‘Overview’ of my trip to the States.

“Travel makes one modest.   You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”   Gustave Flaubert

During the past month, I have visited seven States, have slept in ten different beds, taken two Amtrak trains, one domestic flight from Washington DC to Atlanta, five car rides and one ferry.

Along the way, I have been with family, dear friends, three babies, numerous animals and have met some wonderful new friends who I am quite sure I  have met in previous lives…..

I dodged some major storms, experienced lots of rain and sunshine in almost equal measure and throughout it all so much joy and laughter prevailed.

After having made plans for the trip, I then let go of all preconceived notions and allowed things to unfold naturally, and they did in the most perfect of ways.    The magical hummingbirds were clearly with me all the way….  The adventure began with my beautiful daughter Christie meeting me at Boston’s Logan Airport.      I then got to meet LILO aka Fluff Puff –  He is as beautiful in the fluff as he is on my computer screen:)           Harvard Square – virtually next to where Christie lives in Cambridge.   This is where the adventure began.     Boston is looking very healthy and the new water front development is particularly impressive.   When I visited five years ago, very little of it existed.

Next stop Ipswich Mass.…(about one and half hour drive from Boston) where cousin Kate and the now ten year old twins live.   Ten years old is when you still see the world from many different points of view.      They are so much fun. The view from the cottage window, which changes constantly with the ebb and flow of the tides.      This is an area known for its delicious clams. Then onto Essex in upstate New York, via Vermont and the Charlotte Ferry which crosses beautiful Lake Champlain. 

Here we stayed with Sandy and Barbara Lewis.   I first met Sandy in New York fifty-one years ago when he interviewed me for a job.  (more about that in another blog)    Last time Christie and I visited the Lewis Family Farm was eight years ago…  The Lewis Family Farm offers the best USDA certified grass-fed beef.     A magnificent farm – from this view you can see Lake Champlain….Here is an early morning view of the Adirondack mountains from the farm….After two days of stimulating conversation and much laughter with Sandy and Barbara, we drove drove back to Boston.

Our next stop – Stonington, Connecticut  where my friend and fellow artist, RB Jones lives.    Currently RB is building a new studio, which we were pleased to see…plus he makes the best Margaritas ever:)     

Along with being a beautiful town with excellent cafes and restaurants, Stonington is a vibrant seafaring community with an interesting history.      When we arrived the trees were in full blossom.          After three lovely days in Stonington, Christie and I parted ways temporarily….I then took the Amtrak train to New York City,  where I stayed with another good friend, Cyma Horowitz.  Christie returned to Cambridge to make sure Fluff Puff was OK……

Grand Central Station in New York – where Cyma introduced me to The Campbell Bar – tucked away in a discreet corner of the Grand Central Terminal.      Originally the office of American financier, John W. Campbell…this iconic New York institution is now a space where people can meet and enjoy the unusual ambiance, but very few know about it…………..definitely worth a visit. Cyma Horowitz and Ferne Speiler are the best people to show anyone around New York City.    Cyma has been a volunteer Big Apple Greeter....someone who shows visitors around the city.   Ferne, who has lived and worked in New York all her life is the person responsible for coming up with the name  ‘Crickadoon’.       When visiting me in Wales, she mentioned how much Crickhowell reminded here of Brigadoon….hence the name.

Next stop, via Amtrak to West Chester Pennsylvania  where I stayed with my good friends Tom and Carolyn Comitta.     Carolyn is Representative at Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was busy working on the primaries when I arrived.    Along with friends of long standing,  on this visit I met some new friends – again more about this leg of the trip later in a separate post. After four days in West Chester, my son Jarrod Reed picked me up to take me to the farm in Nottingham, Pa where he and his partner Kendle live and work and what a magical place it is.

I will be writing much more about this leg of the trip and showing numerous pictures….but for this overview let it suffice to say that for anyone who enjoys the countryside and are interested in the Amish people’s way of life...this is a place to visit.   Jarrod and Kendle will be having an Air B n B at the Farm. –   Much more to come about that.

Jarrod with one of his favourite chickensJarrod took me around the farm on the Gator to enjoy the stunning views.  Kendle trains horses for dressage and is a fabulous cook.      Kendle, who I have known since she was five years old,  thinks about horses in the same way as I think about painting  and Jarrod thinks about music – in other words it is her life.      Sketching Jarrod on their deck while Jarrod played beautiful music….a special  moment. Jarrod and Kendle’s three immediate neighbours are Amish farmers.  I had the great pleasure to meet several of their community and will be writing more about this experience in a further blog. 

