Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, August 2011

This year, we were asked to paint a reproduction of a well-known painting, so we chose to do a Norman Rockwell (our second try at one of his paintings). We chose his painting of a girl returning home from camp, bringing with her far more than the dirty laundry and lanyards that we remembered from our camp days--she has a turtle, a snake, a chipmunk, a plant, a birds nest, and a bouquet of dandilions! Not to mention all the stuff she brought with her--we're pretty sure a hatchet is not on the list of Things To Take To Camp these days. We added a bit to the painting as well--a background with poison oak. One niece posed with her colorful shoes and socks, and our other niece posed for the face.

This is the original Saturday Evening Post cover (note the date--timely!).

Wayne started off working on the camper's shoes and socks.

Meanwhile, Cheryl started at the top.

We called the subject Camper Catie.

Wayne works on Camper Catie's backpack.

Catie helped paint fenceposts (and helped eat cookies).

Cheryl kept plugging away slowly on Camper Catie's face.

Alex painted the plaid bedroll.

By Saturday afternoon, Cheryl had done the face and Wayne had done (or supervised) everything else--shoes, backpack, trunk, fishing gear, and fenceposts.

Wayne helped Catie take some photos.

Catie liked to pose with her likeness.

Her sister got into the painting.

By the end of Saturday, Camper Catie had knees and part of her hands as well as her face, and she was starting to get dressed as well.

On Sunday morning Cheryl finished off the hands, complete with bandage.

Cheryl paints some of the camper's accessories--Jack in the pulpit plant, chipmunk, birds nest...

Sean and his friend Olivia joined Catie in finishing up the fenceposts.

Catie paints the background behind her painted head.

Catie assumes the expression.

The painting is almost complete as Cheryl works on the poison oak.

The backpack and knees look good.

Camper Catie headshot

A ground squirrel checks out the chipmunk.

The chipmunk, snake, nest, etc.

A blue turtle to dream of.

Having fun yet?

Time to put the chalks away.

Finished!

Complete with signature.

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