Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI - WATERCOLOR/WATER MEDIA - My passion is teaching adult “beginners”. Weekly classes in my home; workshops; classes for Cincinnati Recreation Commission. My work is nationally recognized and published - see “Featured” on my sidebar. I’m a Signature Member of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana state Watercolor Societies, Cincinnati Art Club, past-President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. Contact info below under “Class Information”

Monday, October 31, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

While you enjoy looking at all of the paintings on the blogs noted below – I’ll be having fun accepting the dropped off paintings for the ViewPoint show at the Cincinnati Art Club!
Our shipped works have already arrived and now I get to see all of the works “up close and personal”. Show opens Friday evening and we are expecting a large crowd – join us if you are in the area – Friday, November 4 from 6-9, valet parking available and awards presented – 1021 Parkside Place (corner of Parkside and Martin Drive in Mt. Adams).

From the sublime to the ridiculous!

Chris Beck asked me to participate in a Halloween challenge, so how could I say no?
In defense of my terribly juvenile painting, I went with the idea that Halloween is for kids and on Halloween we all become kids. Put on a silly costume and you do instantly lose your inhibitions and become quite child like!
For years I would dress up like a witch and sit at the end of our driveway (which is more than a mile long, so we did not get trick-or-treaters at the house!) to pass out candy – dressed like a witch.
I’ve been out there in sweltering late season heat and frozen with snow on the ground! I’ve scared more than a few kids, chased some of the “non-believers” around their cars until they became believers, stopped traffic, had my photo taken, flirted with and dissed strange men and generally had a blast! The adults enjoyed it as much as or more than the kids! I even scared myself on a few occasions – you never know what could be lurking in the brush, and when it gets real quiet, no kids or cars around and it’s you all alone, there are certainly lots of sounds to be heard that can be attributed to any kind of strange beast (it is, after all, Halloween!).

Two incidents sadly put a stop to all of this fun. One year a girl on a 4-wheeler thought it would be fun to run me down and grab my hat. (Trust me, it was not). Then the next year a trailer loaded with thieving kids and their drunken parents (most of whom were related to the aforementioned girl) sealed the deal. I decided that it was not a good idea for a lone woman to be out alone after dark.

But it was fun while it lasted and I know I made an impression on many of our neighbors (including a very lasting impression on the drunks, unless they don’t remember it!)

So – enjoy my pitiful rendition of Halloween here, then go see some cool paintings at these other sites:
Challenge organizers:
Chris Beck: http://chrisbeckstudio.blogspot.com/
Pablo Villicana Lara: http://www.mylittlepaintbox.blogspot.com/

Participating artists:
Janet Belich: http://janetbelich.blogspot.com/
Debbie Cannatella: http://www.dcannatella.blogspot.com/
R. Garriott: http://www.rgarriott.blogspot.com/
Jeanette Jobson: http://illustratedlife.blogspot.com/
Ron Morrison: http://watercolourproductions.blogspot.com/
Diahn Ott: http://artbydiahn.blogspot.com/
Suzy Pal Powell: http://www.suzypal.blogspot.com/
Terry Rafferty: http://terryrafferty.blogspot.com/
Kay Smith: http://kaysmithbrushworks.blogspot.com/
Brenda York: http://brendayork.blogspot.com/

13 comments:

Chris Beck said...

Thanks for a great story and a charming painting! Glad you could join us for the fun!! Hope the ViewPoint show goes well!!

Unknown said...

This is great - especially the jack-o-lantern moon!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Wow, the true terror of Halloween Deb!

Your painting brings out the lighter side and is lovely.

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Your painting is so much fun! I love the whimsy of it. It's been really fun looking at everyone's Halloween paintings. There is something so fun about Halloween and this was a great challenge. Sorry that your witching hours are over, there are always a few bad apples out there:(

Janet Belich said...

Deb, I hope you put a hex on the fore mentioned party poopers. I always like to keep my "broom" in sight this time of year just to make people ...wonder...I never use it any other time BTW.
Great work ! What fun !

Kay Smith said...

Deb, your scary painting is not pitiful, but wonderful! Fun story about you dressed up as a witch, too. Your blog is so nice!

RH Carpenter said...

Fun painting, Deb, and great story - sorry a few bad apples had to ruin what sounded like a good time for many!! See you at Viewpoint :)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

I love your whacky childlike halloween painting and the witch trick or treat idea at the end of your drive. Sorry it got spoiled.

Suzy Pal Powell said...

Deb..i love your story. so sorry it had to stop. i love to see the kids too..i love your painting. good job!!

r garriott said...

Gosh, I don't think it's juvenile at all! Looks like a classic illustration from a kid's book (does that count as juvenile? Well, only in the best way). Nicely done.

Terry said...

A great story, even though you had to quit because of a few idiots. Super fun painting, it takes awhile to register all the fab details, like the 'cloud' ghosts, and the cat face at the base of the tree. Far from juvenile, its a perfect fit for a kids-of-all-ages holiday!

Pablo Villicaña Lara said...

Perfect for Halloween! Thanks for being a part of the fun,

Shelley Whiting said...

I love the picture. It's very surreal and playful. Beautiful and fun picture.