Painting en plein air at 1834 Kennett Place during the Lafayette Square Plein Air Competition

SUMMARY OF PLACE:: I was participating in the 1st Annual Lafayette Square Plein Air Competition. As this was my first painting for the event, I felt quite charged. The morning was cool and clear. I was looking south from where I stood in front of the victorian home at address 1834 Kennett Place. The early-morning sun was only slightly peaking through the dense tree cover of the old neighborhood.
INSPIRATION:: This large, old flower pot fit perfectly in its location, Lafayette Square. The lush begonias planted in the ornate container appeared royal, matching well the wealth and stature of the original inhabitants of the historic district.

As I was participating in the Lafayette Square Plein Air Competition, my goal with this painting was to depict not just a flower container, but one that resides there. It seemed to me that this flower and container shape could mostly fill and dominate my canvas and yet the remaining elements of the painting (dark wood door, tall entry steps, and mauve exterior walls) would successfully place it in Lafayette Square.