What a great weekend at a fun family event my crew has been taking part in for years: Wet Paint at the Newport Art Museum. The event features donated works of art by a wide range of artists from professionals to amateurs to children. People bid on them at a silent auction and the museum raises thousands of dollars.

Every year I paint something cartoonish usually featuring some sort of Rhode Island marine life, a car, and a Newport landmark. This year’s entrant was titled “Calamari in a Chrysler at the Clarke Cooke House” and I was truly humbled by the bidding war that led to a sale I’d never experienced before. My painting sold for $ 650. ! Yes, Six, five, oh !

I’m grateful a side hustle hobby was able to raise money for a good cause. Now, I just need an idea for next year! Check out some of the other entrants below (there were over 300 items) including one by son Julian.