Fun In North Carolina

Here Ms Chick is perched inside the horseshoe and telling Señor Gallo that she would like to begin taking riding lessons.

I hated to see them go, but further adventures await them and I look forward to seeing what they do next!

The traveling chicken arrived alone in Pinehurst while Señor Gallo and Bianca extended their visit in the U.K. They soon missed Ms Chick and decided to rejoin her. It was fun having all of them together.

We toured the famous Pinehurst Number Two golf course on a beautiful sunny day and had lunch at the Carolina Hotel.

Our next outing was a visit to horse country, the huge equestrian community in Pinehurst and Southern Pines.  We also made a visit to the Pinehurst Harness Track where Ms. Chick was given a shiny horseshoe as a souvenir.

When we got home, there were some interesting conversations about all we had seen that day.

They enjoyed watching training at the Harness Track and getting close to the horses at the farms we were able to visit.

Here's My Blog...

Fay Terry's Daily Paintings

Painting is a Wonderful Adventure

I don’t recall how I learned about the Traveling Chicken a few years back, but it sounded like fun and I invited her for a visit.   TC finally arrived and I told friends a little about the challenge and how I was excited it was my turn to paint her.  To a person, they got quizzical expressions and asked if I had to wash the paint off before I mailed it to the next person!    

Art has taken me to some amazing places, providing me new adventures and affording me with wonderful unique opportunities to meet fellow artists, although I have to say this is probably one of the most unusual!  

My adventure with TC started with an email telling me it was my turn to paint her.  Then another email for the hand-off.  Usually, TC is just back from some grand adventure in other part of the country or world.  This time is was a short hop and a personal hand-off.   We agreed to meet nearby for lunch, found we had many things in common, and had a long enjoyable lunch with TC taking it all in.   I have high hopes it’s going to be a new lasting friendship and Johnna & I can honestly say it was started with an introduction from a Chicken!  

"Show Off"

I was a bit disappointed TC's companion rooster was taking a vacation

so I found this one dressed in his Christmas finery. 

 

While I’m sure TC would have enjoyed a trip to Washington, D.C., I thought I would go a little outside the Beltway and take her to The Loft Gallery in Occoquan, VA.  I had a great time showing her off to the artists.  We are currently having a miniature show so TC fit right in as she checked out my frog!   

Undercover in Vienna Virginia

Living in Virginia, just outside of Washington DC is delightful, but has its challenges - plusses:  culture, diversity, world-class museums, theater, restaurants, shopping. . . and minuses(?): politicians, election shenanigans, scandals, and spies.  Seriously, a very notorious spy actually lived a mile and a half from my house (who knew)!  He filled "dead drops" with classified documents in local parks for the Russians.   Hold on to your hats for the rest of the story!

Ms. Chick arrived around Halloween and the mid-term elections.  She is quite demure yet absolutely adorable!   Not sure if she would like the goblins or the darker-side of living here. On top of that, autumn just didn't happen - a day or two of nice yellow and red leaves then huge winds came through and blew most of them off the trees - turned the whole place into a lovely shade of beige!  Now what to do?

This is a great place to live with the mountains and vineyards to the West, beach to the South, and Chesapeake Bay to the East.  Personally, I love living here because you have all the nature AND the "big city" nearby.  So, after a bit of chick-to-chick discussion, we decided to go west to Virginia wine country (didn't take long to find out that chardonnay is her favorite) - also picked up a dinky pumpkin she HAD TO HAVE. Maybe that was the wine talking?!  Artists be forewarned, she is quite a handful despite her demure demeanor!  When we finally got home, she insisted on setting up the composition since she could tell right away, it is not my strong suit.  So, here she is taking over the spotlight in a rather monochromatic wine, pumpkin and Chick-a-tude painting - I guess she really loves all-things-yellow. She rather liked her shadow on the pumpkin . . . not sure what that was about though.  She seems to have a lot of secrets too.

