I’ve been behind on my self-imposed quota of three postings per week due to a constipated calendar, however….now that school has started and shows are happening on a more regular basis, I hope to become more regular myself!
Just a quick posting here to prove that I do not have to make-up the source material for my paintings. I was as the local fair last night as a chaperone for band practice. While they marched the field, I went off with my camera in search of some interesting faces. Unfortunately people hate to have their picture taken so I usually resort to more stealth techniques. I found out that taking pictures of a chicken can cause it undue stress, especially if the chicken is also depressed. According to its owner, the fowl in question was suffering from both maladies. How one knows if a chicken is stressed and depressed is beyond me, but I was sternly instructed to leave the poultry to pout in private. I wonder if they make Prozac for poultry.
Off to the dairy barns where I encountered a cow wash. I guess bovines don’t mind being photographed while in the shower, but the owner kept ducking behind her charge. She was not too happy with me either. I took a few quick clicks and then passed on by as a hose was dangerously close to missing its intended target and hitting me.
Hoping that sheep and goats might be more cooperative proved a falsehood as well. Sheep people are very protective. Maybe these folks thought I was a spy for the competition even though I was not dressed like the others setting up plates of pumpkins, potatoes and peas for judging. I did manage to get a good shot of some goats wearing coats (to protect their coats I supposed) before a rather disgruntle goat guy shooed me away. With all due respect, I passed by the pig pens figuring the reception would not be any better.
A painting is definitely gelling in my brain about this experience at the fair. I just need to find a camera that shoots sideways so I can pretend to be aiming at architecture and not animal handlers. Life is so unfair.
