Feed the Artist; Feed the Soul

The purpose of my trip to Beaufort, SC was to take a workshop with Eric Weigardt and try to loosen up my technique a bit. He's a wonderful teacher! I learned SO MUCH and can't wait to paint again. I've been teaching too much and feeling burned out. Ugh.

While I adore my many students, I tend to give everything I have in class and then, I'm running on empty. During the winter, I plan to teach less and paint more. Painting is food for my soul.

Southern food is delicious and will always be my delight. But food for my soul, painting, is the thing I cannot survivie without.

Here's a picture of sunset on the Beaufort River in South Carolina. Perhaps there's a watercolor in this one......

Feed the Artist

I'm in Beaufort, NC, participating in a workshop and trying to keep the hungry artist well fed. Whenever I foray into the south, I like to enjoy the southern food. What else!

On my first day here, I found a barbeque place with all my favorites: pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, fried okra, gumbo, white beans, green beans, collard greens and... so much more. Lunch is less than $8.00 and includes a hefty portion of meat, two vegetables, a large slab of cornbread and fresh lemonade or tea.

Breakfasts at my B and B have been delightfully prepared by Henri, the owner of the establishment: the first day, I was presented with a "Croissant Patricia;" the second day included "tropical pancakes," a stack of light cakes with layers of bananas and coconut. My beautiful old antebellum "home" overlooks the Beaufort River, a harbor full of boats and old moss covered oak trees that were quiet sentinels during the Civil War.

Tonite, my last evening, was a celebration with Debo and Nancy, students from Georgia. We shared a gourmet meal at the reknown "Saltus" restaurant. I had the best shrimp and grits that I've ever had: light, flavorful, fresh and artfully presented. We discussed the problems and joys of artists, and the tremendous need to feed the artist, not only emotionally, but also nutritionally.

I do recommend Beaufort as a gustatorial haven for the hungry artiste!

Prince Edward Island and Anne of Green Gables

I’ve always wanted to see the Anne of Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island. I love the books and read them to my girls when they were young and we watched the movies together. The stories are wonderful, inspiring and amusing and the author really establishes a sense of place and community. I've been intrigued about what the island would really look like. Although the house is not the actual home of the fictional character, Anne, it is wonderfully restored and close to representing the home of the author’s aunt and uncle, who were a major influence in her life.

We crossed an 8 mile bridge to arrive on the island. The landscape is green, wild and rolling with lush fields and bright barns and houses of turquoise, red and corals. The surprisingly orange soil against the green fields, dotted by these brightly colored houses and barns makes for some luscious scenery and will, I hope, transfer into beautiful paintings.

Beatiful Inside and Out

Maine is an absolutely beautiful state and the house I was able to stay in is one of the most photogenic sites I’ve ever stayed at. I took tons of pictures just inside the house!
I have many fine interior landscapes that I intend to paint.

Traveling the Atlantic Maritimes

Ahhhh, Maine.

What can I say? We ate lots of lobster while we were in Maine and the Atlantic Maritimes. It was delicious and I don’t regret a single bite…..

Trekell Brushes

http://www.trekell.com/Featured-Artist_ep_41.html

I'm featured as Trekell Brush Company's artist of the month for September 2010.

See the website above.

Please feel free to use the 10% discount offered. Just use the name HILLIS when you order. I'd love to hear comments from students and professionals alike.

Reception tonite

Everyone.

Come to the reception tonite at Applegate Gallery and Framing, 101 Church Street (upstairs), Vienna, VA www.applegateframing.com

6 until 9 pm

FOOD WINE FUN ART CONVERSATION