Recently, the Ellis County Art Association (a group I am a member of) ask me to demo the method and technique that I use while painting in oils. I am always a bit apprehensive when I agree to do a painting demo. The reason is two-fold. First is this: the cold reality begins to set in that I have so much to learn about painting. It’s been a long journey with many miles to go. It’s hard to ignore all the things I don’t know while sharing what I do know.
The second I am apprehensive about is this: I have attended several painting demos and the truth of the matter is that they can be boring… like watching grass grow boring. Because of that, I’m afraid someone will fall into sweet slumber during the demo and topple off their chair and hurt themselves. (smile) It could get ugly quick.
However, during this particular demo the latter did not happen, at least to my knowledge. But I did remain a bit anxious as I worked my way through the painting as it revealed the many areas in the process where I remain weak.
The subject I selected to paint was located in east Tennessee, outside a little place called Pikesville, which is not far from Dayton, Tennessee, of the Scopes Monkey Trial fame.
While driving through the beautiful county side of that area we came across a couple buildings; one was a barn, the other a small shed. Both were sporting the classic attire of that region, which was bright “barn red” paint. The visual impact of these red out buildings against the backdrop of the varying shades of emerald green demanded some kind of attention. I shot photos, drove back by and shot some more photos, with the intent to eventually capture the sense of place in an oil painting or two.
During this same trip, my son, my wife and sister-in-law visited the Fall Creek Falls park, also in the area. I had my plein air gear so we all carried a piece and all important snacks and such and climbed down the crazy side of the canyon style ravine, holding onto a cable. Once at the bottom, we were rewarded by the beautiful Fall Creek Falls. I sat up my easel and paint a couple hours before joining the other in the cold, clear mountain stream and the base of the falls.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
