A Chronicle of Abduction & Adventure Painting
Painting outside is called Plein Air Painting.
En plein air (pronounced [ɑ̃ plɛ.n‿ɛʁ]; French for 'outdoors'), or plein-air [1] painting, is the act of painting outdoors.
The opposite of this is being tucked securely and comfortably into one’s studio with a cup of hot steamy cream-infused tea and painting from a photo.
I’m not particularly eager to use the term Plein Air as it feels stuffy and intimidating, and many people stumble over the pronunciation, myself included.
I’ve long wanted to paint outdoors, but my attempts have been limited by my own intimidation (what if someone sees me?), lack of a decent set-up (travel brushes, dirty water containers, etc.), and the comfort of my studio space.
The above was also paired with the knowledge that anything I might paint in the wild would be far less than what I could produce in my studio.
Really a complete laundry list of brilliantly executed and flawless excuses not to do this thing that I had the desire to do.
Enter my friend and co-gallery member artist Khara Ledonne. I greatly admire Khara’s work, and I’ve learned much from her since she joined the gallery. She also does much of her artwork for the gallery “en plein air.”
However!
Khara does it differently.
She calls it ADVENTURE PAINTING!
Last April, she invited me to go adventure painting with her. It was a gusty, blustery day, and it was the most fun I’ve ever had painting!
Since then, I’ve come to terms with the fact that these adventure paintings don’t have to be good or great; I love doing them.
I love being outside and painting, and I’ve spent as much time as possible doing just that!
It’s worth noting that most of my adventure painting has taken place in small quick 20-40 minute doses that I have been able to stuff into other trips or hikes.
That is, until this last week.
This last week, due to an assortment of delightful circumstances - Was another invite from Khara to join her in a super secret spot.
And being forcibly but lovingly adopted by and swept along on adventures with a vacationing family of nine aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, and best friends.
I spent more time adventure painting than I have in the last three months combined.
It was wonderful!!
Cape Super Secret Spot with Khara
Khara made an Instagram Reel of our day! You can watch it here.
We spent four blissful hours exploring, painting, and sitting in pine tree pitch.
And!
It was a significant turning point for me. I came home and continued working on these paintings. By spending a bit more time painting, I created two paintings that I really love!
Accidental Vacation / Abduction
Okay, okay, I was not abducted.
It’s much easier to blame my lack of work completed on other people vs. taking responsibility for the fact that I faffed about* for days painting, hiking, and eating my body weight in GF caramel-peanut-chocolate chonk cookies.
One might argue that painting “is” my job, and you wouldn’t be wrong. It’s just that it wasn’t my job on these days. I had other more pressing matters that I deftly ignored like a cat sauntering on by a dish of dry dusty kibble in favor of a freshly opened can of tuna to go play-paint with my friends.
The Hobbit Trail & Beach
Painting in progress - I gotta say, I’m pretty delighted with that cloud.
5:15 am
Low Tide at The Devil’s Punch Bowl
As per usual, all the best photos are by MShoup Photography.
She sees and applauds my inner tea-guzzling Gollum.
Painting in progress - This one has been a great exercise in getting the delicate morning lighting just right.
So as you can clearly see. I could not have finished my newsletter yesterday as scheduled. I was so busy having so much fun! And that’s what summer is all about right?!
What brilliantly irresponsible summer fun have you had so far?
*Faffing About
A distinctly British term - to dither, futz, waste time, be ineffectual, "I spent the day faffing about in my room". Also, related noun ("That's too much of a faff")