Anne Buffington, Kendle’s mother is an artist friend of mine going back to 1973 – and so my next stop was Anne driving me from the farm to the Annapolis area.      We packed in a lot of conversation and laughter during that time….

Next day Anne very bravely drove me to Washington DC – taken from the car. 

Here I re-connected with Christie and Jenifer Gausman.     We had so much fun for the ensuing 24 hours.   Here we are at Whiskey Charley – at the beginning of a superb evening. 🙂

Next stop Atlanta, Georgia.       After Jen’s lovely mother , Jorjie drove both Christie and I to the airport….Christie flew back to Boston and I flew onto Atlanta where I was met by my friend of many years, Lynn Kearns, and this is where the final leg of the trip began.

Staying with the Kearnsclan, as I call them is like being in the heart of family.    I was at Lynn and Stratton’s wedding many moons ago, knew their parents, have watched their children grow and now their grandchildren…hence this picture.   We have a much shared history. 

Meet Millie the dog, Eva, Charlotte and Miles…..I am laughing so much because all the parents are jumping up and down in front of me getting the children’s attention. This is where the magical hummingbirds came to visit me every day when I was with the Kearnsclan.    I would sit in a connecting porch and paint as they would fly around.    Beyond is Lynn’s very impressive vegetable garden – all of which is surrounded by acres of ancient woodland…..rolling down to Lake Lanier.    A real retreat. One day when Lynn and I were out purchasing water colour paper, we bumped into Rosemary Dodd – a real (Steal Magnolia) whose 100 year old father I painted as a portrait demonstration at the Quinlan Visual Arts Centre about 20 years ago.   One of many lovely coincidences on this trip.

Rosemary Dodd – a Southern Lady and super creative artist. 

Again I will be writing much more about this part of the trip, but two of the Georgia highlights were visiting the magnificent BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple, and on my final day becoming an anchor woman for CNN!Although this was not a painting trip per se, I did do a lot of sketching and have returned filled with many thoughts and ideas…..in other words the creative juices are flowing.

I finish this overview with a magical hummingbird.

 

A  Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

 

 

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton Tutor at Art in the Algarve…www.artinthealgarve.com

I can’t believe that it’s almost that time of the year again when courses start up at the School in Olhao Portugal – http://www.artinthealgarve.com     

I am looking forward to my time there in April, but this post is about another artist and dear friend of mine, Bonnie Halsey Dutton...who will be tutoring a course at the School from May 31st til June 7th.

Although Bonnie hails from Spearfish, South Dakota, I first met her in West Chester Pennsylvania about 28 years ago.      Having just moved to the area she first saw me at an art opening and came up and introduced herself, and the rest is history……

Bonnie’s artwork honours stories and explores mankind’s connection to the past.   Living in S. Dakota impacts her imagery, as her art explores the cultural symbols, stories and ancient artefacts from that region. 

Coming in with the Surf –  Oil on canvas. 

A professional artist and art educator, Bonnie has had over twenty years of experience in the field of art education.

Her workshop at the School in Olhao will focus on ‘exploration of place’, as well as ‘low stakes, creative risk taking.’

Using water based mediums, the workshop is designed to benefit beginning painters as well as artists wishing to explore their individual painting style.   

Lost and Found – oil one canvas

By studying art in an inspirational creative environment, like the School in Olhao, participant’s work and thinking is enriched….http://www.artinthealgarve.com

The 150 year old olive tree that emanates from one of the internal courtyards meandering its way up through the different levels of the school.

The studio 

The school offers excellent areas for group activities as well as plenty of quiet private spaces.

 

Looking down into the courtyard swimming pool…there is another pool on the roof

Minutes from the School, the colourful and vibrant market – 

A most convivial place to enjoy the wonderful freshly cooked food from the School’s kitchen,  and of course much conversation. 

Bonnie is an enthusiastic and energetic tutor.     She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, –  another reason why she is an excellent person to enjoy and explore this fascinating area with.

You can learn more about Bonnie at http://www.bonnie halsey-dutton.com and at http://www.artinthealgarve.com

I thought I would finish this post on a humorous note with this photograph of Bonnie and me taken in Deadwood, South Dakota – 1995.    We held up a stage coach that day and did quite well:)

A Bientôt..

 

 

Late summer thistles

This large oil on canvas was painted in 1976, part of a series, depicting the late summer wild flowers that bloomed in the fields surrounding our home just outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Something about the majesty of the purple thistle has always attracted and intrigued me.

