Plein air painting is both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.  Being in nature spawns my greatest ideas.  It is where I find my truest inspiration.  The abundance of stimuli in nature often makes it difficult to narrow the options down.  For me, the days are usually long. 

Yesterday, for example, I left home at 6:00 am to ensure that the light was still good when I reached my destination.  By the time I finished my fourth painting, the sun had set and I had a long drive ahead of me, reaching home at about 10:30 pm.

Sometimes I hike, sometimes I drive around in search of paintings.  Sometimes I go to one location and remain there the entire day.  Sometimes I use the noon hours (while the lighting isn't as good) to find a new location, as was the case yesterday. 

I did 4 very different scenes yesterday, with 4 very different lighting and weather conditions.  The morning was calm, clear and warm.  The early afternoon was windy, chilly, and lightly raining.  Later in the afternoon, the sun came out, with partly cloudy conditions, and hot.  As I drove up and over the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountian National Park (the road reaches elevations above 12,000 ft as it crosses over the mountain range which divides the west and east sides of the park), I drove into thick clouds with light snow flurries.  I did a painting at sunset as the moving clouds began to reveal the tops of the mountain peaks.

In addition to the length of the day, the actual painting process is exhausting.  While contending with changing light, weather, bugs, animals, tourists, etc., I must focus so intently on the scene.  My senses are most accute while I respond to the scene.  I am in the moment.  I must move quickly and accurately. 

Many things could go wrong and often do.  But there is no substitute for painting on location.  Yes, plein air painting is not easy, but I live for it.  I love it.  It is the only way for me to find my subjects.

Today was a wonderful day of plein air painting.  The sky was mostly sunny and spring is spreading her blanket of green over the landscape.  I love the optimism that comes with the awakening landscape.  Despite the gorgeous day, the wind was something to contend with.  Wind creates challenges for outdoor painting.  I have had my easel and painting blow away on more than one occasion.  With my setup I have now, it is less likely.  But if the wind is strong enough anything can happen.  It was blowing hard enough to cause me enough concern that I held the easel with one hand while painting with the other.  It's amazing how much I use two hands while painting, and holding the easel always interrupts my rhythm.  There is usually a silver lining, though.  The wind forced me to be more deliberate with my paint application.  I couldn't waste time with pensive brush work.  I put it on boldly and quickly (yet controlled - I didn't want to waste time correcting errors).  I will post images once they are photographed. 

The trip to St. George, Utah was great, as always.  I enjoyed visiting with collectors, admirers, friends, and fellow artists.  It is always great to connect with others and build friendships, all while enjoying art! 

The day after the 2-day event, I decided to head out into the desert to paint.  From St. George, I took an 80 mile dirt road south to an extremely remote portion of the Grand Canyon.  The canyon overlook is about halfway between the main portion of the park and Lake Mead.  Most of the drive was a well maintained gravel road, but the last 14 or 15 miles were rough and rocky.  My 4x4 was well used on that stretch of road.  For those interested, take S. River Road from St. George past the construction area of the new airport.  Once you cross the Arizona state line the road becomes gravel.  It is called the Mt. Trumbull scenic loop drive.  From the (almost) ghost town of Mt. Trumbull you head due south into Whitmore Canyon. 

The Grand Canyon is not as deep, nor wide at this point, however, it is equally inspiring.  There is a moderate hike to the bottom of the canyon (made more difficult by my painting gear).  I soaked by feet in the chilly Colorado River.  It was a great respite from the heat of the sun.  I think the greatest thing about the day was the absence of people.  I passed only 2 vehicles heading the opposite direction during the 3 hour drive toward the canyon.  I did not see a single soul the entire time I was there.  I was dwarfed by the magnificent grandeur of the scene. 

I did some sketching and photographing and hope to develop some paintings soon.  I'll keep you posted.  I regret not painting certain scenes.  I had my mind so set upon painting the Colorado River, that I passed up what I should have painted.  Looking away from the canyon, towards the layers of cliffs to the west/northwest, the light was stunning and the terrain rugged.  It is obvious as I reflect on the day (and look at my studies) that I should have painted that.  But while in the moment I succumbed to my weakness rather than follow the voice from within.  Next time I'll learn...

That does not mean that I am not excited about what I have.  I certainly am.  I simply passed up a scene that was exceptional - even a '10' - for a somewhat lower '9'!   You can never go 'wrong' painting out there.  The desert is magical.  It is surreal.  It is inspiring.  Where else can you see the skeleton of the earth, with all its raw strength and power?  The mighty forces that carve the land are evidenced with every jagged outcropping or precipitous cliff which plunges into the deep chasms below.

I have rambled on too long, yet again.  I will post images of paintings from the area as I work though and develop my ideas.  I am not sure how soon I will get these paintings done.  I would rather do them right, than rush them.

Best Wishes,
Keith Bond