A good painting day.
Every August, since 1996 (with one exception), I travel to the far side of the state for a Martial Arts training camp with my teacher and training partners from Minnesota. Invariably, life lies in wait, storing up every conceivable emergency, trial and tribulation for the week prior to this trip. In spite of my best efforts to be ready well in advance, this week is always stressful, with too many things needing to be done at the last minute.
After wrapping up three design projects, packing, running errands, and preparing for the competition that began today, I’m facing a ridiculous itinerary. Tomorrow I leave at 7 am to get gas, to drive to Oconomowoc, to paint for a 4-hour quick paint event, to leave straight away for Cable. When I get back on Tuesday, I get to stop in Oconomowoc to get a painting in, to return on Thursday and Friday to do more paintings. Friday at noon, I turn in my two paintings, then return the next day for the results. Saturday I teach and then, then, I get to mow the lawn.
But that all starts tomorrow. As for today…today was a good day.
After a few errands, I headed out to Oconomowoc to register for the Midsummer’s Brush event. Immediately met a few of my friends in this community, people I’ve met this year and last. It’s good to be recognized. Somehow, I knew exactly what I wanted to paint, and after the success I had with the painting downtown last weekend, I decided I was up to the challenge. On Lake Fowler, there is a Masonic Center, a large white building with a very unusual layout. Most of the buildings in this area are interesting, actually. I saw this building last year, but knew I wasn’t up to the challenge. Architecture has always been a personal nemesis, the exacting angles required a steadier hand than I had at the time.
After talking with another friend who was painting in the area, I scouted out a few vantage points and decided on one of the front of the building. I was fortunate to have shade for most of the day, and polite passers-by. After starting, I knew I’d only get in one painting today, this one would take 5-6 hours to develop. But it was worth it.
Sage Arts Studio