Solo Show at Belle Meade Plantation 2010 and the "1000" year flood

Last night was the opening for my Solo Show at Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville.
Considering the fact that we are experiencing the devastation of a "1000" year flood....well....some die hard people showed up and it was a very pleasant evening shared with old friends and new!

Belle Meade Plantation itself was very lucky to be on high enough ground that it did not suffer terrible damage. Yes, the basement was flooded a bit but I was told that it is a managable problem and they are thankful because it could have been so much worse. The roads surrounding the Plantation left it like an island last weekend. So many are suffering in the area from the aftermath of last week's storm. Nashville is an awesome community and we are coming together to help those of us who really lost so very much. Personally, our home was spared, but many friends homes were not. It is overwhelming..... but it just takes one step at a time..... Nasvhille could really use your prayers for quite a while.

Sneak Peak of Joan's Belle Meade Plantation Solo Exhibition

Okay....for anyone who might read my blog today....You get a sneak peak !

My solo exhibition will run at Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville , TN from May 1 - May 30, 2010. The opening reception / wine tasting is on May 6th, 5:30 - 7:30 at the Art Gallery in the Visitor Center. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Belle Restaurant and there will be
wine from Spain provided by West Meade Wines. If you live in or near Nashville, you know where Belle Meade is.....but just in case..... here's the address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205

NOTE:
If you are still planning to come to the show's opening tonight from 5:30-7:30 at Belle Meade Plantation, everything is still OK. Mansion and Visitor center suffered no damage but the main entrance was flooded and damaged, so please follow the directions to the alternate entrance.

DIRECTIONS

Both front entrances to the Belle Meade property have suffered flood
damage and are closed.

To access the site follow these driving directions:

From I-440/downtown:

* Head southwest on HWY US 70S/Harding Road/Harding Pike
* Turn left at Belle Meade Blvd.
* Go 1.2 miles
* Turn right at Leake Ave.
* Go .5 miles.
* Belle Meade Plantation is on the right.
*

If you need help with directions call Belle Meade at: 615-356-0501

The history of Belle Meade is a rich and important story in the development of the Thoroughbred Industry in the United States. As an Equine artist, that's why I am so happy and honored to have an exhibition here at such an historic place.

Here is the link to Belle Meade's "horse history".
http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/Horses/Horses/

I have added 7 new works to my collection specifically for this show and I have posted one of them here..... "Alias" 22 x 28 Oil on canvas.

If you are in town....I'd love to see you at the opening !

Lipizzaner Stallions in Nashville

This afternoon my hubby and I went to see the Lipizzaner Stallions at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. I think this is my 4th time seeing them and I still get a lump in my throat and teary eyes at sometime during the show, never fail ! I remember my Dad taking me to Philadelphia to see them when I was a teenager so many years ago. It will NOT be the last time I see them either because they are living history. I'll never get tired of watching them. Their beauty is just manifested on so many levels...it's really hard to put into words. We got floor seats for the first time and I am thrilled to have gotten the chance to watch the show from that position. Looking UP at those majestic horses just 6 feet away.... WOW. So, if they come to your town please support their show by attending and cheering them on ...loudly !

Art in Bloom Show and Sale 2010

This weekend is the annual Art in Bloom Art Show and Sale presented by the Gallatin Junior Service League. This show benefits women's and children's charities of the greater Gallatin, Sumner Co. TN area. I'm bringing along some more small wildlife paintings to add to the horses this year. For example, shown here is "Red Fox Backlight" , a 5 x 7 oil on canvas, $160. Our local fox has no idea how many images he has inspired ! I haven't seen him for a while but hope he survived this winter, which for Tennessee , was a cold one.
Spring can't be far away......makes me want to paint foals, baby goats,sheep and birds etc !
Come on out to the Bluegrass Country Club on Johnny Cash Parkway this weekend on Saturday and see what 40 local artists have to show ! It'll be an eclectic mix of styles..... something for everyone.

Lipscomb Art Event 2010

This past weekend was spent at the David Lipscomb Campus School in Nashville at their annual
Art Event. This shot is of my space at the show. It was a great weekend full of meeting many friendly art show attendees and some new area artists. One of my favorite perks of doing these shows is getting to know the artists that are set up around you. It's a great way to connect considering that artists spend a lot of solitary time in the studio and the shows are a great way to catch up with each other. The people running the show at Lipscomb could not have been more kind or more helpful to the artists....that is so appreciated!

Winter in Tennessee

We've been hit with a winter storm here in Tennessee and everything has come to a screeching halt! We don't have enough plows and such to clear away all the snow , so what is normal everyday weather for much of the US.....isn't so normal for us. It is such a treat to see the snow covering everything because it just doesn't happen that much around here, so we appreciate it and we are intimidated by it. So, everybody stays home. We've had a great day cocooning inside except for venturing out for a winter time photo shoot to gather references. I can see the tracks of my fox friend that lives outside of our fence line. I put some leftover turkey out for him tonight. I know my canadian friends are laughing at me right now....but hey....this snow is big news for us :-) !

I've also attached a shot of a corner of my studio and you can see the twilight snowy evening out of the window. You can also see my nice new taboret that just arrived a few weeks ago and it really helped my organization in the studio. It is a "Todd Reifers" workstation and so far I really like it. It looks all clean now but I'll probably have it all paint splotched before long. It has storage and a generous sized top for paint mixing. It also has a cover that you can pull up and over your paint overnight and I find that it helps keep the paint from drying out quite so much.
So, looks like tomorrow I can enjoy painting and looking out at this winter wonderland..... what a treat.

Chronicle of the Horse Magazine

I felt like a kid at Christmas ...... that might describe my feeling when I went to the mailbox yesterday and found a package from the Chronicle of the Horse Magazine letting me know that one of my paintings (Beech Grove Blessing) had been chosen for their Dec. 11, 2009 issue. I remember reading the magazine back in the 70's (cover to cover and when it was in black and white) during my riding years. I suppose that's why I am particularly happy about making the cover now. Heck, I still read the magazine cover to cover ! I think of my Dad and how happy he would be for me that I am having the opportunity to pursue my dream as an artist.......