Fruit Time

What  better time than summer to paint

             beautiful, colorful, juicy, fresh fruits and vegetables.     

Plein Air

Preparing to paint plein air is a feat of organization.  Everything must be thought out and packed to travel.  I went through all that and was ready on Thursday to meet up with a Plein Air painting group based in Manahawkin NJ.   I noticed I was a little nervous driving to the designated spot, my mind racing through the checklist again, wondering who I would meet.  Imagine how deflated I was when no one showed up.

I felt too shy to set up my easel alone at a busy beach entrance so I drove around hunting for a more solitary spot.  This is what I found.  After an hour the view just to the left was dotted with the white triangles of sailboats.  If I turned halfway around there is a picturesque bait shack.  I want to visit this spot again, packed to paint, with or without a group.

Plein air offers the challenge of exposure.  An artist may feel vulnerable having a work in progress on display for all passers-by.  The light changes fast and so must be captured quickly.  But I find it fun and invigorating despite the challenges.