ABOUT THE ARTIST
I was exposed to Plein Air (or live in front of the subject) painting 10 years
ago while painting with a group from the Royal Watercolour Society in England. I
was shown the difference between painting a landscape from a photo and painting
it live. The paintings that were done plein air
were so much more vibrant, so much more alive, there was no comparison. And so,
a plein air artist was born! The experience changed the way I painted forever, I
was hooked.
This type of painting is personally very rewarding. I love to put my backpack on
loaded with painting gear and hike into Southern California hills early in the
morning with the dew kissing my boots and the morning sky awakening in a blaze
of color. It’s so peaceful -- just the sound of little birds greeting the day.
The smell of sage and mustard and other wild herbs is strong as I hike up into
the hills. The area teems with wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see coyotes
milling about as I paint.
I like to find a nice secluded spot and camp out for several hours, happily
painting away. I am not a literal painter. Instead, I look to capture that sense
of wonder I have when I look at something so beautiful and so fleeting. Lighting
can change quickly so I have to work fast! Sometimes things change so much, I
have to wait several days for the same lighting to return so I can go back and
finish.
It’s not always a picnic out there. Nature can be a real challenge. The wind can
come out of nowhere and knock over the painting. I’ve been chased out by the
occasional rattlesnake. I’ve been rained on. On hot summer days, the heat can be
so intense that the paint dries the moment it touches the paper, not allowing me
to move it. This summer I was in the middle of two paintings, and before I could
finish, fire swept through the area and destroyed my subjects! Nature is very
fleeting.
On a lighter note, I think my favorite pests are those tiny black flies that
love to dance in front of my eyes as I’m intently trying to paint a scene. There
is no getting rid of them. And sometimes a curious dog will come running over
and jump in my lap as I’m painting. I even have to keep them from eating my
paints! It can be hard work trying to capture a scene, but it’s all part of the
experience and so worth it in the end.
Live painting in charcoal of Kristen by her friend and fellow artist, Adrian
Gottlieb. www.adriangottlieb.com |