Summer Adventures

On the First Friday in June 2, 2023 Stio welcomed me back after my first First Friday in November 2022, right as winter was beginning and guests contributed to the work: Winter Adventures. This First Friday was right in the middle of summer, so surprise, surprise…I decided to name this one Summer Adventures. HA! Andy Frame, the new marketing manager was an absolutely delight to work with, along with interacting with the rest of the Stio staff to get everything set up.

I like bringing out other examples so as part of the evening, I brought the completed Winter Adventures work brining it full circle from the winter. My friend Jess was one of the first to stop by to contribute some wonderful summer themed ideas. Shortly after friends Aaron and Jaclyn, who I regularly run with came to support the evening. I appreciate the community created by an outdoor oriented town. #grateful to Bend! I had a great time talking with all the other contributors after they added their words, thoughts of their summer adventure to the canvas. From the contribution of “ride through the fear” to “fresh grass on the toes” I thoroughly enjoy reading the community contributions to the canvas. I wrapped up the evening and over the next couple weeks, the Stio staff (that weren’t working that night) contributed their summer adventures.

In the words captured, do you see if any of your summer adventures were captured. If they weren’t added, what would you contribute?

After picking up the fully contributed canvas, I started and completed the painting on July 15th. I began with one of my favorite colors to paint with, Chrome Orange, and a LOT of it. It  covered a good portion of the canvas. I capture a time lapse as I paint so while I was writing this story I watched the time lapse which gave me an opportunity to to see the different shades and colors added. After the orange was added, a favorite Primary Blue at the top. As I rewatched the video, I watched myself experimenting with a paint stir stick to paint, instead of a paint brush. “Experiment” is something I share in my Paint With the Artist classes. Years ago I painted a whole painting “Routines” by ONLY using a paint stir stick. I used the stir stick along with a texture tool to reveal more of the contributions below. I added in white at the top to break up the painting. It is very relaxing to watch painting happen (and very enjoyable to create it.) I often write in the stories how I never know how the canvases are going to turn out and applying a yellow on the bottom left challenged the dynamic bringing a a greenish hue to the painting. Red became the next color and almost represented the LOOOOONNNNG sunny summer days we are all grateful to have in Bend with light lasting close to 10pm. After, I added in some other complementary colors, orange and a soft foam green to add in texture and break up the much larger color palettes.

When I wrap up a painting, there is always a question “is it done?” I state in my book “Look at What’s Inside” that there are 3 phrases 1. It’s done. 2. It’s not done and needs more and 3. It’s not done, oh wait…it is done. I like to let it dry and then decide. This one is “done” and ready for all of you to enjoy. Without further ado…until the next season…enjoy Summer Adventures.