It was perfect day to start off this series of 20 paintings. Sunshine, no wind no bugs, and my new pochade box worked great. I arrived at 7:10 AM, storeowners were just pulling in, and the light illuminated the buildings. I wanted minimal distractions for my first day, so I made sure to start early.
When I began to look, I wanted to paint so much. It was hard to choose just one place. I started off with maybe what is familiar to me. I had once before painted what was Village Music and also painted the view down Bank Street years ago, facing the other way from Main Street. I was attracted to the shapes the shadows made across Bank Street and the charm of McEwen Street on the other side Main St.
I left little bits of the tone of the panel peeking through the paint. I like this feeling of light it gives the piece. I like paintings filled with light. I found myself thinking about a painting by Matisse’s of a city plaza. I struggled with the left side of the painting, it felt flat and static, I resolved by visually creating movement with drawing.
I keep asking myself, how do I measure success? After the two hours, I felt success, but time will tell. I think it was successful because the conditions were ideal, I finished with time to write, and at time I told my son I would be home.
