2013 Fields Project Part 1: Bocker Farm / Barnacopia!
I just returned from my 6th trip to the Fields Project artist residency. I first participated in 2003. Eleven artists participated this year, staying with 10 host families.
Every year proves to be a unique and wondrous experience. I will split my
visit into blog posts over the next week or two. I took a gazillion photos, which means I have a handful of good ones to share with you!
My week wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining without the lovely people in this photo! My fabulous hosts: the Bockers, Gary (front seat passenger) and Judy (next to me in the back). And Cathi Schwalbe, a dear friend and fellow artist (we each had a room in the silo and pretty quickly dubbed ourselves the 'Silo Sisters'!) Lots of laughs from day one...Gary and Judy were so very gracious and acommodating, sharing their new creation "Barnacopia" with us.
It gets windy in the backseat of a convertible!
Cathi with her crazy lime green mustang! We had a weeks worth of fun in one night!
"Barnacopia" Judy and Gary imagined and built this extremely impressive museum over the last year. It houses a plethora of farming
history including Gary's collection of farm equipment and vintage cars, and much more. There will be a grand opening in a few months when it is complete. See the cupola? There is a John Deere Tractor hanging/rotating up there!
This is where I slept all week! My room was on the 2nd floor of this 4 story Silo.
Shots from 'my farm': Bocker Grain
Bocker Ruff Grain - i.d. tags for the train car shipments of corn
Bocker Farm as seen from Route 64...I refer to it a "Oz"
One of my sketching vistas on Father's Day between their giant corn bins.
The view overhead.
Close up of the drying bins...they have a very space age look!
Same drying bins, backing up a bit.
Looking straight up the ladder to the top of the bin...
We even snuck a pedicure in during the week, me = green toes to match the fields!
The
Full Fields Project 2013 Blog Series:
Part 1: Bocker Farm/Barnacopia
Today....
My facebook fan page has stolen all my blog time...I will attempt to start sharing those updates (and more!) here on my blog. Today, so far:
Happiness = a fresh new sketch book, the old one is now full and stained with a coffee spill!
Purple Poulet
Shrine:
In the weeks since she has been gone, I seem to have amassed a 'shrine' to Alice: her clay paw print, an
envelope with clippings of her fur, her collar, her food bowl, the bone
photo/frame: a gift from Laura Nugent years ago, (she and Alice became fast friends after a week long
slumber party in our living room, when she stayed with us for a show), a
beautiful copper enamel heart condolence gift from Mary Laskey, and the
photo I took of us mounted on a resin frame, a suprise gift from another
artist friend, Juana Ryan. Oh, and that little pewter dog, I picked
that up years ago, it just represents her silly spirit. I still can't
bear to put away her dog bed, so that remains in my little
living room and I step around it twice a day when I open and close the
blinds. Her leash and harness still hang on the hook by the door. I
can't put the key in the door without thinking, she's not there waiting
for me. I'm really doing okay, but grief has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. Yep, I really miss her...hug your doggies, if you have'm!
one life...
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My Sweet Alice
2004-2013
One life...a gazillion photos, countless drawings and paintings, boundless love and joy. So sad to tell you that Alice is no longer with me, but so grateful for having had her lovely spirit in my life. She brought a smile to the face of every person that had the good fortune to meet her!
GoodGirl4trees
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Alice arrived at our front door on September 4, 2004 in the arms of a volunteer from Chicago Canine Rescue. Her whole litter had been found in an alley next to a dumpster...we had been talking about getting a 2nd dog and decided maybe a foster would be a good way to test it out. Izzy (10 at the time) was certainly not thrilled with this little gal that turned our house upside down, stole all of her toys and the attention - but in the end she was Izzy's ears and constant companion.
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Alice
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August 2011, Alice and I, the first night in our tiny new apartment. She was by my side through one of the biggest transitions of my life...can't imagine having gone through it, without her!
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Christmas 2012 at Mom's up in Wisconsin. Alice had so much fun and she loved snow!
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Sardines
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I took these last 3 photos with my phone a week before she died, she was
so adorable and peaceful sleeping in my bed. I had no idea they would
be the last ones of us together. By now, I'm sure she's busy tearing it
up in doggy heaven...so I won't say rest in peace, just run and play, my
sweet, silly Alice!
Celebrating 70 years and a lifetime of love...
My dear Irish mother is 70 today...that doesn't seem possible, nor the fact that I'm now 46! I made this bowl around Valentine's Day...it seems most fitting to give it to Mom, the woman who taught me how to love. She has always been a shining example of goodness and compassion and has taught me so much over the years. I am so grateful to still have her healthy and happy, and still such a support, in my life. This is your *bonus* gift I will hand deliver it April...I love you Mom...Happy, Happy Birthday!
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My beautiful new studio!
I can't believe I haven't shared photos of my awesome new studio space with you, yet! In my defense, it has been a busy summer. This new space is just a few blocks south of my Ravenswood location on Hermitage, I moved at the end of June. It's much larger, in fact, the largest studio I've ever had.The wonderful glass block windows remind me of my beloved first studio, in my home on Oakley, in Bucktown. These are some recent photos take prior to last weekend's Open Studio Sale. If you missed it, appointments are always welcome...just contact me!
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Ann3
My neighbor, Anastsia Mak, who has the art studio on the opposite side of the courtyard took this photo...Here is a sample of her lovely work:
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Merchandise Mart, Chicago
©2009 Anastasia Mak
My unconventional easter...
My unconventional Easter...you may have dyed eggs, I painted my foyer RED (calypso berry, if you must know). Love how it turned out! Really sets off the colors of my Susan Meredith Hinckley piece.
Yesterday...
Forgive my lame mobile upload...just wanted to share yesterday's drawing. Inspired by taxes, indirectly...I snapped this photo in the west loop on the way to my accountant's office. Of course I never draw or paint anything exactly as I see it, it's always just my impression. So long February 2012, you did not disappoint.
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