Adventures in Plein Air Painting...

...And Pumpkin Patches!

"Pumpkin Harvest"

7"x9" oil on canvas board

Plein air #17

Laura and I headed out this past Thursday with the Thompson Vally Art League to paint the morning away.  We ended up meeting at Osborn Farms, located in south Loveland, Co.  What a fantastic place to paint!  I was drawn to a few shipping crates packed with pumpkins, nestled between two large trees, causing the sun to dapple and dance around the pumpkins.  I've been receiving some great advice from some top plein air pros, and wanted to put their advice to work.  So I used only larger brushes, kept things super simple, and painted as though each brush stroke would be my last. I was also focusing on using better judgement in values.  I think this one worked well..

The funny part of my story goes like this:  about 15 minutes after setting up, and blocking in the painting, I was informed that the farm was expecting  a class of youngsters from the local elementary school to come visit.  All of the artists giggled and we went back to painting.  Shortly there after, about 30 kiddos and their parents all show up.  You can imagine the questions, excited comments, and curious on looking as the group swarmed the area.  I think at one point I had 3 different people tell me what would make my painting better, from including the "great Pumpkin" rising from behind the crates, to adding a large harvest moon and a black cat to the scene.  This was all good and well, until I heard the teacher tell the students that they could pick out their pumpkins from the two crates "over there" after the tour... Wait.. "Over there???"  You don't mean.. Oh, yeah, you did mean... my.. pumpkins...Oh boy, I'd better paint faster!!

By the time I was finished with my painting, the pumpkins were gone, save a few left at the bottom of the crates.  It was heart warming to hear the little ones oohing and ahhhing over their perfect pumpkin prizes in the crates.  I nearly asked if I was gonna get to take a pumpkin too.  After all, there is something quite appealing about a large mound of pumpkins in the sun. 

Side Note:  The art show opening went really well!!  What a great time I had meeting new artist, and getting to see other local artist work.  Though my art didn't place, I did hear that the judge was very impressed by the quality of work that was presented.  I'm thinking I've found a great group to join, Artist Association of Northern Colorado.  My dearest art buddy Laura has coerced me into joining up.   I'll be entering in next months Small Works show, hosted at Reader Cove in Fort Collins Co.  Further out from that, there will be a National Art Show that the AANC is hosting in Fort Collins, and I've just about got a great piece finished for that as well.  I'll keep ya posted as I get closer to these event times.

Cheers!!