Overcoming Painting Obstacles Pays Off

An art journey certainly teaches one some interesting lessons. It seems to be the least likely circumstances create opportunity. Nothing is predictable and everything is surprising when you press on despite obstacles.

let me tell you about a pastel painting that began as a precarious plein air painting experience, transformed into a resource for teaching for art on YouTube, grew me in the medium of pastel and as an artists, and later won First Place in an exhibition.

Bright View began as an adventure, so eloquently promised by my husband who had discovered an amazing view on one of his mountain bike sessions. He couldn’t wait to show me this view but it was only accessible that day via 4WD. I had already painted that day but thought maybe another painting was in my energy storehouse. I’m used to living and breathing painting while away on holidays. There is little distractions eating up your energy otherwise.

Now whilst I have a lot of confidence in my husband’s abilities in general, I was also aware that he was slightly influenced my my sons rambunctious 4WD antics – some of concern to a mother and none of which I would risk my life on.

I packed my art gear and headed out on this beautiful sunny afternoon, my husband so proud of this ‘better than anything we’ve seen’ discovery. We arrived far enough away from the burning off in Bright Victoria to breath finally. It was a relief to get away from the smoke. It felt a little intimidating to be that remote to be honest but so far Hubby was winning the praises of his artist wife. Stepping out onto the hot red dirt track, the view glistened with colour and light. I declared untapped energy and courageously pulled out a full sheet of pastel paper.

After some time the light was shifting too much and my energy waning. Armed with enough reference photos to finish later, we headed back to camp.

Then it happened. The teenager in my husband showed up and he suggested he would try a more exciting tack back. My discomfort grew as I noticed the track dropping off and us moving forward no knowing if we were dropping off a ledge! Once invested it became evident there was no way to turn around and we had to just hope that wherever we were going, it would eventually lead us out of there safety. We did come to the end of the track. A dead end just shy of a road, divided by a flipping big tench. You guessed it, we went for broke and somehow managed to get to the road without whiplash.

Teen-hubby tried to play down the risk and a giggle at the memory but rest assured – I vowed to never go 4 wheel driving with him again. If I had known I would not have started that painting but now it was time to make something of it.

I completed it in the studio and recorded the process of finishing off a painting this way. Once you experience reality, painting on site, it makes for a more interesting experience finishing via a combination of memory and reference aids. Be sure to watch the video to see the process

Plein air and studio pastel painting. Preserve the Freshness of Painting from Life

This year has been a wonderful reentry into art shows for me but interesting as to what caught judges attention. This painting isn’t the only one which nearly didn’t eventuate due to a precarious situation.

It was lovely to receive news that my pastel painting, Sunlit View won First Place in the Lifestyle Corridor Exhibition along with a generous voucher from The Art Shop, a place where I love to buy art supplies. The theme was Light & Shadow, which opened up a whole world of possibilities. I chose this painting because it was in fact the light across the mountains that attracted me to paint it. My experiment to push simplicity of form while describing the scene I saw that day was challenging.

Hao Pheh, an accomplished artists and judge understood the challenge I believe. He is proficient in several mediums and recent winner of the John Dudley Portrait Prize. He said of my painting,

A well-executed work of pastel throughout with a good understanding of artistic touch on the foreground particularly. and against the more subtle, softer and cool colour background, yet still depicting skillful layers. Well deserved. ~ Hao Pheh

Bright View is available and currently on display at Maroondah Federation Estate at the RAS Lifestyle Corridor exhibition. The Lifestyle exhibitions change over every couple of months with exciting themes for members to aspire to. the next is ‘Music”. This exhibition is on until 9th October and free for the public to visit. Location 32 Greenwood Avenue Ringwood.

I say all this to share recent events but to demonstrate how pushing through on your creative commitments can end up more valuable than we realise. I didn’t enjoy the trip back from the mountain but glad now it is done. Glad that I played and stretched myself and didn’t limit myself to painting what I think is expected. Instead I explored, stretched and put it out there to see what happens. Hopefully it find a home with an appreciative collector but regardless, I grew and used the experience to engage and enrich the lives of others.

As I said to my husband the other day, I may not make a much money with what I do, but how many can say that what they do enriches the lives of others? At the end of my days, I can know my life counted for something. Hopefully a worthy thought.