June started out with its share of rainy days, days that kept me painting inside, wondering if I would ever get my chance to paint en plein air.
But the days did come, sunny mornings when I took myself outside to paint. It was harder than I thought it would be. Three dimensions can quickly become overwhelming. Choosing the composition, the colors, dealing with the changing light, everything challenged my studio-bound self.
But challenges are good. Painting from life is something I need to do, often. There is something especially wonderful about learning to come to the essence of a world of three dimensions. Something that I need in dealing with the changing light, gracefully. The complications and the changes are gifts. Stretching brings growth, and it also brings beauty. And for me, plen air painting won't stop in June. It will continue...