‘If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden’  Frances Hodgson Burnett – The Secret Garden – (One of my favourite books)

Have a lovely weekend.

A Bientôt

Megan – sitting quietly in the studio.

It must have been about 1989 when I was working on a large portrait commission of an interesting woman.        She had dramatic red hair, set against white skin. – a lovely subject. 

I was painting the portrait in my West Chester, Pennsylvania studio which was quite cavernous and allowed me to have several easels going at the same time.       The woman would come for sittings once a week.

Her fourteen year old daughter, Megan would accompany her…and sit quietly drawing in the studio….and barely said a word.

Upon completion of the Mother’s portrait, using the remaining paint on my palette, I made this rapid oil on canvas sketch of Megan.   It probably took about twenty minutes…

I have no idea where Megan is today or what she is doing, but once again her portrait is a reminder to me of that special moment.   Today she would be in her mid to late thirties….

As always, the hummingbirds were weaving their magic.

A Bientôt

Photographs from the ’80s and ’90s

As I look through some of the photographs from the ’80s and ’90s.  I realise what an incredibly busy period it was and how swiftly time moves on.  

I begin this post with a symbolic self portrait – (large oil on canvas), painted 1989 in my West Chester, Pennsylvania studio.   The brick wall behind the chest is the studio.   The photograph is of a large self portrait (oil on canvas).    The sculpted arm was made by artist Janet Cleveland.   The pewter vessel symbolises the female, and the quilt, a subject which featured in many of my biographical still life paintings from that time, symbolises peace and turmoil.    Apples feature quite frequently in my paintings.  

I almost forgot the silver egg cup in the centre of the painting.    I was born on the 100th anniversary of the News Chronicle a famous English newspaper of the time.    All babies born that day were given silver inscribed egg cups to commemorate the date.    It symbolises for me my birth and I have carried it through my life like a talisman. 

At the beginning of 1980 my son Jarrod was fourteen and Christie was six.  This photograph was taken in the studio behind our house in Westtown.       As a family we were busy individually and collectively and that was to continue throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

About one year after this photograph was taken we moved three miles into the town of West Chester to a house which sits virtually on the West Chester University campus.      

Shortly after moving into West Chester, I purchased half of an old carriage house on Prescott Alley which had no heating or running water, just electricity.   It had very high ceilings and a great atmosphere and I knew it would be a good studio space.     

The next photograph was taken after heat and water had been installed.    I was able to have several large easels going at one time…which is how I like to work.     After my divorce in 1987, I used one half to live in and the other for work, and at the same time managed to get water and heat into the building.   I always say that this was the year I grew up!  

During this period I began to work on corporate mural commissions, for hospitals, banks, hotels, etc.    Mural painting was a good way to make money and to keep my tools honed.     Working with art consultant, Bonnie Paul in the States and others in the UK,  the fifteen years when I took mural commissions taught me a great deal.    

The large painting in the foreground of my studio was inspired by a visit to Isle-au-Maine in the Penobscot Bay, Maine in 1984…where I saw and understood for the first time, the interconnections of life.      I saw the human form in the rock formations on the Island and after making many paintings, I returned to my studio where I integrated the human form with the rocks.  

The large oil paintings I am currently working on continue to be about – interconnections.  

Around this time, I received a call from my Mother in England who was clearly very upset.    My Father, who had walked home from his weekly bridge game, had collapsed with a major heart attack and died.    He was only 62, and such a wonderful human being.    

The death of my Father affected me much more than I realised at the time.    He was one of the most kind, gentle people I have ever known – and wonderfully eccentric at times:)    I think of him every day.    

This photograph was taken just two weeks before my Father died when my parents ware at a wedding.    I am so grateful to have it.

  

Two of my beloved West Chester studio cats….Tushy and Sasha….They would always sit on my still life set ups. and they loved to cuddle up next to the life models……

Two images from around 1985.   The photograph on the left shows me, my husband and artist friend Mary Ellen Bilisnansky at a costume evening at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.     The other shows me in the studio with one of the big canvases behind me, inspired by the rock formations on Isle au Haut, Maine. 

We always had a thing about costumes and dressing up….each year we would get together with this close group of friends to have our Easter hap parade.   This would have been taken around 1983…Sadly, two of the group have since died…..but my oh my we did have fun.     Looking at these photographs is such a reminder of the importance of making the best of every single moment of each day….

I had known since my divorce in 1987 that when Christie entered college, and Jarrod was 27, I would return to the UK/Europe.   Meanwhile, during the seven years between my divorce and returning home, I completed large mural projects, my own paintings and gave workshops….At one point i was working from three different studios. 

