The Farm
You often hear me mention “the farm” on my Instagram or Facebook accounts or in these posts. The farm is Evening Song Farm, an organic vegetable CSA, owned by Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp, my daughter-in-law and son. It is located in Shrewsbury, Vermont and is in its second location; the fields were completely washed away during Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Kara and Ryan have inspired me in so many ways over the years. Their initial business plan blew my socks off. I remember thinking “These two are only one year out of college and wow, this is what they envision for their business/ lives.”
One influence, in particular, came from their business postcard. It was a photograph of different varieties of carrots heaped high at their market. I looked at this and said 1) I need to put pictures of my work on a business postcard, and 2) I want to create those bunches of delicious carrots in fabric.
While this isn’t the original inspiration, here are bunches of carrots washed and ready for CSA members.
The First Evening Song Carrots
When I went to create my first Evening Song Carrots piece, I pulled out all my yellows and oranges and even some purples from the fabric totes. The piece was to be on a 16×20 inch canvas. Once I free cut some carrots, I quickly realized that there was no way bunches and bunches of carrots would fit on this size. Each carrot deserved to stand out, not look like a smush of orange.
Which of these fabrics would you choose for carrots? Here’s a line up. Now to eliminate some of them.
Because these were farm carrots, the carrot greens had to be part of the artwork. After ironing on a two-sided adhesive onto the fabric, I drew squiggly fronds and cut them out. Next was to carefully arrange the bunch while considering color and carrot shape. I ironed down the greens and sewed the individual carrots, making it a point to add root hairs at tips. The tops were then free motion quilted to prevent them flopping around if the adhesive became loose in the future.
Evening Song carrots grew into other designs such as Carrots Dining
I have created eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and corn so far, with peas and broccoli cut out waiting to be sewn.
Not the inspirational photo, but just a reminder about how many colors an eggplant has on its skin
And the peppers… there are so many varieties of peppers grown at Evening Song Farm. There are habanero and serrano and poblano and jalapeno and rainbow and carmen and…
And Then Came the Farm Animals
It was an easy transition from pet portraits to farm animal portraits. Bella and Zia grace the farm with their presence and serve a critical role in the health of the farm ecosystem. Over the years there have also been chickens, pigs, and Mr. Nelson and LMNO (both goats).
Zia with her baby, and Bella in the background with one of hers
Bella has been my featured farm lady as Zia tends to hide when I’m looking to take a photo. The first goat portrait I did, I did just for the joy of it, not really thinking it would sell. I wanted to make it extra whimsical so I added knobby tan yarn for hay. My explanation to viewers was that whenever I walk by her, Bella lets me know she wants some hay and isn’t happy when she doesn’t get it.
Little did I know that finding a unique gift for someone who adores goats is not that easy. My goat art has gone to a piano teacher who “LOOOOVES her goat more than she loves piano” as an end of year thank you, a best friend’s birthday present, as well as for a child’s farm nursery.
Two different variations of Bella. Note her flakes of hay to keep her quiet and well-fed
And there are other animals I have made. Shiloh is in the living room of her owner. Piggie now patiently awaits dinner at the house of the grandchild of a customer. My chickens… well they are still wondering when someone will take them home to roost.
Interesting facts: Shiloh’s top part of the barn door is 3D. Piggy won a 2nd place ribbon at an art show.
What’s Next?
I’ll continue my (mostly) weekly farm visits and instead of weeding, my Grandma B task is to play with my younger two grandchildren.Together we are making memories for us all.
There’s another pig on my design wall. I’m definitely open to ideas for new farm animals and veggies. The farm is adding a pick-your-own flower option for their CSA members so I anticipate that I will be adding some new flower art to my upcoming collection, Flower Power.
Let me leave you with this picture of the tomatoes growing in the high tunnel … rows and rows, reaching up at least 15 feet high.
All photos of animals and vegetables are by Adam Ford of Adam Ford Photography. He is an amazing photographer who captures the essence of the farm through all the seasons. There are so many that would just make wonderful gifts for anyone who loves vegetables, gardening, farm animals, or just plain nature in all her glory.