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.

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.

Boo!

Madison's "Sea, Shop and Scare" Annual Contest

My town's annual scarecrow contest has been going strong for a couple of weeks. I photographed these colorful, and creative, creations last week on a beautiful 70° day. The contest is sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, and is entitled Sea, Shop and Scare. The contest benefits the chamber and our town library. I'm surprised at the expressions that can be created with just a few lines from a magic marker or a few buttons or what-have-you. Some of them really seem to be enjoying themselves.

The details of some of the scarecrows are as well composed as a painting. Here, a French picnic ready to enjoy!

Some private homes got into the spirit as well. At least I hope those huge spiders are decorations!

Enjoying an afternoon swing, this bony resident waves at all that pass.

My Favorite from Last Year

This gorgeous creation, a mix of roses, pearls and ribbons, was not recreated this year. Perhaps the store felt they couldn't top it!

For more photos of this year's scarecrows, follow the jump.

Roses and Ropes and Pearls. Oh, My!

Local businesses have created special scarecrows and holiday decorations for a contest, with entry fees going to a breast cancer charity. Many of their creations also sport a pink ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This one, in front of a cool retro gift store, the Nosey Goose, really knocked my necklaces off, lol. While the others around town were well done, and traditional, (and I've featured the "well-dressed" scarecrows in this blog a few days ago), this creation made with roses, pearls, beads, a corded wig, and lace, was just stunning. I really hope they don't take it apart at the end of the week. It deserves a corner of its own inside! 

The pink bicycle is outside of the store all of the time. Usually I wish it had some contrasting colors applied to it, perhaps in stripes or, ahem, plaids, but in this installation, it's a perfect foil for the layered creation in front of it.

So THAT'S Where He Is

Skulking on a nearby roof, Dubya enjoys his retirement. Yes, this scarecrow entry was as creepy as it looks! 'Nuff said!  : )

The Well-Dressed Scarecrow

Riding into town today, the local Rotary Club had just put the finishing touches on this holiday display on an empty lot right near the town center. The colors drew my eye, I've always loved striped stockings, but when I got up close I realized that most of the clothes are brand new. There are hastily sewn-on patches, but the scarves, yellow overalls and the rest of the clothes are brand new from the local boutiques I s'pose. Goddess forbid we have dressed-down scarecrows in our dressed-to-the-nines town!

U P D A T E :  Apparently there is a contest in town, as many local businesses have done their best to create interesting and creative displays. The proceeds from the entry fees go to a local breast cancer charity in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of the displays feature a pink ribbon for that reason.