Painting Without the Comforts of a Studio

With great respect for those who consider themselves purist in the "plein air" genre of painting, I want to explain a bit why I find the sport so difficult.

To the left is a "practice piece" I did the Friday before the Crossnore event.  I termed it practice as it had been a while since I went out and, unlike my tennis bag which is always filled with all I need, I was not certain my supplies were rounded up.  To forget your brushes or a specific tube of paint or even your terp or paper towels can make the day a no-go,  and yes, there were a few items I was missing.

Patti's Road: 8 x 10 oil on panel

Having all your supplies at the ready in a backpack is rule #1 of those venturing forth to paint in nature.  As a studio painter, I take breaks to hunt up something I cant find, or, horrors, dash to the store to acquire it.

Praying for Rain

unfinished oil on canvas, 12 x 16

The elements are another important factor in plein air work, as in, you gotta deal with the outdoor conditions which include bugs, heat, cold, and encroaching storms.  During the event I kept eyeing this barn to paint. By the day I got around to it we were watching a storm move in.  With the wind coming up I had to weigh down my easel...I watched as another artist's rig toppled due to the umbrella catching a gust and sailing off.  And of course the skies were changing rapidly meaning  I had to pack up before finishing this piece.  So back to the studio to work on it....altho some plein air purists would wait patiently for another stormy day so they could head back out and paint it authentically.

View off of Highway 221

11 x 14 oil  still in progress

My first day out I found gorgeous views of fields and mountains off of Highway 221....and no where to paint!  Finally I spotted an abandoned fruit stand on a sliver of land off a curve and pulled over to set up camp. Location, location, location: another critical factor in plein air work.   You cannot always set up where a photographer can grab a shot and run.  While composition is still an important part of the finished work, it is not always easy to get in a position that allows the perfect composition en situ.

One time I was so intent on getting the perfect view of a barn that I was not watching where I was going, I was merely scoping out the angle:

Slush!  I landed in the middle of a muddy ditch that was very hard to walk out of !  Now I was painting with very wet (cold) feet.

Hwy 221 View Reduex

oil on panel, palette knife, 11 x 14, plein air

Most plein air work is finished on site which means that you can only layer a few colors before the wet paint will not stick.  On the contrary I love to layer and layer and layer in the studio....because I can allow the paint to dry between layers.  Not only does this help create texture but other colors can peek through creating a lot of depth.  This was another piece I did off the highway but I came back to the studio to finish.

Like most new things we are challenged to learn, the more I paint plein air, the greater the joy.  I certainly intend to get out often this summer so that next time around I can spend more time enjoying the experience and less worrying about the outcome.  My painting sold at the auction for a very respectable figure so all is well that ends well.....as they say: nothing ventured nothing gained.

Hope you seize the next opportunity you have to stretch yourself a bit....it can be very rewarding.

Color fully yours,

cindy

Miracle in the Mountains for Crossnore School

I am not a plein air painter (another blog as to why) but I believe in pushing my comfort zone and in helping others where I am able.  Crossnore School for Children is one of those places anyone of us could have needed had life gone a bit differently.  So when Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery manager Heidi Fisher called and asked me to participate in a paint out and auction (my other unfavorite activity) to benefit the school's "Stepping Stones" program (an independent transitional living program for children who have aged out of the system) there was no way I could refuse.

So, three long days painting outdoors from 10 am until 5 pm, enduring mud, wind, bug bites and forgotten supplies, I am now ready to frame a painting for the auction next week.  It is still wet, not totally to my satisfaction, and I get a pit in my stomach thinking I have to watch as people bid, or not bid, on it alongside the 11 other works done by real artists.

Possibilities

11 x 14, oil and palette knife on canvas

wooden silver plein air frame

100% of purchase price goes to Stepping Stones Program

I did this piece on the second day of painting and the name of it is significant.  Being as nervous as I was about the experience, I called upon a few close friends for support.  Periodically they would send me a text message ("you can do it" or "you'll do great" or even a "good luck") and when I sent them progress photos they would respond with gushing reviews and continuing encouragement.  No matter what I sent them, they loved it because they loved and supported me.  They were my safety net, my cheering squad, and my support group. I survived with their help.

The "Stepping Stones" program attempts to do that same exact thing for kids who have aged out of the state supported system of child care.  They turn 18, graduate....and then what?  With no family providing a safety net, forced to strike out on their own with no support group, where do they turn for that all important validation of a cheering squad?  (and I thought painting outdoors was hard ??)  Eight kids graduated this month and my thoughts turned to them as I painted. How would I have faced that situation?  Re-girding my loins, I decided to be part of their team and, even if I had to paint, frame and then buy my own piece, I would do what I could to support the program that assures them the support they deserve while crafting a new life chapter.  I'd be a cheerleader.  Now the painting part seemed much easier: Possibilities existed for them and for me.

The Gallery asked for one more piece to hang for sale and I am providing these:

Around the Bend

10 x 8, oil and palette knife on canvas

gold wood plein air frame

and

Off the Highway

6 x 8, oil and palette knife on board

gold filigree wood frame

You may find plein air pieces that are technically better, but you won't find any that are more heartfelt or sincere than these.  Yes, I want to be a much better plein air artist at this time next year, but those kids needed a cheering squad this year, life does not wait for perfect conditions.

The auction will be held Wednesday, June 18 at the Hugh Chapman Center (part of the Avery County YMCA) from 5 pm until 7pm.  There is no admission charge and you will enjoy light refreshments and wines.   Last year Heidi said they even had some phoned in bids so if you want to participate you can either give me a "go-to limit" on your bid or contact her through the gallery link.  

Now excuse me, I need to go experiment with framing wet art!

Humbly yours,

Cindy

Just Around the Bend

Make me an offer...

 

 

"Just Around the Bend"

oil, 10 x 8, framed to size 14 x 12

 

This seems an appropriate piece for many reasons.  First of all, fall has always been my favorite season as it signals huge change.  Also it was always the start of a new (school) year and nature dressed up with lots of wonderful color.  Secondly, the title is apropos to this time in my life; I can sniff some changes ahead but just can't put my finger on describing them.  Like taking the curve in this painted mountain road. 

 

This will be my first (maybe last) "Make Me An Offer" sale!  Send me an offer to purchase (art@cindymichaud.com) and I'll accept the highest one.  Deadline is Tuesday, September 24.  I can't include shipping in your offer but that will run under $10 depending on where you live.  This is original oil with lots of color and texture.  It will arrive framed as you see above. I've never sold work via on-line auctions so this opportunity may never come again.  But hey, fall does that to me.

 

If you have never travelled with paints and supplies before you probably haven't even imagined what it entails.  Add the international aspect to that and you can see what I am preparing for currently.  While all liquids (includes paints) have to be packed (not carried on) they also have to have paperwork officially proving that they are not flammable to a certain temperature.  Heading to Italy in 2 weeks I am thinking I will need to buy some of the more toxic (and flammable) supplies when I get there.  And travelling light will be a challenge...it may get down to the question of hair dryer or additional canvas!  Hmmmm, haven't decided that one yet.

 

If you want more info on the piece above just send me an email...before I change my mind!

Cindy