Painting in a Landscape of Choice

Corinne's Approach to Plein Air Painting

2017

Do you remember when you were a child, clutching your pocket money in front of the corner store lolly stand? You loved the anticipation of tasting the sweetness, but oh, how difficult it was to choose one lolly over another!

When I spent time painting outdoors last week, I felt that same tension of indecision. The beauty of the landscape around me provided the allure of so many distinct, sweet and exciting flavours I could explore in paint! How could I decide?

As I looked with deep attention at the water cascading over the rocks, as if dancing in the sunlight, part of me longed to spend hours mastering every small detail of that image on canvas. I yearned to be able to capture the appearance of even a small part of our mysterious world, with truthful realism.

Another part of me, however, searched for a different flavour within the glistening, transparent water, shifting clouds and transient light. Rather than paint the appearance of the landscape, I attempted instead to evoke the mysterious and transitory experience of being immersed in my surroundings. As I chose this path over the many others on offer, I felt a profound sense of vulnerability. I was exposed to the risk that I had chosen poorly, that the paintings would not touch you with the same wonder that I felt in the natural world. But ultimately, I stayed my course - navigating the uncertainty of my decision.

Perhaps you can relate to this experience, even if for you it is not with paint on canvas? I'd love you to let me know and also to tell me what you think of the paintings. You'll find them in the gallery of Plein Air Oil Paintings