In The Meadow - En Plein Air

  May all your weeds be wildflowers. 

In The Meadow

11.5" x 15" hand painted 'en plein air' watercolor on Yupo paper

16" x 20" double matted w/ foam core backing

See purchase information here.

This image is available for license here.

Yesterday I competed in the Medford NJ, "2013 Paint Our Town - Plein Air Challenge". Although temperatures soared into the mid 90's, I managed to find a shady spot and held up pretty well. This year the event took place on the Medford Leas Retirement Community's 160 acre impressively landscaped grounds. It was lots of fun and a very well run event. Upon arrival, our painting surface was marked and we were supplied with maps and information about possible painting locations.

Here is my set-up.

I learned so much, on many levels through participating.  I haven't really painted on location in years and setting up and working outside is not like being in the studio where everything's at your fingertips! The only thing I forgot was a spray bottle and my paints kept drying out.  I'm planning on putting together a "Checklist for Plein Air Watercolorists" in my next newsletter. Be sure to sign up to receive it in your inbox.

This picture of me  was taken by Beth, a sweet resident I met
who contributes to the community newsletter.

It was really good for me to get off the property. I tend to be a hermit. Most days, I'm here in my studio, painting, on the computer or hanging out with my critters. It was good to get out in public and it was definitely good to get out of my routine and comfort zone. Even though it was a lot of work, I'm charged up to do it again, hopefully when it isn't so darn hot.

Cutie Pye inspects the maps, brochures, and winnings.

Everyone I met or was reacquainted with was so nice! There was even a reception with food and wine after the judging. I am happy to report that I got a second place award and a cash prize for my painting of Katzell Meadow, titled "In The Meadow". That was just the icing on the cake though. The true prize was just being there in the moment, observing, feeling, painting, outside, in the zone, in the meadow.

Go to the meadow to stretch and grow

Get lost in her plume topped amber glow

Sparkling with gems in every color and size

Joyful appreciation the true grand prize

When is the last time you tried something
out of your comfort zone or routine?

What was it?

  What did you learn from it?  

 As Always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by!

TREES ~ "en plein air"

Today was an interesting day weather-wise. We went through half a dozen different conditions at least. Misty fog at 6am, then clearing to beautiful crisp 70's by 8. Clouding over by noon with a deluge at 2. Then clearing, cloudy, sprinkles and brilliant sun here again at five pm. It feels like three days rolled into one! I went out sketching "en plein air" ("in the open air") today. Three different spots and three different weather conditions! Fortunately I was in the studio during the downpour. This is a picture of a tree up the road from me. It's one of my favorites! See my gesture sketch on Sketching Everyday.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY

It was in the upper 70's here today and I decided to eat lunch outside in the sun. I took my sketchbook and my mini watercolor set with me. I started out by adding a wash to this pencil drawing I did at the beach last year. I ended the session by sketching the quickly changing figures I saw in the clouds. I'll be posting one of my cloud pages on the
Spirit Art Blog tomorrow!


My Drawing Everyday Blog will be starting up again June 1st!