Painting, Often A Solitary Sport

Everybody Gather 'round For Plein Air

A Meditative Happy Painting AM!

Many artists paint at home, alone, often in a room or if lucky in a studio. Artists are solitary creatures and yet with regards to plein air I've noticed that we like to have company. Why does it take another person for us to want to go out plein air painting? Is it more motivating and inspiring?

Without my "Let's go plein air" prompt,  my friend would not have taken her equipment and gone painting. Even though she has been wanting to paint and even though the weather is nice, she wouldn't have gone out. Perhaps because it is hard to justify "You (paint)" time. After all, there will always be dishes and laundry and it is hard to pause the chores to go painting.  Having a friend ask you to come out, makes it just a little easier to gather up your equipment and go!

Today my friend could not go painting with me, which was a bummer. And yes, it was harder for me to motivate to go out alone. And yet I knew the weather would be nice for August-cooler with low humidity. I had to get outside and paint, even if just for a little while. I chose a park near my house, I hadn't been there in awhile and I was glad I went! The flowers and shrubs are colorful overgrown delights, it was a good spiritual morning - birds singing, geese honking, bees buzzing. Ah nature!

Meditative Moment: Find the Yellow Bird!

Having a Plein Air Pal is something to think about and a reason why I try to email all of my friends before I go plein air painting--for more company and in the hopes of inspiring someone to join me. Many have said they want to join me, a few have shown up, all ask to be included in the next email when I go again.


My Advice: Share with your friends when you go plein air painting! It is easy to share information via email. Here are the details that I include:
Weather:
Day:
Time:
Location:
Directions:

In conclusion, it is easy to include others -- maybe it will be the motivation that you both need to get out and paint!