It's eleven pm but I finished everything I set out to do today. It makes me realize how much time I waste, normally. That was lesson #1 for the day. I guess we all take as much time as we think we have. If pressed for time, I am so much more efficient.
Our friends came for lunch, then we went to the Harvest Festival. You can really see the slowdown in the economy. Normally the Harvest festival is filled with high quality hand crafted items. Today, most of it was so under par, I felt robbed of the excessive parking charge and door fee. It didn't have that festive atmosphere, either. Now it will be a downward spiral as less people go because of the quality and then fewer and fewer quality craftsmen will want to participate because the crowds aren't there. And the kicker was the "No Photography" sign posted at the entrance. There were lots of interesting people about and I couldn't photograph any of them!
I didn't take my sketch setup because my bag was heavy. Naturally, I had the perfect opportunity to sketch this ancient old truck that is going around the world. It would have been fantastic to draw but no sketchbook or pen. That was lesson #2. I learned more lessons today than I would like to! Never, never leave home without the sketch book!!!!! So I took it to dinner tonight and every time I started to sketch someone they got up. It started to feel like a curse. After dinner I set up two Ott lights in the library/studio and finished the painting for Paul's birthday present. It's a fair likeness but I like the antique feeling of the image and was satisfied with the results. I'm ready to call it a day.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
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6 comments:
What a day! But you've got a good portrait finished and I hope he loves it.
I'm enjoying your blog. Great painting of Paul. I want to say that I am finding it to be really important to stay positive about the future during this economic downturn. There's really no reason why the Harvest Festival couldn't be better than ever next time. Enough people need to believe that it's possible in order to create that reality. The only thing stopping any of us from creating peace on earth is our inability to believe that it's possible. The election of Obama is a sign that people are looking for a positive solution to our problems and are beginning to believe that great things can happen for our country. Our mind is a master creator. Just look at your lovely painting. Freeing my mind of negativity is my constant practice.
Enjoy, Sheila
That is a lovely portrait.
I keep my small travel set of watercolors, an empty film container for water, and a small watercolor sketchbook in a sidepocket of my purse, so I'm always ready. Sometimes, I just fold a sheet of paper and use a pencil and I'm in business. Sometimes I just do quick gesture drawings, and I can finish those later. Works great at football games, pep rallys, or anything where people are moving.
That is sad that the craft event looks like it is headed downhill. If an event charges an entry fee, I don't go. I know why they do, but, in these days, people are having to watch their money more and are going to be cutting back. It reminds me of back in the 70s when we had the gas crisis, and no one was going anywhere. Normally busy highways were totally empty. And that was a time when a friend and I decided we would paint plaster and sell the items at craft fairs in various places. We even set up beside a major highway, but there was no traffic at all. We quickly gave it up and worked on our day jobs! Thank goodness we had those!
I am enjoying your blog and trying to remember what art magazine I saw your self portraits. Several on a painting. Really were great.
Thanks, Peggy. The most recent was American Artist October 2008 issue in the Self Portrait winners section.
Peggy, I found the article online:
http://www.myamericanartist.com/2008/08/american-arti-1.html
in case you can't get hold of the magazine.
Myrna, I love the wonderful antique feel of your painting of Paul.
Mary
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