Elle and the Frost Park Challengers arguably gave perhaps their best performances to date.  They let loose.  It was certainly true for Hannan, Dave L. and Stowe's co-worker as it was their first competition at Frost Park.

Here are the various photo sets available documenting Episode No. 4:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacoma-urbanist/sets/72157604858110003/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacoma-cartoonist-society/
http://tacomagnome.blogspot.com/2008/05/frost-park-challenge.html
http://www.tacomamama.com/article.php?story=20080502194159587
http://www.lifeofelle.com/2008/05/02/cast-your-vote-once-again/

There should be a couple sets more coming out as well as some significant video footage.

Elle Experiences an Artistic Epiphany and
Adopts the "Artist Code" of Ethics

Elle did not have her title Frost Park title wrenched easily from her grasp today.

Methodically executing her plan to win just as last week, Elle rallied her dedicated readers of The Life of  Elle to vote for her:

So cast your vote.  I’m not forcing you to vote for me… But, you are my faithful readers is all I’m sayin’

Many devoutees of Elle answered her plea:

I gotta go with Elle (because she said so) :)

by Tacomite
on 5/2/2008 @ 5:26pm

I am loyal to Elle, what a great use of letters, and a wonderful message!

by TacomaGnome
on 5/2/2008 @ 5:13pm

But I believe something happened to Elle on Friday that she could not have anticipated that ultimately kept her from being able to vote for herself.

Was it seeing her fellow Frost Park challengers waist deep in chalk, scrawling their hearts out on the pavement in the middle of a post industrial city?  Did Elle throw the contest out of pitty?

No. I believe her art spoke to her.  Here was her submission:

 




Conceived as a design likely to win a the prize this week, Elle could not have anticipated the comradely her piece "Frost Park Friday" would induce on her, not just with her fellow exasperated challengers and artists but with all Frost Park attendees and people throughout Tacoma. 

When it came time to vote, Elle for the first time donned the Artist Code of Ethics, and declined to vote for herself and instead voted for Stowe as wrenching as the decision initially was for her.  She exclaimed:

I shall cast my vote for Stowe because... damn.

Frost Park Tension Grows

Four challengers have now won the Frost Park Chalk Off: Andrea “LupinGoddess” Trenbeath Lowen, RR Anderson, Elle and now Stowe in that order.  The question now is who can take it twice.  Most of the various artistic tactics and surprises of the competitors have been played out.  The proverbial cats are out of the bags.

There is also an increased knowledge of what works and doesn't work at Frost Park and what wins votes.

Who Will Be The Ultimate "Illustrator in the Universe of Tacoma" for all of 2008?

With four complete chalk offs and four separate winners, the question arises: what Tacoma artist can secure the most wins?  What shall be the overall winners title?  "Best Illustrator in the Universe of Tacoma for 2008"?  What would be a worthy prize for such a title?

See everyone next Friday.