Painting en Plein Air | Artist Statement

Something magical happens when you paint outside, surrounded by nature. The brushstrokes mimic the gentle breeze while colors dance across the leaves and light. The true impact of the moment can be felt and seen as it’s translated into line, shape, and pattern. I have loved painting “in the open air” since I first learned of the Impressionist movement while studying art in college. My first such painting captured the cool breeze gently tugging at the branches of a weeping willow along the shores of Lake Washington during a summer Plein air painting class more than 2 decades ago taught by University of Washington Professor Kenneth Pawula. While I no longer have the painting, I remember it clearly with the dapples of sunshine on leaves creating purple shadows across the paved path. And I remember Professor Pawula walking up behind me as I worked wearing his sun hat with a cigar in hand as he made his astute observations about my interpretation of the scene with a gentle reminder to use the shapes presented to me before making up my own. I have since painted many Plein air paintings - from my backyard garden to locations found while hiking and exploring throughout my Pacific Northwest home. Each time I am captured by the magic of the moment, immersed in the surrounding beauty while recalling lessons learned long ago.