Bringing the Everyday to Life

I want to share an experience I had the beginning of June during a Plein Air Competition through the Green Drake Gallery in Millheim, PA.  I got to paint for 2 days during which time I completed 4 paintings to enter.  The last day I painted this painting, "Shopping Mayfest".  I had started painting later than planned and it was a hot day, so I had quick drying conditions.  The competition was during Mayfest and so the streets of Millheim were crowded with people and bands were playing up and down the main street.  After walking around for some time, I chose a nice shady spot down a side alley.  I was out of the way of most the crowd and the temperature was pleasant in the shade.  

As the painting was progressing, I started to get worried because I wasn't liking how it was going.  This happens...  Then I got a phone call from the gallery owner asking my position because a local reporter wanted some pictures and to ask me some questions.  Needless to say, I knew I had to keep going and I hoped that the painting would get better before the reporter showed up.  Luckily, the painting was a little better when he arrived.  However, I didn't really start liking it until I got closer to finishing the painting.  This is a lesson I learned a while ago and would like to share with you today:   Don't Stop Painting!   Don't judge the painting until you are close to finishing.  Get it to the point when you are done or almost done until you declair, "This is good" or "This is not so good".  Until you have all your values down it can be hard to judge.  I have seen this many times with my students, they quite before they are done.  It may not end up to be your masterpiece, but you won't know until you finish it.  Out of my 4 paintings, "Shopping Mayfest" was awarded Best of Show!  So, just finish that painting!  Your goal with each painting shouldn't be to get a masterpiece, but just enjoy the experience.  You will either get a good painting or a learning experience.  Both are valuable!

Don't Stop Painting!

Brienne

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