Room mate Marilyn Flower encouraged me to apply for the Plein Aire Paintout put on late July/early August 2017 by Frank Bette Center for the Arts (1601 Paru, Alameda, CA).  I applied online. Hearing that hundreds of artists from all over the world applied in past years for me was like falling down a manhole! Marilyn remained confident.  She had been a member and volunteer for a while and had seen the quality of the art at the center.

I was accepted. For the first time, I would be a Plein Aire Artist. It was thrilling!

But wait!  I hadn't been doing any art.  I was in ministerial school! Oh my!  I'd better practice. Just in case I didn't have enough to do, I forced myself out to sketch and paint in Alameda as often as possible, usually only twice a week.  It seemed completely inadequate but as I worked the old art magic came back.

 I live 15 to 20 minute drive from Frank Bette Gallery so it was easy for me to be a first time Worry Wort. As an artist, I work very slowly so I wondered if I'd be able to produce enough work to avoid disgrace. I drove around making list after list of properties I would paint. And then I'd do another painting.

Drawing and painting Victorian houses had been my delight and so I practiced on several of these.  My prayer partner wanted me to be sure I created some scenes of the marina.  Even though I had never sketched a boat, I dutifully went to practice.  Maybe I could do it. Maybe...





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