Louisiana plein air

 Saturday was the Golden Hills Plein Air event in Louisiana, MO. What a difference a week makes...it was downright chilly after last weekend's steam bath in Amana...and we were 3 1/2 hours SOUTH of there in Missouri! Anyway, bent on trying subjects I haven't attempted there before (this was my third year) I went WAY uphill to the cemetery that overlooks the Mississippi both ways. The light was glare-y and spectacular looking south. Straight away some equally spectacular clouds moved in, so no dilly dallying was possible. Wish the photo wasn't so backlit. The reflected warm colors in the headstones don't read...but hey...that's what looking south in the AM gets you. Also the dramatic shadows from earlier disappeared.

 ALWAYS DRAW THOSE IN RIGHT AWAY....AND BLOCK IN YOUR DARK/LIGHT PATTERN RIGHT AFTERWARDS. OR AT LEAST PUT A DAB OF THE NEEDED COLOR IN ITS AREA AND FILL IT OUT LATER. Edges can be corrected and finessed at leisure but light and color go poof!
 There were 5-6 artists up there that morning. Jane Mudd caught the cloud play that played me. Her seemingly aerial view captured it nicely, along with Second Place. If you pinch or tap the photo you can see her other picture includes me...I think she nailed my urgency, trying to spot my colors between passing cloud shadows.

After that I went down (literally) town to attempt a street scene. Red umbrellas against green trees were too hard to pass up (again, the photo lacks the sun that was coming in and out).

I was worried it would be a bit bleak with empty chairs and tables but a very sweet lady sat down and kindly agreed to eat her lunch slowly. Turned out she was one of the event volunteers. It was a bit distracting there in the middle of the side walk as I was by the entrance of another eatery and thus conversation bait for all traffic. Apparently I managed SOME degree of focus because Jessica Kirby stopped by and said later the aroma of the establishment was quite alluring. I honestly don't remember smelling ANYTHING! Happily the picture got Honorable Mention and was purchased by the owner of bakery depicted, where it will now hang in perpetuity.
 First place went to Tatyana Roberts for the picture below.

 I met her in Mineral Point back in August. She mistook my two paintings for Billyo O'Donnel (who sadly wasn't there). I would have kissed her but we're both married! Seriously, Google Billyo's work.
A fun Saturday with some great painters! Next weekend I'm in Mequon, WI giving a pastel workshop. Weather cooperating we will be painting Lake Superior.