As a self taught artist I labored away in my studio with a reference photo until I read an article on plein air painting. I decided to lug my Jullian easel out to the edge of one of South Carolina's marshes and there, midst the gnats, mosquitoes, threat of poisonous snakes, wind and inquisitive people I had an epiphany. The effect of light on color in the landscape is amazing and there is something Zen like about being part of nature and absorbing everything around you as you try to capture the ever changing light and shadow. I have been painting outside ever since; any studio work that I...more