Saturday, June 19, 2010

The Value of the Plein Air Experience










Before discussing the plein air experience... "I" must digress for a moment to attend to a more important matter:

Happy Father's Day Dad!

My Dad has been gone now seven years... but his "Presence" remains strong in our Family and in my Soul in particular. My Father was my mentor... my counsellor and my my Friend."He" was a gifted musician... a pianist who proficiently played and enjoyed every form of music. He was awarded his seventy five year pin by the local Musician International Union of his peers for his lifetime contribution to music. But more than that... "He" left each of his Family with a lasting legacy of musical appreciation and accomplishment... that we all use in some form... and cherish.

So... Happy Father's Day Dad!

"We'll meet again... don't know where... don't know when
Some sunny day."

God bless and keep "You" and Mom!


Thought that I would leave you with some thoughts regarding the value of making the effort to work outdoors... before headin' off to have my Highland Fling!

My painting pal from Algonquin Park, David and Diane Kay visited us for a couple of days. David and I managed to "get out there" on two days and really found some exciting subjects to sink our teeth into. All sites were within ten minutes of home here in Hillsdale... so no time was wasted driving around. It was just a case of arriving ... setting up... and getting down to work. I had scouted the sites out beforehand because of the short duration of their stay.

We were challenged by threatening rain and bouts of gusty wind... but we persevered... skipped lunch and managed to get in four successful pieces. Because David and I work very quickly... we only spent two hour periods for three. For the final of three on the last day... we limited ourselves to a 45 minute window, due to the fact that David wanted to travel into Barrie to pick up necessary art supplies that aren't at all available in his neck-o-the-woods.

David usually leaves his work to finish back in the studio... but I prefer to reach a final stage of finish for my plein air sketches... otherwise... "I" usually work them to death... and "Shermanize" them with detail that reduces the spontaneity. My four works will simply receive titles... go to the frame... and the Gallery wall... "as is".

This painting experience really "revs my engines"... and prepares "Me" for the trip to Scotland... to the numerous fishing villages ... and new "Horizons" that "I" will see. "I" have chosen to work/sketch only in watercolour... another "Horizon" shift to make the juices flow.

See "You" in a week! Until then....
Good Painting to All!
Warmest regards,
Bruce

24 comments:

  1. Those are all wonderful! I admire how you can just whip them up while your standing there... Very good!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank "You" for visiting... and for the compliment Katherine!

    Being able to "whip them up while I'm standing there"... comes from years of "standing out there" trying... failing... succeeding and learning from those mistakes.

    It is a journey! One that "I" am still grateful... and blessed to be on!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorites are the second and last....
    Not that it matters...

    Happy Father's Day to you too!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the photos of your dad in his heyday, Bruce! These plein aire pieces are magnificent. Each one is full of joy and beauty. I couldn't pick a favorite as I truly love them all. And Happy Father's Day to YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there Marian!... And it DOES matter my Dear! Why else does one paint n' share... except to "connect with others!

    Each painting is... "a page" in my journal/journey. It really is important that "I" share the world "I" live in day-to-day!


    Thank "You" for visiting and commenting!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank "You" Autumn... for your generous compliments and encouragement! Glad that theses sketches make "You" happy!

    My Dad was an important factor in my becoming a teacher... to share my "gift" or passion with others... at "my day job".

    The "beat goes on"... pun intended! "I" will honour "Him today by being a good Father for my children!. "I" will journey to Scotland to see Allison receive the bounty of her extensive effort and "gift". That is all the Father's Day gifting "I" need!

    "I" always enjoy our "chats"!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very beautiful paintings, Bruce. They are full of light. I love those tones in your paintings. A joy for the eye!

    Thanks for your comment on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Bruce,

    If I were asked to choose a favorite among these paintings I couldn't, they are all wonderful, the colors, the light, a feast for the eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank "You" Dick!...for your visit and for your gracious comments regarding the work!

    Being "out there"... is the great motivator and teacher for "Me"!

    Your work shares these very characteristics that you mention about mine.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank "You" Sue for your visit and your encouragement.

    Colour and light! That's what painting is all about ... isn't it?

    It is a huigh compliment coming from you. I very much admire your work as well!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy painting to you Bruce. Enjoy your trip and painting in Scotland. Can't wait to see your future work. The paintings you have posted are wonderful. Like Sue I love the play of light and shadows. Brilliant!

    Have a fun and safe journey.

    All the best to you.

    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi from St Andrew's Scotland Joan!....The weather is beautiful... the people are splendidly friendly... the town and harbour of St Andrew's are a plein air painter's dream!

    I was on the exhausted side by the time that I reached my destination... but managed a full night scouting trip in preparation for today's premier sortie!

    Well rested... and country breakfasted... "I" am more than ready for the plein air world!

    Thank "You" for your wonderfully uplifting and continuous support Joan!

    Good Painting!.... "I" am off n' runnin!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  13. THanks for your kind words, I enjoyed visiting your blog. Great paintings and equally great writing. You have a flair with words and encouragement. Look forward to following your work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Have a great trip Bruce... I always think of you and thank you for those days when I started painting outside - that's 15 years ago now. I look forward to painting with you again my Friend!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful group of paintings Bruce...safe journey...I await seeing your 'Highland work'!

    Jeffrey

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank "You! Mary Anne!... For your encouraging words!

    Sharing ideas... and encouragement has always been my primary goal for this blog!I particularly enjoy meeting new "faces" who have fresh ideas... and positive feelings.

    "I" too... look forward to future online sharings!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello... from St Andrew's, Scotland Phil!... lovely summer weather... sunny and cool... so gr8888888 for outdoor sketching!

    "I" too... would enjoy a painting sortie... whenever you're up to it!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards... to "You", Linda and the young ones!
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank "You" for your much appreciated comments about the work!A great compliment coming from "You"

    The weather has been great... landscape and fishing villages captivating... Allison's convocation moving and magical... sweet memories to carry for the remainder of my journey!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Bruce:

    I hope you are having a wonderful time with your daughter.

    You must be very proud!

    Best,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  20. AMAZING~ plein air work!
    Extremely impressive!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Bruce. Amazing paintings all of them. I love them. All the best Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank "You" Downtown!... for your welcome visit... but mostly for your wonderful wishes! That means a lot to "Me"!

    It has been a VERY special and magical time to have shared with Allison... in the place where her ancestors came to Canada from. Life... "full circle"... as they say!

    We... as a family are indeed VERY proud of her achievement and the honour "She" has earned for her Self... and our family!

    "I" am more proud however... of "her" for the sense of Humanity and generosity that "She" has ALWAYS carried. The world is a better and fairer place... because "She" is here!

    Thank "You" Downtown! Please do visit again!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce (and Allison)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Jill!... Thank "You" for your visit and encouraging comments!

    Seems that we share many things in common in the way we go out to the world... and the sincere joy we feel for the act of plein air painting!

    "I" love your work... and will now be a Follower!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank "You" Vic... for visiting and for the encouraging comments. "I" am pleased to hear that the paintings give you pleasure!

    I always enjoy my visits to your site. Your recent piece is a wonderfully strong visual image with excellent design and colour!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete