Sheep Mountain - February Plein Air Painting

by Diann Haist on 2/21/2010 12:03:57 AM9 Comments

Plein air painting. Warm for February, but when the sun went down, pretty cold.

Was able to paint outside today for 6 hours! Amazing for February in Alaska. This time last year, my friend Eric Deeter and I plein air painted in -10F and it was all we could do to keep our fingers and toes from falling off with cold. The oil paint began to get sticky, and we worked quickly - probably spent no more than an hour on our painting. Today was very different in that the temperature was fluctuating between 30F and 45F, sunny, and downright balmy comparatively.

This is the February 2009 piece:

February Plein Air 10"x 8" Diann Haist

....and these are what I managed to do today, 20 February, 2010.

Haul Road 7"x 5" Diann Haist

Sheep Mountain - February 5" x 7" Diann Haist

King Mountain River 5" x 7" Diann Haist

Needless to say, I enjoyed my day, and look forward to more and longer days of liberation from the studio.

9 Responses to Sheep Mountain - February Plein Air Painting

	Bonnie via diannhaist.com	5 months ago
	Diann, These are absolutely beautiful! So alive and spontaneous.

	Diann Haist via babette.fineartstudioonline.com	5 months ago
	Bonnie, thanks so much! While painting outside in the winter months, I tend to work quickly without much fiddling around on the canvas, and that probably contributes to the spontaneity.

	Bonnie via diannhaist.com	5 months ago
	The instructor I have been studying with is Rick Kochenash. (Rick Kochenash.com) He has embraced this spontaneous presentation. He says that he loves winter painting and has found ways to keep his fingers from freezing which is most likely working fast! Looking forward to what is coming next for you (and him)....Bonnie

	Steve Washburn via diannhaist.com	5 months ago
	Read your tweet about going out painting. These are sure nice!!

	Diann Haist via diannhaist.com	5 months ago
	Hey Steve, thanks so much! Nice of you to take the time to read this as well as post a comment.

	Tali via diannhaist.com	4 months ago
	These are stunning Diann. If you ever want company while freezing en plain aire, please give me a call! I have nominated your blog for the sunshine blog award. You can go to my blog for more information. Just a little artist networking.

	Diann Haist via diannhaist.com	4 months ago
	Tali, thanks so much! You are indeed special and your contributions are appreciated.

	Joe Soulagnet via diannhaist.com	4 months ago
	Diann, I share your enthusiasm for plein aire painting!! I'm out there when I can be even if there is only a little sunshine... Hmmm, 10 degrees is a bit cool. I'm also looking forward to those "longer days of liberation" Hope you don't mind, I'll be using that phrase!! Love these little treasures! Joe Soulagnet

	Diann Haist via diannhaist.com	4 months ago
	Joe, thanks so much for getting back in touch! I have new email server and 'lost' some emails in need of answering! You wrote about my pastels - thanks for that. Happy you enjoy plein air painting too - there is no better teacher, frustrating as nature may be, than just getting out there. It was actually MINUS 10F last year when we braved the elements. May not be that brave again for a while. Go ahead and use the phrase "longer days of liberation" ! Whenever I see you using it, will have a little smile. Happy Painting!

You Should Leave a Comment: