Looks Can Be Deceiving!

Looks can be deceiving! - What a fine title for an art-blog entry full of possibilities! Sadly - I will not be going into an arty discussion on the fascinating ways colors “look” next to one another, or how values can be “deceiving” depending on their surroundings. “Looks can be deceiving” simply means that I looked outside on Saturday morning and was deceived by how warm it appeared. It was not – warm. As my Dad and I headed out for a little “plein air” painting session, we were pleasantly surprised by what appeared to be mild fall weather. Setting up to paint, I was struck by how cold it seemed even though it was blue skies and sunshine. Trying to ignore the urge to shiver and figuring that I would get used to the cold, I began painting. Ten minutes later and I was shaking like a victim of the old "drop the hairdryer into the bathtub" prank. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I had been painting before, in far nastier conditions, freezing rain, wind, snow - I once wandered 3.2 miles (according to my gps) in mostly waist deep snow looking for that “perfect scene” to paint (see -“painter zombie” from previous blog entry) even then, the cold didn't slow me down – exhaustion- yes, but cold no problem. Here I am - barely an hour into my painting, shaking so badly that I'm seriously considering pack up for the day – plus I was beginning to feel a little guilty by the looks of pity from passers-by as they tossed their spare change into my pochade box. I hated to be the first one to quit, but after receiving a bagel along with an “at least you can't drink this” from one of our local seniors, I felt the extra money collected was probably not worth me having to explain to my wife why every time we go out in public she is told to “be strong” as I am looked at with grimacing disappointment. I had barely put anything on my canvas, so I quickly wiped it clean, packed up my paints, and headed about ten yards over to see how my Dad was doing. Approaching his easel, I was surprised to see a nice little painting taking shape of a fall colored tree and an old wooden fence. As I watched Dad continue to paint, the words “lightweight” and “wimp” were beginning to enter my thoughts and attack my fragile self-esteem. Fortunately, my pride quickly pointed out how the light morning breeze was a good ¼ knot slower over here - hmm...leave it to my Dad to take the good spot. “Almost ready?” Dad's teeth chattered in code. Having not used Morse-Code since receiving a pair of walkie-talkies for my 9th birthday, I was pleasantly surprised that I still remembered it. “Whenever!” I chattered back, pretending to humor his coded banter while doing my best to not chip a tooth. We soon packed up and set about shivering all the way home. Luckily we had been painting right down the street from the house and were inside for hot coffee and eats within minutes. “Wow! That was a cold one!” Dad said aloud, signaling he was no longer playing the "code game". “Blue sky and sunshine...Looks can sure be deceiving!” he said while sipping a hot cup of brew. “They sure can!” I answered, through a mouth full of bagel, “....they sure can.” **

**Please accept the above accounting as sufficient explanation to why I have come up empty handed today. Regarding future entries to my art blog, I promise to do my best to provide more art and less excuses – and to beat my Dad to the good painting spots before he gets to them!

Happy painting!