Tag Archives: Chickens

State Fair Substitute No. 2

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#VirtualMinnesotaStateFairSketchOut2020

The only person I know who misses the State Fairs more than me is Roz Stendahl. In fact, she’s the one who inspired me to begin my yearly practice of sketching at my own New Hampshire Hopkinton State Fair.

She was missing her Minnesota State Fair so much she was inspired to create her own online Virtual Minnesota Sate Fair Sketch Out so we all could “visit” the fair and sketch together.

I quickly pulled up a few of the photos I took on one of my previous trips to the Hopkinton Fair and proceeded to sketch along and enjoy the camaraderie with other sketchers. I used some loose art papers I had lying on the desk and later collaged them into my sketchbook.

This is the original goat image but as it was too large to fit the entirety into my journal I chose to cup out the lower goat to collage onto the opening hashtag page.

Roz sketched from her photos and posted a wrap up on her blog, Roz Wound Up.

I missed the din and the smells of the barns but this allowed me to revisit the Fair through my photos.

I’m still craving my favorite fair food… a Greek Gyro sandwich. I guess I’ll have to make it myself.

Fair Warning!

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I’ve been sketching at the Hopkinton State Fair longer than I’ve had this blog and it remains one of the highlights of my year. Sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, oxen were all drawn this year… even a dog… well, not a real dog… a CORN DOG!

Here’s this year’s total output!













No llamas, alpacas or swine this year. No cows either but I will remedy that at the 146th Tunbridge World’s Fair in two weeks… Thursday through Sunday, September 14, 15, 16 & 17.

I’m aiming for Friday… if you see me please stop and say hello!

Tunbridge World’s Fair 2015

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Yes, another fair! The Tunbridge World’s Fair!

(Just a quick explanation… this book is made with 130gsm Gutenberg and has pre-painted pages which I just drew right over. They were prepared with dilute acrylic paint and acrylic ink so there was no fear of bleeding.)

Once I got though the mass of children on a school expedition I made a bee-line for the poultry barn… I have a real soft spot for those birdies… especially ducks!  These are Runner Ducks!  They’re known for dropping eggs everywhere as they go about their day!

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Poor page planning on my part… I hate it when the eye ends up in the gutter!

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There was a steady stream (no pun intended) of heifers and their humans walking to the river to cool off and grab a drink.  I was so excited to catch them I put my first sketch upside down in the journal.  Sheesh!  I had to do another!

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Lots and lots of cows!

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After a quick stop to check out the vegetables and the cake testers (no, they don’t spit it out after tasting like the wine tasters do… they swallow all the goodness) I stopped back in the poultry and rabbit barn. Don’t you love their topknots?

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Most of the children had gone so I had enough breathing space to pull out my paints.

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The chicks are only 3 days old!

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And no… I was NOT a participant other than visiting the fair but one of the volunteers was so taken by my journal that he gave me a ribbon!

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Put it in your calendar… it always starts 10 days after Labor Day.  If my calculations are correct that’ll be between Thursday 15 September and Sunday 18 September 2016.  I’ll be there!

Let’s Go To The Fair!

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… Hopkinton State Fair that is.

It’s the 100th anniversary of New Hampshire’s State Fair and you still have time to visit… It’s open through Labor Day… Monday, 7 September, 2015.

I arrived nice and early armed with my sketchbook and pen, watercolors and brush safely tucked in my left hip pocket. Come! …walk with me as I travel and sketch my way through the barns.

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The Avian Flu Virus has plagued the upper midwest causing the fairs like the Minnesota State Fair to cancel their poultry exhibit. We’re fortunate, so far New England has been spared, allowing the Hopkinton exhibit to continue this year.  Each year I’ve been able to sketch the fantastical variety of poultry breeds but this year was special.  I managed to paint my sketches as I stood before each bird… a major accomplishment in my art progress! No painting later at home this year.

150904-3150904-4A Salmon Faverolles… Isn’t he gorgeous!

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I was on my way to sketch the dairy cows when I was hit by an incredible sneezing fit. Time to reconsider my next subjects.

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There’s shade and picnic tables alongside the duck pond and it’s my favorite place to regroup, relax and do one final page before packing up my supplies for the day.

In an hour I’m home… planning my next fair visit. I think it’ll be the Tunbridge World’s Fair in two weeks… stay tuned!

What Are You Waiting For? It’s State Fair Sketching Time!

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I love Fairs!  Where else is there a multitude of creatures just hanging around begging to be included in my sketchbook.

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A couple of warm-ups and I’m ready to go!

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Sometimes there are so many to choose from… I decide to sketch as many as possible. (Check out that Lamancha goat! I was astounded to learn they’re born without external ear flaps… pinnae.)

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I even go one to pose for me after his turn in the show ring.

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Sometimes humans are interested in my work… the cows? Not so much! ( I thought Holsteins were only black and white. Not so! These red and white girls are Holsteins too! )

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There’s still time for you to take your sketchbook and get in on the fun. New Hampshire’s Hopkinton State Fair is open tomorrow and Monday. If you’ve missed your chance at your nearest fair I highly recommend you start planning for next year… I know I am!