Plein Air, painting in open air, began with impressionists that painted on location. Their paintings caught
the light and shadow of the moment. Their paintings were mostly small in size so they could finish the painting at the scene.
Sometimes the small paintings were used in the studio as reference for larger studio paintings. The smaller paintings were
more accurate in their response to the atmospheric perspective, color and light they portrayed.
When I go out and paint I use a Cigar Box Pochade. It is built to hold my paints, palette, and medium. I
will hike to the scene carrying my Pochade and Terpentine container. I like to go to State Parks and local ranches.
Sometimes I have to carry my Backpack so I can carry enough supplies and a wet painting carrier for the paintings when I finish
them. I like to finish them at the scene. The wet painting carrier is a box that will hold at least four wet panels. I paint
on canvas panels because I can carry more of them than stretched canvas and the sunlight doesn't shine through the back of
them. The panels are sturdy and I like to paint on the stiff backing.
I started painting when I was a kid, first under the watchful eye of my Artist father. I would also go to
my grandmother for help, she was an oil painter. I still have one of her Art notebooks. I love looking at Art work and I'm
inspired by other Artist's paintings and the natural Landscape.
