My family had a 50-acre farm in Niagara County, New York. I’m intimately familiar with the work cycle of a small northeastern farm. So when my lodger, who works at Aldermere Farm, tells me, “We put up a thousand square bales today,” I want to just chuck this plein air gig and go work there too.
Unfortunately, these old bones have thirty years on them since the last time I stacked hay, so I’d better not give up the day job.
I’m participating in two shows in midcoast Maine this weekend. The first benefits Aldermere. Managed and owned by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Aldermere is a noted tourist attraction in Rockport. A traditional New England saltwater farm, its weathered stone walls, rocky shoreline, and simple, elegant structures evoke the past, just minutes from busy Camden harbor. The farm’s 136 acres include fields, woods, and wetlands, along with the buildings and grounds.
Although most people associate the farm with Aldermere’s famous herd of Belted Galloway (“Belties”), the farm is also a compelling example of sustainable agriculture. The Trust maintains Aldermere as a working farm and educational center, helping visitors deepen their appreciation for land conservation. The art show opens this Saturday, and the public is invited.
Also on the docket for Saturday is Waldoboro’s 10th annual Paint the Town. This annual plein air festival and art auction benefits the Medomak Valley Community Foundation, the Medomak Valley Land Trust, the Waldoboro Library and the Waldoboro Lions Club.
Thirty to forty artists will set up in a variety of locations from Friendship’s waterfront to secluded sites along the Broad Bay to the bustling historic village area. The preview and reception will start at 5 PM at Cider Hill Farm on Main St in Waldoboro.
Let me know if you’re interested in painting with me on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park from August 9 to 14. Click here for more information! Download a brochure here.