Dear Blog,
I don’t know why but i tend to pick the hottest days to go out and paint. Also, i tend to pick spots with the sun beating down on me at the hottest time of the day. This was the case a few weeks ago when I traveled to Canonsburg Lake in Canonsburg, Pa.
Truth be told, my daughter had a birthday party to go to and, being a little sketchy on hanging out with people (Love that Corona Virus), I figured I would find somewhere to paint. Luck would have it that right through the trees across from the party was Canonsburgh Lake. Luck would also have it that the party was from 11:00 - 2:00 and it was 90+ degrees.
I actually did two paintings at this location, which is kind of rare for me. I’m usually in and out but since I had to wait…
The first painting was of a house right at the top of the hill or across from the upper parking area. No lies I did check the whole place out before settling on this location. As you can see by the picture below. I am not in tree line and there is no relief from the sun. (I actually brought something but more on that later)
I don’t hide in the tree line and it’s about 1:00pm
I chose this location for the two reddish trees. I liked how they stood out agains all the green. The house was also kinda cool and I came up with this.
House at Canonsburg Lake
See the red trees? See the clouds also? At least the people who may or may not be at the park in my painting world have some relief from the sun. Also what you can’t tell is the temperature in painting world is 64 degrees (that’s Fahrenheit people).
After I finished this one I put the painting in my car (that little speck of a Prius in the top pic) and moved the whole rig closer to the dam. The next site I chose even though the painting is of a nice shady spot was actually a lot hotter as I was perched by concrete on dirt. I think I was also getting fried from light bouncing from the water.
Trees at Canonsburg Lake
I painted these trees, and rocks, and that brown green crap, thats the lake.. it doesn’t look like a lake, I know. It looks like a dirt path. but, look at those rocks!! And some of the brush strokes for the branches! Okay, there’s a reason I usually don’t do more than one painting. I was cooked but still had 45 minutes after I finished the house and had another piece of paper so I figured why not.
When my alarm went off telling me to get my out of shape ass up the hill and go get my kid the painting was in the state above. Being super hot the tape was peeling back and the paper was drying faster then I’d ever seen. I actually had to refill my spray bottle which never happens.
Okay, so before I go I gotta tell you I may pick my spots in the blazing sun but, I do protect myself. I did have sunscreen on, water to drink as well as paint with (this time I didn’t confuse the two) and I had a hat, x-ray specs, and face covering.
thats me under there.
So that was my excursion to Canonsburg Lake. If anyone knows how to stop my Shemagh from bleeding dye on everything, that would be amazing.