More river views then a coffee stop

Met three people from the plein air group at Roaring Rapids in Springfield on Friday. This view is from the Roaring Rapids Pizza patio which overlooks the river and solves the problem of where to paint by the river and have fresh water and bathroom close at hand. But, the view was so tremendous I had a little trouble not freaking out at trying to paint it. Finally I just painted part of it, away from the rapids which I couldn't even begin to think how to paint...so my view was just of the area along the far shore which was a little tamer. Spent a fair amount of time on the first one, being very careful (it's actually called "Roaring Rapids 2" here, even though it was the first one I painted...go figure). Then, I decided to just quickly do another one before I had to leave. I think, because I wasn't being so careful, and I was playing more, it came out better ("Roaring Rapids, without the 2").

While I was waiting to pick up Phoenix for soccer I did a quick drawing in a coffee shop and then added paint to it during her practice. So the colors aren't true to the real place.

When I was taking the paintings across the street to go up to my apartment, someone on the street asked me if I was an artist and if he could see the paintings. I started apologizing about them before he even looked at them and said I was just learning to paint. He looked at "Roaring Rapids" and said "Oh, that's out at Roaring Rapids, isn't it?" Whew, I guess I captured the essence of it anyway.

This is so much fun.

two paintings at winery today

Just got in from painting at a winery southwest of eugene with the plein air group. Didn't have much time to paint as I got there late because of an early morning commitment and I had to leave early to deal with some things that were happening BUT, in between those two constrictions, I actually got a couple of paintings that I like. I know, I said it didn't matter.. that it was about the process not the product... but today it's about coming home with something I might actually frame and don't have to shove under a rug with all the others to keep flat til I figure out what the heck to do with them.

I couldn't have planned this...it just happened

when something's already ruined, it can free you up to play. Here's the campus tree with way too much drawing on top.

Back on UO campus

Okay, I did say I'd post them whether or not I liked them, right? I don't like much about these except for having had fun being outdoors, painting. I had something that was really working for me in the tree painting for a while, then lost it, found it, lost it, mucked it up and then, finally, threw water at it and got this faded mess. Still, I don't think I'm done playing with it. Took this picture and posted it now because I feel compelled to work it over again using ink lines. (I'll post that later).

The second one done on campus today begs to be cropped differently. So, I'm posting the original version and a second, cropped version. What do you think?

Painting on UofO campus today

Four of us painting today at or near the Knight Law building on campus. Beautiful weather. Gosh, I've got a lot to learn about painting landscapes but it's fun playing. Finally braved putting my bike in one of my paintings. That's Mark, another plein air painter in that same painting. Not particularly fond of any of these as finished paintings but posting anyway as promised.

Week one of painting

First week into "rewirement" and here are the results of my first real day out painting on location. I'm going to try and post everything I paint without editing out what I'd rather not show just so I can stay honest about the process. It was a beautiful day to paint as I joined a few other fellow plein air painters in Springfield, on the Willamette River. Here are my first two paintings (done on location) and a third painting I did once I got home. Interesting how different the two paintings of the same place are (one done on location, one done at home later). I don't want to get too crazy with liking or disliking how any of my paintings turn out, hoping, instead, to stay in a playful/learning place with the process.

Can you find me?

Curious about how long it will take somone to find this and make a comment, without me telling friends and family that this blog exists yet. Hey, you could be the first to say hello. It will take me a while to figure this all out and post some images of my paintings. Please visit again.