Last week was Paint the Town, Marble Falls, a long-running plein air competition near me that stretched all the days between March 31st to April 6th. It was my first time to participate fully in this particular event. My name tag said "New Artist." ☺️
Every morning I left my home on County Road 272 and turned north toward the stop sign at the Joppa Bridge. On a normal day, I turn right to travel to my teaching job in Georgetown. (I'm about to retire from teaching, and I knew I had earned the days off to apply to and attend this event for the whole week.) For five weekdays in a row, I turned left toward Marble Falls instead of right toward Georgetown.
It felt like an adventure to travel toward my "new" normal. Not gonna lie - painting plein air every day, all day, was a lot of work, and sometimes it felt like a job. Still, every canvas begun created hope in me that a new and painterly image might emerge. Plein air is a challenge for me, and I was anxious and excited to take a step into what I believe, in time, will be my next profession.
I didn't win anything, unless you count the respect (I hope, I think) of a few more artists and art lovers. Thanks to all the organizers who made the event enjoyable. I made a couple of new acquaintances that might end up being friends. And I made plans.
I watched the star painters and learned I have a long way to go to get to where I want to be as an artist. One of the younger professional painters has been painting plein air since she graduated from college about 9 years ago. If, in the next 9 years I paint as much as she has, I think I have a chance at making my living as an artist. One time I told her, "I'm old enough to be your mother, but in painting years, you're way ahead of me." LOL.
So now, I'm back in my classroom until the end of May. I am glad to be here with my students for a little while longer. I don't think anything blew up while I was gone. I didn't read work email the whole time I was out painting. God bless my substitute who kept things going while I painted. He's my hero.
I think I can make it.
Peace. Out.
Judi
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