canvas by canvas at the iron horse inn artistic retreat center

We have had the best fun with 6 of the members of the collaborative artists from "Canvas by Canvas"! Karen Foster, Cindy Yandell, Barbara Hackney, Connie Michael, Nancy Standlee, and Maryann Stephens stayed with us here at the Historic Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast, in Granbury and spent three days painting wonderful pictures at our new Art Studio.





My dream to see artists working in the studio has become a reality and I loved spending time with these lovely women. they know how to have fun and they are incredibly talented artists too!
Every time I popped into the art studio to visit with them (it was hard to stay away - their sense of fun was infectious!) there was more of their work to delight in! I particularly enjoyed watching Nancy's flock of roosters grow as the weekend progressed - see the photo to the right of her "brood".






Saying goodbye to these ladies was hard
- I feel like we had old friends over to stay. Thanks girls for making this such a fund adventure for all of us!

Nancy Standlee is a fellow blogger and she has a really entertaining blog space. Great fun to read!







Check out their paintings at canvas by canvas and
see their unique way of working collaboratively.
Each woman paints a section of a picture and then all of the 9 sections are hung together to form one picture which will have a story attached from their many adventures together.

I can't wait to see which adventure in Granbury they decide to paint together!

A perfect getaway for artists to enjoy.

I think it is important that I make it clear that our artistic retreat center at the Iron Horse Inn Historic Bed and Breakfast, Granbury Texas is not just a place to take workshops with nationally renowned artists. It is also a perfect place for artists to get away together for their own retreats, in a lovely relaxing and historic setting. Our gardens are inspirational, with our 400 year old oak trees,



our Koi pond, and the hike and bike track right beside the old mansion.

The sunsets are spectacular here as are the sunrises. The bright red cardinals flitting among the trees are georgous, our kitties basking in the sun in the garden are real models for paintings, the old mansion is a wonderful subject to paint from its many different angles, and pretty soon the red bud trees will be in blossom. Our studio is a great space to work in, with lots of light and space and two storys to spread yourselves out in!
It is possible to stay as a small group of 5 in our Garden Gate Cottage for as little as $65 including use of the studio, or you could opt for some luxury in a private room in the house, each room has a private bathroom.
During the cold weather we have the fire lighting in the fireplace for guests coming down to breakfast, or sitting reading in the evenings - very inviting.

All in all the perfect getaway for an artist - luxury, relaxation, privacy, inspiration and a great space to work too.