It looks like the Paint Louis artist is about to be squeezed hard by his own creation. This one had the good sense to put up an umbrella on his hydraulic jack platform to protect himself from the brutal afternoon. Speaking of which, we expect 38 C / 100 F again this afternoon. And, you know, it's September 15. Didn't use to be this way.
The St. Louis Art Museum recently ended a show called Ancient Splendor - Roman Art In The Time of Trajan. Mrs. C and I made it just in time. It was beautifully displayed, and the degree of elegance and craft was striking.
That's what it amounted to, in a way. This photo was taken a week ago, on the second day of work at Paint Louis. Lots of spectators, despite the heat. I went back yesterday and took pictures of the finished products.
The St. Louis International Institute has a big festival in one of our parks over the last weekend in August. There are performances of music and dance from all over the world, with food to match. Usually lots to photograph but it has gotten so crowded over the years we went early on the first day and left by early afternoon. The weather doesn't help. Not quite as bad as Europe, but about 38 C / 100 F every day this week.
Say what you will about the designs themselves, but it takes an awful lot of planning and skill to create all the images that go on the flood wall during Paint Louis. Do these people go to art school or learn as apprentices? They use paint rollers for background color but I've never seen stencils or masks used for the details. But when I'm shooting someone near ground level I have to remember to stay upwind of the spray cans. It could ruin an lens.
