Flowers

Here's a painting I did up in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden this week. The garden is a nice spot with miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, and a field with native plants. During the spring it attracts a lot of people because of the California Poppies. I decided I wanted to try some Plein Air painting. Plein Air is a term coined by the impressionist painters of the 19th century like Monet and Cezanne. Generally all it means is painting outside, also instead of painting form, you're painting light instead. This is the first attempt at using acrylics outside. Years ago I used watercolor and it's a strange experience trying to accomplish something as people walk by and silently judge you or not so silently. You also have to contend with weather and the ever changing light. This time I was sitting on a bench under an oak tree and a bunch of little flies wanted to buzz around me. Unlike working in a sanitized safe studio environment where your motivation can stagnate, working outside gives you a sense of urgency and energy.