Meeting Arnold

"Number 9"

16 x 20" oil on canvas

What a great weekend! I can't remember when I've had this much fun with my art! Heady stuff, too. Lots of press, paparazzi, stars and attention.

We artists at "Art at the Arnold" painted our competition piece on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In that time, we had crowds of people (over 150,000 people attend the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic) watching us and asking questions. Oh, yeah, and Sly Stallone stopped by and interrupted me for a bit.

Sunday was showtime. The judge had chosen the top twelve pieces for Arnold to view and I was so excited to see that I was included in this group! But we had to wait over an hour to see the Governator, and when he arrived it was with such an entourage (I don't know how people live like this) and greeted and spoke to each of us in the final dozen.

My patron/husband/photographer was kept behind security lines under threat of death or imprisonment and could not get a great shot but here I am talking to Mr. S himself.

No, I didn't win any prizes this year, but I truly hope they do it again and I am able to participate. I had the time of my life. And my 15 minutes of fame. Now I am off to put my head back on straight and get back to work. (Contented sigh......)

Arnold Art

Graphite and chalk sketch

8 1/2 x 11"

Arnold Schwarzenegger (aka: the governator) is in Columbus this weekend. I hope to get the chance to meet him on Sunday.

Why is this even on my blog, you ask? Because every year, Arnold hosts a huge Sports and Fitness Expo here in our fair city http://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/. This year, along with the bodybuilding competitions and various other sports, 50 artists from all over were selected to paint or draw the athletes. I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate.

So, today we had athlete/models to sketch and draw for several hours then we were turned loose throughout the convention with our digital cameras and sketchpads. Tomorrow we will show up bright and early (7:30 a.m.!) to begin to create a piece that we will frame and have ready for a show on Sunday. There are prizes awarded and Arnold himself is choosing a favorite.

Today was so much fun and such a pleasure to have these amazing athletes to model for us. (However, they had no idea that holding a pose for hours could be so physically challenging.)

So, now you know why the Terminator is on my blog.

I'm Back!

For anyone who is still reading my blog after all this time, I am back! I have some new direction, motivation and purpose and will be sharing shortly.