Plein Air!

It has been forever since I've done a plein air painting--someone was just asking me about it too, and I hoped I'd get a chance to do one or two while up north for Thanksgiving weekend.

I have a rickety outdoor easel--(a Costco special, anyone?)--that now needs my hubby's trusty Leatherman to set up properly. But no amount of mechanical frustration could surpass the beauty of this place and the excitement of capturing it in the moment.

The weather this past weekend was incredible, and this gorgeous landscape was literally in my lap that whole time. My husband might testify that I was a somewhat neglectful mother while working on this. Annie spent far too much time "napping"...or chit-chatting to herself the tent trailer behind me... Hopefully she thinks the painting was worth it! :)

"By the Boat Launch" Sandy Beach Resort on Balsam Lake, Ontario.
Oil on board, approx. 12 x 14"  For Sale $275 tax incl.
Copyright 2011 Lisa Smouter

Happy Fall!

It has been a while since my last post--Art Camp was a hit, and I'm thankful that it ran so smoothly!  I'll be putting up a slideshow of student artwork soon, so you can see what we were up to.

A snapshot of Annie, behind the couch, getting into my paintbrushes that I thought were safely hidden away!

I've also recently completed a large pencil drawing in collage style which I hope to show you soon. Thanksgiving weekend spent on Balsam Lake also gave me opportunity to do some "plein air" painting while Annie napped. A photo of that will be up asap.

Lisa

Art Camp 2011

art that gladens the heart...

Isn't this little guy just over-the-moon happy? His expression of glee is super contagious. 



Graphite on Stonehenge paper, 8 x 10"
copyright 2011 Lisa Smouter


Capturing babies at about the one-year mark is great because they're developing many characteristics unique to them--both in appearance and in spirit! On days spent conjuring a face like this out of soft white Stonehenge I really, really love my job.

Who can resist that glint in his eye? My Annie certainly couldn't--she giggled and waved at him any chance she could while I was sketching him out. To her, I think he became like a character in a book.

And doesn't he have a great story to tell! 

Have a cheery day,

Lisa