Ms. Chick with Piedmont Chardonnay

One final tale and to round out the story - I can only imagine this had to be the first in-person, somewhat clandestine, drop-off to the next Traveling Chicken artist.  Yes, it did happen right here in Northern Virginia just a few miles outside of DC.  Getting into a covert mindset, there were emails, logistics, time coordinates, phone calls, a surprising shared contact from Colorado, and finally a drop-site at a nondescript shopping center.  Truth be told, I discovered the next artist was truly a retired FBI spy-catcher who was even involved in the case that captured the super-spy in my neighborhood!  Egads.  I know Ms. Chick will love hanging out with her as much as i did!

Thanks for the visit!

p.s. we sent out an APB for Mr. Gallo -- not sure where he is. . . . 

You can read more about my art here:  http://johnnaschelling.blogspot.com/

TC Back in the States!

Well, Miss TC returned from her journey 'across the pond' as it were, landing here in Maine. She was snug as a bug upon arrival, but quickly made it clear she was in a hurry to 'venture on.'  When pressed, she admitted to me that Maine in November was not especially to her liking.  "Why ever not?" I asked, nonplussed. "Well (pause), it's personal....."  "PERSONAL!!", I erupted.  "I've waited a long time to see you, to show you around, to pose you and paint you!"  At this, she held feathers to beak, drawing me close, and quietly whispered that it was her 'time of the year.'  "Oh....molting....I (ahem) I understand."  (Two of our own 'girls' currently look like they've been in a roundhouse brawl. Molting in Maine, late November....brrrrr....)  "Well, we'd better get busy."

So we scoured the vicinity for some attractive still-life props and and set up a scene.  TC thought we should have more 'bling' than a bottle and a marble, but I quickly said, "Look, I don't think you're in a position to complain given the restrictions you've imposed....be quiet and hold still."

Then off she went, south, to warmer climes.  I can't say I blame her, but she missed some gorgeous foliage, an example of which I include in this post.  Hopefully she can hang on to her plumage for her next host!

It was fun while it lasted...no hard feelings TC!  Happy travels!

Shelley Breton

www.shelleybretonart.blogspot.com

Please Welcome the New Administrator

 I was happy to be the new administrator after Nan stepped down. However, as soon as I took over, events started to happen.....exhibitions, gallery representation both online and real. I am also off to France for a short painting holiday with a friend.
Luckily Pandalana Williams offered to help and I am so grateful .She has been the new administrator for the last few weeks, I just have not had time to update you all.

She has been very patient and has gotten things rolling with plenty of likes on the Facebook page, and all the other tasks that administrators do.

I will definitely be watching TC's progress across the world. Good luck to all those artists on the list and many happy hours of painting to you all.

Azra
xxxxx

The Traveling Chicken visits the Mall, London

I am happy I took on this challenge! You never know what comes out of new challenges!

I loved the idea when informed by Azra, so why not!

Since I really love painting outdoors, and I love urban landscapes, I decided to take the chicken on one of my plein air trips.

I decided to take it to the Mall in London!

The Traveling Chicken, In Glorious Morning Light at the Mall. 18" x 12", Oil on board-Adebanji Alade.

If interested in purchasing this painting, please click HERE

I put it right on top of one of those statue platforms and before it could escape, I added some super glue to keep it still.

While I put it there, a lovely light shone in perfect harmony form the sky, welcoming the Chicken in glorious morning light!

I couldn't wait, a painted as fast as a pig eats and captured the fleeting light in such a hazy mood!

I less than an hour I managed to catch the light and the chicken was safely tucked back in the box, ready to be sent to the next destination.

Sorry for staying a bit too long with it!

I just loved it!

PS-I'm only kidding.....this was all painted indoors

Hoots Man, the Travelling Chickens are in Bonnie Scotland

Ive waited a long time for my turn to have the chickens and then find I am up to my ears with our towns four day open studio event, followed by teaching a one day life drawing workshop,

My studio is now operational and finally got my painting done!

This is an exciting time in Scotland, we have just hosted the Commonwealth Games! It is also a time of division, as we prepare to vote in the referendum for Independance.

It is a huge deal for each one of us, here in Scotland, for or against....I am still deciding.......I find political speak difficult to understand....I'm hoping someone will speak up in a language I can understand!

