2013 Fields Project Part 3: Elevator, Horse Ride & Sprayer
More from the Fields Project in June: early in the week I put the word out that I wanted to see the landscape from the farmer's perspective. What I had in mind was a ride on some farm equipment, I should have know with this group I would get that, and so much more! Gary Bocker was geneorus enought to send me up the elevator, 180 feet...so high I looked down on their enourmous corn bins.The view was spectacular...and a little unnerving for the first 10 mintues (I could see straight through to the ground from the grate we stood on).
In the distance you can see 'The Rail' ... the train cars are loaded with corn and travel a short distance to the main railroad line.
Such a view!
With Gary Bocker, overlooking his corn kingdom! He had never been up here and wasn't going to join me. I insisted that he come, too...I think he was glad he made the trip.
The drive where the trucks cue up with their loads of corn.
I was very lucky to be up there when a load came in, look at that gorgeous yellow grain!
The trucks pull in over a grate and the corn fills the coffers (I hope I have that right!) It was pretty cool, I could hear what sounded like rain, as the corn was pumped up into the giant metal pipes and distributed back down into the bins.
Later that day, driving 'home'. I was at the highest point you see there!
After that awesome elevated view, I drove a few miles to one of their fields and grandson, Winton, took me out on the sprayer (above).
This a very sophisticated piece of equipment, that computer tracks a myriad of info including moisture, and temps. He educated me a bit about weeds, if they grow higher than 4 inches they take more moisture from the soil than the corn.
Anne choose Chief
A horse of course! ...at White Pines Ranch
My third elevated view of the day, this one on a mammal! My horse's name was Chief...prior to our ride we had to watch a video (geared mostly towards a younger crowd). They instructed riders to go stand in front of the horse they wanted and point (so I did!). To my left is fellow artist: Jan Sorenson and in front the owner of White Pines, Gig Bellows. So grateful to her for inviting me out for the trail ride. Chief was a trooper, can't imaging carrying 'me' up a canyon trail..but this guy did!
The
Full Fields Project 2013 Blog Series:
Part 1: Bocker Farm/Barnacopia
Dog Days of Summer Sale!
Letthe Dog Days of Summer Begin:
Make Your Offer in the Comments Sectionin this
on my Facebook Fan Page (Minimum Bid $99) Bidding Ends Friday 8/2 at 7 pm Central Time:
!
Spotted in the press...
It was just brought to my attention that my work was spotted in TheChicago Reader on July 18th in an article about Judy Fiske of Fit +Frisky in Evanston. I did their logo and they have some of my work in their beautiful store!
More Summer Fun...4th of July Trip
Had a lovely visit with my brother, his wife and their adorable dog, Edgar in the Cascades over the 4th of July. Lots of good food, kayaking, rafting, biking, walks and rock collecting (I got stopped in Security at the airport for my suspect bag of rocks!).
Edgar!
A narrative memorial pet portrait of their much loved dog, Willie.
Edgar!
2013 Fields Project Part 2: Walks, Drives and Inspiring Views
Photos from my glorious morning walks...
These farm vehicles reminded me of giant space age insects...
Looking 'into' the corn...
The corn's view...
Painting site #1 Nordman Farm:
The Nordman Farm: this was one of the plein air painting sites scheduled for the week, and the only one that I made it to. This barn is gorgeous, they had cattle and cats, everywhere! Ironically, I have no photos of the cats. 
These guys were 'show' cattle...Their heads are tied up for 4 hours a day to enhance their posture during competition. The young girl that took me around assured me that this was a common practice and not harmful to them, and of course I still wonder. 
Let me introduce you to Beckett...another show steer. He and his ebony cohort, Waldo were housed in an air conditioned section of the stable so their coats would grow fuller. They were the fluffliest looking cows I had ever seen, check out the tufts of extra hair growing around his ears.
Roadside vistas I captured driving through Ogle County...
This fabulous view reminded me of an Andrew Wyeth painting...it was even better in person with the wind blowing through that field.
Even rainy days made for some exquisite photo opportunities!
The
Full Fields Project 2013 Blog Series:
Part 1: Bocker Farm/Barnacopia
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
The Axnick Pups
Todd and
Linda came by recently to pick up the super fun, custom Narrative Pet
Portrait Painting of their five beloved pups...they even brought two of
them, Dublin and Pink! Such a fun project and such sweet, beautiful
dogs...I love my job!
Dublin w/his portrait!
see detai shots below.
Dublin the "Dock Diver"
Tully...the "Food Hound"...who loves treats!
Madigan: "Shoe Stealer" & obsessed with squirrels...they find their shoes in their yard!
Cait loves tennis balls! She carries around 2 at a time!
Pink, who never wants to be left behind...loves to go along in the car!
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