Drawing in the open air.
I’ve done some plein air work in the past, but usually in the warmer weather. I’ve painted in parks, famous public places, and on street corners in Italy, but the other day on a morning after a heavy snow, the moon set was so beautiful I just had to do some sort of sketch to remind me of how lovely and peaceful it was. I knew I would never be able to stand the cold long enough to do a color piece so I simply grabbed a pen and a scrap of paper, and stood on my deck scribbling as quickly as I could before my fingers were about to go numb.
I’ve gone a little numb.
After all the events of the past few years I occasionally find myself feeling a bit numb, and stuck in small moments. I thought this year I would be able to make a fresh new start and get back into a groove. But there were a few unresolved situations that kept putting my best creative juices in a holding pattern. Making small incremental steps is the best way to find your way back. So stepping out onto my deck for a chilly sketch was as important as setting my mind to revamping a manuscript or dummy. It was a freeing moment, as well as a freezing one.
I’m nearly there. I’ll try not to miss any more blog posts for the rest of the year, and I’m definitely going to get out for more plein air art, even if it’s in a boat, like in this little wash and color pencil detail. Happy Creating.