In 1993, I moved to Crickhowell, a beautiful part of Wales and for the first six months stayed with my cousin Lyn and her family.     It was a very special time for me. 

This picture of me and my two cousins, Lyn and Michael was taken at the heads of the Valley –  overlooking the Usk Valley.  Crickhowell sits in the Brecon Beacons National Park….a very beautiful part of Wales.        

For the twelve years that I lived in Crickhowell or as I call it The Magical Town of Crickadoon, life continued to be busy.   In 1995, I had solo exhibitions in Cardiff and France….as well as mural commissions at the new Cardiff Bay  and St. Edmund’s Church.     I continued to commute back and forth to the States where I gave workshops on the east and west coasts, the midwest and in some southern states.    During these trips I was able to be with my children and visit friends….and they of course came to visit me in Wales. 

This photograph taken with my dear friend Jane Lukas, who I referred to as my surrogate Mother….This was taken at her home on a lake in S. Carolina.     After giving a one week workshop at the Quinlan Arts Centre, Georgia….I would spend several days with Jane and Jack and be thoroughly spoiled…usually before moving onto the next East Cost stop. 

For a while there I had an identity issue.     When I first moved back to Wales, all the locals referred to me as an American artist, even though I was English!    Then when I travelled  I was referred to as a Welsh artist…..

After returning to the UK, I met up with my relative, the artist Carel Weight.     In the States I had painted under the name Janet C, Reed (my married name) and so when I returned I asked Carel about picking up my maiden name Weight again….he thought it was a very good idea, and so that’s what happened.    Since then I have used my full name Janet Weight Reed. 

After Carel’s death there was a lovely party to celebrate his life at the Royal Academy and this was the programme – Carel’s painting of Turner drifting up to heaven…..

I could show so many more pictures of when people visited me from the States  along with photographs of Wales, France, Spain and goodness knows where else, but let it suffice to say that life was full.    During the twelve years I lived in Wales I walked every day in and around the beautiful hills surrounding The Magical Town of Crickadoon.

This is my wonderful cat Christeve….It was Christeve who turned up at my cottage door on a stormy Chrismas Eve in 1997 and consequently inspired the book, Christeve the Cat finds her new home…..along with a trans Atlantic project which began in 1999.   

My friend Jim Poffley, who I have known since 1970, with his children Sam and lizzy on their way back to the States from Australia….They are sitting on the cottage wall…where Christeve and I lived together…   

And here is Christeve’s garden….she is sitting on the roof of shed with a friend….

I lived in The Magical Town of Crickadoon from 1993 til 2005 when I moved to London.   Next Friday, life from 2005 til now. 

One of the Magical Hummingbirds that helped Christeve the Cat to find her new home……

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend – here in the UK, it is yet another bank holiday weekend:)

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

HummingbirdHQ.com

A Bientôt

The Arrival of Sasha

This is a good time of the year to talk and think about people and animals who are homeless.    

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads, heating, and food in the cupboards often take so much for granted.   

The stories i have told in the last week about Phoebe the Jack Russell and Christeve the Cat finding loving homes, are metaphors for all those in our world who are searching for a place of their own. 

Today’s story is about Sasha finding a loving home, and how often things happen when least expected. 

Watercolour of Sasha.

 

In 1989 I painted several murals at the Pennsylvania Animal Hospital in Philadelphia.    It was a huge veterinary clinic, catering for small and large animals.       I worked there for about one month.

Just before the work was completed a lady suggested that I come and look at a little kitten that had been brought in that day.    As she put it….the kitten looked like she had fallen into a paint pot:)      

At the time I was living and working in my West Chester, Pennsylvania studio and already had two beautiful cats in residence.     My initial reaction was that it wouldn’t work to bring home a young kitten…….that was until I saw her………………………..

As I approached the cage the little kitten, who did indeed look like she had fallen into a paint pot….put her paw through the cage and touched me…..the rest was history:)

I remember the moment I took her into the studio….my Tom Cat, whose name was Tushy and this new, tiny kitten immediately bonded!   It was quite remarkable.     

Now named Sasha, the following four photographs show how close she and Tushy the Tom cat became.    He was so patient with her. 

 

By the way, every time I set up a still life in the studio…the cats would consider it their new place to hang out…

 

As we partake in the season’s festivities, its important to remember all of the refugees and  people around the world who have so little at this time.     By showing gratitude for what we have, is to acknowledge those with so much less. 

A Bientôt