A Surprise, Last-Minute Plein Air Sunday Invitation

Rear Patio of a home in Ridglea Hills, Fort Worth, Texas

Back Yard of the same home in Fort Worth, Texas

Though I retired to bed very early last night, worn out from the all-day plein air competition in Glen Rose, Texas, I suprised myself by awaking at 7:40 this morning and getting up.  After showering, dressing and enjoying a slow breakfast, I put on coffee, retired to my Man Cave and sat reading The Collected Writings of Robert Motherwell and enjoying his ideas.  Before I had a chance to reach for my journal and record my own musings, my phone rang and I was extended a surprise invitation.  A fellow artist who was scheduled to paint at the Hidden Garden Show hosted by the Fort Worth Historical Society was taken sick and could not appear.  I was asked to show in this artist’s stead.  I almost refused, because I was achy and felt weak from the day before, but I realized that another plein air opportunity was offered on some exclusive property.  So I accepted.

Forty-five minutes later, I was in the Ridglea Hills edition of west Fort Worth, where I painted from noon till 5:00 and sold another watercolor.  The day was hot, climbing to 90 degrees, but 25 mph winds and my standing under shade trees the entire day made the weather tolerable.  As with yesterday, I apologize for offering no profound thoughts, quotes, or poetic spin, but again I am tired to the bone and ready to hit the sack again, early tonight.  A full week of school awaits, and I have a three-day art festival to attend beginning Friday.

I like the second painting much better.  I had always wanted to paint someone’s “landscape” boulder, and enjoyed working on the colors and textures of this monolith.  I added the iron fence at the very end of the painting, hoping it would lend a little more dynamic to the composition.

Thanks for reading.

I paint in order to remember.

I journal because I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself that I am not alone.

Tags: Ridglea Hills