1/11/11

"Go Big Train"

"Go Big Train" 9" x 12"

You meet many people when you are painting outside. Most people are great and very encouraging, but a select few can be very strange and even puzzling. I discovered a few of the "strange" ones the day I painted this train.
A couple walked past me not noticing or commenting on my progress. After reaching their car about twenty feet behind me, the woman carrying a half full plastic cup of water, asks me if I want her water. I turned and told her "No thanks, I have my own". She walked toward me anyway holding the glass straight out and looked me straight in the eyes and asked, "What should I do with it?". I paused and said "You could pour it out on the street" and she did. Then looking at me holding the cup straight out asks, "What should I do with this?"  I looked around seeing a couple different trash cans well within walking distance, paused and told her "I can take it from you". She seemed satisfied with my answer and turned and walked off.
What was that?

A very large truck was sitting and just idling behind me. After a while the truck pulls right up beside me and stops. A man behind the wheel and his two kids sitting beside him start waving and telling me how great I was doing. I thanked them and smiled. After watching me paint for a few minutes the large truck pulled forward towards the train and stopped, almost completely blocking my subject. They 100% knew what I had been painting. Surely they would move? No reason to stop right there? During this time a man walked up and asked me what I was doing. I guess it looked kind of weird for me to be standing in a parking lot painting an unseen train while looking at the side of a diesel truck. Around fifteen minutes later the truck pulled away while the kids waved at me.

Not every outing is that weird, but it is almost always a challenge. At least I like the painting.

9 comments:

  1. Interesting stories--the cup-lady takes the cake, though. Very odd! The shadows the tree casts on the train are very successful.

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  2. Hey Julie thanks for the comments. That was an interesting day. I painted a scraper before the train, so I was happy to get something other than weird stories. :?)
    On the train, I put all the shadows down first, managed to get the color right and tried real hard not mess with them again.

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  3. that's bizarre, but totally believable! just makes you shake your head! nice work Randy.

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  4. Randy, thanks for the blog visit and encouraging me to continue with plein air. You are so right when you say it's a challenge! The cold temps are the biggest challenge for me right now.
    Your colors and light control are an inspiration to see, thanks for sharing your beautiful work.

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  5. Ann, I understand about the weather challenges slowing you down. This time of year it's tough to get outside. It gets dark fast too!

    I appreciate the comments and encouragement! :?)

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  6. This is great Randy, your hard work is really paying off! Great stuff! And thanks for the comments on my blog and NO WAY would we go without you. Looking forward to painting with you on the 29th.

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  7. Yep - we people are odd creatures...

    Love the painting!

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  8. I love it. Thanks for posting your thoughts. To me it is much more exciting to listen and look.

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  9. Great painting - hilarious stories!!! It's always something!!!!

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