New Challenges
Are we ever too old?
My first Paint Out Experience
I have been home for over a week now after a pretty grueling week in the wilderness. I knew the week-long Wekiva Paint Out would be challenging but WOW… just WOW! I had never done one before and I don't mind telling you I was a little apprehensive about whether I'd have the stamina to make it through but I did and I'm pretty darn proud of myself!
So what is a Plein Air Paint Out you ask? Painting en' Plein Air is simply the fancy French way of saying Painting Outside. Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Matisse… all of those great masters did it. And Degas did it in my favorite medium - pastel!
Once again a popular thing to do, these paint out events are popping up all over the world. Basically, you pack up your supplies, haul them around outside, pick a spot and start painting. One or two a day! Yes… you have to work quickly so small sizes are indeed favorable. After a full day of painting you take them to your car where you have packed all the framing supplies you would need, frame them and take them to the wet room back at headquarters where they remain on display for sale throughout the week. Sounds pretty easy, right?
Cue the Beverly Hillbillies theme song. Come and listen to my story…
I could have gone home every day but no, no, no not me… I wanted to immerse myself into the full blown experience!
I'm reasonably certain that this was the Clampet Residence - Jed and Grannie's place, before they struck oil! For a week this was home for me and my roomie, Dana - deep within the Wekiva Springs State Park - several miles from civilization and Wekiva Island, where most of our activities took place. It may not look it but I assure you, we were quite comfortable. Heat and AC, a full bathroom with shower, (indoor) toilet and comfy beds - what more could we ask for? Ours was the cabin furthest from the parking lot and it never failed that once we would settle in, we'd realize we had left something important in the car! Talk about dark… OMG scary dark, pitch black at night walking home wondering what wild life you might encounter! Thankfully the only wildlife I saw were some beautiful deer, plenty of wild turkeys and several Sand Hill Cranes.
This was the 20th year and I am so grateful to have been accepted to participate. It is strictly a fund-raising event with all proceeds going to help preserve the river and the surrounding wilderness. Many patrons, conservationists and even a few county commissioners made regular appearances throughout the week as our evening events took place. Yes, evening events! After painting all day, framing and driving out of the woods and over to the island to hang our paintings there was always a fun evening event. Good food and wine, great company and although I was pretty wiped out from a long day of hauling my wagon full of supplies around - often in some pretty rough terrain- I thoroughly enjoyed the meals, libations and most of all the camaraderie of the other artists.
After a full week I was exhausted but would I do it again?
YOU BET!
I am told that the Wekiva Springs Paint Out is like no other. It was my first so I have to believe the artists who do these things regularly know what they are talking about. Wekiva Island is owned by Mary Sue and Bill Weinaug - the absolute hosts with the most and Seminole County conservation award-winners! See more about their philanthropic work at Keep Seminole Beautiful here.
The weather that week was unseasonably cold! Sometimes hovering around the upper 30's! This was a cold afternoon, painting at Wekiva Island. It's a beautiful spot on the Wekiva River where you can rent a canoe, have a bite at the delicious food truck, grab a drink at the bar or just hang out in a chair.
First morning out! A gorgeous, sunny 40° cold day at Kelly Park At Rock Springs. Even though I had frozen fingers it was this moment I realized how much I enjoyed painting outdoors from life as opposed to a photo. There is just no comparison! What took me so long to step out of my comfort zone and do this? And why have I never been to this beautiful park?
Soft Green Whispers - SOLD
On Tuesday, or was it Wednesday?…We woke up to another freezing cold day. Dana did not want to miss the sunrise peeking through the trees out the window of our cabin so she set herself up inside! Her painting turned out beautifully!
My supplies were back in the car. Too cold for that hike.
I enjoyed coffee in bed.
By Friday, I'd hit the wall. Dana said I looked like a petulant child that morning. My facial expression was saying, "Do we have to do this again?"
In spite of my total exhaustion and under sheer duress, I forged on! Below is my final painting and perhaps my most favorite two hours of painting all week! This was painted at the actual springs at Wekiva Springs State Park and to my surprise I totally enjoyed talking with all the interested people who came by to watch. Having people watch as I paint and [God- forbid] talk to me, has always been cause for anxiety and on a day when I was exhausted and had really pushed myself to go back out I realized the magnitude of my own strength. I have put a great big checkmark next to this accomplishment proving to myself that we really are never too old to step out of our comfort zone and try something new! We just need to trust the process.
Color Me Crystal Clear - SOLD
I managed to haul my stuff up the hill just before rain set in. Back at the car, this baby got framed and to my delight was sold that night!
The painting below was done back at Wekiva State Park, not far from our cabin. a bit of a sandy hike to get to this spot with our wagons and so much easier going than coming back up hill! My pastel box is heavy and my set up a bit cumbersome…gotta work on that!
Walk With Me - Available at GaLLERY CERO
So what are the takeaways? Well first of all just being outside, hearing the birds and all the sounds of nature - unbeatable. Confronting the challenge of capturing the light as it change and the whole process of painting the beautiful scenery from life - all of these things were the best lessons learned from the entire week! You simply can not create these beautiful paintings in the same way back at the studio from a photo. Hanging with other like-minded artist souls and learning from those more experienced - well you can't put a price tag on that. The entire experience was so much fun!
I am hooked!
In fact I will be at it again soon right here in my home town. I am grateful to be participating in the Winter Park Paint Out April 20th - 25th - again for the first time at this event. I will be painting at various Winter Park locations throughout the week and for sure you can find me at the Polasek Museum all day Thursday, the 23rd starting with a demo I am presenting at 10:00 am. Yep, another challenge! I'm a bit nervous about pulling that one off but here I go again! Many fun events are scheduled throughout the week so be sure to check it out at the link below.
Are we ever too old to accept new challenges? Nope… NEVER!!
