'Paint Historic Waxahachie' is underway as of Friday. I managed to crank out 6 oils over the holiday weekend. All of them are 8x10.
I started my first painting by setting up near the Katy (M-K-T) trestle just to the east of the depot. This is a beautiful location with lots of shade from huge cottonwood trees (unfortunately in bloom) and the weather was hot but dry and breezy. This trestle crosses Waxahachie Creek which is out of view here.
The next morning I had to be at the Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market for a Quick Draw event. I, along with about 20 other artists had 2 hours to complete a plein air painting within a few blocks of the Market. I chose this scene showing patrons under the roof of the previous lumber yard that existed here for many decades before they moved elsewhere and the City bought the property. All of the paintings were offered for sale in a silent auction afterwards. It was fun but most people looking for a good buy on snow peas weren't looking to go home with original artwork.
My third painting shown here is 'Awning Shade'. I've painting a similar version of this before, but from a different angle. I love painting this old building.
Number four is from the 2nd floor of the city's parking garage looking west, just after sunrise. This is a tricky subject to attempt, but I throughly enjoyed it. The location of my easel was in the shade and it was quite breezy up there. This spot gives you a little better angle of the courthouse and is less of a strain on your neck as you look straight on instead of up.
That afternoon I headed out to join fellow artists Olivette Hubler, Debob Jacobs and my friend Doug Clark who were set up near some sunflower crops about halfway between Waxahachie and Ennis. This setting is so spectacular right now that the PHW committee decided to include this area for the competition. All I can say is if you like sunflowers you will have many to choose from during the sale. This view of a dirt road gives you a pretty good idea of how isolated it was. There were literally sunflowers as far as you could see. Olivette, Debob and Doug all came up with some nice renditions.
And finally, my last painting... Doug and I headed over to Rio's Barber Shop on Jackson Street near sundown. I learned that it's a good idea to have fellow artists give you some suggestions since we sometimes get so focused on the task that we don't take time to step back and see what might need fixing. Doug suggested a few things about my painting and I had one or two on his. We took each other's advice and I think we improved our paintings. The old, can't see the forest...
The awards and dinner will be this Friday at the Chautauque in Waxahachie. I can only submit five of these for the competition so I'll have to eliminate one... any suggestions?
And finally, my last painting... Doug and I headed over to Rio's Barber Shop on Jackson Street near sundown. I learned that it's a good idea to have fellow artists give you some suggestions since we sometimes get so focused on the task that we don't take time to step back and see what might need fixing. Doug suggested a few things about my painting and I had one or two on his. We took each other's advice and I think we improved our paintings. The old, can't see the forest...
