Day 61: Quick Impressions
Yet another Sunday, which means painting competition!That’s right, I spent all day yesterday in another small town painting its streets.This time I chose a spot and decided to do my daily painting first since I’m always too tired at the end of the day to do it. I really wanted to paint my big painting here for the competition but there were too many cars parked and I couldn’t get a wider view.
Morning at the Old Mill, Ardea6×8″Oil on Panel© Kelly Medford
This town called Ardea is a strange place with a long and fascinating history. I never would have known that this was the old mill unless someone passing by hadn’t told me.A well known sculptor Giacomo Manzù started the annual painting competition here in the 70s. It died for several decades and was brought back to life by the town mayor 6 years ago.The town was Etruscan and then Roman. It has several ancient parts mixed in with newer homes. I debated a lot about what to paint. In the end I chose this street which dead ends looking towards the countryside. It seemed like the right light and a good representation of the new part of town. A charcteristic view of a place unknown to me.
Via Coriolano, Ardea23×19″Oil on Linen© Kelly Medford, 2012Covering such a big canvas in one day can be a challenge. Throughout the day I went through different mental states along with the changes of the painting. Frustrated, making progress, uncertainty and resolution to stick it out and make a finished painting that I was proud to show.When painting on the clock it’s amazing how much I can accomplish in a day. It’s encouraging!Thanks for following the 120 Day Project and for your interest in my work!