Been painting air (Plein Air that is...)

 So, worked up some courage and really embraced the idea of painting outside. My local art center (The White Bear Center for the Arts) had a great Plein Aire Competition and I registered. For several days, I painted at a local park and really enjoyed the process. I put together a set-up with my bike:

Once I spent a day, then I made some adjustments! I am not totally new to Plein Air, however this year, I quickly learned to pack lightly when biking. The first trip out, I used small tubes of paint in oil and acrylic. During the following trips, I found myself taking fewer and fewer things. I ended up using oils exclusively, on wood panels. Here are some pics of the adventure! 

Can You Hear It? @ 45.0727222, -93.1002028

12 x 12 Oil on Birch Panel

Reaching @ 45.0727222, -93.1002028

12 x 12 Oil and Acrylic on Birch Panel

The whole experience was exciting, and it inspired me to make some paintings at Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, MN. I painted for a couple days on small (4 5/8 x 8 1/4 inch panels) in oil. Here are the results:

Southeast @ 46.7597861,-93.2802194

Northeast @  @ 46.7597861,-93.2802194

These small paintings are oil on board and are the smallest I have made (4 5/8 x 8 1/4"). I am discovering that landscape painting and (painting in the landscape) is providing me a great escape from the basement studio and the work that I do there. The next trip for me is to the great Lake Superior (Port Wing, WI) to paint the first week of August in the Port Wing Plein Air Festival here's the link. I am preparing, and tinkering with more easel set-ups for that yearly event! More updates in the future! I guess my advice to you is for goodness sake, get out of your studio and make art!