Painting a Beautiful Garden
The joy of 'en plein air' painting
…to immerse yourself fully is to almost no longer exist. It’s as though I’m floating in the landscape… Thought has been almost entirely removed and intuition flows. It is magical.
I wrote a blog Plein air painting back in 2022. It was my first year discovering the pure joy of painting outside. It was a revelation, once I got over the practicalities and the interest passers by would bestow on me when I was ‘spotted’. I described finding this aspect, the hardest part of all..
The hardest part of all was being approached by people asking to take a look and chat. I admit, the first couple of times, I positively scowled to keep people away! I soon realised that this was something I was going to have to deal with in a far better way! After a couple of times, I got used to the approaches people made. I started to really enjoy the conversations with people who were genuinely interested – if perhaps a little less than impressed with my efforts ha!
A special place
This week our art society was invited to a special garden to enjoy the grounds and the views and to set up to paint wherever we liked. The garden is on the banks of the River Darwen. It is a joy. The owner, Chris Mortimer has lavished his attention on the grounds and the planting but also in the unexpected buildings that you discover as you explore the grounds in his 50 plus years here. These include a secluded groto approached via a tunnel and a dark tower which can be reached if you’re feeling adventurous, by an extremely narrow suspension bridge. There is woodland, a quarry pit and orchard amongst other delights.
The weather so far this summer in the UK has been pretty dismal, especially in the North. The day before had seen torrential rain and temperatures down to 10 degrees in the daytime, so it was touch and go whether the event would go ahead. Thankfully, we decided to go and hope for the best and apart from a few spots of rain, we were blessed with intermittent sunshine.
I found a sheltered spot on the banks of the river and set up my tripod and Etchr Mini Slate (you can read more about that in my previous blog here. )
Getting started
It takes some setting up, finding the ‘right’ spot and having some kit with you, to get started. The kit can be minimal though. A sketchbook and pencil can be enough and I have happily sketched with just these few supplies. Though for me, I want to paint with my watercolours and I like to stand up to do this. I’ve found I can’t hold a sketchbook for long in one position whilst I paint and If I’m not comfortable, then I can’t appreciate the full benefits of plein air painting.
Immerse yourself
Once I’m set up, it becomes about being immersed in the setting. Becoming almost one with the nature that surrounds me. It’s like the distinction between myself and the environment melts away and I am one within it. I picked a spot because of the view in front of me and yet it’s as if it’s no longer a view but an experience. To see a view and perhaps take a photo, walk or drive on is to appreciate it in that moment and then pass by. To become distracted with the next piece of information that fills your brain, often uninvited. But to immerse yourself fully is to almost no longer exist. It’s as though I’m floating in the landscape, there are no cares or distracting thoughts for long periods of time. It is a meditation, a day-dream, almost trance like.
The sounds, the air on your skin the flow of watercolour across the page transcends the realm of being into one of experience. Some of my loveliest watercolours have been painted this way in sketchbooks. Thought has been almost entirely removed and intuition flows. It is magical.
This time, I wasn’t able to complete my painting in-situ and so finished it at home. I could’ve left it as it was and although incomplete, it was fresh and spontaneous. But that place was in my heart and mind. I wanted to prolong the experience and so I continued it at home. I loved how it turned out and so did my Mum who has asked if she could have it framed.
Some progress
It’s been an art filled week which culminated in time in the studio. At last.
Monday was my first ever teaching experience. I have recently given some demo’s but teaching is totally new to me and this is another revelation. Years ago, I was asked if I would teach when I designed and hand made bags. I declined. I have never seen myself as a teacher. Never thought I had that teaching bone in my body. So to have been approached and asked out of the blue was a complete surprise. Originally I was asked to do a talk/demo and then it morphed to a teaching spot once a month.
Learning self-confidence
Having the confidence to teach doesn’t come easy but I have been un-prepared for the joy it’s brought me! And them too apparently which is unbelievably gratifying. And so I hope the confidence in me will grow with the patience of my fledgling art group who are SO appreciative of my efforts.
What a joy it is to talk art, to show your techniques and ideas and for others to be so enthralled. I wouldn’t have chosen to do this, I sort of fell into it and I believe it is total serendipity. I am grateful to the universe or perhaps that should just be to Facebook where the lady originally found me 😂 I’d far rather thank the universe!
And on Tuesday..
I delivered my painting to Brewery Arts gallery for their Open exhibition for which it was selected. I have been thrilled to be included with 40 plus other artists whose works were chosen for this juried show.
This is a painting about overcoming adversity and the trials of life. Of the dark against the light and how there is always hope.
Release the pressure and just paint!
These 2 events this week have given me the kick I needed to get back in the studio. I’ve been really struggling with my main painting this year. In some ways, I think I have put too much pressure on myself and pressure is certainly not conducive to creativity.
I had started a series called Dust at the end of last year and it had been going well but I was disappointed with the direction they took and I’m now rethinking the whole series and how to move it forward.
A wise peer said to me this week, something she’d learnt from American artist Nicholas Wilton who says, it takes a while for your art to catch up with your taste.
And then it all makes sense.
The only way to get to make the paintings I dream of making is to keep going. Keep pushing my painting and experimenting.
I have nearly a full week in studio this week. I’m looking forward to it!
Have you tried your creative pursuit in a different environment and does it make a difference to your whole experience?
If you’d like to read more about Chris’s beautiful garden Mill Barn, you can find it here