Even the best laid plans must be open to flexibility and creativity. I love painting the SUNLIGHT - and when I was at a plein air event last week, it just didn't want to cooperate. I said aloud- I am being tested on how much I want to do this!!!
HERE ARE SOME TIPS:
1. Hatchbacks (or tents) - If you do not own a hatchback and in the market for a new car...this may be an option. I bought a van with a hatchback many years ago just so all would not be lost at events like this! But when the rain is slanted and blowing everything around, even the hatchback could not help. It was an opportunity to find places indoors that might be local favorites. You could also buy a photographers tent.
2. Inside Homes - My favorite painting of the week was 'The Steinway'. But it was in my hosts home where there were lots of family members for the week and I did not get to paint it until the last day. The windows brought in plenty of light, rain or shine, and the contrast of the piano with its many memories sung music to my canvas. Look for contrasts and design elements.
3. Find LOCAL places of Interest- paint from inside out - The 'Junk and Stuff' store was a rainy day in Petersburg, TN at an OPA paint out. Sometimes, you just have to make friends with the locals and ask permission to paint. I carry a floor cloth with me in case of situations like this. They were so happy we were there to paint! This is the second painting of the same store, the first SOLD. I painted this mainly from the photo of the plein air painting in my studio.
4. Look for CONTRASTS - 'Gray's Cemetary' was the my first day painting in Knoxville at the Artist on Location Plein Air competition, and the day the clouds were rolling in for the week. I signed up to paint at the cemetery to fill a mandate. On this spotty gray day (How ironic) I looked for the best contrast available and these ladies made the impression on me. Later I found out they were sisters (Lizzie Crozier French, Lucy Graham Crozier, and Mary Hume Crozier) and part of the Women's Suffrage (~1896), and Lizzie was one of the primary leaders in the push for women's rights in Tennessee in the early 1900s, and helped the state become the 36th state to certify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving women the right to vote, in 1920. The lady pouring water on top is Lizzie, and beneath her were her sisters.
5. Bring portable lighting - The Band at Barley's, in Knoxville- Danny and the DryHeavers, I painted while rain was pouring outside, and fortunately they were an awesome band! They only played for an hour, so this painting didn't get much love, and had to be rushed, plus it was DARK in there. I had one light on my palette only. Kirk Larsen loaned me a light, that had very little battery, but he did a series of band paintings that whole week. BTW- Put camp lights or 2 sets of rechargeable lights in your plein air bag!!! PORTABLE LIGHT SUGGESTION
BELOW-
6. Take advantage of the muted tones - 'The Botanical Gardens in the Rain' painting was a play date with other artists a few years ago, we all stood under an awning. In this painting I found a way to love the muted tones after I found a good composition and design element that would attract me.
7. Find other sources of Light - 'Reprieve from the Rain' - Overseas and rain! It rained my entire visit to Venice, but my eye was snagged by the reflection of light on the ground of their beautiful stone walkways enticing me; and worthy of the brush. Sometimes you have to live in a place for a minute before your artsy senses start kicking in!
