As I look for a good spot to set up my easel, I appear outwardly calm, but I am gathering momentum, opening myself to the feel of this place.
I ride a wave of inspiration flowing into paint strokes on canvas. I’m learning to hold steady, but it is a wild ride. Whispers of stories float through my mind. Composition, value, and color mix with a subtle inner language guiding my choices. The painting comes to life as I work.
This first part, out in nature’s glory, feels like a race. I look forward to quiet time later in my studio. I contemplate the painting, searching for what remains unspoken. Some colors are too dull, dark, or pale. Often the focus is not quite clear. I inquire, looking for what is needed to reveal what my heart is seeking to express.
There is a magic moment when the painting clicks into place and it’s time to step away. It’s more than checking values and texture and composition; the spirit of the piece settles in, the story is told, and the painting is done. Now, with framing, it is ready to share.
I turn my focus to the next canvas. As I work on one painting, others line up and ask for attention, the opportunity to come alive. I see a road I hadn’t noticed, the light changes, the feel of the day shifts and it’s time to start again. There’s always another story to tell, and I am thrilled.
