It’s been a week since the Camp Fire USA paint-out. Once again, it was a blast. Painting in the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens with other artists was inspiring. Each artist donated one plein air painting from the four-day event plus one from the Sunday, two and one-half hour quick draw event. During a jazz brunch on Sunday, the donated paintings were displayed and sold during a silent auction. This year’s work was even better than last year’s. John Cook won both best of show and people’s choice awards. His work is always spectacular and this year was no exception. Qiang-Huang won first place in the quick draw and second place in the plein air event. He is another fabulous artist whom I admire. Kaye Franklin had a wonderful painting of yellow flowers that won fifth place. It is inspiring to paint with these artists.
The Camp Fire organization and all the volunteers make it a fabulous four days for the artists. They treat us so well that I, for one, get quite spoiled. The proceeds will go to the organization's camp near Granbury, TX. It is a worthy children's cause.
My mother went along on the trip and we enjoyed staying with family and visiting with others in the area. One afternoon, we drove to Ennis and to Lake Bardwell. My mother’s family lived on a farm on land that is now close to the edge of the lake. When I was about three, the family moved into Ennis. My grandfather eventually became the Ennis Marshall. There is a newer brick home on the corner where my grandparents lived. It was satisfying to reminisce and re-visit my past
