Sunday, February 12, 2012

Halloween Window Painting Contest, 1968

"Even Martians Love Halloween"

R E M E M B R A N C E — My town used to hold a Halloween Window Painting contest every fall when I was growing up. It was usually one chilly late October Saturday morning, and the paintings, done on the store windows around our town green, would stay up for a week or so. I won First Prize 5-6 years in a row, every year I was eligible. I have to say though, that I always entered the "Singles" category, Hoohoo was adamant that an artist work alone, although we'd spend several nights planning my painting. Most of the kids, the vast majority of the in fact, treated it as a morning with friends, and painted in the doubles category. I did it for the art, though! For the year shown here, 1968, I painted "Even Martians Love Halloween" and have a little alien poking out from behind the large pumpkin. Notice his footprints which come from the bottom of the window and track over the pumpkin where he thinks he's hiding, lol. Also note my lovebeads. My father bought a lot of my clothes in Manhattan, and I was always up on the trends. Very few other kids in town were though, and I really was teased because of it. Well, that was one reason to tease me, anyway. On the right of the photo is the little trophy today! I still have the lovebeads, too, but am not quite sure where they are. I've seen them in the past few years.

6 comments:

  1. I love your painting Casey! Very sophisticated for an eleven year old. And speaking of sophisticated, I love your purple wool windowpane shirt!
    Should I read anything into the fact that the painting is done on your local liquor store's window?

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  2. I love your painting, too! Congrats on all the awards! You looked great in your purple outfit. How cool that your dad got your clothes in Manhattan (except for the teasing. Bullies! ;) )

    You are one interesting guy, Casey! :)

    Katie

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  3. wait until you see the outfit I wore the next year, lol I just scanned the photo and I'll photograph the trophy tomorrow in natural light. there might be flowers!

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  4. I'm wondering if Spielberg just happened to be in the area when your friendly little alien painting was on display and did you know what with it, lol.

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  5. wouldn't it be nice to get backdated royalties, lol.

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  6. LOVE THE PICTURE. I'LL WAIT FOR THE FLOWERS.FOR SUCH A YOUNG CHILD YOU SURE WERE A GOOD ARTIST.

    THANKS FOR SHARING. I ALWAY LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOUR NEXT DAY WILL BRING. I WANT TO SEE MORE OF YOUR PAINTINGS.

    GRANNY

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