Sunday, September 23, 2007

Plein, plane or plain?















The title sounds like a foreign language idiom. Fear not trusted blog viewers! Plein-air painting (pronounced “plehn”) is painting outside, on location! The goal is to capture the changes in light upon a subject. Remember Impressionism? Out of the studio and into the world!!! Sweet creativity!

Saturday, I ventured out with the Plein Air Painters of Chicago. I created my first painting ever! I’ve done work with paints and drawings but never a full out painting. I really suck. (I also didn’t finish my painting). When critique-time came around I proudly (although with trepidation - wanting to hide behind the largest tree I could find) displayed my painting with the others (it stuck out like a child’s drawing among masterpieces). I have to start somewhere! I did not finish the painting and this lends to it’s appearing elementary. Feel the fear and do it anyways! I jumped in with both feet. Actually I like that scary feeling when beginning something new. It’s tough but it tingles in a good way. Like something important is on the way! After all the things I’ve done in my life, I’m wondering why the heck I get fearful anyways.














Now, being self-reflective I learned that it’s important to have people around you who support you. Rob, my husband, gave me enough “slack” to allow me to hang out with the painting set this weekend without complaint. He also listened when I reflected back on the experience. Oh, and babysat the gorgeous girls all weekend.

I got some GREAT advice from the very gracious and welcoming Chicago Plein air Painters. They really rock! They are displaying their artwork at the Edgewater Historical Society in Andersonville, Fri-Sun Oct. 5-7, 2007. There will be paintings for sale. They will be affordable. My strong recommendation is to get one now. I feel Plein Air painting is really going to take off in Chicago and now may be the only time you can make such a luxurious purchase for a nominal amount! If you’ve never seen Plein air artists in action, check it out. It’s so neat to see them work. Children love it! They have weekly (Sat from 8:30-Noon) paint outs throughout Chicagoland. It’s so cool to see them scattered over an area painting and improving the vibe around them. Check their blog for more info! Or contact me!


I challenge you all to try something new this week. Feel some fear this week - and do it anyways! Then tell me about it!

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3 explorers in an expanding universe:

Roxanne said...

Woo-hoo to you! Kudos for trying something new! And a big shout out to supportive hubbies you let theiir women folk do "me" things, like train for a marathon or paint :)

Ty Pheng said...

Thanks for your comments.
Plein Air Painting is much more difficult than shooting.
Sure, you can use all my posted photo for painting. C'est un honneur pour moi. :) I whish i could see them one day in painting. :)
How the wonderfull job you have !!

Ty Pheng said...

This picture looks like a plein air painting. A small village in my town nearby Euro Disney.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_YMIUUEGVeU0/RruCuEoLPRI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/CZfKisiuW8w/s1600-h/DSC_0001b.jpg

PS. I shoot with a Nikon digital camera with an old lens 24mm F2.8