Manassas Train Station

The annual “Paint Manassas!” art contest was held in the month of May 2009, where artists can paint or take photographs in Old Town or at the Manassas Battlefield Park. “Plein air” painting was encouraged and enjoyable. This was my watercolor entry in the contest (11 x 14 image) and it was judged “First Place”. I photographed the station from the new parking garage. I started the piece outside, then finished it at home. After getting the main blocks of color nearly complete, I found there was empty white space in the foreground.  I decided to paint the street to appear wet from a recent rain, and used the reflection as a foil to the large,  red, tile-roofed structure. I added a few people for interest. The result satisfied me!