A Bovine Beauty! Another Urban Cow

"Urban Cow #3" by Michael Letzig

The Urban Art Farm is pleased to introduce to you another beautiful bovine!  Freshly painted in a bold, expressive palette against a cityscape and "farm friendly priced" at 800 dollars, this beguiling Urban Cow measures 24" wide x 30" high (unframed) and is painted in oil on stretched cotton canvas. 

A Watchful Eye

"A Watchful Eye, #1" by Michael Letzig

The Farm is happily situated in the storied, historic village of Harlem in upper Manhattan.  And like most villages, it is gently governed by a civil servant, otherwise known as the Neighborhood Association President.  Some villages, like Harlem, are so populated, there is a President on every block!  Our Block President is a joyful character known to all folks simply as Jeanie.  Joyful Jeanie is a busy gal always coming & going, yet she makes time to pay a visit to The Urban Art Farm. 

On her last whirl-wind visit, Jeanie was caught by surprise by this friendly foul. And faster than you can say, "Here, chickee-chickee", he was off to keep a watchful eye on her.  Thank you kindly, Jeanie for acquiring this handsome little piece and for being our newest Honorary Art Farmer!

Urban Weathervane

"Urban Weathervane" by Michael Letzig

In a peculiar sort-of-way, I find urban rooftop structures modest, even humble. Though they are perched up high, they are down right friendly. Far above, water towers and the like are scattered all over the city and whenever I gaze upward, I get a little nostalgic for simple country living. To that end, this farmer has been inspired to experiment with some new ideas. Here, is one such endeavor I call "Urban Weathervane". Water towers lie low beneath the behemoth  whimsical whirl-a-gig.  It measures 31" wide x 41" high and is an original painting on loose canvas. It is farm friendly priced at just $300. If you might be interested in having your very own weathervane to watch over you, just blow a whistle!

There is something about the spring.  This farmer has seen plenty come and go and I can tell you there is a reliable certainty I have come to trust.  Fresh ideas and hearty hard work are just as guaranteed as those eager daffodils. And each year, The Farm likes to get neighborly by moving closer to the kinfolk and the great outdoors.  The sign is hung out, the easel set up and friends come a-callin.  As a friendly passerby put it, "Why it's just like seein the first robin of spring...when you bring your work outside!"




 

Summer Evenings on the Farm

At this time of year, my mind wanders back to boyhood summer evenings bathed in golden-green twilight.  Even now, I can hear the hipnotic drone of the cicadas and the tap of June bugs on the back screen door.  And just as melon juice dripped down my chin, so too would that sweet apple sunlight sink beneath the horizon.  I hope this new painting beckons you to wander, too!

"Summer Field" oil on canvas

I Do Declare!

I reckon there is no short supply of chores and things to get done around one's own homested.  But it's only once a year that in these parts all creative kinfolk open their doors to warmly welcome citizens, villagers, neighbors and culture crawlers from near and beyond!

And The Urban Art Farm is no exception.  This weekend, Oct. 6th & 7th, from 10:00 am  until the cows come home the pretties & paintings will be on display for viewin and vyin during the Harlem Artist Walking Tour. 

(mind you, the rest of the tour opens at noon)

Remember, these lovelies are at farm friendly prices because we strongly believe original artwork grown locally belongs in every household.  Why?  Because art can build, bridge, restore, rejuvenate, inspire, teach, train and just downright feel good.  And who doesn't want that?
Because we are up-to-date farmers, we accept major credit cards, (visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover).  And cash!  You betcha!

Now don't forget, the chance to bring a little inspiration to your homestead, or that of a neighbor's, only comes around once a year!

Where: 103 W. 119th St. (& Lenox Ave.) NYC
When: Sat. & Sun. Oct. 6th & 7th.
Hours: 10:00 am - until the cows come home
contact: 917-710-5965

Mark your calendar.  In just five days, you are warmly welcome to stop by and sit a spell at The Urban Art Farm,  That's right.  The door's open for the annual Harlem Artist Walking Tour.  There's a whole new crop of art we can't wait to show you!

 

 

 

Sat. Oct.6th & Sun. Oct.7th 

The barn doors open at 10:00am both days

until the cows come home

103 W. 119th St. & Lenox Ave., NYC

(the nearest tracks are the 2/3 Express @ 116th & Lenox)

The Show!

One can not deny the fragrant crispness that autumn brings to the homestead.  Even though the season marks an end to the long days & warm breezes of summer, the spectacular show that is Fall is an ample reward. 

It is at this time, each year, the creative farmers in the northern territory of Manhattan open their doors to show and sell the labors they have been committed to over those long days. 

The Urban Art Farm is no exception.  One week from now, next weekend on Oct. 6th & 7th,  the Farm warmly welcomes you to come a callin.  New paintings, drawings and an assortment of other pretties will make their debut.  All lovingly cultivated right here on local land.

The annual Harlem Art Walking Tour happens Sat. Oct. 6th & Sun. Oct. 7th.  And while the tour officially begins at noon, we farm folk are early risers, so feel free to pay a call anytime after 10:00 am.  103 W. 119th St. & Lenox Ave.  The Farm is conveniently located right off of the 2/3 Express train stop at 116th & Lenox.  Simply exit the train point your walking stick forward & saunter up 3 blocks & turn left.  There you are!

