Painting can be a personal challenge. The journey is full of ups and downs and I think we all doubt ourselves at times. When a painting is in progress, we ride the self critique roller coaster in our heads that sounds like this, "Ah, nice, no wait, shouldn't have done that, I've ruined it, no, got it,...that's it, better,...there we go, looking good, think this will be a winner, wait, those values aren't talking to me, that composition is crap,...hate this, I can't paint,...whoa,..maybe it can be saved,...there we go, hey, this is good!" Then throw in the extra adventure of painting outside with changing light, uncooperative weather, bugs, sometimes creepy, uninvited company, and you, or I should say "I", really understand what a challenge is. Plein air is hard for me and I fully admire the artists who have conquered it.
Then there are times when everything clicks and I'm in love with the process. Things work, I'm happy with a painting, others compliment a painting, something sells, something wins, all is good. I do love art, always have, and I feel blessed to be part of a community of friends who share that passion.
This weekend I took part in The First Annual Kekionga Paint Out and was shocked and delighted to win second place. The road wasn't without it's moments of frustration due to those self doubts, but the good things about it were absolutely AWESOME! The event was terrific, the weather was perfect, I was in the great company of old friends and new friends at all times, no bugs landed on me, and then to top it off, won an award. And got a great parking place.
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