A fun day!
Of course, you can’t tell from this photo, but it was about 32 degrees this morning. We wanted to see what it is like painting in the COLD. We actually were able to last about 2 hours. As you can see we really bundle up with layers and then try to have everything all set before we go out – paint on the palette, handwarmers, and foot warmers.
As expected, there were not many out painting on this windy and cold 32º morning. David Farquhar was surprised, and it was a fun surprise to find this picture in The Cape Codder, December 12, 2014 issue! Thank you David for your enthusiasm! -Catherine
While Philip and Catherine were at Monhegan Island this past summer, I thought it would be a great idea to head out to Skaket Beach and to paint the sunrise. So I did.
This is a photo of my very first attempt at oil painting last March. What I hope that it conveys is the theme of this blog. To be specific that theme is to have patience in yourself and to allow your personal journey in this world to be exactly what it is supposed to be. For a while, and I really, don’t know why actually, I wanted to put paint on a canvas in a sort of bold ish way. so without study, classes, or much knowledge at all, I just did it. For me, the patience is being ok with, or comfortable with the knowledge that just getting out there and doing it, is a good thing. The practice then is to continue to show up to paint, or to run, or to swim, and to hopefully reach another level.
I did take a picture of the beach that morning and printed the photo back home. I painted this, the first picture, from that photo.
It might be worth considering if you are a bit nervous of just setting up your easel outside in front of the whole world:) that you start slowly and have patience with yourself.
Walking with our dogs one morning, Britt and I talked about how lucky we are to be able to exercise while enjoying the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod. Britt was explaining to me triathlon training. That let me to tell Britt how much fun I am having learning to paint plein air (painting outdoors instead of indoors) with my husband Philip.
I am grateful to my husband Philip for introducing me to the world of plein air painting– encouraging me to have patience and sharing his knowledge of plein air painting with me. Most importantly, making all the times we paint together a fun adventure!
Britt talked about trying plein air painting. Not letting cold, wet weather get in our way of walking our dogs, we decided not to wait for a nice spring day to paint.
We met at Skaket Beach and set up our easels… all bundled up with warm clothing. We accomplished what we set out to do. The fun on this day for me was helping to introduce plein air painting to Britt. Learning how to set up an easel and squeeze out paint from a tube can be challenging in cold, windy weather wearing gloves and bulky clothing.
Back then, close to a year ago, March 2014, we never planned on starting a blog. But here we go…
My challenge to myself that day was to paint rocks. Rocks are difficult subjects to paint for me. Lots of angles and shadows. I set up by some boulders and here is my painting. Catherine