San Juan16 x 20 PLEIN AIR PAINTING |
In 1997 on my way to Catalina Island, I stopped by the
Mission of San Juan Capistrano, to attempt to "save" some pieces I began the year before. This one was painted literally OVER a scene from the OTHER SIDE of this same wall! Not to get totally confused, I turned it upside down, so I could keep my concentration on the one at hand.
The interesting thing about painting over an older painting (which I do occasionally, if the surface is smooth enough) is that there will be colors that can be incorporated into the new piece, that I would NEVER have thought of using. And thus, there really was "no mistake" just a different way of laying a piece in!
AND the other strange thing is: when one returns to a place once painted, how different it appears! I often wonder if that is because of my "interpretation" of the subject, which in my minds eye, becomes more "real" than the actual subject painted! I revisited San Juan Capistrano Mission this year (2002), and I believe my painting is far more beautiful, than what I saw! HOWEVER, the total gardens of this "Jewel of the Missions" are absolutely magnificent! The day I was there, they had about 30 volunteers, spreading compost, to continue the gorgeous gardens that are so spectacular!
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Betty Jean Billups: bbillups@coldreams.com - (208) 263-1117
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Betty Billups+artist, B.J. Billups, Billups Art, Plein Air Painters of America