Halloween Window Painting Contest, 1969

A Hoot and a Howl—This painting was a disaster from the moment I was assigned a large window instead of the small one I had requested. I really rocked those blue and white flowered pants and mini trench, though, didn't I?

Continuing with the "isn't it sad he still has the trophy" series, lol. this is my Halloween Window Painting Contest first place winner from 1969. I was 12 in this photo, holding my aunt Hoohoo's then 6-week old Miniature Schnauzer puppy.

This window painting experience was a horror show for me, lol. From what I remember, you could ask for a small or large window. I had asked for a small one, had planned my painting around a small one, had bought my painting supplies for a small window. Saturday morning when the window assignments were given out, I had been given a large one. From the get-go, I had to change my tightly planned layout and spread out the elements. In hindsight, I should have enlarged all the separate elements, but wasn't thinking too quickly on my feet that cold morning. I also had to have my father bring a ladder for me, to use on that slightly angled sidewalk, and I'm terrified of heights. I ran out of paint due to the larger size of the window and had to run out and buy more—which didn't match the original blue I had picked for the sky. I held it together until the clock had run out and I had to stop, but then I had one of my rare tantrums. I had really messed up the painting, was sure I had disappointed Hoohoo and my parents, but in the end, I won first prize anyway. I wasn't upset a week later, though, when it was washed off and gone forever. Until now, lol.

Elements in my original smaller vertical layout included a flying witch, a pumpkin inspired by Edvard Munch's The Scream, an owl, and for some reason, an outhouse, lol. It just didn't hang together when it was enlarged. I really should have had much larger details, and much less sky, but live and learn, I suppose. I roll with the punches a bit better now. Most of the time.