Painting This Week Was Magical......Day 131 - 135

 I know I have not posted Day 130, but I will include it in the next group. This week, well, was quite unique and so I felt these paintings needed a post of their own.

As I planned our trip to Orlando, I knew keeping up my daily routine would be a challenge. First of all, taking my oils would be impossible, so watercolors would be my media of choice. Second, I would be spending a lot of time in the car and in then in the parks. Painting each day would be an adventure to say the least. So what did I learn?

First thing I learned, is it is possible to paint while riding in the car. I was able to get a couple in on Day 131. As we drove through the Alabama hills, the drizzling rain created fog rising from the layers of trees. I learned that a little white gouache would eat at the water color and create a very similar affect. The long stretch of road gave me enough time to catch the scene. As the drive continued from Alabama to Florida,  an hour traffic jam caused a beautiful detour through Ocala, Florida and gave a brief moment to study a moss covered live oak.

 Day 132 was a day spent with the girls at
 Universal Studios. A very busy day to say the
 least.
As we finished the day we had about a 30 minute wait at the shuttle terminal, so out came the paint. The sun was back lighting this palm tree and though I was wishing for my oils, the watercolors weren't too bad to deal with.

Day 133 was special to say the least. Did I paint an amazing study? Nope. But I did get to paint plein air at the Magic Kingdom and yes, I had the opportunity to paint Cinderella's Castle! It was great! And what did it teach me? To NEVER be without a sketchbook or paints. You never know what you will be able to capture. Daily painting has raised my confidence level so much. Not only in my actual ability, but even more in putting my art before worries about what others think. To paint what ever and when ever I choose.  There was a time I would have been embarrassed or too self conscious
 to paint in a crowded place like this and now I can't wait to study every aspect of the world around me. I painted Cinderella's Castle!!

 Day 134 was Epcot day and Epcot was celebrating its Festival of Flowers. Need I say more. I have to admit it was almost overwhelming and no, I didn't get to paint in half of the areas I wanted too. I did manage to get a couple in. As we walked though the Epcot World Showcase, I was mesmerized by Morocco, but my crew was not ready to stop just yet. We did however, have lunch in Japan and in a Japanese garden. The red bridge and red umbrellas gave a nice contrast to all the greens.
 Everyone was ready for gelato by the time we arrived in Italy. I sat in the make-shift piazza and painted a row of colorful potted plants with decorative gondola poles behind them. Oh how I want to see all of these places in reality!

Day 135 gave me one more opportunity to study the Disney topiaries before the long drive home. I was drawn to the way the morning light played across the topiary of Pluto standing in an abundance of flowers. Lovely does not even begin to describe it.

So once again did I paint the best studies? No not at all but I HAD FUN just being an artist and the joy it brings and I loved every minute of it.