Thirtieth Birthday Party Live Painting at Oakdene in Baltimore County, September 10, 2016

Thirtieth Birthday Party Live Painting at Oakdene in Baltimore County, September 10, 2016, painted by Patricia Bennett

I was really thrilled to paint this, honored to be hired.  If you look closely you can see a horse on the right.

A lovely dinner with Beck n Call servers, Beck n Call is owned by Tammie Monaco, who is in the painting on the right.  And the food and wine were provided by Wit and Wisdom, who are located at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, with their Sommelier present to explain the wines and spirits.

Linens provided by Dulaney Noble's Gala Cloths, and flowers organized by Stiles Colwill, owner of Halcyon Antiques.

Process: Before the event I visited the space to determine with the host where the best place for me to set up would be.  I needed to be out of the way of the dozen servers and wanted to center the focus on the star of the event.  Centering the mantle seemed like the best option.  I chose to leave out several feet of the room so that the view outside could be seen; Oakdene has a stunning view.

After the event I placed a missing important guest on the left of the host and added their dog, Pippa.

Gallop to the Garden, Old Line Society at Ladew Topiary Gardens, Concert Live Painting July 17, 2016

Painted for the Old Line Society at Ladew Topiary Gardens "Groovin in the Grass" concert series July 17, 2016.  Painting was auctioned September 16, 2016 to raise money for the Ladew Education Fund.

Ladew Topiary Gardens Concert 2016, 24x30", painted by Patricia Bennett for the Old Line Society

Patricia Bennett painting at Ladew Topiary Gardens Concert, photo by Jeremy Batoff

Process:
Unfamiliar with Ladew, but aware that Gallop to the Garden would involve guests walking from the polo fields to the Barn, I ran to the polo fields and back and determined, with the guidance of Emily Emerick, the Executive Director, that polo, the Barn, and the Sculpture Garden Tour would not work for a live painting: too much movement.  Therefore Ladew Staff set up a tent in the Bowl so I could paint the concert and the estimated 800 guests, due to start at 6pm.  The sun was beating down; without the tent it would have been impossible to paint: Ladew Staff went above and beyond to help me.

After starting the painting at 3, I drove to the adjacent Polo fields to watch part of the exciting Polo match with the Old Line Society.  There I took a few photos, which were later used to add polo players to the painting.  Then, back in the Bowl, I painted until the concert ended at 8pm.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Old Line Society for raising the funds for the 2013 Artist in Residence Program at Cylburn Arboretum.  As Artist in Residence not only did I find inspiration in the nature and gardens at Cylburn, but I met the people, Karen Smith and Nancy Hill in particular, who make Cylburn what it is.  It was a wonderful life-changing year for me, and the Old Line Society's generosity and philanthropy made it possible.

Address of Ladew Topiary Gardens: 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111

Website: ladewgardens.com