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Plein Air Festival Celebrates 15th Year in Easton, MD

(”Tilghman Sunset” by Mary Veiga)

Summer is here and it’s time to make plans for the eastern shore’s hottest art festival. Join 58 artists from all over the United States during the 15th anniversary celebration of PLEIN AIR EASTON this July 14-21.

Plein Air Easton (PAE) is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States. This tiny eastern shore community is flooded with 8,000 people all hoping to witness the magic of plein air painting as it unfolds before their eyes in natural settings.

Many of the world's most accomplished artists, like the talented MARY VEIGA, have Easton at the top of their wish list of competitions.

“I’m truly honored to have been juried into Plein Air Easton and among those amazing artists chosen by Daniel Weis, the CEO and president of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,” says Mary. “I’m so looking forward to this summer and PAE as it’s their 15 year celebration. I’ve always been an admirer of the artists and artwork produced for the event, and can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of it this year!”

(Artist Mary Veiga painting en plein air)

Yes, you should plan to stumble upon artists with easels outside, but also plan your visit around galleries and arts organizations who host scores of demos, workshops, exhibits and lectures as part of the event. The weekend of July 20th and 21st will feature an Artisan's Market that will showcase Delmarva artisans displaying many different types of arts from jewelry to pottery to metalworks and much more.

Easton and its picturesque waterfront neighbor, St. Michael’s, are home to some of the finest living on the eastern shore. Some of our favorite stops are below.

STAY: Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael’s

CRUISE: Private charters or narrated cruises by Patriot Cruises, St. Michael’s

EAT: Art-laden restaurant, Out of the Fire, Easton; waterfront dining, St. Michael’s Crab and Steak House, St. Michael’s

SHOP: Bountiful Interiors by Jamie Merida, Easton; Easton Farmers’ Market

PLAY: Avalon Theater, Easton

DRINK: Lyon Distilling Co., St. Michael’s

Visit https://pleinaireaston.com/home to learn view the Plein Air Easton events schedule.

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Garden Festival at Ladew Gardens Rounds Up Best of Local Art, Antique Furnishings and Garden Must-Haves

The 9th annual Garden Festival at Ladew Topiary Gardens will be held May 6 from 10am-4pm in Monkton, Maryland.

More than 40 vendors will offer local art and furniture, hard-to-find perennials, specialty annuals, unique small trees, unusual exotics, container specialties, urns, statuary, and architectural treasures. Visit the barn gallery to see decorative furnishings by GRAY ANTIQUES plus local art on display by ORIET’S FINE ART.

Guests can shop or attend inspiring lectures and workshops, tour Ladew’s spectacular gardens, visit the historic home of Harvey S. Ladew, or stroll through the Nature Walk.

For more information and complete list of vendors, or to purchase tickets, click here .

CONTACT: LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS

410-557-9570

www.ladewgardens.com

3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Maryland

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A COZY CORNER in a renovated farmhouse with interior design by @katherinebehrenscrosby @jenkinsbaer ;art @orietsfineart #interiordesign #farmhouse #renovation #changeisgood #art #orietsfineart #cozysunday #equestrian #scouted #jenkinsbaer #tsgbaltimoreannapolis (at Bel Air, Maryland)

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The Ladew Garden Festival celebrates its 10th year Anniversary with special hosts Bunny Williams and John Rosselli

More than 45 distinguished vendors will be present at the most highly anticipated specialty plant, garden ornaments, and antiques sale in the region for the annual Garden Festival at LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS on Saturday, May 5 from 10am-4pm.  In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, the festival will host Bunny Williams, acclaimed designer and taste-maker, and antiquarian John Rosselli as honorary co-chairs of Garden Festival.

This festival will feature hard-to-find perennials, specialty annuals, unique small trees, unusual exotics, container specialties, decorative furniture, urns, statuary, and architectural treasures.

For those of you who’ve been inspired by The Scout Guide’s book recommendation, “Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend,” be sure to view Ladew’s selection of topiaries - a favorite style of the famous philanthropic gardener.

Guests can also tour Ladew’s spectacular gardens, visit the historic home of Harvey S. Ladew, and stroll through the Nature Walk.  

