Hillendale Country Club Painted Wedding Reception, September 27, 2014

Wedding Reception at the Hillendale Country Club, September 27, 2014, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the couple!

Their wedding reception was profiled in the Baltimore Sun Life and Travel section, written by John-John Williams IV, Sunday February 1, 2015 , and I was mentioned: "Special Touches: Artist Patricia Bennett painted the evening sunset and first dance live during reception."

The wedding reception was at the Hillendale Country Club where the mother of the bride is a champion golfer.

View at the Hillendale Country Club, 3pm, photo by Patricia Bennett

I arrived before 2pm.  Tables were already set up inside, but country club guests were still using the bar room and on the veranda was a family having lunch.  Elle instructed me to set up on the outside veranda, where the band and dancing and cocktails would be.  There were going to be outside bars, and a fire pit later.

I started painting by 3pm.  The sun was out, so the view was a little bright.  As I painted, the sun descended on my left, and by six, the sun was blinding!  Then there was a lovely sunset.

Vendors:
The band was the "Bachelor Boys".  They sang on-key and were real musicians.
Elle Ellinghaus was the Event Coordinator, carrying everything out with ease and grace.
The Hillendale Country Club staff provided excellent service.
Event Pro did the lighting and the drapery.
La Cakerie did the gorgeous cake.

Cake:

 Tables: designed by Elle

Brightside Gardens, beginning Bull Mastiffs at Elysium, and continuing Hercules at the Aegean Stables

Yesterday I had the pleasure of returning to Brightside gardens in the morning to begin a painting of the two striking Bull Mastiffs guarding the Elysium, garden #15 (where Stanley the beloved pug, and other animals rest).  It was a little chilly, but I had two sweaters.  Lots of chipmunks ran around.

Painting Elysium at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

First Sitting on Elysium at Brightside gardens, 24x30, Patricia Bennett

 Next, after two hours of painting, I cleaned my brushes, and enjoyed speaking to Mr. Newhall about his gardens and the history of the pug.  The Bull Mastiff was bred into the pug!  Very unexpected!  Then I moved back to Augeas's Stables to continue work on the Hercules painting.  I adjusted the perspective so that more of the frieze on the side could be seen in the painting.

Second Sitting on Hercules in Augeas's Stables at Brightside Gardens, 24x24", Patricia Bennett

Set-up at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

Then it was time to return to the city!

Elysium at Brightside Gardens

Today I returned to Brightside Gardens.  The tree trimmers were at work taking down 100 foot trees near my previous spot, so I wandered over to Elysium, where the beloved pug Stanley rests.

Along the path at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

I was struck by the dog on the left.  The entrance to Elysium is between the dogs.

Facing Elysium at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

One of the guard dogs at Elysium at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

Along the path, I came to Stanley the pug's resting area.  They had him immortalized in bronze.

Entrance to Stanley's resting place at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

A closer look at Stanley.

Stanley the pug in bronze at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

I sat down and drew the dog on the left.  I loved his expression.  Also, there was lush vegetation around him.  The gardener told me that the dogwood is a white version, along with the boxwoods.

Drawing of Guard Dog at Elysium at Brightside Gardens, by Patricia Bennett

                                     

Wedding and Reception at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, September 20, 2014

Wedding and Reception at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

Congratulations to the couple!  I painted their wonderful wedding ceremony and then painted the reception.

Below is a photo of the view.

View from the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel on September 20, 2014, photo by Patricia Bennett

  The couple's color was purple in honor of the Baltimore Ravens.  The flowers, by Crimson and Clover, were stunning purples and whites.

First I did the sketch below to figure out how to combine the two events, which were in two different rooms.  Sharon Mosley was the event planner, she works for the Marriott, and she was extremely conscientious and helpful.  All of the staff at the Marriott were friendly, helpful, and professional.

Sketch for September 20, 2014 painting by Patricia Bennett

 Below is a photo of the Reception room.  As you can see, it is very purple!

The Reception room at the Baltimore Waterfront Hotel, photo by Patricia Bennett

Painting at Brightside Gardens

Painting set-up for Hercules, Patricia Bennett at Brightside Gardens

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of painting at Brightside Gardens.

Hercules in progress, at Brightside Gardens, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x24"

Brightside Gardens are privately owned and meticulously maintained and have a wonderful theme of Greco/Roman mythology (along with genuine sculptures).  The gardener showed me around some of the 53 gardens and explained which trees would look like fire in the fall.  There are many maples, some will be orange and some flaming red, and there are the amazing pergolas, which will be a mixture ranging from yellow to orange.  The leaves have not really changed yet, so I have a few weeks to get ready!  On my list to paint is Stiles Portager (even though it doesn't seem to have fall colors, but it's lovely), the River Styxx (which has brilliant maples), and I need to paint the Roman Sarcophagus.

Hercules at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

Stiles Portager, sketched by Patricia Bennett at Brightside Gardens

September 13 Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club

September 13, 2014 Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the couple!

Painted Wedding Reception at the Antrim at Taneytown, September 6, 2014

Wedding Reception at the Antrim in Taneytown, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

September 6, 2014: A beautiful day in Taneytown at the Antrim.  The Antrim is a hotel with stunning rose gardens, fountains, a croquet lawn, and a pool.

At 2pm, after coordinating with Elizabeth, the wedding planner, I painted the rose gardens and picturesque landscape from under the overhang at the entrance to the pavilion.  At 3 the skies darkened and there was an hour-long storm with lightening bolts and wind gusts.  I painted through the storm.

When guests finished cocktail hour in the rose gardens, I followed inside to the reception area and set up next to the sweetheart table.

The result is a montage of the wedding event.  Their wedding cake is on the far right, and I got a nice view of the bride dancing with her mom.

Congratulations to the couple!!