After nearly 2000 miles, Trina, Saba and I finally arrived in Sarasota yesterday for my workshop. Two thousand miles is a long way to go by car (and, I might add, we still are only halfway to Sedona), but we've developed a network of friends and family to help us avoid the dreaded hotel stays. We have yet to stay in a hotel. Also, we've managed to make time to visit a number of galleries to see work by such artists as Charles Movalli and Jay Hall Connaway in Camden, Maine. We even spotted several Sargents at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Today, we spent our time getting familiar again with some of the scenery we'll be painting. One of my favorite places is the Myakka River State Park. The road follows the long, winding river with many good spots featuring cabbage palms and saw palmetto, live oaks and hanging moss, and much more. And, of course, alligators, which are not to be taken lightly.
We also headed up to the Sarasota bayfront to take a look at some nautical material. On one side of the bayfront park, you can see million-dollar personal yachts with towering views of expensive hotels; on the other side, you can see modest skiffs and sailboats. I lean to the more modest toys, but I may be tempted this time around to paint something spectacular with bravado.The workshop starts tomorrow morning, and we'll be painting all week. I'll try to keep my virtual workshop going here for my readers.
By the way, here's a great Santa I came across today.