Several Scout Guide members will participate in the festivities for the 10th annual Garden Festival at LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS including SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND GIFTS, and in the barn gallery GRAY ANTIQUES with ORIET’S FINE ART. 

(Simply Beautiful Flowers & Gifts)

In the Ladew Barn Gallery with Gray Antiques & Oriet’s Fine Art at the 2017 Garden Festival.

Ladew Topiary Gardens is a year-round attraction for nature lovers. It has been named “One of the Top 5 Gardens in North America” and featured as one of “10 incredible topiary gardens around the world” by Architectural Digest.

For more information and a complete list of vendors, to purchase tickets for Garden Festival or if interested in becoming a sponsor, visit www.LadewGardens.com.

CONTACT: LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS

410-557-9570

3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Maryland

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TSG Gift Guide for the Design-Inclined

1. Original artwork available at ORIET’S FINE ART.

2. Select Scout Guides bundled from your favorite city. 

3. Bar accoutrements available at GRAY ANTIQUES. 

4. Aerin Lauder for Visual Comfort & Co. 16" diameter with 8 lights available at JONES LIGHTING $1,259.00

5. Garden accessories and authentic dried boxwood topiaries SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND GIFTS

6. Venetian glass vase at GRAY ANTIQUES $200. 

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Artist spotlight on Whitney Stoddard of Oriet’s Fine Art

Whitney Stoddard’s art is something special, and we’re obsessed. (Above photo by Julia Lynn Photography)

Attendees at the LADEW GARDEN FESTIVAL, coming May 4, 2019, can see Whitney’s art in person in the exhibit of ORIET’S FINE ART, her local representative.

In an increasingly crowded market of southern artists, the work of this Charleston, South Carolina woman stands out for its thoughtful development and crisp execution, beginning with the lengthy tea-staining process she uses to “age” her paper before it ever sees a drop of ink.  

After only a few years making art full-time, Whitney’s signature tea-stained pieces are instantly recognizable. She uses tea bags from the local S.C. Charleston Tea Plantation for her paper staining process.

“A friend saw pieces of mine for my own house and said they needed a vintage feel with a sepia look,” Whitney says. “So I started [staining my paper] with coffee. Coffee is too dark, and it’s not the look I was going for. I immediately went to tea, and it’s snowballed from there. It’s 100% self-taught tea staining and trial and error.”

This signature process makes each piece of paper its own investment and work of art before Whitney even applies her designs.

“Some pieces take a month [to stain], and some pieces take 10 minutes,” she continues. “When I pick up the paintbrush to begin painting after it’s been stained, there’s this moment of ‘alright, don’t mess this up, because there’s no room for error in a figure study. That month just went down the drain.’”

Whitney’s subjects range from busts of vintage ladies to abstracts to designer gowns. Where did she get her love of women from eras past?

“I have floor to ceiling bookshelves in one room of my house filled with family photos,” she explained. “My grandparents’ wedding photos are one of my most cherished and beloved materials. If my house caught on fire, it’s one of the things I would grab on my way out the door. I feel a connection to thinking about what was going on in that time period. I just love an old world feel.”

We asked why her vintage ladies lack facial features - a technique that only adds to the mystery of each piece.

“I love that every person who sees a piece without all the facial features sees something different,” she says. “It’s kind of like when you’re skimming a book quickly, you don’t read every single word. You create what they look like yourself. I do love leaving a lot to the imagination. I feel like, in looking through vintage photos, I want to create this feeling that something has been lost through time.”

At the Ladew Garden Festival, guests can expect to see some of Whitney’s abstract shapes, in addition to her vintage ladies and designer gowns. We were surprised to learn that those abnormal shapes are more challenging to execute than her figurative pieces.

“I love putting together abnormal shapes. They have a mid-century feel. It’s not as easy to draw. It’s the movement of the shape and how it fits with another shape. There’s very minimal room for error when you’re doing a shape like that. I don’t ever use painter’s tape or anything. It’s all free-hand. A lot of people have responded to my abnormal shapes and don’t know why they’re drawn to it.”

Whitney is committed to fully rounding out each piece, often by personally selecting each frame to showcase her work in its best setting.

“I like that my pieces are different and unique,” she says. “You’re creating something [people] haven’t seen before or didn’t know they liked. I don’t ever go into a gallery thinking these people are really going to like my artwork. I hope people are pleasantly surprised.”

