Plein Air Painting, it's not an easy task!
Plein Air Painting is the act of painting outdoors. I really had always wanted to do this over the years but I never felt organized. My studio was a mess, and how in the world would I take all of the tools I use in one bag and then carry it to a specific location? I had an old french easel I picked up at a garage sale but I had never used it.
Well... I finally attempted it in Venice. I was living in Italy at the time and one of my friends from my artist group in Tucson planned a day of painting in Venice. She invited me to join her and I agreed. I thought, if I committed, I couldn't back out. The big day came and I managed to stuff all my supplies into an IKEA bag. I walked to the train station, boarded the train to Venice from Novara, boarded the boat, went up and over at least 20 bridges, and then up the 6 flights of stairs to my hotel room. You better believe I went to Apertivo that night, I needed something after that ordeal and I hadn't even painted yet.
The next day I met Beth Giachetti and her husband Richard on location at the Venice Fish Market. Thankfully I could use the Traghetto's, which cross the canals for 2 Euro, and I managed not to tip it over getting in or out. It would have been a long hike without that local boat. It took me almost an hour just to set up, we met around 2:30 in the afternoon. By 3:30 the lighting was perfect but it very quickly started to disappear. I painted as fast as I could to catch the light but I couldn't completely detail my painting. People stopped to talk, and I was struck by everyone's interest and friendliness. I was so thankful to the Giachetti's for inviting me, it was an amazing day, even if it was hurried. We had done it!
When I got home I put my painting on the wall of my flat to dry intending to add the boats and more detail. But after days of seeing it hanging there I realized I liked it just the way it was. It's colorful and loose, and it reminds me of the first time I went Plein Air Painting. It will always be special because I would have never dreamed my first time painting outside would be in one of the most beautiful cities on this earth. I hope you like it just the way it is too, now you know why it is so simplified. Sometimes simple is better : ).
Well... I finally attempted it in Venice. I was living in Italy at the time and one of my friends from my artist group in Tucson planned a day of painting in Venice. She invited me to join her and I agreed. I thought, if I committed, I couldn't back out. The big day came and I managed to stuff all my supplies into an IKEA bag. I walked to the train station, boarded the train to Venice from Novara, boarded the boat, went up and over at least 20 bridges, and then up the 6 flights of stairs to my hotel room. You better believe I went to Apertivo that night, I needed something after that ordeal and I hadn't even painted yet.
The next day I met Beth Giachetti and her husband Richard on location at the Venice Fish Market. Thankfully I could use the Traghetto's, which cross the canals for 2 Euro, and I managed not to tip it over getting in or out. It would have been a long hike without that local boat. It took me almost an hour just to set up, we met around 2:30 in the afternoon. By 3:30 the lighting was perfect but it very quickly started to disappear. I painted as fast as I could to catch the light but I couldn't completely detail my painting. People stopped to talk, and I was struck by everyone's interest and friendliness. I was so thankful to the Giachetti's for inviting me, it was an amazing day, even if it was hurried. We had done it!
When I got home I put my painting on the wall of my flat to dry intending to add the boats and more detail. But after days of seeing it hanging there I realized I liked it just the way it was. It's colorful and loose, and it reminds me of the first time I went Plein Air Painting. It will always be special because I would have never dreamed my first time painting outside would be in one of the most beautiful cities on this earth. I hope you like it just the way it is too, now you know why it is so simplified. Sometimes simple is better : ).
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