Pochades 4 and 5

So happy to be out there painting today, though it took a bit of discipline at first. I'm still sneezing and coughing some. And didn't quite have the energy I'd like. But the weather is so nice and cool, brought a jug of coffee and some tunes. It's funny how you paint better than you think you will when you don't feel you have it in you. Eventually I got lost in the paint and trying out different sizes of brush. The past weekend held the fourth Plein Air Competition in Millville and I was fortunate to be working at the RRCA Sunday when most of the paintings were received. What beauty and loveliness, and what a chance to learn! I'm still very green and new, but it's wonderful to have so much opportunity stretched ahead of me!

This is behind the local library where there is a expanse of old wall/building cascading with greenery and trees.

Oh, do I miss......

painting! I think it's been about two weeks, almost that since I last posted. I had just got in the swing of things with my new french easel- I've been out three times- and I was waylaid with the flu (or something) last Saturday. By Monday I was coughing so much my ribs hurt and spent the next three days in a Theraflu haze. Which kicked the cough, but my head doesn't quite feel attached to my body yet. Still, I feel better enough to start grumbling and complaining about a lost week of work, lost momentum, dried up paint and no lasting energy to swipe a few strokes on canvas. I did frame four pictures for the Perkins show today, but that wiped me out for a bit. I think I'm going to go to the gym in an hour and stretch these muscles that have lazed in bed all week, and try and wake up. Listen to some tunes on my MP3. I'm not a good patient. Illnesses leave me frustrated. I made my way through one book, but I can't sit still for a week!

The last/third pochade before I was struck down. Not as developed as I'd like. Another artist joined me on the scene and we talked the rest of my painting session. I prefer isolation when I work, but it's all new, sooo...... It is amazing to me the variety of scenery one can find with one position of the easel. The pochades seem brighter to me out in the daylight as compared to the light in my studio, I haven't resolved that yet. With this one I tried a softer brush stroke.

Well. To better health, and hopefully a sunny day soon!