Learning on the GO

#221061 Under Cover 11x14 acrylic

The MAA Plein Air group had an opportunity to paint on the grounds of the Heather Haven Farm Horse riding facilities in Kars this past Thursday. We enjoyed a beautiful warm day with blue skies. Some of the majestic horses could be seen in the pastures nearby.

I found a spot to set up and became absorbed in firming up a composition before getting out my paints. As I began to take tentative efforts with a brush, still unsure how to pull the painting together, I sensed movement coming from the old shed. I looked closer and realized that there was a horse standing there, looking at me.

I rushed to capture the outline of the horse, thinking that it might decide to spoil the moment by joining the other horses in the pasture. How long the horse had been standing there watching what I was doing, I’ll never know. Long enough though, to awaken my radar and recognize a painting opportunity when I saw one. I had my story – a motif *.

To my mind, that’s what makes plein air painting exciting. We practise painting outside, in challenging conditions, in order to be ready for whatever surprises come along: a sunset, a revelation or even just a special quiet moment. We need to be open to ourselves; aware of moments of inspiration, asking ourselves what was the initial attraction? How can we best express it all with brush and a two-dimensional canvas?

This plein air business is so subjective; it’s a trial and error process really. Failures are common, but when we have a winner, we can surprise ourselves with the results and failures always have a lesson. On looking back at some of my work from years ago, I can now see where the paintings need improvement. At the time they were painted I thought my art was pretty good – the best I could do. But I moved on, along the never-ending road to enlightenment.

Charlie

September 2023
* motif - a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition. Google

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