First part of the Cedarburg, WI Plein Air event

Beginning last Thursday...painted six efforts, and drove four

hours home last night agreeing to work on a grant for our

school.  Now...back down tomorrow morning.  The event goes

until Sunday, two more days to paint, turn in on Thursday,

a Strawberry Festival of 125,000 people we are invited to

paint also for competition...a separate entree within the

overall event...

My first day...the wind was strong, and hot standing on

asphalt on a narrow old bridge.  Playing Russian roulette

with passing vehicles and agricultural trucks narrowly

wisking by.  My umbrella collapsed 2/3's into the effort

and thus my color and values gave me a sudden new 

look to judge...this one, 9"x 12" oil

Next, I spent the evening hours to paint at a park with a water fountain...and tried my hand with gouache, 5"x 12"...

I ran out of desirable light to finish and thought I might yet go back to bring this one to a proper finish, unless I think a stronger effort is warranted for the competition while I yet have time.

I don't know, I must have masochistic tendencies, deciding once again to stand on asphalt with near 90 temps to paint this farm scene...and by the near end of the painting, I do believe I was getting heat stroke.  A bad headache, nauseau...just sick feeling.  After...I went to an air conditioned Subway and spent about an hour sitting, resting and recouperating!

I found a small park after Subway with a pleasant bit of shade to end the day painting a water fountain...but did not IMO finish this one.  Thinking I may yet go back to finish, but we shall see if I don't come up with a stronger potential before this Thursday-

5"x 12" gouache

 
This one was done setting up with my gouache paint box on the side (and in the shade) of Cedar Creek in a park near the hub of downtown Cedarburg.  Again...not fully finishing and intending next late afternoon day to go back and finish...

5"x 12" gouache

...and going back next night to work on the gouache above, the light just wasn't suitable and I didn't feel like trying to force something to happen with it.  So, I elected to put my gouache box away, grab my oils...my water shoes...and waded out into the creek.  Something I'm accustomed to here in the northwoods...but what struck I think quite a few folks odd to see me do it.  But...why not?  A hot day...cool water???  Seems a no brainer to me...and a different view of the oft painted rapids...
This one...9"x 12" oils...and much thicker application of paint which I've been trying more to step into...

The last couple pics are of the quick paint competition held on Saturday...we had 2-1/2 hours from the time our paint support was stamped to paint, frame it...and get it back to the event headquarters.

I chose a scene on a busy street corner, really quite taken in by the light and shadows...this one, an 8"x 10" gouache...

This last pic, shows the crowd and artists a buzz...when that evening quick paint efforts were hung and silent auctioning begins.  

The quick paint event is judged end of this week along with the other events.  

It is possible...and I have made myself available to it, that I might be one of the judges of this event, which I would consider a distinct honor.  Not able to compete of course, but would much enjoy the opportunity.  We shall see...

Larry