#2777 "Furnace Falls Farm"

#2777 "Furnace Falls Farm"
9x12 by 3/4 inch profile oils on canvas

My friend Tanya (Write Time) asked me to attend the Rural Community Expo Event at the family farm on Old Briar Hill Road. I thought that it would be a great opportunity to paint somewhere other than Singleton. COVID has greatly restricted my movements. I did not know what might inspire me at the farm and I went to have some fun. 

The Rural Community Expo Event was very well organized and attended by those who cared about the community. I arrived early and wandered around a bit to get a feel for the place. I saw many people and businesses that I knew well. Furnace Falls Farm is really quite beautiful. 

I decided to set up in an obvious location right on Old Briar Hill Road in front of the "504" mailbox. The sun was largely on my back and there was not a cloud in the sky. Some people did come by to chat. It was a beauty of a day and the organizers could not ask for better weather.

There was lots of inspiration. I tried to stay loose with the brush and composition as well. The large maple provided terrific shade to the front porch of the farmhouse. I can imagine there was a lot of "front porch sitting time" spent there. There would have been many tales told solving the problems of the day. If only the porch could talk and share those memories. The world needs the common sense and practicality of farmers more than ever in 2023.

The mailbox was anchored on a post planted in an old milk can. The flap on the mailbox was open and a European starling flew in and out a few times that I noticed. There might have been a nest in there along with the mail. I did not even try to paint the white letters of "504" on the blue sign above the mailbox. My brush strokes were rough but they told the story. 

For this and much more art, click on Pixels.

Warmest regards and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick