En Plein Air: Slowing Down To Appreciate The Unnoticed
Last summer, my future MIL, Anharad, invited me to join her on the most wonderful afternoon! How did I ever get so lucky that an art teacher/working artist would be my future mother-in-law? I feel truly blessed.
I packed my mother’s watercolor paints, Anharad picked me up in her Subaru and we were off in our beautiful state of Vermont. The roads were perfectly sprinkled with farms and I am really missing the Vermont landscape. It was the perfect escape from 16 hour work days before our road trip- we also got to chit chat about early wedding planning ideas in the car.
Once we arrived, we were welcomed by the sweetest owner of The Sparkle Barn. We met some of the fellow painters and got sketching. It was such a joy to paint with other artists because everyone had such a unique style! I hadn’t worked with water colors in ages, so I resorted to layering a combination of watercolor and acrylic.
Painting landscapes from observation is such a treat and it certainly takes practice. If you find yourself in a situation where the weather and therefor light keeps changing, roll with it. Or take photographs of how it is in the moment and refer back to it later should you wish to continue developing the piece. I tend to go for a speedy, more of a magical realism approach than I used to.
This spot was a wonderland. The owner of the land had planted thousands of wildflower seeds the year before and they were paying off in the most playful array of color and texture. There were so many layers from the tops of the mountains to the flowers at our feet. A tricky landscape to paint, for sure, but a fun one to try to hone in on certain elements.
It really makes you look around. Appreciate your surroundings. Finding joy in the perfect shade of green in one particular spot of one particular tree. Noticing how a passing cloud casts a shadow on a mountainside- ever-changing. How younger wildflowers are more vibrant than sunkissed elders. Butterflies come and go, making their way across the field. I think the world would be a better place if people spent more time painting the outdoors.
Whether you find yourself before a masterpiece or a muddy mess, it doesn’t matter what the end result looks like. If you enjoyed the stunning surroundings and the stress relief of putting paint to paper, then you, my friend are indeed, an artist.
Should you wish to pick up some painting tips, Anharad hosts monthly Paint & Sips on Zoom via The Southern Vermont Art Center- $5.00 Fee
The next one is scheduled for October 14th from 6-8 pm EST!
Artist Peter Huntoon led the workshop at The Sparkle Barn in Vermont- his style was so fun to watch in action
His paints were magnificent
My painting set up
He was the smartest of us all to bring an umbrella. The afternoon was toasty and sunny, but provided the perfect, consistent lighting for the landscape.
Anharad and me with our paintings
Until next time!