Artist in Residence

Hoff, "On the Middle Raccoon," wc on paper

During the week before this posting I've been Artist in Residence here at the Whiterock Conservancy, an Iowa land trust working toward conservation, sustainable agriculture, education and recreation. Situated on the Middle Raccoon River near Coon Rapids, the Conservancy comprises about 5500 acres of river valley, prairie, savanna and farmland. Much of the Conservancy was part of the Garst farm which famously hosted Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s. The Conservancy aims to save our remaining topsoil, restore soil health, and educate the public and private sectors.

The River House, Whiterock Conservancy

Residency here includes housing in a wonderful, century-old farmhouse (with studio) situated in the Middle Raccoon River valley, only a few dozen yards from the river. The Middle Raccoon There is an equally old barn (see below) and other buildings on the site. Wildflowers abound along the river bank and hiking trails. Trails for hiking, horseback riding and cycling provide a network leading into the spectacular landscape along the river and take you through oak savanna and restored prairie as well. The undisturbed quiet is therapeutic, the surroundings too. I've managed a number of plein air sessions involving both oil and watercolor as well as studio paintings, and before leaving will have taken scores of reference photos.

Hoff, "Whiterock Barn," oil on panel, 9x12

As part of residency at the Conservancy I'll also be facilitating plein air painting workshops the afternoon of August 25 and morning of August 26. The focus will be on outdoor oil painting, but artists in other media are certainly welcome. I'll be doing demonstrations and assisting participants.

Mainframe Studios in Des Moines is a cosponsor of the workshops and will hold a show and auction of participants' works at their facility during their First Friday event September 2.