Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Squash growing
We consume a considerable amount of squash. So it's not really surprising that a squash is growing out of our compost in the backyard. Yet, it is a miracle! I had wanted to make a vegetable bed in the backyard, but just didn't have the time or resources to make it happen. And, I was busy planting paintings in the East Village this spring. A friend even gave me a packet of squash seeds. Miraculously, the squash that is growing is the same variety as the packet of seeds she gave me, though I never planted them! Yet, they are growing. Here's the first in a series of growing squash.
Squash growing in the compost © 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Red lily by Lil blue
Most of the day lilies in the Catskill/Hudson Valley region are orange tiger lilies. They grow wild everywhere, along all the roads, along stream beds and in flower beds. There are a few on this property, we affectionately call Lil Blue, and if Lil Blue was my house, I'd plant a whole lot more. The contrast of the orange against all the green is exciting. There's a spray of red lilies in a flower bed in the backyard, dark velvety red, that really pops out. I prefer the orange, but these red lilies look like pieces of red velvet fluttering over the flower bed.
Here's a big red lily, painted right from the backyard of 'Lil Blue!
"red lily" © 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Here's a big red lily, painted right from the backyard of 'Lil Blue!
Full Moon over St Brigid
So after much thought... and encouragement from Carolyn Ratcliffe, I decided to participate in the HOWL show with the Artistas. I've lost count of how many shows we've done over the past 5 years, I'll have to check my website!
Next decision -- what to show? So I read Howl by Allen Ginsberg and decided on 3 paintings of the East Village that evoke the poetry and wild side that is still sometimes present, but mostly fading into the mists. Reading Ginsberg's words from 1956, they are still as risque and cutting as they were back in the 50s. Perhaps we have come full circle, down into the maze of urban bohemian "angelheaded hipsters" "smoking in the supernatural darkness of coldwater flats" "contemplating jazz" and back to an uptight society pretending nothing's wrong. Business as usual. No global warming here! No threat of swine flu, oh no. We don't even need health care. Let's go shopping!
"Full Moon over St Brigid" © 2006 by Lauren Edmond
St Brigid is an 1850s Irish famine church saved from destruction by the people of the East Village in 2007. Ochre yellow, it sits on the southeast corner of Tompkins Square. When it was scheduled to be torn down, the people took action. What finally saved the church was an anonymous donor. Renovation is supposed to begin, meanwhile it is still closed, and still standing!
And for those "who balled in the morning in the evenings in rose
gardens and the grass of public parks and
cemeteries scattering their semen freely to
whomever come who may, "
--- Allen Ginsberg, Howl
"getting off on fall" © 2007 by Lauren Edmond
Next decision -- what to show? So I read Howl by Allen Ginsberg and decided on 3 paintings of the East Village that evoke the poetry and wild side that is still sometimes present, but mostly fading into the mists. Reading Ginsberg's words from 1956, they are still as risque and cutting as they were back in the 50s. Perhaps we have come full circle, down into the maze of urban bohemian "angelheaded hipsters" "smoking in the supernatural darkness of coldwater flats" "contemplating jazz" and back to an uptight society pretending nothing's wrong. Business as usual. No global warming here! No threat of swine flu, oh no. We don't even need health care. Let's go shopping!
St Brigid is an 1850s Irish famine church saved from destruction by the people of the East Village in 2007. Ochre yellow, it sits on the southeast corner of Tompkins Square. When it was scheduled to be torn down, the people took action. What finally saved the church was an anonymous donor. Renovation is supposed to begin, meanwhile it is still closed, and still standing!
And for those "who balled in the morning in the evenings in rose
gardens and the grass of public parks and
cemeteries scattering their semen freely to
whomever come who may, "
--- Allen Ginsberg, Howl
Comeau
The Town of Woodstock is a very enlightened place for many reasons. And their town government reflects this in many ways. Mostly because the people are literally invested in keeping their community free of overdevelopment. So they learn about the issues and participate in the process of governing. The Woodstock Land Conservancy maintains easements that allow people access to the land, put there as a land trust. Keeping it that way takes vigilance.
Comeau is a land trust in Woodstock, NY. It's about 78 acres. There are big fields for playing ball, and forested area with trails and a stream, and few more big fields. It's dog friendly, and well-behaved dogs can roam off leash, except for the parking lot and soccer fields, which is in everyone's best interest. We leash whenever it's time to "hold hands". Just reading the latest updates on the Comeau easement issue in Woodstock Times, i remembered my painting! Here's the building where the government offices are located on the Comeau property, in the early spring of 2008. I finally "finished" it.
