Painting outside, right in front of nature, always makes me super happy. It's ...
... read the story behind the painting ...

Painting outside, right in front of nature, always makes me super happy. It's called "Plein air" painting, a fancy French term meaning "full air". For me, it's just an excuse to enjoy that beautiful fresh air.

I love painting outside for a bunch of reasons. First off, I gotta work fast. The sun moves quickly, and in just 2 hours, it changes the way light and shadows look. But, after standing up painting for that long, I'm usually ready to call it quits! The downside? I often have to come back for a second round of painting, and I gotta do it fast. See, in New England, the seasons switch up quickly, and the scenery can look different from one week to the next. So, I usually end up finishing my paintings back in my studio.

Second, when I paint outside, it's much easier for me to show my artistic style than when I paint from a picture in my studio. It's tough not to get stuck trying to make things look exactly like a photo. Outside it is just “moi” and my brushes.

Finally, painting outside just makes my brain feel good. Even if the painting doesn't turn out exactly as planned, I always finish feeling happy and satisfied!


Title: Plein Air Joy: Painting in the Fresh Air
Year: 2023
Size: 11x14
Media: Oil paint on Canvas Panel
Original Available
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