Frog Hollow Flower Farm

The TCAA artists met today in Ellington, CT. Our hostess, Karyn, runs the farm and has fresh cut flower bouquets for sale. The location is 8 Frog Hollow Rd. It is a wonderful place to get away from the rush of busy lives. To stroll through the gardens with views of farm fields and big sky is to live a piece of Heaven.

Our hostess Karyn with some flowers

We gathered on the porch to catch up and have some fresh brewed coffee and blueberry buckle. As the group rolled in, we ended up with about 7 artists. The lively group consisted of Ronnie, Susan, Margaret, Donna, Linda, Adrianna and June.

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas

The morning began around 9 a.m. with a near downpour. Within 5 minutes the sun was shining. Throughout the 2 1/2 hours we spent painting, sketching or socializing, the clouds rolled in and out, with brief one or two minute showers. Combined with the tropical humidity Connecticut is experiencing, we all sought shade and shelter frequently.

Donna came with an already prepared canvas, with a painted background to start. She set up on the porch and looked toward the distant hills and big sky, and began her expressionist vision of the landscape. I believe she used acrylics, but they may have been oils. Her finished piece reflected so much movement and sense of the changeable sky, from dark and menacing to mild with blue skies and friendly clouds. She captured that change beautifully with her painting.

Margaret seized on what Karyn termed her duck spa. It was a delightful pen with a nice pool for the ducks to enjoy. Margaret was smart in bringing an umbrella to place over her chair, and had no need to run for cover when the showers passed through several times. She chose watercolors for her subject. Her progress had a whimsical folk art feel to it. The ducks faces came through with an almost childlike curiosity. It was so cute and you couldn't help but fall in love with those ducks as Margaret worked her magic.

Linda began with a sketch of the chicken coop amongst the flowers. She added watercolor after for some color. The chicken coop has a lovely sway of hops growing on its west side, and the open window just added to the charm of the scene.

June attempted to use oil pastels for a Datura plant by the porch. She took a number of photos of the regal purple flower, and will work on a better rendition when she has more time.

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas

Cameras were once again the main way to create our sketches and to get a feel for our subject. Adrianna stayed for a short while to catch a few photos, as did Ronnie and Susan. There was plenty to photograph at the farm, and for any photo buffs out there, it is worth the short ride to Ellington to drink in the many flower beds Karyn has created.

There are possibilities for some nice charcoal sketches, as this 100 year old concord grape vine shows. The thick vine looks more like a trunk, and it is attractively growing on a heavy wire grape arbor. June does a lot of fine art conversion, and this particular rendition was done with Corel Painter Essentials 4, using a charcoal effect.

We encourage any of the artists who came today to send their photos from today to June, so she can add to the blog. If anyone completes a painting or sketch, take a photo of that as well and send to June so she can share it with the rest of the group.

All TCAA members are encouraged to peruse the gallery at the end of the blog and if something inspires you, feel free to create your own sketch or painting and send it along to June to add to the blog.

This is your blog, and it is fun to share and see how we grow and change in our style. If any interested readers want to join the TCAA for some fun and friendship, send an email to June and she will send you the membership form. Currently the group is working on a brand new website, but it won't be ready for a few months.

Dues are $30.00 a year, and run from September thru August. This includes a member show, an open art show, plein air painting, open studio in the winter, and a Christmas and Summer party for members.

Send an email. jmitastudios@gmail.com. Comments are always welcome. Let us know if you like the blog, if you feel inspired and renewed, and if you have any ideas for locations, let us know.

Next weeks location has not been posted yet. Check back around Sunday, and the blog should be updated with our gathering spot next week.

GALLERY

All photos courtesy of June Mita unless otherwise noted.