The 2011 Winter Park Paint Out
 July 2011

Calm once again has settled over the lush, colorful grounds of the Albin Polasek Museum &  Sculpture Gardens. Just a short while ago the museum and  grounds were abuzz with activity as 26 plein-air artists set up easels throughout the city, intent on capturing the charm and beauty of Winter Park during the third annual Winter Park Paint Out. A “record” number of people turned out, free demonstrations were “packed,” and about 450 people showed up for the Garden Party, says Polasek Executive Director Debbie Komanski. The artists produced nearly 200 paintings, and about half of those sold, Komanski says, “which is considered very good.”

“Night paintings” sold well, Komanski says, as well as florals and sunsets. Larger paintings and warm colors sent a “very optimistic signal.” That the world is becoming a better place, Komanski was asked. “Or at least they’re trying to make it one,” Komanski responded, smiling.

Mark your calendars now for next year’s event: April 21-28.

“It’s so fun and the atmosphere is so positive,” Komanski says. “Happily we get hundreds of people who have never made that turn off Osceola make it and discover what a treasure we really are.”

super windy alley

Notes from today:

A c-c-c-cold beer is SO SATISFYING! Especially after a windy, chilly day painting! yAY! It’s a perfect excuse to hang out and talk trash, and do important things like play “guess the temperature,” mispronounce words and google 700 things we have bets on. Yesterday, we talked about a whole array of smart and funny stuff, but then went into a full on gross out contest. Let’s just say, Don won. OMG!!! ewwwwwwww and ick. Here is a clue, there were smells involved…in the story I mean, but it was hysterical. I hope the tables near by were not tuning in. I thought I was going to hurl. Fred came in second, with a few highly disgusting frat boy incidents….really??? on a paper plate? who doest that??? gross. Then we got to the serious paint talk, which is always really good. We can get down and dirty on so many topics to do with art and picture making and color and temperature and so much more.  I love this part. It is everything I am interested in and it is friendship. I think we truly are each others biggest fans. I know I have grown and learn so much from you guys. Larry, Don Don, Mealticket. you are the best and most generous geniuses ever. Thanks pals.
The Cody’s rule!
With wuvs,
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxox

the purple house

across the street

I love paint! haaaa! its just fun and hard and drives me crazy, but i love paint. xoxo

its going to be an amazing year! I have this deep desire to keep painting every day. I was telling my friend Hal the other day, that, though this sounds really hokey, I think I am having a romance with painting. I love it that much. The color and the light and the challege. it’s that slice of heaven where time stops and you are in your own zone of communication with the world around you. I adore it. And, that is that!

It’s a new year and the last 4 paintings I have done this week are starting to find a new direction that is really making sense to me. I have learned so much from so many great friends and uber talented painters, but it’s starting to come through in a new way, where I can juggle more balls and it’s coming faster and free-er. (? is that a word) I am moving into something really exciting, at least to me!

And the other best part is having fun with people you love and enjoy during the process. I love it. I just do!! I will post a few pics of the new batch of paintings. There are people who do a painting a day blog and stuff. I have been making a painting a day for a while, but don’t show them to anyone except those I paint with.  Maybe I will share, cause we can learn from each other.

or not!!! hahahaaaa!

Happy New YEAR!!

xoxo

First, we now we have a name for our painting group. We are officially “The Codys”

The Codys are based off of one of the guys on a “man vs wild” type show that Don watches. Cody is the nature lover who, to stay as close to the earth as possible, never wears shoes. Even in the snow. We relate to him. He is our guy. He also has long blond braids and is a bit of a scaredy cat. I think he might be a bad speller too. We relate to that as well. He wears a bandana. We however, do not.

Sample morning check list:

CHECK LIST:
Lynn do you have your paints? check!
do you have your giant palette? check!
do you have your paper towels? Check!
Lynn do you have your PRimal Spirit?? (insert hand motion where you wave your right hand from above your head to your thigh) CHECK!
do you have your hat? Check!
ok, we are ready……

next stop, Palmano’s for coffee. We are fast, it’s quick and it’s good
Alternate stop: The French Bakery. Cost: 2000 calories just walking in the door and breathing in the butter. NOMMmmmm, totally worth it

Then we PAINT!!!
There are rules here too. we go fast! Really fast because, Don has a date with sunlight. I’m just sayin.

OTher rules include, no one can carry anything for anyone else. We all have go man up here, especially me. I am in training. They would have me sprint up to the top of Mt. Kill a man jaro, fully packed. The only rule is NEVER show any sign of weakness. EVER! Then you would have to buy coffee.

more to come!
xoxo