Clemens & the Pen

This past weekend was the Clemens and the Pen artist retreat at Quarry Farm in Elmira, New York and it was a beautiful day for it! This was the fourth time that I’ve attended the event. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to spend an afternoon in such an inspiring and peaceful setting with other artists.

I took 209 photos while I was there. I’ll be sorting through them to find which to create more art from later, but in the meantime here a few of my favorites from the day.

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, porch with 1920's furniture — They got new furniture this year dating back to the 1920s

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, stone steps through the forest — Stone steps leading up to where the study used to be

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, place where the study stood — Where the study used to be (you can see some of the stone circle)

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, purple wildflowers — Wildflowers

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, hammock, porch, and housekeepers cottage — A view from the yard looking back at the porch (right) and housekeeper’s cottage (left)

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, view from the porch looking at yard and hills in the distance — A view from the porch

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, large pot near tree with irises and other plants — The cauldron

Photo of Quarry Farm Mark Twain's summer home, drawing work in progress with cauldron in the distance — Drawing inspiration. I completed a plein air ink drawing while I was there (as well as taking lots of photos for later art)

Photo of ink drawing of the Cauldron from Quarry Farm visit by Laura Jaen Smith — Finished ink drawing

Keep an eye out next spring for the gallery show at Community Arts of Elmira that will have each of the artists’ pieces inspired from our visit!

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