Central Virginia has a multitude of interesting places to visit. Historical sites such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home and James Madison’s Montpelier home are among the most visited. But the many local wineries provide the place for locals and visitors alike to spend a lovely summer afternoon. For an artist, these places are rich with possibilities for paintings and drawings.
Wine a Bit at Kilaurwen
Acrylic on canvas, 16″x40″
Kilaurwen winery, one of dozens around Charlottesville, is one of my favorites. It’s in a lovely setting at the foot of the mountains northwest of town, and the owners are great supporters of the arts. An interesting challenge in this painting was the wide variety of plants – the crape myrtle in the foreground, the flowering bushes in the garden, and the hillside of trees in the background.
Montpelier Blue Atlas Cedar
Conte crayon on blue paper, 10″x18″
Montpelier, the historic home of our fourth President, James Madison, is a beautiful place to visit. The Madisons planted many trees that are still thriving today. One of the most striking is this “Blue Atlas” cedar. This piece was done for a show by the Firnew Farm Artists Circle that will open at Montpelier in the summer of 2021.
