Welcome to PART 3 of my series about Open Air Painting!
The weekly painting gatherings with my Hull Artists group motivated me to check out other locations and practice my craft. I rarely finish paintings on location. Around the 2 hour mark, fatigue, hunger, and the need for a rest room set in. So, I often put the final touches on a painting at home, outdoors on our deck.
NOTE: Click on an image to see a larger version of it!
Omega Institute Echinacea
The echinacea in Omega Institute’s garden were wild in the summer of 2024! Plentiful and joyful, as if they were dancing. I was happy just to be near them.
Started July 2024, finished May 2025.
Yoshino Cherry Tree
My first open air outing of 2025 was at the Boston Public Garden in early spring. I met up with a couple of art peeps in my Massachusetts Plein Air group. We chatted briefly, then I began a leisurely scoping loop. I liked this iconic scene with the Yoshino Cherry tree near the Swan Boats. While blocking in the painting, I enjoyed some conversations with passers-by, and soaked in the sun.
Started April, finished May 2025.
Autumn at Corkscrew
Our time in Florida was coming to a close in the fall of 2020. We spent the last few months visiting our favorite haunts, which included Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It’s a biodiversity hotspot a few miles north of Naples. One of my favorite areas is Lettuce Lakes. It attracts a lot of wildlife and is quite active: birds, alligators (even babies!), and otters. The subtle autumn colors caught my eye on this particular day.
Started Sept. 2020, finished May 2025.
Traveling Light
I had an afternoon medical appointment in Cambridge, so how did I spend my morning? Painting at Mt. Auburn Cemetery! What a beautiful spring day! Standing proudly in the Asa Gray Garden was this Japanese Maple. The spectacular light kept moving, causing the leaves to sparkle, and casting shadows every which way. One of the challenges of plein air is capturing a moment and NOT chasing the light.
Started and finished May 2025.
Scituate Shore
My Massachusetts Plein Air group gathered in Scituate Harbor. It was a really pretty drive on back roads to get there and a great way to begin the day! Bolstered by the food & drink at Lucky Finn Cafe (nice people too), my morning was a nice blend of painting, sharing, and relaxing.
Started and finished May 2025.
May Flowers
Another afternoon medical appointment in Cambridge gave me the chance to meet up with a friend for a chat while I painted at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. It’s a short walk from the entrance to Willow Pond, where I found flowers emerging in a serene corner. A Dawn Redwood in the foreground helped frame the composition.
Started May, finished July 2025.
Early Summer
I found myself in the Cambridge area again, this time to pick up artwork that had been hanging in a show at the Belmont Gallery of Art. So, of course, I made time to paint at the wonderful Mt. Auburn Cemetery! I’ll find any excuse to go there.. 🙂 Walking around the Asa Gray Garden, this tree with amazing red leaves shouted out to me. It might be a Japanese Maple, I’m not sure. I’m OK not knowing the names of things. What matters is how I feel: awe, joy, grateful.
Started June, finished August 2025.
Slideshow
Check out the slideshow I’ve put together of this article.
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