And yes, the smell of cash is as sweet as honeysuckle, however, because farmers are so darn accomodating, credit cards are gladly accepted on site, as well as paypal & intuit payment network.

Hope to see you next weekend!

A Change of Scenery

 

 I reckon most folks take comfort in the sleeping and waking and eating and dreaming and doing that is familiar surroundings.  There is ample reason a home is where the heart is and I can't deny the reassurance a firm mattress and goose down pillows offer after enduring the red eye. 




 

Be that as it may, a heart can wander.  Make no mistake, The Urban Art Farm is firmly rooted in Gotham, however, I find myself quite enjoying a change of scenery from time to time.  It is the unfamiliarity, traversing the road less traveled, that offers this farmer nourishment. When habitation becomes hibernation, it's high time to visit greener pastures.








The finest aspect of the Farm is that it's not limited by geography!  The Farm touches folks of all walks in all corners.  A few weeks ago, fellow Farmer, Marilyn Pedalino, made her annual summer pilgrimage back west. In turn, she graciously offered me residency on her north shore homestead on Long Island where I could plant and paint uninterrupted.  Just one hour out of the city, the expedition proved to be a bountiful break from the asphalt pasture that is Manhattan.

Sea Cliff, Long Island is a jewel of a creative enclave.  It's charms are beguiling and at times I felt I had woken on a movie sound stage.  It's the stuff that fiction and yester-year are made of.  Winding roads, hidden lanes, hammocks and hollyhocks.  Breezy, billowy, carefully cared for. A rickety fence, bubbled glass, patchwork walks of brick and slate. Porches!  What lovely, lazy glorious porches!  Pungent sunsets and fireflies.  Perfectly imperfect perfection.

Exciting News! SEA CLIFF SALON

Exciting news for folks here on the eastern homestead! The Urban Art Farm is hitting the road, actually the rails, and heading to Long Island!

I’m packing my satchel with all new work for a two day pop-up Sea Cliff Salon.  Located in the charming village of Sea Cliff in the town of Oyster Bay, L.I. on the North Shore, the fall festivity is happening on Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 1st & 2nd from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. at 361 Glen Ave. at the corner of Glen Ave & Park Pl.

My fellow friendly farmers & I will be serving up hot apple cider, nibbles and genuine, artisanal original art made right here in the USA!  All of this on a lovely autumn day in New York.

Bayberry Bush in the Dunes, 2011

C. The Bottle Project

      

This is a ripe opportunity to see recently harvested work…paintings, vessels from The Bottle Project and more!  Like it or not, the holidays are on the horizon and wouldn’t it be grand to get an early start?  Really folks…who likes to shop in desperation, snatching up pity presents at the last minute?  Not this farmer!

Questions? Just whistle. I can be reached at 917-710-5965   

Holiday Ornaments: The Whitman Collection

Most of my days I'm mighty happy painting whatever strikes my fancy.  However, come autumn, the urge to tinker and construct takes hold of me.  There is something special about this season that sets it apart from its three siblings.  I reckon I'm not the only dapper dabbler that answers the craftin call.  'Suppose it has something to do with the holidays, but for me it's seems because nature is changing and just begging to be touched.  It's mighty peculiar, as the outdoors shift due to resplendent decay and become more tactile, folks can't help themselves but put their hands to work!  And that's a grand thing.  Whether it's baking batches, welding wires or stitching stockings, cooking, cutting or crimping ... it's a fine day to touch & toil!
  

Each year to heed this call, I like to create a small batch of holiday ornaments.  This years batch Iv' e named "The Whitman Collection".  For the past few months Iv' e taken comfort in the 19th century poet's 1855 edition "Leaves of Grass".  That fellow sure could write!  It's astonishing when you meet someone that offers a voice to what you are feeling yourself, but are unable to construct in sentences.  (I had to rewrite that sentence four times). And so to honor Walt (I feel wer' e on a first name basis) and the gift of his beautiful insight, I offer my own constructions in his name.

Shindig: Another Fine Craftsman (& woman!) at One Of A Kind Show

 

Make no mistake.  There's little that feeds the soul like pushin paint & crafts.  Doing what you love, free of the binds that come with meeting the bottom line for some other prospector...well there just aren't words for that kind of joy.  You just gotta experience it for your self, I reckon.  'Suppose that's why I not only get fired up about things going on here at The Urban Art Farm, but why it gives me such a darn good feeling to see what other good men and women are doing too!  

 Yesterday I shared with you the outstanding work of Houston based artist Stephanie Rubiano. 

Today, I'd like to introduce you to two other fine art farmers and fellow craft folk.  Meet Matt & Cynthia Shapoff.  The talented team from Long Island, NY of  Hand Made on Peconic Way combine eco-friendly methods with elements plucked right out of the woods and vintage images to create a whole bushel of lovely items.  Cards, prints, scarves...you name it.  Pretties for your person and pretties for your pad.  Their "supermarket" is chock full of natural beauties!  So, please...head on over and start shoppin! 

And be sure to check back in later today!  (Drum roll, please!)  You guessed it...or maybe not.  This years hand crafted holiday ornament designs from yours truly will be revealed!  Bye-Golly!