'Red Chairs.' Painting by Bob Kirchman
Painting en Plein Air in Staunton
A Day of Creative Celebration
It was a day that dawned slightly overcast as I headed to town to 'stake out' our painting location. I knew it would be a hot one and I was going to be joined by my student, high school senior Savhanna Herndon and Lilly, a seven-year old who was one of Grace Christian School's best young artists. My concern was that the students have a great experience. The Ox Eye Vineyards tasting room seemed ideal, offering plenty of shade and interesting architecture. We set to work and shared color on our palates as we each tackled our respective painting. I must confess I dispensed with the easel and carried my canvass around as I interacted with the students. I painted what I would consider a good 'demonstration' canvas.
Savhanna chose a rich flower bed on the side of the Ox Eye building and she really started flowing with the project. She'd bought a bunch of new tubes of paint, heavy on what we call the 'Laney Colors,' so named for my last wonderful studio assistant who had pushed us 'brighter' in the renderings. (I was trained in a period which was far more muted and pastel). Savhanna was joying in the profusion of flowers that allowed her to play with happy color. We had arrived early in the morning so the archway area was open. I flitted between Lilly and Savhanna as I observed, and answered questions, but I kept at my own view so as to avoid 'hovering.' It was a good day.
Still, I felt like there wasn't much to my little painting until the staff of Ox Eye set out those wonderful little red tables and chairs! At that point I 'borrowed' some of Savhanna's bright colors and washed the atmospheric perspective. Getting better!, then I quickly rendered the tables and chairs with red, straight out of the tube from Savhanna's palate. Now I was getting somewhere! Suddenly focus and composition intersected in a joyous harmony. I was not expecting it! It was a beautiful day!
'Flowers at Ox Eye.' Painting by Savhanna Herndon.
Lilly's Painting of Sunspots across the street.
Savhanna Herndon, after a good morning's work!
Yes, I painted this standing up. Photo by Susan Kiers
'Over the Bridge'
'Bridge Day' in Staunton, Virginia
'Bridge Day' was happening as we painted, a celebration of the restoration of the Sears Hill Pedestrian Bridge across the Buckingham Branch Railroad in downtown Staunton. Photos by Bob Kirchman
Off to La La Land
Musical with a Message for Our Time
Director Damien Chazelle unleashes an old-school, tour de force musical, proving that original, Oscar-worthy moviemaking—without R-rated gratuity—is actually still possible in Tinseltown." -- Plugged In
My lovely wife and I finished off the day watching the musical La La Land. It quickly ended up on our: "we need to own this DVD" list. Start with the fact that we both enjoy the old great musicals from Rodgers and Hammerstien and this modern day take off on that style is enjoyable in its own right. But where the old musicals often were fairly light on the story and heavy on the lavish numbers, La La Land had a great story to tell as well. The story is that of Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone). He is a struggling keyboard artist and she is an aspiring actor. They meet in an awkward manner and their most decidedly unromantic beginnings are the beginnings of a sweet tale of love, creative aspiration, and collaboration.
It was fascinating to see how movie critics found things about the film to lambaste, such as Sebastian's love of traditional Jazz and his conflicts as he takes up playing in a Fusion band in order to move forward. While real music buffs might find it wanting in substance, the 'short explaination' offered by Sebastian is good enough for most of us. That and Mia's endless frustration in casting calls was actually quite a good build up to a tale about the tensions in a creative life. The fact is, for two creative people who've done Marriage Encounter, the film sparked some wonderful communication. I learned something.
We creatives often get so caught up in that which drives us that we become real jerks... especially with those we love the most. That is painful truth number one in this film as Sebastian, newly fired for not playing the required sets at his restaurant gig, leaves in a huff, smashing into Mia, who will eventually go on to become his greatest encourager. The themes of creative drive, love and encouragement, and sacrifice for another person make this a worthy movie indeed. Sebastian's narcissism created some good 'ouch' moments for me. Real sacrifice, it turns out, is not in the heroic selfless decision so much as in the daily 'dying to self' that makes life with another person rich. Indeed, there is a 'replay' moment near the end of the film that makes this clear.
Life itself is awkward. The film makes that clear, and I think anyone who's really loved and lived, and been the recipient of loving encouragement, will certainly find themselves in this story.
