Quick draw artists prepare for upcoming Art Battles around Seattle

Imagine a night in June. It’s your typical summer evening in Seattle. The air is sultry. Anticipation hangs overhead. A curious crowd of people have assembled. Facing each other, the strangers size each other up. Armed and eager, they are prepared for battle. The countdown begins: 10, 9, 8, 7….

Sweat begins to form and eyes dart around the room.

6, 5, 4…

Everyone knows there can only be one victor.

3, 2, 1…

“PAINT!”

Known as an “Art Battle,” this event gives new meaning to the term quick-draw. These events have been popping up all over the world since 2001. The founders estimate that 200 of these events are planned every year in 10 countries. But despite their popularity, many people still don’t know they exist.

What is an Art Battle?

The New York Post says Art Battles are “like ‘Iron Chef’, but with paint” and that’s pretty close. I got a chance to attend one event in Seattle a while back and really enjoyed the experience. Popping up in different locations from year to year, an Art Battle takes the hoity-toity out of acrylic painting. In a matter of minutes, you’ll witness a number of paintings be completed right before your very eyes.

Here’s how it works:

Painters selected from the community are placed in a center ring. They are given a few minutes to prepare themselves, organize their brushes, look over their inspiration photos, etc. Then, with a DJ playing tunes in the background, the artists are given just 20 minutes to complete a full painting on an 18” x 24” canvas.

Instead of just standing around gawking, the audience swarms the painters, circling them like sharks. While you might be interested in one painting, you are encouraged to keep moving. Just as every artist is different, so are their paintings; some are better than others. At the end of 20 minutes, brushes are placed down, and everyone votes for their favorites anonymously using their phones.

A few minutes later, the winners of that round are announced, and their paintings are silently auctioned off right on the spot. Shortly thereafter, round two takes place with another group of painters that set up shop and the whole routine gets started once again.

All walks of life come attend these Art Battles, from seasoned art aficionados to newbie appreciators. Some people come just to do something different. There is something so satisfying to see these works of art come to life. With drinks and/or snacks in hand, there is a lot of chatter that happens here. Everyone’s got an opinion and is willing to share it.

After the results come in for the winners of Round 2, the winners of both rounds are given a very short amount of time to set up and create a whole new painting in hopes of becoming the champion of the night. These artists really get into it, regardless of their skill level. Some are very tidy with their paint while others kick off their shoes and paint with wild abandon (which is a warning not to get too close to the splash zone.)

I felt bad for a couple of artists the night that I went, as their paintings were – let’s just say, could have been better if they had more time. But they still got bids! All in all, though, it’s just good-natured fun. Nobody takes it too seriously and there is plenty to appreciate whether you purchase a painting or just get inspired by one.

There are three local Art Battles this summer:

June 16: ArtBattle Tacoma at Meeker Days in Puyallup. This event is free, open to all ages and begins at 3 p.m. this Sunday.

June 29 and August 10: Leif Erikson Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and brushes will be flying at 7 p.m.

Jeff Totey is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow more of his work here.