The turtle and the hare

I've known about the story of the turtle and the hare since my early youth. But it still has not sunk in yet.

I was able to travel with Bill to Zionsville last Saturday for a paint out. The artists were able to visit any of the homes on the garden show that happened to be going on at the same time. The nice lady at the 'check in' table gave us maps and told us of a home she had heard had nice gardens. (At check in the artists get their canvas' stamped to show that they actually painted the pieces that day)

We hustled up to the home and Bill decided on some plants to paint. I tried to help by bringing out supplies and setting up. As soon as everything was out I waited for him to get going. He just sat there looking. Didn't he know that he only had so many hours? Did he not want to complete more than one? Didn't he want to try other gardens? I expressed one or more of my thoughts and tried to get him hopping along at a faster clip. He explained that he was working out a composition in his head, it took time, could I please leave him alone... So I did. And he ended up painting two very nice pieces at two different gardens.

and

which also happened to be the winning piece! What a man!

flower power

This is a fantastic time of flowers and blossoming trees in Muncie Indiana! The only problem is that they seem to leave quicker than Bill can take pictures. His pictures of flora are his main staple of inspiration to paint from. It would be nice to have a Bill clone - one to be on top of the almost daily changing scenery and the other to stay in the studio and work. But wait....if we're going to clone him, maybe I could get one too and get some house repairs done!

Painting the fencing way

I just celebrated my big 4-0! It made me grow a bit reminiscent about days gone past. My thoughts drifted back to when Bill and I were at Ricks college in Rexburg Idaho (now called BYU Idaho). We were still in the 'courting' phase of our relationship. Bill was focusing on watercolors and I thought his work was magical! He painted many of his oil landscapes on site and had interesting ways of tying down his easel and blocking too much sun light, I'll have to find a picture and post it some day.
His painting technique was what was real fun to watch. He battled the canvas like a dragon slayer might battle a dragon, a slash here, a slice there. He would jab and perry and step back to inspect his work. His pieces were much looser than his current ones, he's developed an incredible style that all began with a fencers dance!
It's still fun to watch him paint, like watching a blurry picture come into focus, he astounds me still!