Painting small town scenes inspires me! Every small town in Iowa has very picturesque scenes. They have that hometown feel to them that’s inviting. What struck me first in this scene was sunlight striking across the building and the strong shadows it made on the front of the incredible baby blue stucco. The baby blue color struck me — who paints their business that shade of blue?

It is an interesting scene, with many elements leading the eye into the picture: the wing-like roof shape angling into the picture plane; the lamp posts, banners and signs; the parked vehicle and striped awning of the pizza place. A repeat of blue shapes in the bright, blue awning of the insurance business adds a dark value against the sun-shapes of the blue building. I eliminated an orange construction fence, as it was too distracting. The yellow arrow sign pointing down above Ted’s Pizza was also an interesting shape. All the elements are interlocking like a puzzle. It was fun painting this scene. I usually do not notice all the interesting items in the picture until I sit down and start painting.