Blackberry Farm founder Kreis Beall, left, and artist Robert Van Vranken.
Oh, I hope this tradition continues! For the second year in a row, my friend Dawn Ford and I have headed to Blackberry Farm for the Knoxville Museum of Art‘s annual Artist’s Luncheon, which is held in connection with the big L’Amour du Vin fundraiser.
The great thing for me? It’s on my birthday weekend each year. Who wouldn’t want to start off their birthday weekend by skipping work and driving the 30 minutes or so to one of the world’s premier resort properties to be served fine food and wine and hear an artist describe his life’s work?
The artist this year was Robert Van Vranken. I loved his very unusual art. He bases his paintings on nautical charts. Then, in a sort of collage technique, he adds other images. A soft-spoken fellow, Van Vranken shared these insights:
- He quoted a philosopher as saying, “A work of art is a transcendent object with a compelling presence to those who can perceive it.” “In other words,” he continued, “It is a goddam mystery!”
- “The painting is not an answer,” he said. “The painting is a question. When you start to think a painting is an answer, you start to get into propaganda.”
- He said he covers over a lot of his work. “For every bit of final result you see, there were 10 mistakes,” he said. “A lot of time goes into exploring possibilities — and then abandoning them.”
- “I don’t intend any kind of specific meaning,” he said. “I just proceed intuitively the way musicians do.”
- “The life of an artist is the best there is,” he joked. “If you can get past the first 40 years!”
Van Vranken donated a sizeable piece to the Knoxville Museum of Art to be included in a live auction last weekend at L’Amour du Vin. He explained the title, “After the Poison Map,” this way: “Sometimes in life we may be following the poison map. It’s when you get off it that you can get on a different map.” Hmm.
After the Poison Map. Isn't it interesting?
This is a detail from the left side of the picture. It is the outline of a baseball pitch by Michael Mussina of the New York Yankees.
Here's a closer look at the right hand side. It is a fire lookout, he said. The figure is from a photo of his wife.
OK. Now it’s time for the food and drink pictures!
We each were greeted with a signature cocktail -- spiced lemonade. In addition to vodka and lemon juice, it contained simple syrup infused with garden herbs. It was delicious.
David Butler, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, shows off one of the amazing appetizers: a mushroom preparation served on delicate edible rice paper and garnished with tiny herb flowers.
Here's a close-up. Isn't it beautiful?
Here they are again. I'm a little obsessed with them. I would have been happy to have eaten only these!
Also being passed: little pork belly biscuits. Oh my God.
My buddy Jackie Wilson enjoying the pork belly.
The Barn at Blackberry is a beautiful place to mingle.
From left, Beth Novak Milliken, Mary Novak and Lindy Novak of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery. They were the featured vintners of L'Amour du Vin this year.
A word about Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery. It is a historic family-owned vineyard and winery located in St. Helena, California. Founder and owner Mary Weber Novak, purchased the property in 1972 with her late husband, Dr. Jack Novak. They planted grapes, intending to sell them to other wineries. They had barely gotten started when Jack, then aged 44, suddenly passed away. To the surprise of many, Mary decided to stay and ended up starting a winery herself. Today she runs it with her two daughters, Beth and Lindy.
Spottswoode, which encompasses 46 acres, is committed to treating the land with great care, hand-tending the organically-farmed vineyard, olive trees and garden. It produces primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. “We don’t have very much Sauvignon Blanc to give to our distributors,” Lindy said, “because that’s Mom’s favorite wine and she keeps a lot for herself!” In Knoxville, it is carried by B&T Distributing.
Guests Kim Phillips, left, and Cindy Hindman
Carole and Bob Martin with Carolyn Browning, right
Soon we settled down to listen to Robert Van Vranken.
Robert Van Vranken
And then, onto the sun porch for lunch. It wasn't very sunny, though. Snowflakes were drifting down, creating a very romantic atmosphere.
A sight I love to see! My name on a place card atop a Blackberry Farm charger.
Andy Chabot, Blackberry's sommelier and director of food and beverage, explained that kale and collard greens, if picked very young, are delicious as salad greens. They were served here with a Singing Brook cheese crouton and creamy garlic vinaigrette. Salad was paired with a 2010 Chehalem Chardonnay INOX from Willamette Valley. (Yes, I drank the chardonnay and actually liked it, if you can believe!)
The best chicken I've ever had! Springer Mountain chicken served with Carolina Gold rice boudin, those same greens only braised this time, and chicken confit. Paired with a 2009 Saintsbury Brown Ranch Pinot Noir from Carneros.
You're not going to believe dessert: a deconstructed ambrosia with coconut meringue, candied pecans and strawberries. (Definitely not your grandmother's ambrosia!)
Jayne and Myron Ely
Josh and Melanie Moss. Josh is with the L'Amour du Vin's presenting sponsor, Lexus of Knoxville.
Bernard and Lesley Rosenblatt. He is chairman-elect of the museum's board of trustees.
Susan Hyde, of the museum, and Kitsy Hartley, on right.
Vintner Lindy Novak and David Butler
From left, vinter Beth Novak Milliken, Rosemary Gilliam, who heads up the museum's guild, and artist Melanie Wood.
Sandy Lucas, left, and Mimi Turner
Gerry Wright, left, and Carolyn Browning
Chef Dean Fearing of Fearing's restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, and Carla Pare of the Knoxville Museum of Art. Fearing was in charge of the dinner at L'Amour du Vin.
Kreis Beall and Stephen Wicks, curator of the Knoxville Museum of Art
Click here for a great article about Robert Van Vranken published in the Portland, Maine, newspaper. Click here for a two-and-a-half minute video about him.
Hmmm! And my birthday always coincides with the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus in Madison Square Garden — oh and Mother’s Day. I think you win!
My birthday is in June (often coinciding with Father’s Day), so I can’t use it as an excuse to attend this luncheon. Good thing I’ve got a year to come up with one. It looks wonderful!
Ha, Tami and Gay. Well, you both need to come up with a reason to go to this event next year because it is awesome! I know: it can be to celebrate MY birthday!
OK–Tami, I think we’ve been challenged. Maybe Cynthia & Dawn will let us join them next year? I’m in.
The Knoxville Museum of Art & Blackberry Farm – what a beautiful friendship! Here’s to many happy returns!
I agree, Mimi! Going there for a KSO event on Sunday. Another great pairing.
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