ten years in the making

 Hi all,

 I've neglected this blog, because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, other than document some parasols over the years. It's fun to see all the special requests I've had over the years and I'm on my 10th year of painting them. I've had others and sometimes I forget to take photos before they go out. 

 Keep in mind that I am working with oil paint markers in 15 different colors and I typically spend 15 minutes on each parasol. (exceptions can be special requests). I try to be faithful to the history of the parasol painters in the Park. I try to keep some of the "old" designs going while responding to the newer things guests request. 

My general approach of painting images might vary from previous approaches. I like to draw ahead rather than wait for the order. I have several out there on display that the kids can choose from and then I just add a name. But, I only have one of each design out. I want each customer to feel like they are getting something unique rather than just a limited number of designs on a variety of parasols. 

I get bored easily, I admit it. I would go crazy painting hearts on everything every single day. I like to be fast and efficient and I like to challenge myself every once in a while, so I don't get bored.  Because of that, I have over 200 (last time I counted) designs I can do, but typically 20 really active ones at any given time. 

Some things are very trendy. Some are more timeless. Some appeal to kids and some to the grandmothers who buy for them. Occasionally, a grandmother will know what the kids is in to, but mostly, they are doing well to remember how they spelled the kids' name. In one case, it has become a family joke that grandpa spelled the kid's name wrong and bought another one the next year, and again this year. Everyone in the family teased him mercilessly. 

  I get to hear so many stories of getting them and still having them or wanting one and not getting one. Years worth of stories of parasols in the Park. Meeting little ones every year and seeing them progress into teen life. Little ice skaters and little home schoolers who fall in love with a subject for awhile. Literally years worth of stories and watching babies grow into toddlers and toddlers to children and children to teens. Snapshots of a year's worth of growth in 15 minutes of encounters. 

I don't know how long I'll continue with this job. I'm not sure what the timeline of this job will hold. I'm getting expensive for what I do. We'll see. In the meantime, I collect the little life stories as they come.