River Farm: George Washington Was There First

The very large grand ballroom at River Farm.

As hung in the River Farm grand ballroom, the facade of the beautiful building. $1,500.

Dear Friends,

There is a beautiful property lying along the banks of the fabled Potomac River. It is River Farm, former property of our beloved first president George Washington. I have painted the gracious main building about four times over the last few years. I have also painted the gardens and side porch. 

The one-woman show of 103 original oils remains in place until September 28, 2015, which means it will be on view through the annual American Horticultural Society's Gala.

Hope to see you there!
Patsie

This is a petite, affordable oil painting of the front facade.  $600.

The side porch is a view from down the hill, toward the Potomac.

This statue of a faun stands at the end of a gorgeous arched trellis in the garden grounds.

Dyke Marsh III: Five Times is the Charm

Dyke Marsh III, c. Patricia Miller Uchello 2014, for sale

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Some landscapes are really special. For me, my favorite place to paint is the edge of Dyke Marsh, which is right by my home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dyke Marsh and I have been friends for the last 30 years. I have painted it covered with ice, as a background for a portrait, as well as two summer versions and a fall version (above). I think that this one is possibly my favorite, although it is fairly small, at 10 x 10".

I originally hail from the marshy world of Louisiana, known for its wetlands. Muddy bayous and the Mighty Mississippi are my roots. So these wet lands at the edge of the Potomac River suit me just fine. As a matter of fact, my step-father proposed to my mother about forty feet from this spot, giving it even further significance.

Your favorite swamp creature,
Patsie

Just One Year Ago

, 

One year ago, I was hanging my one woman art show at River Farm,  the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, along the verdant banks of the Potomac River.

Which leads me to pondering my next show there, in two years... It takes years to develop a new body of work, good enough technically and interesting enough.  The minute that show was hung, I started producing new work. This year, I have already produced at least 12-18 new oil paintings that will be suitable for hanging. Some of them have sold. So I just keep churning out new work, to keep up. It is exciting; it is fun; and it is draining. But most good things in life are!

I love having a goal, an end game. A huge show in which I hang 80 paintings is a real challenge, but ultimately doable.
Sorry, but I have to stop typing and resume painting!

Your Imaginary Friend,
Patsie

Sold Last Night

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Last night I sold two paintings. Here is one of them: River's Edge, an image of the Potomac River on the shores of River Farm.
Parting with my favorite paintings is always bittersweet.

Your Friendly Local Artiste,
Patsie

It Snuck Up On Me! My Opening is Friday, Sept. 28, from 5-7pm.

"River Farms," Oil, 2012

 

Dear Imaginary Friends,

After planning and preparing for two long years, toiling away, starving in my garret, my collection of 50, yes, fifty, horticultural paintings is finally ready to explode upon the scene. Well, I hope they do not actually explode. The above painting is one such creation. I worked on it for many months, starting in March through early August this year.

This is a front and side view of the original mansion on its gorgeous site on the Potomac River. River Farms was once a working farm of George Washington's, but is now home to the illustrious American Horticultural Society, a highly important non-profit.

The Alexandria area is of course, closely associated with George Washington's properties, dating  back to when he was our very first president.  The location is on East Boulevard, not too far from Mount Vernon, his main domicile.

The show will be up through early January 2013. SO no excuses as to why you cannot check it out, unless

a) you live more than 1,000 miles away

b) you are in a body cast in full traction

c) you are a baby and have no vehicle.

Starving in my artist's garret actually worked out well, as I needed to lose ten pounds. The glass is half full!

Hoping to see you there!

Your Imaginary Artist Friend,

Patsie