Friday, July 27, 2012

Asgaard Farm in the Adirondacks

Asgaard Farm painting
c. K Schifano
Ausable Forks is the home of Asgaard Farm, which is the location of Rockwell Kent's artist studio. The studio was interesting as it was presented just as he left it, brushes and paints in plain sight, unfinished paintings and all the accoutrements of an artist in a secluded cabin in the woods. It has been carefully preserved by the farm's owners who also have cows, chickens, lots of goats, horses, tremendous fields rolling into the distance, artisan cheeses, goat soap, fresh eggs and meats all managed on their certified organic farm.

Since this is such a large working farm, there were tractors and silos, a variety of buildings, fenced and open areas, animals and gardens all around the 1500 acre spread including deep forests, rolling hills and fields for cattle and crops. It was impossible to choose one thing to paint and there were 48 artists set up to paint as well, we had decided to have the group photo taken there. After walking around, I chose an old milk can minding a quiet spot in the center of several farm buildings, it turned out that behind the white doors were a flock of goats occasionally making goat noises, and they quieted as I sat and drew.

Much later, I learned that the goats escaped, trampling and eating the entire herb garden, surrounding the artists working on the opposite side of the barn. A single riderless horse galloped around them, much like a sheepdog and herded them into an area with buckets of feed that they also got into before they went through a gate and were safely rounded up. My friends took many photos of this melee, I am amazed that I was so close and missed all the action as the photographs are hilarious. Imagine quietly sitting with paint and suddenly having a flock of goats circling your easel!

I bought goat cheeses, of course, two dozen beautiful colorful eggs and some fresh caramels which hardly lasted to the end of the ride home.

While Goats Ran Wild pastel 9x12, 2012

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