And I have no idea what I’m doing. But that’s sort of normal for me now?
Next month I’m attending my first-ever art festival, the Buda Arts Festival, to participate in two competitions on location, outdoors.
At this point I’ve been sketching regularly for about two years — mostly landscapes, sometimes on location, other times using a reference photo I took on location as a source, so both categories I entered (Plein Air and Quick Draw) suit my style.
But, I’m not a professionally-trained artist. The last time I took an art class was in seventh grade. But you should also know that my siblings and I were raised in a rural ranch with only a few relatives for neighbors, so we had A LOT of time to master skills. It’s actually pretty insane how little time we had socializing with other children when we were really young. But that’s a whole other blog post… not touching that yet.
I’ve also never really shown my art to anyone, mostly because of executive dysfunction if I’m being honest. The intent is there; the dopamine to drive the action often isn’t.
And I’ve definitely NEVER displayed any of my artwork in a gallery for all to see and judge. I don’t even know how to properly matte or frame or attach hardwire to hang it up on the wall.
Oh no! There goes my confidence. Cue the internal panic…
Yes, it’s scary to do something completely foreign to me, but I’m channeling that nervousness into excitement by focusing on my “why.” And I honestly do feel excited! I’m looking forward to meeting new people, connecting with the local artist community, and seeing my artwork hanging up in a gallery for the first time ever. I’m also excited to see where this path takes me and what kind of work this could lead to in the future. I love visiting art galleries and supporting local artists. Maybe one day I’ll have my work for sale somewhere too.
And for whatever reason, I don’t feel as attached to my visual art as I do to my writing. The process of creating it feels so free and fun, and even when it doesn’t, I just keep on going. I really wish I could approach writing like I do art. I’m working on that too.
The Art Competitions
First, let me explain what it is I’ll be doing exactly. I signed up to compete in two categories, both of which require creating the artwork on location outdoors in designated areas.
Plein Air
The term is French for “in the open air,” referring to painting on-location outdoors, usually a very detailed landscape in watercolor, oil, or acrylic.
Artists will have four days to paint on-location outdoors within the Buda zip code and can create as many paintings as they’d like, in any style, but can only enter two paintings into the contest and exhibition. There’s some prize money for the top three winning paintings. I believe all plein air submissions will remain at the exhibition through November 22, 2025.
Quick Draw
Artists have two hours to paint in a specific area of downtown Buda, in any style. There are prizes for the top three winners. Only winning submissions will be included in the exhibition.
For this one, I’ll be urban sketching, which is similar to plein air but the subject is often architecture or something indoors. The style is also more expressive and loose to capture the “mood” of the scene whereas plein air is less open to interpretation.
My watercolor art style falls somewhere in between urban sketching and plein air, but because the competition is only two-hours long, I’ll probably have a very loose style to make sure I can finish the painting on time. That’s my biggest concern with this one.
I’m not even thinking about winning or whether my submission will sell. I’m purposely choosing to focus on the process, not the outcome. I have no control over the latter anyway.
Practicing and Leveling Up my Art Skills
Since I’m still a baby artist, I decided I would get as much practice as I could leading up to the festival.
I gave myself a summer art project: During craft time at my summer camp job as a climbing coach, I’d make at least one urban sketch each week, on location at the climbing gym. I’m proud to say I ended up creating almost twice as many paintings as planned — and even surprised myself with how well they turned out. Sure, I didn’t really follow my own rules. The point is I exceeded my own expectations and ended up with 23 completed paintings.
As an ADHD-er who starts many projects but struggles to finish them, ending the summer with a brand new collection of artwork is a huge win for me.
I’ve spent the last month scanning and editing my watercolor sketches and finally have compiled them in a neat little PDF digital sketchbook to share with the world.
My next post will include the whole project and include information about each painting. In the meantime, here are my favorites.
How I’m Preparing for the Art Competitions
I don’t have a formal practice plan, but I did kind of make up a plan in my head. It looks like this:
- Technique: Experiment with different styles and supplies to improve my skills and pace.
- Scale: Experiment with canvas/paper sizes to see how big I can go without bursting into tears for choosing something too ambitious.
- Practice Run-throughs: Complete a few practice plein air paintings with the equipment and supplies I plan to have with me.
My summer art project was part of my step one.
I’m now working on making larger paintings, using my Meeden easel so I get used to standing and painting upright again.
Next Steps
I’ll also have to prepare for the Texas elements which are completely unpredictable in October. The weather could be absolutely perfect… or we might have a torrential thunderstorm, or another week of 100-degree weather, rarely anything in between. Fortunately, I already have hooded long-sleeve tees for sun protection and plenty of comfortable outdoor wear for all kinds of weather.
I still haven’t looked into portable chairs and umbrellas. Any recommendations? No canopies or tents allowed.
And I also have to figure out potential locations to paint and narrow down the materials I plan to use.
Easy peasy, right?
Right??????
I’m not too worried. This is for fun!
If you live in the Austin metro area and have an appreciation for art, come and join me at the Buda Arts Festival next month. There are events happening the whole week of October 13. Most of them are free.
If you see me around town painting, be sure to stop by and say hello — even if it’s just to make sure I don’t die of heat stroke. You could save my life. Just think about it.
| Buda A.F. 2025 Competition Schedule |
| Plein Air Competition: October 13 at 5 pm (after check-in) to October 17 at 4 pm Quick Draw Competition: October 18 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Saturday, October 18 Judging: 8 am First Look Fête (🎟️$35): 1 pm Public viewing: 3 pm to 5 pm Awards: 3:30 pm People’s Choice Voting Ends: 4 pm Awards: 5 pm |
Cristy writes. 