Dudley Farm Paint Out

Jackie painting at Dudley Farm

We had a glorious time painting at Dudley Farm in Newberry. The weather was perfect, unlike the first few days at the Wekiva Springs Plein Air Event. My picture above was taken by Linda, a plein air enthusiast. Thanks Linda for allowing me to use the photo here.

The Farm is packed with "paintings", which is painter speak for the fact that everywhere you look there is something interesting to render in paint. Something for everyone makes a perfect paint out. In this case there are old buildings, farm animals (chickens, turkeys, mules, and cows), farm equipment from the 1800's, people dressed in period costumes, vast fields and winding dirt roads.

Lots of people turned out each day to watch the artists, buy art and sign the petition encouraging the state to keep the Farm open. Saturday was especially exciting as hundreds of park volunteers attended a big THANK YOU PARTY at the Farm.

Dudley Farm is on a list of 19 state parks which may be closed in the summer of 2009 due to cutbacks in state funding. I personally hope you will support the drive to keep this Historic State Park open. Go to http://www.floridaseden.org/ to get information about how you can help.

There were lots of requests to extend the paint out exhibit for those who could not attend. So, Eleanor Blair generously offered her studio for an Encore!

Dudley Farm Encore Exhibition
Sunday March 22 4-7 PM
115 S. Main Street Downtown Gainesville

This is a one day exhibit. Don't miss the chance to see (and buy) paintings created by some of the best plein air painters in the state. And yes, 40% of your purchase is tax deductible.

You can't have a paint out without event coordinators. A huge Thank you goes to Jacquelyne Collett, Peg Richardson, Annie Paise, Stewart Thomas and Florida's Eden for putting on such a wonderful plein air event. Thanks, you all, you are the best!