Here, the chickens are having a heated discussion "yes" says little yellow chicken, "no" announces skinny blue bird.....see, they are just as confused as me!!!!

Actually the blue bird, I have just found out is a cockerel or rooster, as I went to pack him away, I found his "comb" in the bubble wrap!

So we have before and after shots! I quite liked the shaved look!

-Margaret S Milligan

http://margaretsmilligan.blogspot.com/

Bonny Scotland

Our little hen is on her way to bonny Scotland to Margaret!!
I am so looking forward to seeing the next artists version of TC.

Thank You Nan!!

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well and enjoying the summer wherever you are.

I would like to thank Nan for doing such an amazing job with this blog and keeping it going for so long. I really hadn't thought beyond passing on a little ceramic hen and seeing where it might end up, Nan had the bigger picture and turned the idea into reality.

I have a few contacts here in the UK, once I receive TC back I will get the ball rolling. In the mean time if anyone is interested in painting their version of TC then please let me know.

A New Administrator & a Sad Goodbye

It is with mixed emotions that I tell you that I am leaving this blog as administrator. It has been a fun 2 years of watching our little chicken travel the world! And I loved seeing all the wonderful paintings that so many of you did along with the wonderful stories that you wove about your visit with TC & her Entourage.

But the time has come for me to "pass the baton" to the next administrator, and I can't think of a more fitting one than Azra! It is she who first started the idea of a small, ceramic chicken in her painting back in April of 2012. She then sent it to a friend & it grew to include many artists and countries. 36 artists have participated with their art & stories all because Azra had an idea one day to do a painting. Funny how a single thought can spark a whole project!

And now the blog returns to it's original owner. Please welcome Azra as she takes on the role of webmaster for The Traveling Chicken blog. I will be mailing the chicken package out to her so that she can begin the challenge all over again. If you wish to contact Azra, you can email her.

And I'll continue to watch & read. Love these stories - and who knows, the little chicken may make it's way back to me one day so I can paint her once again.

Thank you to everyone who helped & participated, you made it a most wonderful experience!

Wanted - New Administrator for the Traveling Chicken

So sorry about the long absence on this blog, but it has been difficult to find an artist who is available to paint the chicken. For the past 4 weeks, the chickens have remained packaged as they were sent to me - and are sitting on my dining room table. I have not been successful in finding a new artist.

It has become apparent to me that I no longer have the time to maintain this challenge so I am putting out the request for new administrator.

If anyone thinks they have the time, and would like to take the role of administrator on this, I will be glad to pass the baton. Since the Facebook page is linked to my own page, I may keep it there for the time being. Once there is a new administrator of the blog, I will talk/work with them to migrate the Facebook page as well.

Anyone out there interested in taking on this role? Please comment here or message me. First come, first served basis.

Thank you
Nan Johnson

Next Artist Please!

Who would like to be next to host Ms. Chick? Please comment or message me if you have time to paint TC now. (many artists I've contacted on the waiting list are tied up at the moment, so I'lm sending out this request in general). Thanks!

Mother's Day in Maryland

8x8 Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Available on Daily Paintworks

I was SO excited when my turn came for Ms. Chick and her entourage to visit me! (It was actually kind of weird how excited I was opening their travel container). There they were: Ms. Chick, Senor Gallo and Bianca with her chicks.  Celebrities in the house!

We didn't have time to do much sight-seeing around Washington, DC and they came during the endless rain we were having, so mostly we just hung out at home. They made me rent the movie "Paulie" as it's their favorite, along with Rio.  They'd watch me paint and give me critiques - but they were always kind. Last month I rescued a Half-Moon Conure and they were absolutely thrilled to be visiting with another of their own kind. Bella, however, was not so thrilled. She said they were too noisy, too nosy, and when were they leaving? Bella really got upset on Mother's Day. I sat them on the table next to the flowers my daughter had given me, and in honor of the holiday gave them a treat: one of Bella's Avi-Cakes. OHHHH, did I get a squawking to from Bella for that. Of course, now that it's time to leave, Bella wants them to stay. You just can't please some birds!

Elizabeth Amanda Elgin