lines of soybean seedlings. The cool green of the winter wheat crop had become a lovely ochre.On my last morning, standing there in the sunlight with a fresh breeze keeping the insects at bay, I listened and saw and felt the beauty of this land. I feel priviledged to be able to share this with others through my paintings.
Reflections on Spainard Point Farm:
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
“These words to America the Beautiful played through my mind as I was painting on the Spaniard Point Farm. When I first arrived, I set up my easel just inside the entrance to the property. As I was getting ready to paint, I was overcome by the stillness and timeless beauty all around me. The sun was beginning to set over the Chester River. Streams of pure spring light were glancing off the vast, wide open field of winter wheat stretching out before me to the water. The majestic oaks lining the driveway cast long shadows in the foreground. The scene was alive; the wheat in the golden light, dancing in the gentle summer breeze.
The Eastern Shore is a tapestry of working farms like this, yielding crops for our nation’s markets. On the Spaniard Point Farm a complex of barns circling a silo stands as a reminder of our often forgotten rural heritage.”
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
“These words to America the Beautiful played through my mind as I was painting on the Spaniard Point Farm. When I first arrived, I set up my easel just inside the entrance to the property. As I was getting ready to paint, I was overcome by the stillness and timeless beauty all around me. The sun was beginning to set over the Chester River. Streams of pure spring light were glancing off the vast, wide open field of winter wheat stretching out before me to the water. The majestic oaks lining the driveway cast long shadows in the foreground. The scene was alive; the wheat in the golden light, dancing in the gentle summer breeze.
The Eastern Shore is a tapestry of working farms like this, yielding crops for our nation’s markets. On the Spaniard Point Farm a complex of barns circling a silo stands as a reminder of our often forgotten rural heritage.”
Reflections on Point Pleasant Farm:
- Sara Linda Poly
Reflections on Horning Property:
It was a privilege and an honor to set foot on this land graced so beautifully by the water and to meet Mr. Hugh Horning, the lucky owner. It was especially pleasing to me because this property faces west and the sun sets in such a lovely location!!! What more could a painter want!!!! I also loved the sense of stillness here, it seemed especially serene to me. I liked the reeds growing near the water, they had a violet hue, and on the other side of where they grew was a wonderful hidden sandy beach, another surprise! This is the kind of place one would be most grateful to protect and love forever!
Thank you so much for including me in the String of Pearls Project.Sara Linda Poly
Easton, MD.
Thank you so much for including me in the String of Pearls Project.Sara Linda Poly
Easton, MD.
Reflections on Hutchison Brothers Farm:
“Painting on the Hutchison Brothers’ farm was a pleasure, albeit bitter sweet at times. I couldn’t help but think, “What about ALL the other farms that aren’t being conserved? Once they are gone, they are gone forever…”
- David Diaz
Reflections on Wayne Griffith Farm:
I find this to be an incredible way to preserve what would surely disappear. After meeting Mr.Griffith on a particularly gray and chill day, I at first saw the farm as a simple rectangle and figured I’d have to really work at this. But after walking the space,
looking for a good view, I discovered a quietness and soon realized that that is what this project is about-trying to convey the need to protect this kind of openness. No matter what is planted on the farm, and how much activity it takes, there will always be that bit of quiet calm that comes with open, undeveloped space. Mr. Griffith is a true caretaker of the land.
looking for a good view, I discovered a quietness and soon realized that that is what this project is about-trying to convey the need to protect this kind of openness. No matter what is planted on the farm, and how much activity it takes, there will always be that bit of quiet calm that comes with open, undeveloped space. Mr. Griffith is a true caretaker of the land.
- Stuart White
Reflections on the Wye Property:
“I consider myself an impressionist in the tradition of Sargent Pissarro and Sorolla. Though I paint in oils I am enamored with the challenges of Watercolor. I t is incomparable in its ability to convey mood and atmosphere . there are no crisper edges and no softer washes than are present in watercolor. Above all, I try to paint just enough to create the impression and let the viewer fill in the details for himself.”
The process of arranging a visit, meeting the owners and wandering the grounds. On my first visit, I was attracted to the lush landscaping and how harmoniously every thing fit together. Flowers, Trees and Architecture are a so nicely balanced. On the day I visited , I wandered around for a few hours , sketching and taking notes . The sky was overcast which made the colorful surroundings even more saturated with color.
On my second visit, the sun was out . I had a wonderful conversation with a gardener concerning the history of certain buildings and plantation life in the 18th century Talbot County. I came away with a very Romantic vision of Marylands past
The process of arranging a visit, meeting the owners and wandering the grounds. On my first visit, I was attracted to the lush landscaping and how harmoniously every thing fit together. Flowers, Trees and Architecture are a so nicely balanced. On the day I visited , I wandered around for a few hours , sketching and taking notes . The sky was overcast which made the colorful surroundings even more saturated with color.
On my second visit, the sun was out . I had a wonderful conversation with a gardener concerning the history of certain buildings and plantation life in the 18th century Talbot County. I came away with a very Romantic vision of Marylands past
- Lisa Egeli
Reflections on Good Luck Farm:
Painting at Good Luck Farm I was anything but alone, surrounded by turtles, snakes, herons, eagles, geese, and many other creatures I couldn’t see. The sounds of the wind through the pines and the waves tapping the shoreline made a wonderful soundtrack to my mornings and afternoons of painting the beauty of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Thank you to Flora Knauer and others for preserving these fragile places, where water meets land and a rare kind of magic happens.