" '46 Pontiac" -- oil field study -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

For weeks I'd see this old car parked on the side of the road whenever I drove to East Jordan. I gotta stop sometime and paint this! It's parked under an old apple tree on the south side of the road, between Ellsworth and East Jordan (Michigan).

This past Saturday was the annual Paint-Out, sponsored by Crooked Tree Art Center in Petoskey. Artists have all day to paint whatever they want, then bring their creations back to the center, framed by 6 PM. I had to work a few hours in the morning at Tapawingo, but I'd packed all my painting gear into my Explorer the night before. I was ready! And I knew where I was going the minute I was free.

The old couple who owns this car were in their driveway, preparing to go to town. I asked if they minded if I painted their car. They said OK. The man told me a bit about the car, that it was a 1946 Pontiac and had low mileage. It had been used to transport officers during WWII. He was asking $5000 for it.

The sun was hot! I was burning up out there. And it was humid. At one point, the sun was hitting the car's sun visor and blinding me. It was also at the perfect angle to strike the shiny ferrule of my brush and between the sun visor & the brush ferrule, I had to squint to go on. I always wear a hat, or I'd just go mad with the sun in my eyes.

I had on long, heavy jeans and was sweating like a total pig. We're talking rivers of sweat. I prefer wearing capris, but the mosquitoes have been wicked. Absolutely wicked lately, leaving huge welts that itch for days. Hence the jeans. And a black T-shirt, of course. White would be cooler, but it would also bounce the light back onto the canvas and wet paint, creating a glare. Yes, yes -- I know: complaints! complaints!

I painted 99% of this with a #8 flat brush. Love my Ultrex Ultra brushes!