Preparing for group exhibition with Wet Paint Festival

Preparing for group exhibition with Wet Paint Festival

​A painting is not ‘completion’ but ‘growth’.
​
This is my reflection after attending this plein air painting festival.

I was not good at choosing a location. Because it was my first time attending, I wasn't sure which place was best. The best location for outdoor painting is a beautiful yet simple location. But I boldly chose the most difficult part. No, I had no choice but to do so. My place could not be near the activities or registration booths provided by the gallery. I had to draw with a child. I didn't want to disturb anyone if possible. I had a lot of preparations. I packed a picnic table that seats 4. This is because I wanted to allow the child and the student taking care of the child to draw and rest at a desk with a parasol without being bored or uncomfortable. My child also had to relax and draw comfortably next to her mother. Thankfully there were many different activities for the child to attend.
I was able to find a location that best suited my limited circumstances. It was right in front of Taylor Homestead. There was a big tree next to it, so the kids could rest under the shade when they got tired, and it wasn't crowded. However, it was not far from the activity booth provided by the gallery.

​But looking at my completed painting now, I could see how reckless and brave I was. At the time I thought I had no choice, but I soon discovered that I should have painted a large tree right next to it. I had to set up the easel and draw for a long time. I had to draw the very front of the building. Because right behind was the roadway, so I couldn't step back to get a good composition. From my place the building looked very large. I couldn't even add trees and grass to make the building smaller. I gave up and decided to draw the details of the building. But as I drew the details, I fell in love with it. Time passed much more easily and I forgot how hard it was to concentrate. Because I had to draw right in front of the building, I drew while sitting right up. My shoulders and back hurt afterwards, but I think it was worth it.

​When will I be able to paint right in front of such a beautiful historic building? It occurred to me that today was the only time I was allowed to do this. So, grateful for the opportunity given to me, I decided to express every detail of this building as possible.

​And as I expressed the details, I realized that Taylor Homestead is not just a house. It was just like our lives. The entire process of a child being born, growing up, and ending his life was in this family. As I was drawing the stairs at the entrance, I thought I could see the owner's son walking up the stairs. I could imagine the family sitting on the porch drinking tea. When I opened the door, I felt like I could hear children laughing. The owner expanded the house as the number of children increased. We installed a porch in the backyard and created a garden. While creating details with the tip of my brush, I was able to encounter the history of the families who lived here. I also love my home very much. Because this house is growing with me. This is the house that welcomed me when I first came from the United States. My daughter was born here and many friends and family visited. Then I got neighbors and pets, and I finally realized that I had become a true member of society. The owner of this house must also have become a member of this area by living faithfully every day. Our every day becomes history and eventually becomes art. Therefore, we should never neglect the weight and value that life itself gives.

​Because of the awkward location selection, I was unable to focus on the artistic meaning and beauty of my painting as I pursued details. Because the paper was placed on a standing easel and watercolor paint was used, the bleeding technique was not free. The harsh rays of the sun interfered with the wet-on-wet technique. So I almost gave up on artistic techniques and focused on the details. But in the end, these numerous details allowed me to discover the meaning of the picture I drew.

​The fact is that a painting is also about growth, not completion. I grow every time I draw. The past pictures lack something. I guess the more I draw, the better I get at drawing. That's why paintings from the past always leave something lacking. Our life is like that too. When I look back, I am always full of regrets about not being good enough. But that's life. It is lacking, so there is room for growth, which means that it is art in itself.

​Life becomes complete when we acknowledge this shortcoming. The same goes for my paintings. Trying to be perfect ruins the picture. Sometimes you have to leave something lacking. Because just as the Taylor Homestead building I painted grew, my paintings will also continue to grow. And the last picture is that the past life was not a regret, but a part of growth.

​Through this festival, I was able to meet beautiful, clear-eyed people who love art. There is something memorable about my conversations with them. One lady took a picture of me drawing and sent it to me. Someone told me that they became interested in watercolor painting. Someone told me that my drawings were the most detailed. One of the artists I was drawing with advised me to continue drawing in the future because my paintings have style and are unique. Little children come to me with sparkling eyes and it seems real! He said. In fact, it is not photorealism. A woman passed by while walking her dog and she told me a story about her family. I thought that my conversation with her suited the subject of my painting. Someone said they would go to the Revoli Center to see paintings. I love outdoor shows and outdoor festivals. Because you can have conversations with people who love art. This is something I love more than gallery receptions. I plan to frequently post reviews of events like this in the future.