Pickin’
2007
35” X 27”

In the spontaneity of a moment, I captured the photograph which inspired this painting.  While my husband and I was shooting a “"Shade Tree Pickers" concert at Tims Ford State Park, I noticed a young man pretending to be playing a guitar.  Just as I was about to snap the shot, a fiddle player stepped in and bent down to listen to the silent guitar.  The seemingly embarrassed young man bit his lip and turned his head away.   Completely tickled, I snapped the shot. 

Back in the studio, I made an overall sketch of the scene and several sketches of the young man.  I decided to paint the “silent guitar player” completely lost in song while the fiddle player keeps time as he bends a listening ear. 

I am thrilled with the natural interaction happening between the two.  That is the great beauty of capturing your subjects “in the moment” rather than setting up a scene with models.

I appreciate art that gives me something to smile about.