“Our” artist arrived on Saturday. From Oxford, Mississippi, Debbie is staying with us all week while she competes in the Shadows Plein Air Painting Competition. We were at ease immediately.
Debbie Myers was the only one of her art group of four to be accepted into the Shadows Plein Air Painting Competition. But she would be the last to tell you that it’s because she was the best. Debbie is a humble artist, even though she has been practicing all her life.
I feel such a sense of joy and wonder seeing the paintings she does each day.
This competition reminds me of the Slice of Life Challenge. It’s a daily challenge to get something down on paper each day. And sometimes you don’t know when you start what you will end up with. I am thankful the the SOLC is not a competition, though.
Competitions have their place, but I have watched Debbie’s stress level rise as the week goes on. Today she has to complete and frame all her paintings for the judging.
To me, her paintings are winners. I’m confident, too, that she has grown as an artist. She’s certainly become a new friend.
What a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing.
I think my first comment disappeared. 😦 I’ll try again. Debbie’s paintings are beautiful! I especially love that tree. How wonderful it must be to have an artist in residence so you can witness her process. Good luck to her!
Beautiful paintings! I love that tree. I don’t thrive under competitive challenges, but I do love the daily practice. And how fun to have an artist stay with you and become a friend.
What amazing work! I love the tree too. Like Amanda, I thrive with daily practice but dislike competition and usually bow out of those because it’s not my thing. I know there is real growth with daily practice.
Margaret — I’m completely enamored with the artwork you’ve been sharing and the story that goes along with it. How exciting to experience this work being done in person! — Christie
That’s an interesting competition, I hadn’t really thought of artists needing to be both prolific and create beautiful pieces. I love those paintings…and the way your framed the photos so we could see the subject. I’d love to have an artist hanging out! (My son is an artist, but I never get to see him work…just the outcomes of his work.)