Painting “en plein air”

Oak Tree at Nepenthe III

Oak Tree at Nepenthe III

Going through batches of images today, I am struck by the value of painting “en plein air.” 

Painting in the studio is one thing.  Painting out of doors is its own animal.   entirely. 

Inside,  I can control light.  Subject.  Music.  Mood.  Outside, I am at the mercy of what is.

The benefit is a fresh, vital, vivid kind of work.  I don’t like to mess with work I do “en plein air.”  Its very mistakes or un-finishedness is its appeal to me.  Fresh, in the moment, perfect in its imperfections.