Henry, my painting buddy, is always ready for a day in the country studying the colors of summer. He is always satisfied with my choice of subjects, whether it be an old farmhouse or a creek hiding under an old stone bridge. Enjoying the breeze as we race along telling everyone he sees we are here and he's the boss. A goose watches as we pass and a black rooster scurries from the dusty road back to the safety of the farmyard and the friendly farm dog. Slowing the van, Henry looks over with the look of approval. A hickory tree's shade is the perfect spot to set up. Sharing the hickory's shade with a half dozen angus, Henry and I have an added element of country life - the rich aroma. We painted a scene down the road the Sunday before and I let the farmer know that Sunday I would be returning. I have found it best to ask permission to stop and paint when setting up too near a farmhouse or livestock. Rewards occasionally come our way when doing so. A slice of apple pie was Henry's reward once, he told all the dogs in the neighborhood about that treat. Usually a bowl of water and a Milkbone is his lunch on these outings.
Laying out my usual palette of colors, I add one new color to study, and a brush I want to try out. One reason I go out painting is to learn. The "painting" is the byproduct of the experience. An old memory came up as I set up, Dad and Uncle Melvin stringing up a new fence. I was four and found myself surrounded by black angus sniffing me. I remember they all had wet dripping black noses. This time, a nice barbed wire fence keeps my new friends from my palette and painting. Sometimes, those interested in art, get a bit too close. Like a swarm of bees that seemed to like Paris Blue. They didn't bother me, just my painting and palette. A rat snake couldn't reach the painting but knocked over my Coke. Henry wanted him to stick around for a game of tag.
Using the blue in the sky, I added to it some of the wildflowers at my feet to tie my painting together. A touch of red rose and white to add distance to the far off green trees worked. I will have to remember that when I am teaching an outdoor class.
Most times I do the learning when I teach. My teacher told me the same once. Henry, done exploring, is curled up under the easel dreaming. A monarch flutters about as I touch up the colors in the distance. Changing shadows tell me to pack in the painting and try sketching one of the angus. How to capture the rich aroma will be my next challenge.