Come meet Whitney and see her masterful work on May 4 at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland in the barn gallery.

CONTACT: ORIET’S FINE ART

oriet@orietsfineart.com

410-960-6023

@orietsfineart

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Obsessed with these abstract paintings available @orietsfineart inquiries 410.960.6023 #contemporaryart #gavinbrooks #abstract #art #artist #localart #interiordesign #scouted #thescoutguide #tsgbaltimoreannapolis (at Baltimore, Maryland)

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The Good Dirt on the Garden Festival May 2nd at Ladew Gardens

Ladew Topiary Gardens was established in the 1930′s by socialite, artist and huntsman Harvey Ladew who  bought a 250-acre farm to escape the development of Long Island in NY. Because I share Mr. Ladew’s passion for gardens, art and horses I have always been fond of spending time there. The annual Garden Festival is held the first weekend in May on the grounds of this beautiful estate.  An exclusive collection of vendors from throughout the eastern seaboard offers rare plants, garden ornaments, art and antiques.  The Cottage House pictured above welcomes you as you drive onto the property. The Manor House is extraordinary but you will have to visit yourself to get a glimpse of its grandeur.

The Woodland Garden looks exceptionally beautiful this time of year so as you meander through the gardens I recommend you start here.

The Iris garden contains 65 iris varieties which will be in bloom in a couple weeks.  As you walk down the hill look for the Chinese “junk” afloat in the pool at the end.  It is quite spectacular and fun to incorporate in a scavenger hunt with the kids when visiting the gardens. A popular picnic spot today!

Words of wisdom in the form of an ancient Chinese proverb-- “If you would be happy for a week , take a wife.  If you would be happy for a month, kill a pig.  If you would be happy all your life, plant a garden.” Indeed.

The Butterfly House is a recent addition and the first of its kind in the region. Step inside and experience the wonder of the butterfly habitat. Ladew offers many educational programs through the Spring Lecture Series and the School Field Trips.  Baltimore City and County youth are fortunate to experience nature and a day in the country through these programs.

Between walking through the gardens and perusing/shopping the vendors stations you are sure to work up an appetite on Saturday. I recommend trying the “Harvey” sandwich which was of course Harvey Ladew’s personal favorite (peanut butter and bacon nonetheless!)

In the Garden of Eden, the cherry trees will be in full bloom by Saturday, May 2nd just in time for the festival.

Symmetry is prevalent throughout the gardens as seen here--perfection!

My art consulting business, Oriet’s Fine Art will be one of the many vendors this weekend. Oriet’s Fine Art is a virtual and revolving art gallery based in Baltimore with Shows throughout the eastern seaboard in various studios, galleries, public spaces and homes. I represent an eclectic mix of unique and exceptional art from emerging and established artists both regional and international in scope. Many of these artists will be on exhibit in the Barn Gallery during the Garden Festival. The Gallery is part of the original post and beam barn built sometime between 1747-1814. This encaustic painting “March Barns”will be one of several Fehsenfeld paintings on display. Tom Fehsenfeld grew up in Greenspring Valley and on the Eastern Shore.  He currently resides in Bainbridge Island in Washington State but his paintings reflect the MD countryside from his youth.  

Artist Chrisitine Picard is one of the first artists I began working with eight years ago and has always been an inspiration to me.  She was born in Joigny France.  During her early years she worked for American Vogue in Paris and as a fashion stylist for Italian Harper’s Bazaar before moving to the US to work for Harper’s Bazaar in NY, NY. She attended The Parson’s School of Design and the Art Student League. She moved to Baltimore in the 90′s and has studied watercolors extensively. Her fabulous sense of color is evident in her paintings and she is well known for her botanicals pictured above.

Elaine Elinsky is a contemporary impressionistic painter who lives in VA. Elaine’s work is found in many public spaces including the Ritz Carlton in Tyson’s Corner.  

Mary Swann is an accomplished plein air painter and also lives on a beautiful farm near Ladew Gardens. These paintings are available for purchase and will be displayed in the Barn Gallery.

Please visit these websites for more information on the Garden Festival and the artwork. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go to Ladew Gardens.

ladewgardens.com 

orietsfineart.com

Cheers and hope to see you Saturday! 

Oriet