Hearts, Flowers, Smiley Faces

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of being the guest at the New Boston Farmers Market (New Hampshire) for the third year.

I'm provided with a tent and a table, and I facilitate community painting on the largest supports I can manage. This year I wrapped press boards -- leftover from a building project -- in primed canvas from Blick Art Supplies, so there were four sides for painting. It still was not the perfect set-up, but two of the sides got input from the most people and turned out quite cheerful with only a little tweaking by me after I took them home.

I stay out of the painting while it's happening. I only ask what color each person would like and then squeeze it into an empty tuna can. (I like Liquitex Basics Acrylics best.) I offer a selection of brush sizes. Then I let people paint as much and for as long as they want. Three, four, and five-year-olds would paint for hours if their parents let them. And they feel entitled to help themselves to more paint, which I encourage. I bring plenty.

I have every color including fluorescent ones. But I don't have black. And usually only one person ever asks for it. Black is a downer in a community art piece.

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This event often provokes interest in painting large at home. And I suggest painting on cardboard. Everyone has cardboard these days. One can either paint directly on the brown surface or it can be prepped with leftover house paint. I would use cardboard at this event except it's not great in the wind and also big pieces are awkward to store. These paintings, once I free them from their boards, can be rolled up. But for now I'll display them outside my studio in New Boston. Later they'll be donated to New Boston's Whipple Free Library auction.