Hector Acuna

Clouds Passing over Afternoon Work, 2022

28 × 28 ″ Framed: 29 × 29 ″ oil on canvas birch panel

Statement from Hector Acuna:

Amidst the rainy week of Paint Cedarburg 2022, we were granted one sunny day on Tuesday -
the fourth day of the event. Knowing it would be a full day without rain, I decided this would be
the day I was going to paint my largest canvas that I prepared, 28” square. I wanted to see what
could happen if I made a painting this big en plein air. What would I choose to paint? How long
would it take to make a painting I liked? How would this much space change the way I applied
the paint? These were the questions I was mulling over as I packed my easel, our pop up tent,
my supplies, food, water, and our dog Lenny. I drove out to a spot along a field on County Road
LL overlooking the Lake Michigan coast. I had everything setup on the side of the road and
started laying in my painting around 10am. The sun was shining and it was a warm day
compared to the days prior and I had a few hours to make this painting. Everything was looking
ideal.

Unfortunately after 20 minutes of painting a short wave of opaque fog began to creep along the
field towards me. I thought “Oh man please don’t do this! Please!” Each minute that passed
brought a slightly higher wave of fog. Pretty soon the coastline was behind fog, then the
highway, and then most of the field I was painting. The worst part was that the sun was shining
overhead in a clear blue sky.

As the fog rolled in, two farmers came buzzing over to me along Co Road LL on a small gator
ATV. I could sense they were unhappy to see me and my setup in the corner of this field. After a
few minutes of talking with them they made it clear that I was not welcome on the edge of their
field. I apologized and packed up my things. Bummed and frustrated I began driving west to
avoid another fog out. I had to find a spot quickly since the rest of the week was going to be full
of rain again.

I drove west looking for a view that was expansive and could fill this large canvas in an
interesting way. I was on County Road I in Waubeka and passed a field with resting farming
equipment. I turned around and parked across the street on the shoulder in front of the
Waubeka Union Cemetery. I walked over to the corner of the field. I was nervous now to step
too far into someone’s property, but I could tell within a minute or two that this would work.
When I first arrived there were big billowing clouds that added a lot of interesting shapes to the
sky. I had consistent afternoon light and the clouds hovered in the distance which helped keep
shadows and colors in tact. The day seemed to be turning around! I was listening to music and
the painting was moving along nicely. Just as I was forgetting about the morning tribulations, a
beautiful green 60’s convertible whizzed by with both passengers staring over at me. I went
back to painting until I heard their car pulling into Shady Lane, a small country road behind me.
“Can we see what you’re painting?” I said of course! Then while the gentleman parked the car,

the woman started walking towards me. I had been in such a zone while painting that I was
unaware Lenny’s chain was woven through and around my easel’s legs. She walked five steps
before Lenny sprang up and started barking at her. The worst part was that his chain pulled my
easel forward and on top of him. Luckily I was able to catch the painting but the palette, turps
jar, and brushes all crashed to the ground. The palette made sure to catch Lenny’s ear and tail
on the way down too. I was so embarrassed and flustered all over again.

The couple tried to carry the conversation with questions about my painting and the event. As
we picked up my brushes and palette Lenny continued to bark. They started to realize maybe it
was best to let me reorganize alone, which I appreciated.

As the couple took off in their green convertible, it dawned on me that I just lost the last bit of my
mineral spirits which might set me back from finishing the painting. I was half way through the
painting at this point. This was the only clear day projected and I had three or so hours left
before dusk. Once I had my easel and the painting back together, I noticed Lenny’s blonde coat
had a few dark blue spots that weren’t there before. Looking at my palette I could see a big
smear missing from the Phthalo Blue pile. This painting was really putting me to the test. I was
able to get most of the wet paint out of his hair with dry paper towels but the paint stained his tail
blue for the next few months. Soon after my wife Megan offered to come take Lenny home and
drop off more mineral spirits. I was able to get back into the zone for the next few hours.

As I was nearing the end of the painting process, trucks pulling machinery showed up with
farmers ready to work. I wondered if I would be kicked out of two fields on the same day while
painting the same canvas. I was taken back when the driver of one truck asked “Is it okay if we
move some tractors and do some work here?” With a relieved chuckle I responded “It’s your
field. You guys do whatever you need to do!” They brought in a second tractor and parked it off
in the distance. I liked the placement and added it in while a farmer in a white shirt fixed a part
on the back end.

Another farmer drove in with a thumbs up and I felt the pure bliss that comes from painting in a
public space alongside a community of welcoming, kind, and hardworking people. As I started to
pack up my things a few locals drove over in a golf cart. They took pictures of me with the
painting and talked about how much this painting meant to these farmers. They shared some of
the farm’s history with me and said farming is often one of the most thankless jobs. It felt really
good to spend an afternoon experiencing this place after all of the crazy events and blue tails of
the day. This Tuesday became a perfect example that you never know what a day of plein air
painting holds.

 

Credit Line:

Collection of Cedarburg Art Museum, Ozaukee Bank Gift to the Future Fund

Inventory ID:

2022.05