I ran into my husband while I was painting this idyllic river sunrise. Thank you for the photo, MGS!
The air is crisp and smells of pine and leaves burning in the distance. You can drink pumpkin spiced anything and not be judged. Fall is at peak in Michigan, and it couldn’t be any more magical — especially for a painter.
Working on location near my Grand Rapids home.
The leaves have changed and they take my breath away as I drive around Leelanau. Yellow, orange, red! I’m just back up on the peninsula and am looking forward to a week of painting. Almost every where you turn is a painting ready to be born.
A bit over a week ago in Maine; looks just like a Michigan does now.
This is the joy of outdoor painting. You live with the seasons and what is unique and precious to each month. You appreciate the subtle changes. And the more dramatic ones, like fall color. Plein air painting has really made me appreciate the seasons more. It makes one appreciate nature more. It’s a beautiful way to look at the world: with curiosity and wonder.
So yes, I very much encourage you to get out there. Paint. Or just bring pen and paper and make marks. The idea is to be still and study nature, then record what your observing. It’s a beautiful way to spend your time and feed your soul. If you need a little encouragement, I recommend Plein Air Magazine and the podcast of the same name, as well as Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting. And nothing is as powerful as just doing it!
What do you think? Are you ready to take the plunge? Or have you been enjoying painting outside already? Tell me about it in the comments and, as always, join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
9 x 12 Plein air study
