Sweetwater Creek State Park

Although only a few minutes from downtown Atlanta, I had never been to Sweetwater Creek State Park before. This photo was taken from their website. It is the ruins of a textile mill destroyed during the Civil War. Usually we hike the trails to see the sights, but this time we decided to try a paint class that they were offering. We arrived a bit early for the class so we decided to look around at the displays in the visitor center.

As you may recall, I seem to have a two picture limit before the antics begin so I was snapping rapidly.
I guess today I only have a one picture limit as you can see that by the second photo I have a "Sears catalog model pose" and the right arm of my other subject attempting to poke the "model" with a Lego man.

Perhaps I'll have better luck with the animals.
They're stuffed!


We then degenerated into taking blurry pictures of our eyeballs. Did I mention that we had to wait a while?

FINALLY, it was time to paint. We went to a nearby picnic shelter. Look how sweet they are walking together (actually I think she is gouging his armpit to tickle him for jabbing her with the Lego man. Paybacks are ruthless!)
We used acrylic paints, paper, and brushes supplied by the park. The park ranger was quite a good artist although please don't judge his ability by our results.

I enjoy painting but what I see in my mind's eye is NOT what comes out on the paper. Plus, every paint color I mixed came out this muddy algae green. So, here's what I was trying to paint and here's what my half-finished-never-will-be-finished painting looks like.


I realize this is a horrible painting. It is not even childlike enough to be called "primitive" or out there enough to be called "abstract." It's pretty much just bad, but I don't care. I still like to paint and will do it again probably with the same pathetic results. I don't have to be good at something to enjoy doing it. I like the process, not the product.
Besides, who could ever capture the inspiration of God's original works? This sunset I photographed on the way home reminded me of who the ultimate painter is. He can paint the sky with the wave of His hand. I think I'll just appreciate His handiwork for now.






Julie,
You always find the most interesting places and things to do.
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