day 2 of street drawing festival

(me n Jess)

Today was so much fun because it was all detail work. We didn't want it to end! But with all the great help we finished by 3 o'clock. Lots of spectators thought it was a Georgia O'Keefe (copy!), but no, it's all original. She IS a favorite of mine but I am not consciously copying her style........too funny, people thought that last year, too. Will post final good quality photo soon, then retreat back into non-productive shell!

and then there's Tom Meaney...

How could I leave out mention of Tom? It's all his fault I'm doing this chalk thing in the first place. Every year he does a beautiful rendering of his kids. (I told him today it's cheating to make them look better than in real life.) He's the master. That's why he's behind the velvet ropes. VIP. There when we arrive, still at it when we leave.....I think he sleeps there Memorial Weekend. The guy needs to get a life. He even let's me come over and mooch the binder to make the special home-made chalk that stays on the pavement for a year sometimes. Thanks Tom! And thanks Shelley, too, for the 'special' cookies.

Street drawing day 1

Every year in Santa Barbara we have the I Madonnari Italian Street Drawing Festival. This is our second year to crouch on the pavement for 2-3 days to create art that will become a parking lot again come Tuesday morning! Sure, you get your nice photo of the finished product, but I love how process-oriented this event is. There are probably around a hundred artists working at once, making for a nice collective creative atmosphere. So this is what Jesse and I have to show for the first day's work. Oh-my-aching-back at it tomorrow bright and early! Thank you to Alida and Gus for giving us a lot of help at the end of the day!

painting with Paige

exploring watercolors by Paige

copying a 5 year old by Jill

My friend Paige and I had a chance to paint together the other day. Her bold color choices left me truly inspired! If you're ever lacking creative energy, I recommend hijacking a child's....