Comeau in early spring, 2008 © 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Comeau is a land trust in Woodstock, NY. It's about 78 acres. There are big fields for playing ball, and forested area with trails and a stream, and few more big fields. It's dog friendly, and well-behaved dogs can roam off leash, except for the parking lot and soccer fields, which is in everyone's best interest. We leash whenever it's time to "hold hands". Just reading the latest updates on the Comeau easement issue in Woodstock Times, i remembered my painting! Here's the building where the government offices are located on the Comeau property, in the early spring of 2008. I finally "finished" it.
6th BC Botanical Garden, spring 2009
my work goes through many phases. sometimes less is enough. and just seeing the paintings in all their forms can be fun.
so in that spirit, here's the 6th BC Botanical garden in the spring of 2009. perhaps a work in progress, perhaps it is done!
6BC Botanical Garden in bloom © 2009 by Lauren Edmond
the 6BC Botanical Garden is, of course, located on 6th Street between Avenues B&C, in the East Village, or Loisaida, or in the atlas, Tompkins Square, NY. The garden itself is a work of art, and the result of the work of many gardeners. Unlike the other community gardens where each gardener has their own plot, 6BC is one garden that all gardeners share. Here's another painting from 6BC, in September of 2006,
6BC September Light © 2006 by Lauren Edmond
This painting is part of the show currently hanging at Planet One Cafe. More on that show soon!
so in that spirit, here's the 6th BC Botanical garden in the spring of 2009. perhaps a work in progress, perhaps it is done!
the 6BC Botanical Garden is, of course, located on 6th Street between Avenues B&C, in the East Village, or Loisaida, or in the atlas, Tompkins Square, NY. The garden itself is a work of art, and the result of the work of many gardeners. Unlike the other community gardens where each gardener has their own plot, 6BC is one garden that all gardeners share. Here's another painting from 6BC, in September of 2006,
This painting is part of the show currently hanging at Planet One Cafe. More on that show soon!
On the road
This painting is really part of the Woodstock-Saugerties show. The view is between the 2 towns, on the overpass of the NYS Thruway you get a good view of Overlook Mountain, which rises north of Woodstock. There is about 10 miles and a vast difference between Woodstock and Saugerties. They are as different as red and blue American, which i see as red/orange and blue/green America.
This painting is from a very hot summer day. The highlights were shimmering. I got up early to do the laundry in Saugerties. And by 9 am, it was already a scorcher! Here's "Hot road on a summer morning" from 2008
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Paintings of Woodstock and Saugerties NY 2009
This is a show of my recent paintings of Woodstock and Saugerties.
There are 6 paintings in this show.
First up. This is the Bridge Over Saugerties. Saugerties NY is a hidden treasure that I don't really want to publicize, though Jimmy Fallon is a native, so he does it all the time, in his self-deprecating style! The town is perched on the Hudson and there are magnificent views, including a lighthouse on the river, open to the public. Many people have lived here for generations. Yet, there are an increasing number people coming to Saugerties from all over the world. The town is just too beautiful to go unnoticed. Saugerties has several art groups, which I will hopefully be able to join for as long as I"m in the area....
So here's "Bridge Over Saugerties", 2009. I've taken hundreds of photos of this bridge, in every weather condition and season. This painting is summertime, probably my favorite season to paint. Currently, the land in the foreground has been sold and will be turned into a hotel complex. Construction started over the last few weeks. I often do my laundry across the street and walk the dogs in the field and through the town. We all enjoy it ^^:-)
"Bridge Over Saugerties" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Next is the view from the Village Apothecary in Saugerties NY. I love this place! And they are the kindest people. I get my cat Philippe's thyriod meds from them and they go out of their way to make sure everything is the best possible. They even hipped me to the fact I can get this is gel form that i just put in his ear twice a day. So much easier than pilling. He's the best cat in the world. Except for pilling! So here's the View from the Village Apothecary, Saugerties, NY
"Village Apothecary View" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
This the a crossroad in West Saugerties, NY. If you take a left, you go uphill to Plattekill. The view is extraordinary. The road is kind of treacherous and is even closed from November to May. There's a steep drop off on one side, The whole thing is very dramatic. Or-- you can make the right and you're in West Saugerties, an old village in the valley. Here's the Crossroads at Plattekill, you decide which way to go-- uphill or down!
