Did I ever tell you about….
March 31, 2008
Did I ever tell you about the time I got egged while working on a plein air painting? A couple of years ago I noticed that a local landmark, the Snell Isle Bridge was dramatically lit around 2PM. The effect doesn’t last long so I decided to paint it on small scale (6″x8″) over two sessions. On day two I arrived on my spot shortly after 2:00, quickly set up and waited for the sun to provide the show. By 2:30 I was deeply engrossed in the painting with Lou Reed pulsing through my earbuds. The Snell Isle Bridge is in an upscale area of St. Petersburg. Passers by are usually curious but courteous. This time I thought noticed a carload of highschool boys repeatedly driving by and yelling. I wondered if they were taunting me but I had work to do and the sun was moving fast. So I ignored them. On about their fourth pass one of the knuckledraggers launched an egg at me. Of course, I didn’t see it coming as it narrowly missed my crotch catching my left thigh. I turned to see them hanging out of the car windows waving and yelling triumphantly. Dumbfounded I shook my head with dismay. I immediately check the painting for collateral damage. There was none. Paper towels handy, I wiped my pant leg and went back to work. What’s a little egg when your jeans already have spots of dried oil paint on them. I finished the painting thinking, “Every painting has a story but few like this”.
I’d say I got the last laugh because that little painting sold for a nice sum and I continue to do well with the giclee’ version of it. View the Snell Isle Bridge by clicking on my Plein Air Paintings page. Check the Available Works page for the giclee’ version.
Thanks for reading,
Robert J. Simone
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