Grandfather Mountain II

9" x 12" Watercolor on 100% Cotton Paper

On this art journey, I have been inspired by paintings created en plein air. I am constantly drawn to those artists who take on the challenge of creating a beautiful piece of artwork using nature as their reference. The change of lighting, wind, and temperature around you as well as the challenge of trekking or hiking a bit to get to different locations and battling sunlight and biting bugs to for a while could be daunting. Plein air paintings tell such a rich story in and of themselves because you can imagine the artist conveying his or her experience while creating the painting you are viewing.

I set up my first plein air attempt at Whispering Waters Farm in Boone, North Carolina. There, this gorgeous view of Grandfather Mountain is so serene. I got out there in the pretty meadow with a bagel and cup of coffee in hand and watched the sunrise one morning and just took in the sounds of the Watauga River, the dew at my feet, the small birds chirping -- hoping to catch a glimpse of the majestic eagle that lives upstream. I spent that morning then painting this scene until it was time to open the pop-up store for Design Market of the Pines that day.