"Crossroads at Plattekill" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
This piece is near and dear to me. It's the view from my next door neighbor's backyard. We've been renting a lil blue cottage (painting coming!) for the past 2 years and I get to spend time there and in NYC where I've had an apartment for going on 32 years. Wow. I can't quite say time flew, but after 32 years and thousands of paintings, here's "Shirley's View"
"Shirley's View" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Driving back and forth to Woodstock every day, this is one of the 2 scenes that continues to catch my eye. I just love how the mountains come up behind the house and the long driveway to the house and the mountains is like a journey in itself. This is "Devon's Way"
"Devon's Way" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
And finally, the Woodstock Green. This is where hippies still gather. Kids and adults! There are drum circles on major holidays, music, events, lots of fun has happened here! What makes Woodstock so special is its continued sense of COMMUNITY. There are still land grants where you can walk for miles. And they're dog friendly, provided your dogs are friendly! Mine are socialized, living in NYC and Woodstock. Here's the "Woodstock Town Green"
"Woodstock Town Green" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Hope you enjoy the show! More to come.....!
Lauren
There are 6 paintings in this show.
First up. This is the Bridge Over Saugerties. Saugerties NY is a hidden treasure that I don't really want to publicize, though Jimmy Fallon is a native, so he does it all the time, in his self-deprecating style! The town is perched on the Hudson and there are magnificent views, including a lighthouse on the river, open to the public. Many people have lived here for generations. Yet, there are an increasing number people coming to Saugerties from all over the world. The town is just too beautiful to go unnoticed. Saugerties has several art groups, which I will hopefully be able to join for as long as I"m in the area....
So here's "Bridge Over Saugerties", 2009. I've taken hundreds of photos of this bridge, in every weather condition and season. This painting is summertime, probably my favorite season to paint. Currently, the land in the foreground has been sold and will be turned into a hotel complex. Construction started over the last few weeks. I often do my laundry across the street and walk the dogs in the field and through the town. We all enjoy it ^^:-)
"Bridge Over Saugerties" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Next is the view from the Village Apothecary in Saugerties NY. I love this place! And they are the kindest people. I get my cat Philippe's thyriod meds from them and they go out of their way to make sure everything is the best possible. They even hipped me to the fact I can get this is gel form that i just put in his ear twice a day. So much easier than pilling. He's the best cat in the world. Except for pilling! So here's the View from the Village Apothecary, Saugerties, NY
"Village Apothecary View" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
This the a crossroad in West Saugerties, NY. If you take a left, you go uphill to Plattekill. The view is extraordinary. The road is kind of treacherous and is even closed from November to May. There's a steep drop off on one side, The whole thing is very dramatic. Or-- you can make the right and you're in West Saugerties, an old village in the valley. Here's the Crossroads at Plattekill, you decide which way to go-- uphill or down!
"Crossroads at Plattekill" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
This piece is near and dear to me. It's the view from my next door neighbor's backyard. We've been renting a lil blue cottage (painting coming!) for the past 2 years and I get to spend time there and in NYC where I've had an apartment for going on 32 years. Wow. I can't quite say time flew, but after 32 years and thousands of paintings, here's "Shirley's View"
"Shirley's View" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Driving back and forth to Woodstock every day, this is one of the 2 scenes that continues to catch my eye. I just love how the mountains come up behind the house and the long driveway to the house and the mountains is like a journey in itself. This is "Devon's Way"
"Devon's Way" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
And finally, the Woodstock Green. This is where hippies still gather. Kids and adults! There are drum circles on major holidays, music, events, lots of fun has happened here! What makes Woodstock so special is its continued sense of COMMUNITY. There are still land grants where you can walk for miles. And they're dog friendly, provided your dogs are friendly! Mine are socialized, living in NYC and Woodstock. Here's the "Woodstock Town Green"
"Woodstock Town Green" c 2009 by Lauren Edmond
Hope you enjoy the show! More to come.....!
Lauren
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rose Trellis at La Plaza
This is the Rose Trellis at La Plaza Cultural. La Plaza is a community garden located in Loisaida or the East Village. According to the atlas, it is in Tompkins Square, NY.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Painting the gardens
The green spaces of Manhattan are sacred spaces. Quiet and reflective, they provide a contrast to our high-stress high-tech society. We are healed by the peace connection we feel when surrounded by nature. The shape of a tree's limb are like dancers in slow motion, i see them reaching, bending, flowing, and interacting. The play of light on the trees and leaves as they contrast the forms of the buildings and fences inspires me to paint these deeply moving scenes.
This is Blue Iris at La Plaza Cultural, a green thumb oasis on the corner of E 9th St and Avenue C. Most of the irises are purple and they are all lovely, but this blue iris was a standout and so lush i had to make this painting. I hope you enjoy it.
It is copyrighted and this is a low res version. Please see my online gallery for more paintings!
This is Blue Iris at La Plaza Cultural, a green thumb oasis on the corner of E 9th St and Avenue C. Most of the irises are purple and they are all lovely, but this blue iris was a standout and so lush i had to make this painting. I hope you enjoy it.
It is copyrighted and this is a low res version. Please see my online gallery for more paintings!
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