Playhouse Square Trip is, as the name implies, part of the Playhouse Square series. The design is based on several photos I took during one of my photo sessions at the Square. As readers know, I’ve been working on the series for a year or thereabout. The Square is heavily frequented by office workers, visitors, and theatergoers depending on the time of day. Visitors attracted by the live entertainment in the park make it a great place to take photographs. During warm weather, diners from the many eateries fill the park’s tables and enjoy the entertainment supplied by troupes from the Square’s many theaters.
Over many, many visits, I’ve built a stock of photos from every season and light. I can combine photos from any of my photo sessions. The park is like my own stage.
During the session in which I took the photos used for this design, a man approached me and said, “Can I help you?”
I replied, “I don’t think so.” I had no idea what the man was about.
“You’re taking photos of children,” the man said. For a moment, I was flabbergasted.
“I’m taking photos in a public space,” I replied evenly. Of the 300 photos I took that day, 50 or so were of the group of children.
“Oh, just checking,” he said and walked away. I have no idea what motivated the man. He walked to the area where the children were (he’s not the man in this painting). In all my photos sessions over the years, this is only the second time someone took exception to my activity.
If you’re taking photographs in a public space, you do not need permission from anyone to take photos, nor do you need releases. There is no presumption of privacy in a public space. If you stood in the street in front of my house, you can take photos of my house without my permission.
Anyway, I finished the drawing earlier in the week and today’s work was the third painting session and I finished the underpainting. Playhouse Square Trip is 40″ x 50″.