20x16 | Oil on Panel

Week 21

It's July in Texas, but we're not there… We are deep in the mountains Colorado - cool breezes, tall trees, imposing mountains, warm sun and crisp air. In preparing for this trip, we knew we would complete several plein air pieces together. Neither of us has never done plein air and wereexcited/nervous to try.

We are so excited to be working side-by-side with James Stupfel in the next 4 pieces! The last two days we have been scouting out our locations and making a plan. To capture the essence of our region, we are focusing on the elements, Earth, fire, water and air. Been sweating this one, maybe because of the harsh light of day or not knowing what to expect from being in the elements or just something new. 

As we set up two easels for the 3 of us on abandoned railroad tracks, I felt like I knew what I wanted. (I also had some clarity and mental focus because in the evenings, we are all talking art. Or maybe because it was actually daytime!) But fresh in my mind was Laert's talk about pebbles on a beach. It's the notion that one stroke, or painting or pebble doesn't mean so much itself but as a whole they create something amazing like a beautiful beach. Because I didn't like some of his strokes that we're going over some of my strokes. And he didn't like a few of mine. But together, when you stood back-- I like it. I'm really excited, because I feel like some of these thoughts are becoming part of my own mental dialogue-ingrained in my head. They are giving me a lot of freedom, and for a woman who gets trapped in my head often, that is an intoxicating thing. As I'm cleaning my brushes, I can't wait to start the next one.