...As my mother used to suggest.
So I began a new adventure yesterday, outside, with my oil paints and easel in tow. My bestest art buddy, Laura ( ), had given this "Plein Air" painting thing a whirl a week ago. It looked like a great challenge, and I really wanted to try it out. So off we went, to an old barn that sits on the edge of my neighborhood. This barn has been calling out to me for nearly 6 years now. Every time I passed it, I felt like I needed to capture it on canvas. Course, oil painting outside seemed like something only "real" artists would do. I'm much more comfy in my little corner in the basement, painting from photos and silk flowers. Which is odd for me, because I'm an outdoors type girl.
I'll admit. I was really worried about this at first. I tend to doubt my abilities, and I worry that I'll be ill prepared for painting away from my studio. Plus, I had no music to listen to, lol. But, with the support of my dear friend, and with the sun shining warmly, I was coaxed out of my dark little basement.. LOL, ok, so for those of you who really know me.. It wasn't that hard to get me outside, not at all.. And now it's gonna be harder to keep me inside. What an amazing rush it was. I set a new land speed world record for starting and finishing a piece in under 2 hours... in ANY medium I've ever worked in!!! But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I worried about not having the correct colors, but I only allowed myself to bring good strong primary colors, and Titanium White. I did bring Linseed oil, but never used it. I brought only 4 brushes, as opposed to my 20 some brushed in my studio. My portable aluminum easel was perfect for my outing, and I used a total of 2 sheets of paper towels. My only complaint was not having the correct paint pallet to hold my oils. I used a large wax paper pallet that was not wind nor hand holding friendly. I can fix that easily though. :)
My next worry was "What if I blow this, and my piece really sucks??" Of course, that's a constant worry, outdoors or not. I've gotten used to feeling confident enough to show anyone and everyone my stuff, good or not. But that little voice is always in the back of my mind. How I hate that little voice. That same voice often tells me "you could have done so much better" after a few days of "art separation" (That's the time period between finishing a piece, and going back to look at it again). Guess I shouldn't hate it so much.. It's what keeps me creating more, and creating better.
Well, 2 hours later, and worries pushed aside, I was absolutely thrilled with my little painting. I'm addicted, hooked to the outside world of landscapes and nature. I don't know exactly where we artists go when we immerse ourselves into a project, but I was amazed to find such tranquility and bliss inside my own little world. Sure, we laughed about the little bugs that wished to be apart of our painted worlds, and the sunburn I received was stellar. However at the end of the session, I felt kind of like I did when I was growing up, spending a day outside in the fields playing and chasing the wind. It was an awesome feeling.
Laura and I have set goals to create at least one Plein Air painting per week, if not more. We are headed to some of the most beautiful places in Co. to capture our world on canvas. While I still have several studio paintings to start and complete, I can't wait to "Go Play Outside!!"
