Daisy the Rooster

This is Daisy the 6 week old rooster.  I am calling him Daisy because when he is full grown he is going to act like he owns the hens...I'd like to take away some of his masculinity.

He came to Wormfarm two days ago.  He has yet to come out of the chicken coop.  I went inside and placed him in front of the door yesterday and today.  He still won't come out but at least today he was eating a lot of leaves.  Maybe tomorrow...

The hens peck him.  They can be very nasty.  But supposedly they are putting him in his place.

My two favorites.  They are like feathery dogs.  They come to me...sometimes.

She is always curious about me....but won't get near me.

Painting Strawberries

There is a strawberry bush right outside the barn which is perfect since I had wanted to paint some to make a "Harvesting the Strawberry in the Midwest" piece, similar to the carrot and potato piece I have done in the past.  

I will cut these out individually and attached them to the few months that they are ripe and ready to eat.  

The strawberry bush!

Chicken Gestures

I will be staying at Wormfarm Institute 5 more days than originally planned.  Now my last day is June 20th.  

I have seen two hummingbirds today.  One was only a foot away from me!  They are so tiny.  Their feathers are bright red by their beaks and their backs are metallic green.  Hopefully I will get a picture.

Here are some eggs I cut out of fabric along with the bright yellow yolks I have seen from the chickens at Wormfarm.

I was painting chicken gestures today because I am going to make fabric chickens to go along with the above work.  These are super fun to do.  There really is only 7 parts to a chicken.  Back, tail, bum, legs, chest, neck and head.  They don't run away as long as I just stick to what I am doing, which is painting.  I did pick one up on my own today!  So soft!

Such a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes!

I can watch them all day!

The Chicken Book

Jeff let me borrow The Chicken Book.

I am inspired by the bright yellowish/orange yolks!

The chickens here roam all over the farm eating all kinds of things and soaking up all the sun.  That is what makes their eggs so bright and yummy.

There is a strawberry patch by the barn.

Watching the rain fall from inside the barn.  The cows don't really mind the rain until it pours.  Then they all run for cover.

Harvesting Oregano

Here is something I am working on now.

Yesterday we harvested 50 bunches of oregano.  We left two inches so that more can grow back.  Oregano is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years.  Andrea said that it will begin to lose flavor after a while though.

We hung the oregano to dry.  Andrea said it will take about 2 weeks.

Peonies are growing near the Chicken coop!  They smell so wonderful.

The cows eat so much!  This grass was about 3 feet high before they got to it.  The dirt patch to the right of them was once grass as well!

Chicken Lady...that is I

This morning Jay showed me how to open up the chicken coop, lay out their food, and collect their eggs!  It is going to become my job in the morning!  I put my hand under their warm, soft bellies and collected their eggs.  They peck me a tiny bit (doesn't hurt) but then they give in.

Jay brought me this little tree frog he'd found!  There is another picture of him at the bottom.

I painted this flower I found while exploring the Wormfarm property with Jeff.  I have been told it is Foxtail, and then told it is Red Top, but when I look up those names online, I don't see this flower.  So I am uncertain of it's name...any ideas?

More flowers I found while exploring.

Each morning we work on the farm for 3 hours then we are free for the rest of the day.  Yesterday we transplanted lettuce into the ground.  The lettuce starts growing in the hoop house to protect it from cold weather.  Once they have grown enough, they can be transplanted into the ground.  

We put up a trellis (the white plastic) for the peas so they have something to climb up on.

It is so peaceful out here.

Tree frog!

Tall Grass and Clover

Here is a piece I started on my first day here.  I finished it yesterday.  Having all this time to make artwork is allowing me a chance not to stress over if it will be good or not.  I will have to keep this stress-free art making attitude when I leave.

The image above is upside down.  This is how I would like the piece to actually be seen but I don't have enough pins.

(the piece is upside down) A closeup of the clover.  There is a lot of grass here.  I have sewn the dirt and tall grass.

3 paintings I did before I decided it would look best done with fabric.

More grass!

Trouser, he is such a sweet buddy.

This is the outside of my bedroom.  It is inside a big barn.  There are 3 bedrooms inside and 3 studios.

Here is the inside.  I feel like I am living out my childhood dreams with this awesome setup!

Wisconsin is beautiful.

First Day as an Artist in Residence at Wormfarm Institute!

My mom drove me to Wormfarm Institute yesterday morning.  We knew we were in the right place because a chicken was in the road...such pleasant way to be welcomed!  I had to get out of the car and let her know we needed the road for just a second.

It is beautiful here.  My mind is free so I can paint and sew.  I have never been to a place so green and open.  

These cows are here to graze and fertilize the land.  They rotate them across the land.  Staying in one place for a few days then moving them on to another.  

Toonces/Stuffy (I have heard two different names for him) the cat in front of my huge and bright studio!  What a friendly cat.  He runs around all day and pops out in unexpected places.  So do the two dogs, Mister and Trouser.

Barn Swallows fly around the basement of the barn.  They zip around my head.  Tiny little birds.

Last day in New York

Yesterday was our last day in New York.  We came home this early morning.  We stopped by Dun-Well Doughnuts one last time.

Then we visited Central Park for three hours.  We love it there!

A beautiful day!

Later that night we went to the opening reception for The Society of Illustrators Student Show.  Jacob's piece was accepted into the show.  Check out Jacob's blog here, he is super talented.

I am going to miss this boy.  Tomorrow morning I leave for Wisconsin for my artist residency at Wormfarm Institute.  I am nervous because I have never been far from home and on my own, but I am excited to grow as an artist and farmer.  I have so many ideas and I can't wait to get started.  

2nd Day in New York!

Wednesday night, Jacob and I met with my cousin Erin who I had not seen in about 7 years!  It was wonderful seeing her.  We went to the always yummy Candle 79.

The next day we started our day off with a trip to the Brooklyn Museum to see the exhibition of Keith Haring's work.  We had to make 2 transfers on the subway to get there...and we did it!

The Brooklyn Museum

In 8th Grade my art teacher taught us about Haring.  I had never been excited about art before because I didn't understand it and it seemed like something for people that weren't like me.  But Keith always said he made art for EVERYONE and that has stuck with me.  I would like my art to be for everyone as well. 

Radiant Babies!

So big!  Keith, you are an inspiration!

Then we went to Vinnie's Pizzeria and had vegan pizza by the slice.  Thanks Vinnie for including the vegans!  Jacob loves pizza.

Later that night we went to Lula's Sweet Apothecary, an all vegan ice cream shop...and it was amazing.  I had ice cream on a cone!  I had drumstick (drumstick, chocolate chips, and peanuts) and peanut butter ice cream.  Jake got Chocolate chip mint.  

I think our stomachs would like us to leave New York and eat some apples and kale...