Memory of the State Fair

Back before the pandemic, I often painted outdoors at the Iowa State Fairgrounds here in Des Moines. Although many of those works are gone, I ran across one of the Agriculture Building, which stands along the Grand Concourse. It's the venue for all kinds of competitions during the Fair, from bonsai to produce judging. And inside, there's an upper balcony that's great fun to visit at fair time. The painting below is the result of two or three plein air sessions in early autumn. The viewpoint is actually along a sidewalk in the demonstration garden area that's run by the Master Gardeners association and is a high point of the grounds all summer.

Untitled, oil on panel, 14x11

There have been many beautiful outdoor venues closed these last couple of years, but I'm hoping they will be able to welcome visitors this year at last.