I am a plein air painter, and doing so, over the years I have developed the knack of painting fast and furiously!
In this blog entry I want to share with you, A few paintings, studies, sketches; that I have never exhibited or shown to anyone – yet. They are quick studies – done in the fervor of a moment. They were all painted plein air and each has a story to tell. In Evergreen, where I live, there is a wonderful view of Mount Evans and the continental divide. I call it the Golden Willow view. I have spent many hours painting there on my own and with students, when teaching plein air classes. The great thing about Golden Willow is that to the west is the grand simple view of Mount Evans, and to the direct east, the other side of the road, is a wonderful red barn scene. Both views have Bear Creek meandering along with field grasses and mulberry shrubbery. As I was teaching a small class at Golden Willow, I set up my French box easel and painted along with the class, which I do regularly, as we learn by seeing the teacher do. The day was young and the sky brilliant blue. I had little time to work on my painting, as students needed attention. But the scene is so simple, just a few pieces of color, and I had the confidence and experience of the scene as I had painted it many time previously. This morning it came together very quickly and had a certain spark going on! Luckily for the painting, I got involved with the students work and didn’t have time to return to my painting so it remained simple, Quick and spot on. As the day progressed, clouds rapidly grew and built into a grey rainy afternoon. I changed views and this time faced east toward the red barn. Now my adrenaline was pumping even more, teaching for me is an active sport of sorts – I respond to the students work as they respond to the ever-changing scene before them – it can be quite exciting, and I put this rush in my painting of the barn. In a few moments the painting appeared! My strokes were clean and crisp and every one of them worked! Quickly the weather was changing and drops of rain and wind encouraged the process. I was impressed with the quickness and felt good to preserve this seemingly effortless study. Both paintings measure 20 x 24, and were painted in a 30 minute time frame! Wow! I came home with two field studies that day in November and felt that I had captured the area in a way that I hadn’t done before. Some of the canvas in both paintings remains uncovered – causing a wonderful vibration of texture, color and temperature. With this said, the question arises “Are these two works, done so quickly, viable paintings?” I look forward to answering that question in my next post. Let me continue… I found myself painting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming – home of the Tetons. I had painted all day long, from sunup to sundown, I was exhausted! As I was packing up and heading home, the sky, which had been moody and grey, opened up with color I had not seen before. I just can’t paint any more I told myself. The color grew and I was just stunned by it – so I pulled the car over and yanked the French box out, along with three small 16 x 20 cardboard panels and in a few minutes was painting – like a madman! In seconds, the sky grew and grew with color! I was alongside a road and other drivers were swerving off to experience the drama going on. In just a few moments I had the small canvas covered with simple spots of color, then the scene grew and changed, and I changed canvases – throwing one on the ground and painting the one underneath on my easel. It happened again, in 10 minutes the canvas was covered with color, a few quick accents and fini! And then, the sky drama entered into another phase of intensity! I threw the second 16 x 20 off the easel and began another. In my mind I was wondering if anyone would believe this? My body ached and my mind swam with paint and color. Then it was over as quickly as it had begun. In a matter of moments, the sky, mountains, and ground, created a powerful memory what a display. I had three 15 minute quick studies, each rich and vital, filled with spontaneous color, passion. I hadn’t even had a chance to take a picture with my camera – who would believe this! Now seasons later, I look at these quick studies of the Tetons and their grandeur – and am impressed that I was there and had the nerve to give it a try! A color memory that was real and still lasts. The question again, “but they are so crude and unfinished? Do they work? Are they paintings? Or just a study…a sketch done in haste? An easy question yes, but the answer is somewhat elusive. Another experience to share next week as we find that answer…
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