Thank You Tofte Lake Center

Art Residencies

Sep 21

Thank you so much to everyone at Tofte Lake Center for such an incredible week. What a magical place.

Below are some images of the center, my workspace and some images of the work that I created during my art residency.

I ended up creating a handful of quick 15-20 minute color pencil sketches from two vantage points on the property. The light was incredible during the week, so I felt inspired to capture some shadows moving across two paths that wind around the property.

From these quick sketches I created some watercolor / gouache studies to explore the composition a bit more, understand areas of the landscape where I needed more information, and also tinker more with value and color than I can do with colored pencil. There was a bit of a volley between creating the sketches on site, and working on the watercolors in the studio throughout the day.

Mid-week I brought out my oil paints and set up my easel on location. This was mostly for a more accurate color study, but was fun to approach plein air painting from a vantage point I’d already clocked a couple of hours working from and thinking about. I also knew more about what would happen with the light as the morning / afternoon progressed. I have all of these pieces set up in the studio at home right now. My plan now is to work on a couple of pieces in the studio that use these drawings and paintings as source material. I might also bring some of these wonderful “Tofte Lake Colors” into another painting I have started of house like shapes. Such an inspiring week. I’m excited to see what is next.

Thank you to Liz for all of your generosity and support during the week. Thank you to all the residents for your kindness and for sharing your gifts. Thank you to Tofte Lake for being the perfect temperature on a warm September week. What a gift - thank you!