Spring or Rather All Weather Elements In One Week .... Days 155 - 160

This week (Day155) started out with probably what I would call the windiest day I have ever attempted to paint in . Not only that, it was the first day of my "Intro To Plein Air" class and so my 15 dedicated students also braved the hurricane worthy gales that wrecked havoc on our painting time.  I was impressed at how they stuck it out and became hard core plein air painters in one class.  Lots of greens to play around with. Working hard on keeping them natural and the masses simple.

 On day 156, I painted my chicken house for a second time. This time it was from a different angle and a different time of day. Had fun playing with the shadows and the light on the gate and the fence.  I truly enjoy trying to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Most of Day 157 was spent working at our CARE arts center, but during a lunch break I was able to step out the front door and study this incredible dogwood blooming next to Charleston's post office. I think this little building is one of the most beautiful buildings you will find anywhere and the dogwood makes it even more special this time of year.

From windy, to sunny, to stormy,  Day 158 kept me indoors due to blowing driving rain and thunderstorms. Was able to paint this familiar scene from my studio window. I find it interesting though painting the same scene and how it changes with the seasons.

And now it seems on Day 159, we are back to winter. Spending the weekend in Starkville and had envisioned lovely spring painting on MSU's South Farm. I was NOT expecting to be under the nose of the horse trailer, blocking the wind painting a ditch bank while the wind chill was 29 degrees.





Finally, on Day 160, the South Farm painting time I was hoping for. Sunny, green rolling hills and ...... 48 degrees. So I didn't quite get the warmth, but all the other conditions were good. Played with keeping the tree masses simple and suggesting the shape of the cows. I'm sure the yellow bitterweed is not the best for grazing, but it makes great color in a painting.