The Open House is a mind-boggling amount of work, but we are nothing but happy to open up our farm and our lives to the people who share it with us and support us. I expected to spend the rest of my life at the first Bedlam Farm, but live has it’s own ideas and we ended up at this farm, a perfect place for us, it fits our lives so perfectly. We have been working hard and in small doses to fix it up, our gardens are looking good, we are patching up our old farmhouse as we can. We love doing it.
We have some amazing animals here, they are a lot of fun to visit and watch. It is a joy to share them.
We wanted a house that was ours, not mine, one where the animals could come, this one was perfect for us. The Open House is an idea, it represents creativity, encouragement and connection. This one this weekend is the first of two this year, the second will be held in October during Columbus Day Weekend, I think this one will be small and quiet, the October one will be busier. That’s my idea, anyway, we’ll find out soon enough. Tomorrow a full day of scrambling to get ready. The Open Houses are a testament to the amazing work and talent of Maria, she has grown and changed so much, the new art work she is offering is dazzling and innovative, so different from work she has done before.
We are excited about the Open Houses, we are grateful to the people who have said they are coming, some are already here – from Canada, Chicago, Indiana, California, from Boston and Raleigh and Dallas. See you Saturday.
Maria’s Schoolhouse Studio is the focal point of the Open House weekend, it was a one-room schoolhouse in nearby Shushan moved to the farm about 50 years ago, it was used as a workshop and storage space, when we bought this farm, we renovated it so Maria could use it as a studio. It is crammed with beautiful things – scarves, hanging pieces, potholders, sketches, notecards, paintings and photos. We believe in good art that is affordable, it was one of the ideas behind starting the Open Houses.
Hanging in front of the studio is Maria’s “yes-no” dress, there are hundreds of studded nails sticking out of it, it signified her attitude towards men (and me) when we first met. She was a “yes-no” girl for sure, I wanted more “yes” and eventually got her to marry me. It remains a powerful symbol of her ambivalence towards the art world as well as her visceral mistrust of most men.
Maria could not live without a studio, I can’t imagine her not having her own artistic and personal space. We met when I gave her use of the Studio Barn at the other farm in exchange for help with the animals. A studio is as much a part of her as breathing. Maria has always seen the Open Houses as a chance to display the work of other artists, and a bunch will be on display over the weekend, you can read about them here.
I love the idea that this gifted person has chosen to evolve with me, it is a great compliment in my mind. This dress is like an old battle flag, it is no longer necessary. I am always happy to see a stream of people pouring into Maria’s studio, she loves curating art shows, takes it seriously, does it well.
We began the Bedlam Farm Open House idea two years ago at the first Bedlam Farm, a grand and beautiful place with all kinds of space, including a roomy Pig Barn Art Gallery. We are in a different space, but have kept our promise to ourselves to share our lives and be open. The Open Houses are basically art shows where Maria and other artists show and sell their work. I understand from the first that Maria is the primary draw, along with her art and the art of the others, and right close behind are the animals.
My role is basically to direct traffic, give a talk or two, introduce people to the donkeys and do herding demos with Red. I know who people truly want to see. Here is a brief animal line-up and some useful information about dealing with them.
– First off, kids are very welcome but please keep them near you and keep them from chasing or grabbing dogs, chickens, cats or donkeys. Any animal can get nasty if cornered or pressured, be calm, be slow and await direction. All of our animals are used to cameras, they do well with photography. But they won’t sit still and pose (except for the donkeys, who love to pose) , you have to be quick.
– Dogs. We have three dogs, Frieda, Lenore and Red. Frieda does not wish to be your friend, you will not see much of her, but I do bring her out to be with people a bit. She does not bite, but does not care to be touched, rubbed or cuddled. Please don’t try and do it, it will not turn out well, even if you think you have magical dog powers. I’ve heard a lot of people say “all dogs love me,” but Frieda did not.
– Lenore and Red are completely approachable, they love people, they loved to be cuddled, talked to, admired. I’d prefer that people did not throw the ball or stick much for Lenore, it wears her out and there are lots of people coming this weekend. You can trust your children and yourselves around either of these sociable creatures, but please remember they are dogs. They don’t need to be aroused, grabbed, wrestled with. Red is a working dog, he does not like to be distracted when he is in the pasture or working. Be calm with them, there is no need to arouse them more than they will be aroused. You can talk to them in a normal voice and be still, they will come to you.
