Communing with Will

The Garrick Pub is a timber framed building dating back to the 1400's. It is reputed to be the oldest pub in Stratford-Upon-Avon.  It has nice curved walls and tables.  We enjoyed a pint while Mr. Shakespeare's likeness watched over us.

Christopher Wren

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has a wonderful collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings.  I chose to draw a 1630 bust of Christopher Wren by Edward Pearce because Wren is responsible for some of the most beautiful architecture in England and the world.  He rebuilt 52 churches after the Great Fire including St. Paul's and the south front one of my favorite, Hampton Court.  Plus, he was educated in Oxford.

Oxford, UK

I'm in the UK for the next month and will occasionally post some drawings (I hope).  The King's Arms, pictured here, is a typical English pub located diagonally across from the Sheldonian Theater.  It is very warm with rich, dark, walnut colored paneling.  Custom is to choose from the menu, order and pay at the bar, and await delivery.  We had excellent steak and ale pie.

Little Harbor

I'm working on this little painting along side the Field of Queen Anne's Lace.  It is 10"x16" oil on board view of the the Little Harbor with Buzzards Bay beyond.  

Field of Queen Anne's Lace

The horizontal band of green in the center of the picture plane marks the end of the Queen Anne's Lace field.  Beyond that lies hay of some sort.  Queen Anne's Lace is also called wild carrot.  It was introduced from Europe and it is from that plant the carrots we eat today were cultivated.  One can eat the QAL's tap root.  

Queen Anne's Lace, Berkshires

There are gentle, undulations in the middle ground field that will show nice variations in the color.  This lies behind the lower half of the painting, which is where all the queen anne's lace will be.  

Queen Anne's Lace, Berkshires

15 1/2" x 28" Oil on Board, Queen Anne's Lace

First day back in the studio after the Berkshires.  This piece is a response to all the glorious Queen Anne's Lace that was blooming there.  The field will eventually be filled with the plant.  In the distance is the Hancock, MA Shaker Village with the round barn and a few other out buildings.  In my head, I keep coming back to Monet's Field of Poppies.