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Eustis, FL –
Those looking to explore
the natural history of Florida often seek out museums, guidebooks and tour
groups. For Lake County artist Lynn Herrick, the beauty and history of
Florida are revealed on her canvas each time she picks up a paint brush.
Herrick, who has been named
the Featured Artisan at the 2012 Clifford House Artisan Market, paints oils in
the style of the Highwaymen, having studied with noted Florida artist R.L.
Lewis. The style, which depicts natural Florida landscapes, resonated with
Herrick seven years ago, when a chance meeting brought Lewis to the performing
arts school she led as principal.
“I have lived in Florida
for over fifty years,” says Herrick, who has worked with charcoals, photography,
pottery and basketry in the past.
“I am both inspired and
disturbed by the rivers, lakes, swamps and beaches that continue to ebb from our
consciousness. This style of painting allows me to preserve this vanishing
landscape in my own artistic way.”
Herrick, who transitioned
into art full-time after thirty years as an educator, will display and sell her
work at the Second Annual Clifford House Artisan Market, which will take place
on the grounds of the Eustis Historical Museum on Saturday, March 17th from
10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Her work, which includes original paintings, note
cards and signed print totes, ranges from $10.00 to $350.00, has been featured
in solo gallery shows in Lake and Marion Counties and is sold at Artisans on
Fifth in Mt. Dora and at the Morse Museum gift shop in Winter Park.
While Herrick studied under
an original Highwaymen painter, her work has taken on it’s own signature twist.
Heavily influenced by the famed photographer Ansel Adams and the celebrated
Florida photographer Clyde Butcher, Herrick experimented with turning the
normally vibrant palette of Highwaymen style paintings on its ear by using just
black and white. The resulting work has garnered Herrick high praise,
including a joking comment from original Highwaymen Isaac Knight that Herrick’s
new paintings were “better than R.L.”
“Closer to home, I’ve been
greatly influenced by the work of Lake County photographer Joel McEachern,” says
Herrick. “His style, which captures unique Florida moments with amazing
light techniques, inspires me.“ |
Courtesy Photo: Lynn Herrick
Courtesy Photo:
Original Oil on Canvas:
Stand of Cypress Trees, inspired by Lake Dora |
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For Herrick, who
participates in at least five large art shows each year in addition to dozens of
smaller events, the Artisan Market is a way to show her neighbors how she sees
Florida.
“This is the area that
inspires me,” says Herrick. “Whether it’s a stand of trees reflecting of
Lake Dora or the sun setting across a pond in Umatilla, this is my backyard.
It’s what I love and it’s what I paint.”
The Clifford House Artisan
Market is a one-day event that is free to the public and opens at 10:00 am on
Saturday, March 17th. For more information about attending, please contact
the Eustis Historical Museum at 352-483-0046. Artisans who wish to
register may call Tim Totten at 352-242-8111.
The Eustis Historical Museum &
Preservation Society is a non-profit organization that relies upon donations and
support from members, citizens and the City of Eustis to preserve and bring to
life the history of Eustis and Lake County. Donations to the Society are
tax-deductible.
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