Soda Springs
I took 3 hours of unscheduled time to sneak off and find a place to paint on our trip to Soda Springs. I don't know why it is so hard to do this, but when I'm with everyone else, I don't want to miss out on being with them, however, I want to paint. So I am happy for the fact that I did paint these past couple of vacations. This is a cabin I finally decided to paint in Soda Springs.
There are many factors that play into my decision of "Where to Paint"
- Do I just LIKE the scene?
- Where can I sit and spread my stuff?
- Is someone going to wonder who that strange person is in their yard?
- Shade is good.
- Out of the way is relaxing.
- Bathroom close by?
- Oh what the heck....just sit down and paint already. I set a time for myself to be painting by, otherwise I may never find the "perfect" spot.
This was my "thumbnail" sketch (postcard size) of the cabin I did first to work out any issues. As you may notice there is a list under the painting.
This is a list of what I should not forget when one goes on location to paint.
- bug spray (which I was truly thankful for)
- pencil (which I had misplaced and had to dig one up in the car)
- sharpie (don't leave home without it)
- eraser (a must)
- watercolors
- paper towel (which I forgot but found a napkin in the car)
- camera
- chair
- visor
- paints
- blanket
- pliers (dam it - some of my paints lids were dried on)
- poky thing (dam it - once I got the lid off the paint layer was dry and I needed to poke it with something)
- brushes
- paper
- SENSE OF HUMOR
Soda Springs Cabin
7/2007
Voila! I finally painted an 11" x 14" on location. I think I could take it to my Art Cottage with the photo and thumbnail sketch and spend some time and really make a nice painting.
House boating at Lake Trinity
I just love to play around in my sketchbook. I now have been doing that since 2003...four years. I really like having the snapshots of my life along with practice of my art.
Needless to say we had a sleepless night!
Really hard to capture kids inner tubing in a 1/2 inch area, and from memory.
Here is my second attempt on a vacation to paint on location. This time I decided to do a still life. I planned this day and time because I knew that there would be a lull in activity for me and the 8 out of 10 people on the boat would be gone for 4 hours.
I just love that coffee pot!
It represents camping, fishing, simpler times, quiet mornings!
There I am...all set up and ready to play!
"Coffee Pot"
7/21/2007
