A few weeks back I was able to spend a few days up at the Hermitage, an authentic recreation or rebuilding of a rural 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch homestead. Frederick had been asked to homestead-sit and put out a call. I’d been wanting to visit, and this was the perfect opportunity.
Frederick and Zippy
The rain kept me inside painting, which was my goal all along. I took up several canvases but ended up working on just one. With no electricity, it was tough to work at night. I had a nice little studio just steps from the brand new shed I claimed.
Sneak peek of a piece for my upcoming show at La Luz.
A large flock of turkeys wander around, as do the occasional ducks, chickens, and geese. I may have been bad luck, because it seemed like every time we turned around something with feathers was dead on the road. Either road kill or a casualty of something more sinister, a coyote or the local feral dog, aka “Riley”.
I collected fresh eggs from the chicken coop—quite an experience—but they were great. I introduced Frederick to “eggies in the basket”, a breakfast my dad used to cook for me and made famous more recently in the movie “V for Vendetta”.
It was creepy at night. I was in a small brand new shed, but the very first night I didn’t have the door latched. When the winds kicked up, it blew wide open and scared the shit out of me. I’ve camped all my life, in some very remote places, but this place was so old it seemed that the ghosts were out in full force. I’m spoiled by the luxuries and security of living on the sixth floor, behind numerous doors and locks.
I won’t go into more detail. It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to going back. Here are a few more pics I took.
The owners have a large collection of doors in the barn, as well as printing presses and looms.
I slept in the new shed is on the left and used the building on the right for my studio.
A country road runs through the middle of the property with the duck pond just across the road.
More info about the Hermitage is here.
