SLO Painting diary, part one
I'm back from the SLO painting festival, my first big time painting competition, complete with a week of painting on location, three auctions and some moments of joy and frustration, but ending on a high note. The weather was great everyday, quite a contrast form my vacation in Cambria at the same time last year.
Day one was a check- in getting canvas's stamped to prove I painted them there and a welcoming party in a lovely house at the edge of Moro bay. Everyone was friendly and the party ended on an optimistic note of encouragement from the old pros they laughed when I asked if the Sunset Drive-in in SLO had ever been a painting subject and they strongly affirming no one had ever painted it. The day ended on a lovely visual note of an amazing sunset. We stayed at a nice vineyard on Santa Margarita.
For the next few days I painted two paintings every day starting with the trailer shot below. That afternoon I went to the local drive in I question, not liking the light at the front of the drive- in at 3:00, I went inside and tried this off- beat view, excuse the photo, I don’t have a scan yet. More in the next post.
Day one was a check- in getting canvas's stamped to prove I painted them there and a welcoming party in a lovely house at the edge of Moro bay. Everyone was friendly and the party ended on an optimistic note of encouragement from the old pros they laughed when I asked if the Sunset Drive-in in SLO had ever been a painting subject and they strongly affirming no one had ever painted it. The day ended on a lovely visual note of an amazing sunset. We stayed at a nice vineyard on Santa Margarita.
For the next few days I painted two paintings every day starting with the trailer shot below. That afternoon I went to the local drive in I question, not liking the light at the front of the drive- in at 3:00, I went inside and tried this off- beat view, excuse the photo, I don’t have a scan yet. More in the next post.
posted by william wray at 10:12 PM
20 Comments:
Wow William, what can I say but superb as always. The recent paintings you've been doing with trailers really takes me back in time. Nostalgia in a good way. Love them all!
I especially like the drive-in one. Very unique.
Wow..love your work! Reminds me a little of the backroads (or main roads) of Wyoming!!
The drive-in brings back memories...didn't realize any were still standing.
Wow, all amazing posts lately. Interesting you want to move more to abstraction because the abstract quality of the paintings I've seen on your blog over the last few months has been very compelling, as well as the other aspects. The drive-in was a great choice in light of that urge for abstraction looks brilliant. Just great William, looks like you are thorough enjoying yourself too.
Thanks for "reporting" on the SLO event. Look forward to hearing more about the week and seeing more paintings. Everytime I see a trailer now I think of your work.
Hey June,
I'm going to continue with the trailers for a bit and ad drive -0ins to the series list. the drive -in got some intresting recations, ore on that later.
thanks Mike, As you know Drive- In's were a big fad so there are still quite a lot of them... 18 in California, but the numbers are way down, the property is just to valuable as housing.
I am impressed with the Drive- In painting! What a great, in-your-face composition, and so modern...it's all there. It will be fun to read about your week of painting; I wondered how things were going for you.
I am living vicariously through you, but I need more information on how I did. Keep the story going. Thanks.
I love the way the drive-in screen takes up most of the painting. It reminds me of the work of Malevich.
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When I found that the driveway was open to the drive –in, I had a childish feeling of elation. Nobody in the place, but one flat grey dodge from the sixties, I drove right in, parked and set up. It was an off beat choice, but I had that “feeling” I get when I know I’m onto something.
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Thanks Leslie,
I'm so happy I made the choice to show it. Of all the paintings I did, it was the most modern and thus most successful to me. My pragmatic side almost made me not show it in favor of a more traditional one. Ironically my most traditional one did not sell. I really learned from the experience to be true to my self despite a set back in that department. I'll get into in my next post.
Like it, like it, like it. Three times, Bill.
Not sure how well that last one will go over. Bold choice. Expertly done but still... However, someone may just kill for it. I've got a few years until I can begin to comprehend what makes fine art.
Glad it all went well!
I almost made a comment in my other post about "good for you for being true to yourself..."
I'll be anxious to hear more about your experiences at this event, esp. being surrounded by more traditional painters. I think that would make things more difficult. ? We'll find out in tomorrow's episode. : )
Sounds like a great event! I love to check in and see your paintings. I will have to correct you a "grape farm" this is a vineyard. I grew up on one so I had to mention it. shanti
Steve your work is good, you can live for yourself now.;-). I suggest you start trying something a little different that what you have done repeatedly...
Something you like or have mused about, but never imagined would make a "sensible" painting. Now paint the thing. Your "Big Idea" is right inside you, just let it out. Great ideas are the ones you say no too at first.
I like Malevich, when I did comics back in the eighties I went though a phase where I was strongly influenced by that Russian De- constructivism.
Thanks for the description of the SLO painting week. It seems like a lot of pressure to produce, and then be 'judged' at the end.
Hey Joy,
I didn't feel judged, more like not judged at all. ;-) I'm a drama queen, read the third installment for the rest of the story.
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