Kicking off Football Season

Like a lot of people, I was happy to see the start of college football season on Saturday.  I was even happier to see my team win!  When you're an Ole Miss fan you savor every one of those :)  For the game, Robert and I sat in some extra seats my family had in the end zone.  For as long as I can remember my family's had season Ole Miss football tickets and always in the north end zone.     

all smiles in the 3rd quarter

It's why I painted this painting from the perspective of the north end zone.

"Saturday at Vaught Hemingway" 11x14 watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2010, prints available $25 each.

I like to paint what I know.  It makes for much better results.  I know Ole Miss and I know the view from the north end zone. 

At the very least, I like to see things for myself in person before I paint them.  My brother-in-law graduated from Mississippi State so he's my go-to when I need info in that department, and I've made several trips to Starkville solely to observe campus sights up close and personal and take pictures to bring back home for new paintings. 

I have other family sources to take advantage of too.  While my dad and his whole side of the family graduated from Ole Miss, my mom is actually from Knoxville and she and my grandma graduated from UT.  My grandma still lives in Knoxville so 2 years ago we went to stay with her and attend the UT-Ole Miss game.  It was quite possibly the absolute worst I've ever seen the Rebels play BUT it was a beautiful day and I had plenty of time to explore campus and take lots of pictures. 

So despite the embarrassing loss, at least I got a new painting out of the ordeal.

"Tennessee Traditions" 11x14 watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2011, prints available $25 each.

This year we've got plans to road trip it to Athens to see Ole Miss take on the Georgia Bulldogs in November.  My grandma's husband is about as big a Georgia fan as they come and he should be able to give me some good info on the campus and Georgia's traditions in general.  Hopefully I'll come home with plans for a new painting, if not the WIN.  Hey, you never know!!