Painting a Charming Texas Hill Country Town at the Peak of Bluebonnet Season
I had a wonderful time participating in Paint the Town this year. This was my first plein air event ever. I'm not ready to enlist in the plein air army yet, but this could be fun once in a while.
First day's work. I love all the roses downtown. I'm a little jealous they don't grow like this in Florida.
A hazy sunrise with bluebonnets first thing on day two. I was packing up my gear to leave the ranch at Sandy and it was so scenic that I ran and threw together my easel in the nearest patch of flowers and quickly dashed this out. I had to do a lot of it from memory because the sun moves so quickly at the beginning of it's rising.
Painting two on day two. There are really cool cliffs facing part of Lake Marble Falls. I got there early and secured a patch of shade to paint in. Rocks are completely foreign to a flatlander like me so it was an interesting exercise.
Working on my award winning painting in Downtown Marble Falls.
Thanks to Maria Pronske for sending me these great photos.
With award winners Robert Wilkins and Patrick Saunders. Patrick and his wife live in an airstream and travel the country following the Plein Air painting circuit. You can follow them on Instagram @pleinairstreaming. Photo credit: Debbie Slangal
Painting a still life with the lovely Annie Nelson Sweat of Austin while the newspaperman gets shots. Photo credit: Debbie Slangal
Day three was a bit dreary and I'd already completed my entry for the competition so we passed the time with a little still life demonstration.
With my ballerina during the face-off alla prima portrait painting event. Photo credit: Debbie Slangal
No this isn't some secret trick that helps me paint better. Things get a little blurry past 3 feet and I couldn't find my other prescription glasses. Photo credit: Debbie Slangal
Boss lady and wonderful hostess Janey Rives standing in for me since I had to return to Florida. Thanks to judge John Potoschnik for awarding this work 1st place! Photo credit: Debbie Slangal