Summer Mosaic Recap: Days 15-21

I have a few more projects to finish up before I can get started on this year’s Summer Mosaic project.  Are you ready to find out what my theme will be this year?

So far I’ve reviewed paintings 1 through 14 of Summer Mosaic 2017 here on the blog.  I talked a little about the inspiration for each piece as well as how I prepared the wood panels and my trick for drying all the pieces.

If you’re just joining along now, welcome!  You probably have no idea what I’ve been talking about so far, let’s get you caught up.  In preparation for Summer Mosaic 2018, I am reviewing all of my Summer Mosaic paintings from last year.  Last year was the first year of 171 Cedar Arts Center’s Summer Mosaic. The project was to create 50 pieces of artwork using 6″x6″ wooden panels in a 45 day time period.  The theme I picked was Around the Finger Lakes.  I used acrylic paint to transform each wood tile into different scenes from the local area.  You can read about the first two weeks of the recap here (1-7) and here (8-14).    This week I will be reviewing paintings 15 through 21.

This is a question that I’ve had several people ask me regarding this project, so I’m thinking there may be others out there wondering also.  All of the paintings were based off photographs that I took myself at each location.

One of the fun (and challenging) parts of this project was picking out which places I was going to paint.  Many of the paintings were based off reference pictures that I had taken over the years that were waiting for a reason to be painted.  It was nice to be able to finally have a project to incorporate them.  Other sites I went for driving adventures to capture places I thought would go well with the project (some I just happened to stumble upon by accident).

​Sullivan’s Monument is a local monument that commemorates the Battle of Newtown in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Newtown, part of the Sullivan-Clinton campaigns, was one of the largest offensive campaigns in the American Revolutionary War.  The present granite monument was erected in 1912.

Newtown Battlefield State Park surrounds the monument and has places to camp and picnic. From the monument you can see miles and miles overlooking in the distance (keep an eye out for this view later on in the recap).

For more information on the history and amenities of Newtown Battlefield State Park, you can go here.

Original painting available for purchase.

​Corning Incorporated is a large part of this area’s history – I’m sure you know at least one person who has worked there.  If you haven’t visited this area of Corning, the Corning Inc campus is always beautiful, especially in the springtime.  I tend to walk around this area during the Arts in Bloom event that takes place at the end of April each year.  One of my favorite parts of the buildings is the dark glass windows that reflects the blue sky and blooms during the spring or colorful leaves in the fall.

Are you planning on going to Arts in Bloom next weekend (April 28/29)?  Many artists throughout Steuben County will have open studios and there will be gallery events and demos downtown.   You can go here for more details on the event.

Original painting available for purchase.

The Murray Domes is where we used to go to ice skate when I was a kid and it also hosted the Mark Twain Musical.  In recent years, I’ve gone there to shop the craft fair held every year before the holidays.

I found out this week from someone following along that there used to be concerts such as J. Geils and B.B. King held there many years ago!

Looking a little more into the structure’s history, I found that it was the world’s first geodesic dome complex and that it was built when Elmira College transitioned from a women’s college to a co-ed school in the late 60’s.

These three domes house a skating rink, basketball court, and fieldhouse and are used by Elmira College athletic teams (as well as having some access to the public).

Original painting available for purchase.

​This painting shows one of my new favorite spots that I stumbled upon one day while wandering.  I have a habit (bad or good depending on the day) of driving down random roads to see where they lead.  I usually have a pretty good idea of the general direction of things so I’m usually able to get somewhere close where I try to be, eventually.

This day I was trying to find a way to driving from Corning to north of Horseheads without going on 86.  I ended up going up a very large hill (I like the roads where you can’t see what’s at the top) and at the top there was a view looking down over the valley for miles and miles.  To the right was this beautiful field of corn that had just been harvested framed by the autumn trees.  (You can see the reference picture at the top of this post.)

Original painting available for purchase.

​I’ve rode by this barn so many times on the way to Ithaca and have always wondered what it was used for. At one time I thought it was a one-room schoolhouse.  Doing a little research in the past I found that it might have been owned by an artist in the 60’s who restored and held exhibitions there.  I’ve been unable to find that website/article since, so it seems like this building is a bit mysterious.

Have you seen this building or know more about its history?

Original painting available for purchase.

​Have you ever driven by a vineyard when the grapes are ripe and ready to pick?  It’s one of the most amazing experiences.  It’s up there with going to an apple orchid during harvest time, or walking in a grove of lilacs in the spring.  I highly recommend all three of those things and am glad that the Finger Lakes Region has them all.

This vineyard is located partway between Watkins Glen and Penn Yan on the west side of Seneca Lake.  This particular day the vines looked so pretty in the afternoon summer sun that I had to stop and take a picture.  (Does this count as a legitimate reason for being late?  I’ve been noticing that this happens quite a bit.)

Original painting available for purchase.

Taughannock Falls was believed to be named from one of two sources – the Algonquian word Taconic meaning “in the trees” or Taghkanic, after a Lenape chieftain killed in a nearby battle.  The waterfall plunges 215 feet!  Did you know that that is three stories taller than Niagara Falls and also makes it the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains?

This particular waterfall seems to be one of the most accessible ones in the area.  There is an overlook spot right off the road and the lower trail is pretty flat (no steps like Watkins Glen’s gorge) which make it easier for many people to walk the trail.  You also could probably even bring a stroller for your little ones if you don’t mind a little dirt or mud.

Original painting available for purchase.

That’s day 15 through 21.  Do you have a favorite so far or a place that you’ve visited before?  See you back here next week to recap days 22-28!  You may want to sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to get the inside scoop (I’ll be announcing my theme for this year’s project soon!).  Also, if you want to follow along daily, be sure to follow my Facebook page.

Does your mom like art too? (I think mine may be a little bias towards mine.)  Either way, I announced earlier this week that I’m having a Mother’s Day sale until April 27th! (Why April 27th?  Because I have plans that will be keeping me super busy for a couple weeks after 4/27.  Don’t worry I’ll tell you all about it later.)

But in the meantime, if you’d like something nice to fill that empty spot on the wall/desk/shelf by May 13th, you get free shipping!  You’re welcome to use this for non-mom gifts or for yourself if you’ve been eyeing one of these Mosaic paintings I’ve been going on about the last couple of weeks.  It’s okay, I won’t tell.

If you’d like to follow along in my journey and art adventures be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!  You can also sign up to receive updates and special goodies in your email box by clicking here!
​​