This is an in-progress shot I took in of my work in the 12th hour of the 24 hour international street painting festival in Mantova, Italy. My 3rd time at the festival which always takes place on August 15th for their religious holiday- the Feast Assumption. You begin painting with the ringing of the cathedral bells at 6pm on the 14th and finish painting with the closing bells at 6pm on the 15th. Most painters, including myself, work through the night in hopes of finishing enough to take a break when the sun really kicks in around 2 or 3pm the following day. With over 200 artists, most participants are Italian but there are also artists from Germany, Holland, and the US.
The festival is split up into 3 categories.
Simplici- the lowest category which every artist has to begin in.
Qualificato- Only a 1st place win in Simplici allows you to paint in this level.
Maestri- 1st place in Qualificato must be received. This is the highest honor you can receive.
By winning two 1st place awards I am now a Maestri but have yet to win the Maestri 1st place award.
I will be traveling to Italy this summer to participate in the festival and do my best to win that coveted prize.