– Donkeys are wonderful and social creatures, but they are not pets. They like to approach people in their own time and way, if they are startled, they can bolt or kick or butt. Do not stand behind them, if they get frightened and kick, it is not a good place to be. Someone will be with you always when you are in the pasture, and listen to us. Don’t rush in and do not let your kids scream or run around. If the donkeys think somebody is a small animal or coyote coming after the sheep, it is not good. We have had thousands of visitors, and no trouble, I mean to keep it that way. Do not wear shoes you love into the pasture.
Let the donkeys come to you, approach you and speak to them calmly. Don’t crowd them, they like exit routes. They like to be touched and brushed, unless they don’t. Sudden movements and loud noises can startle them. Donkeys are independent creatures, they like attention, but only so much. Take your cues from us and them. All of them like to be rubbed gently, carrots are fine, but let us help you ration them out slowly.
– Flo and Minnie are our two barn cats. Flo is quite social, she loves to be hugged and scratched, but let her come to you, do not grab her or hold her against her will. Minnie does not care for strangers, you will probably not see her. If you do, don’t try to grab her or pick her up.
– Our sheep are ruminants, they are not interested in being touched or cuddled, we don’t treat them as pets or give them treats. In the pasture, I’ll have Red bring the sheep out and you can see them or the lambs, but none of them want much human contact unless there is food involved. We do not wish to give the sheep treats or get them food crazy.
– We have two hens, two chicks. The chicks will be out in a crate, you can see them but not touch them. The hens may or may not come out and peck around for food. For some reason, parents think it’s cute when their kids chase chickens, it is not cute, it is cruel, please don’t let your kids do it. The hens do not wish to be touched, cuddled or hugged.
We can’t offer rest room facilities or refreshments, but those are available nearby. The farm is flat and can handle wheelchairs in most parts.
So that’s the animal drill. Maria has wonderful stuff to sell in her magical studio, potholders, quilts, paintings, sketches, photographs, scarves, notecards, hanging pieces. Nice stuff. George Forss, the famed photographer, will do portraits for people, I’m not sure what he is charging, but it will be a bargain.
Our friend Kim Macmillan will be handling the money in Maria’s studio, Deb Foster will be helping me with the donkey tours, Jack Macmillan will be helping with parking and crowd control, Lisa Dingle will be helping run the Open House, I’ll be wandering around saying hello, meeting people, giving a talk or two, doing herding demos.
We are raffling off a beautiful barn painting to raise money for the Hubbard Hall Scholarship Fund. Details on the farm.
Cambridge is right down the road, rest rooms there, the Battenkill Bookstore, the Round House Cafe, the Cambridge Diner, on Sunday the Farmer’s Market. Check out Maria’s events page for details.
Is there any more piercing look in all of the world than a Labrador Retriever with a ball who would like it to be thrown. There is an earnestness, a pleading, almost a sense of disbelief that the ball is not being thrown, an absolute, head-tilting faith that if one wishes for it enough, it will be thrown. And thrown and thrown. And it was.
Maria and took these notecards to the printers before Jake died and we decided to go ahead and put them on sale at the Open House at Bedlam Farm this weekend after his death. So many people want images of the lambs. These will go on sale Saturday and Sunday here, and then, if there are any left, on Maria’s website). They will be signed and sold in packs of four for $20 plus shipping. These photos are important to me, I study them for the messages of the lambs, they capture much of the experience of lambing, especially it’s uplifting aftermath.
There was loss and sorrow, but much joy and meaning. Since Maria decided to take over the selection and sale of notecards, they have really worked, they have all sold out. I think I was just not choosing the right ones, it takes a real artist.
On the left are all four of the lambs who were born here – Liam, Pumpkin, Jake and Deb, on the top right Jake and Deb and also on the bottom left. Several photos of the white lambs, our white animals. On the bottom right, Ma, the Good Mother, who went through so much to give birth to her lambs and who has turned out to be a wonderful mother. I have all kinds of mixed feelings about selling my photographs, I am happy to put these images for sale in note card form, inexpensively and with great attention to the printing. So many of you shared this experience with us, this seems quite right.
