Top Ten PA Comments (re-published from 2008)
It is not often one encounters an artist on the street happily painting along. We are a curious sight to see no doubt, and often times people are not so sure what the heck we are doing. While out painting last week I had a conversation with another artist about plein-air musings. Our conversation drifted to what the curious onlooker most often comments on while we artists are out in the field. So, I thought that I would re-post and update my findings from a post back in 2008, since I find this topic a source of great enlightenment for the non-painter and humorous for the painter alike. I have listed them in order of the least common comments starting from #10 to #1. And of course, this is totally meant to be tongue in cheek humor so take no offense! Your comments are encouraged here as I may have missed a few top-notchers.
#10. Can I look?
#9. How long did that take you to paint?
#8. I used to paint a little bit too, but I don't have the time anymore.
#7. You missed that tree (mountain, bridge, cloud, fill in the blank) over there.
#6. What are you painting?
#5 That's really nice, do you sell your work?
#4. "Wow, that looks great!" as they are approaching my work from the backside, unseen.
#3. I can't even draw a straight line.
#2. Are you an artist?
and finally, the top most stated conversation topic...
#1. My aunt Betty (uncle, grandma, sister, or other relation) paints too, and he/she is really good.
And then there are the not so funny moments...
Once I was out painting with 3 other artists at a high level lookout, viewing our beautiful painting subject, Mount Hood. I had been concentrating so much on my work that I didn't even hear the tour bus full of travelers drive up. I was completely startled when a loud voice 6 inches from my ear say loudly "Wow! Are you an artist?" I was so startled that I screamed! Scary. So it is with this profession.
What would you ask? Are you the curious sort? Me too.
Labels: comments for an artist, curiosity, Onlookers, Plein Air painting, public musings, top 10 questions artists get.
posted by Brenda Boylan at
October 01, 2012
11 Comments:
This post made me smile ! Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed viewing your lovely paintings as well.
You nailed it Brenda~
HI Carol,
Thanks, and yes, it's funny when we get them, but I'm guilty for asking dumb questions too. LOL!
Hi Loriann,
A topic, non-the-less, that brings much humor in our profession. :)
Funniest thing is that guy didn't apologize or anything, he seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he did anything that would startle you so badly. They were all pretty nosy, that bunch.
Yes they were! And Sergio, you are right, he didnt appologise or realize my reaction to be any different. Phewy!
The worst thing that happened to me was when a woman, from behind, placed her camera lens on my shoulder. without permission, she wanted to takes an unobstructed photo of my painting, and at the same time use me to keep her camera still.
Wow Kickass, how can anyone have such nerve. That makes me cringe! Ouch!
LOL! Great and funny post! I think I've heard a few of those!
Great post, Brenda!
Ever since I began painting outside I've been intrigued by the stating of the obvious"...so many times I've heard people exclaim..."you're painting a painting!" ---Then I realized that this must be some innate thing that all people do because I did it myself. I came across a guy who was painting away (I wasn't painting myself that day) and before I could stop myself I saw his set up and exclaimed......."watercolors!" (well, he gave me a little smile and probably said to himself....God, Lady, "doh"!)
We all fall claim to sounding so much like a this, don't we? I guess perhaps it's such an unusual sight that the public just responds without thought, but just responds.
Oh, and that is just too funny Celeste!
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