Finishing an Earlier Waxahachie Plein Air Painting

Waxahachie Silence

In America, or in any country, greatness in art will not be attained by the possession of canvases in palatial museums, by the purchase and bodily owning of art.  The greatness can only come by the art spirit entering into the very life of the people, not as a thing apart, but as the greatest essential of life to each one.”

Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

I am posting the completed Waxahachie plein air sketch that I began last Saturday aftenoon, but aborted because of fatigue (the misspelling of the “antiques” sign!).  Today I went back to work on it, before heading south of town and going to work on the trackside shanty.

I love the Henri quote above.  The joy I experience in Waxahachie this time a year comes from the sight of so many kindred spirits about town, set up with their easels, painting architecture, flowerbeds, landscaped lawns, city parks, street life, and many, many other subjects.  I have not seen the count of this year’s ensemble, but in years past, as many as fifty-five painters have converged on this scene to Paint Historic Waxahachie for a week.  I do love the sight.  I love watching others engage their artistic faculties, in visual arts, musical arts, literary, performing–whatever it is that moves them and moves their audience.  And I am proud and humbled to play a role in this arena.

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.

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Tags: Paint Historic Waxahachie, Robert Henri