Bringing the Everyday to Life

Sorry that I haven't written for a while, but January is always hard for me.  You are probably thinking, "but it is February?"  Yes, you are right.  OK January and February is hard for me with sicknesses and snow days I never know my schedule.  Even when I think I do, it changes at the blink of an eye.  But as I advised people in my blog entry, "Being an Artist Mom", the time will not appear magically.  We have to carve out the time for things that are important.  We have to prioritize. 

Back of Chick's Cafe

Watercolor  8" x 10"

So, with that said, I wanted to discuss more about plein air painting today.  In particular, I want to discuss this painting, "Back of Chick's Cafe".  I painted this painting last summer during the Wasatch Plein Air Paradise Competition 2014.  While visiting my home state of Utah, I taught a plein air workshop and got to paint one day during the WPAP Competition with my good friend Kristi Grussendorf.  It was a quick draw day and so we had about 4 hours to paint a painting.  A mutual friend suggested for us to try painting "Chick's Cafe" as it was an iconic restaurant for the area, Heber City, UT.  So, we headed in that direction looking up and down streets for possible paintings.  We finally parked the car to walk around.  It was morning and the sun wan't yet too high in the sky, so the shadows were still low and long.  After considering a couple places, we decided to look at Chick's Cafe to see if it interested us.  We never got to the front of the restaurant though.  In order to get there, we had to go through the back alley way.  However, the moment we saw the shadows on the alley wall, we had found the painting!

We both started sketching.  I tried to capture the shadows quickly as that is what drew me to this scene.  Luckily, I also got some quick sketches of one of the workers going in and out of the back door.  We had a shady spot for most of the time, but a delivery truck did stop right in front of us for about a half and hour.  This happens a lot...   After finishing and framing our paintings, we turned them in and then ate at Chick's Cafe to complete the experience.  This painting has won several awards, including "2nd Place" for that paint out, "Outstanding Watercolor" in the Sept 2014 FASO Bold Brush Competition, and "Best Watercolor" in the Oct/Nov 2014 Plein Air Salon.  

So, why am I telling you all of this?  I am not trying to brag, but my friend that had recommended Chick's to Kristi and I, came to me after the competition and said, "You know, I meant for you to paint the front of Chick's, but I guess painting the back worked!"  The point is, sometimes it works well to consider painting the unexpected.  Do I mean we can't paint the obvious view?  NO.  Another friend of mine painted the front of the Cafe at the same event and got 4th place.  But, next time you are looking for a painting, think about trying something unexpected!  You might surprise yourself!

Happy Painting!

Brienne

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