Each chapter of this artist's journey has had its peaks and valleys...and quite possibly you have read about many of them in this blog. The valleys teach me many good lessons and it is much easier to focus on them than to wax poetic on my successes. But don't you appreciate someone who can receive a gift and express heartfelt appreciation? My daughter has always been awesome at that and I've learned from her example...so here goes:
This year the Board decided to bring in two esteemed judges from Nashville to award a Best in Show and two Honorable Mentions. I was delighted and grateful to receive one of them for this painting! I call it "Steeple Chasers" and it has a great little story. I was in a classic Southern town-square, climbing into my car, when I noticed, down the block, a manned scaffolding that stretched from the sidewalk to catwalk of a historic church steeple. On each riser was a single worker, ready and waiting for the next piece of material to be handed up. Every one of them was striking a different pose, all kinds of adorable in their own way. All I had was a cell phone camera, but was able to get a few shots before they noticed me and got all self conscious. I used some artistic license to bring the viewer eye-level with the midpoint of the scaffolding so to capture the hilarious poses of the working men (I didn't want you to think I climbed a tree to get the shot!) I am so happy to have this fun painting honored in such a lovely way! |