5 Plein Air Pieces...in One Day

This was the first of 5 pieces done within a 24 hour period, on October 1st. It felt good to get the first one done....a beautiful, calm, very grey morning that gradually brightened by the time I finished this.

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Plein Air....5th in One Day...

 

This was the 5th and last piece produced on location in 24 hours. It was early morning and the sky changed quickly. There was fog when I started, and a fair bit of clearing by the time I had finished. The mixing table is near my car, which helps hide me, which I like, and it also keeps the wind off the paint, which prevents very quick drying. I keep a spray bottle on hand to prevent premature drying, but it really helps to be out of the wind. (sold, and going to Australia)

 

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Plein Air....Little Stand

It drizzled for most of the day....the umbrella worked for the first bit, but then the wind picked up, so I had to take it down...luckily the rain stopped by then. I always look for a bit of shelter when I set up...and I don't like a 100 eyes on me while I'm making these. Any distractions at all can wreck the process....decisions must go quickly from one to the other....even a 10 second delay can hurt the flow. 5 on-site paintings were made in 24 hours. This is the 2nd last...on gessoed, cradled birch panel.

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On Location....September 29

On Location....September 29
..it was spitting rain this morning, so it was either set up the umbrella over the rig, or paint in the car. It worked out ok....intermittent wipers on every so often, duct tape the painting to support board, duct tape the support board to the steering wheel, water cup in the cup holder....tarpaulin on the seat. I set up the paint from the back hatchback, and only brought the essentials up front.....that really limited the mess. Next time I'll put a garbage bag over the gear shift, so I don't slop paint water as I dip my brush at the cupholder.

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September Pasture

(Sold)......Using the collage also helps me deal with the initial impact of the scene (the reason why I chose it). It forces simplification and concentration on the essentials. Without the collage, there is a tendency to complicate.....the eye sees many things and wants to record 'as is'...but the mind is more selective and leaves a lot of things out.....as if you say 'this is the thing that affected me...this is the more important part!"

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8 Inches Square

This is about all I know....
Never mind the style, everything you've learned, the degree of finish.....the world around you is moving and alive......the picture will reference the world but it has to be kept to that general statement, not more specific than that......and the picture has to have a pulse, give the illusion of being alive as well......just that.....let the picture have a pulse.

..on 8 inch gessoed thin Masonite panels, some done right on location, some in studio with collage in the first stage...

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Recent Drawings

(bottom drawing is sold)

I used to make these sitting in the front seat of my car, and will likely resume that again when the weather gets colder. In the summer, I'll often take my little portable chair and do these right on location. 2b, 4b, 7b pencils are used...a razor is kept for sharpening, and a white eraser is used less for removal and more as a technique. Each drawing usually takes about an hour of continual work...the pencil is always moving....

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Curve Lake First Nation Powwow

Yesterday we attended the Curve Lake First Nation powwow. Although it rained for most of the day, it was gentle, warm rain, and really quite pleasant. Although I imagine as the day wore on, it must have been a challenge for the powwow dancers. I really enjoyed this! Wonderful drumming and singing, great dancing, exciting regalia, and a lot of fun. We hope to attend next year again and take in more of the exhibition dancers. Also got turned on to some exciting new first nation fusion music.....A Tribe Called Red, who I think took part in some of the drumming.

I planned to do some plein air painting later in the afternoon, but since it was still steadily raining, I worked from memory....

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Today's Plein Air Piece....Squirrel Creek

 

Squirrel Creek
...a beautiful riverside place. There was nobody here when I came, but some fishermen arrived, a few people launched their jetskis, and a couple unloaded their boat from a trailer, and launched it. I love working in the shade.

I like that I got the highlight on the bridge buttresses and gravel of the shore. It was part of the reason why I chose this spot, but the light moves very quickly....and I noticed that by the time I finished the piece...those highlights were gone in the scene.....


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Forest Road, Plein Air

I am enjoying these plein air sessions...they continue alongside in-studio work. On the very edge of a Ganaraska Forest entrance here.....

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