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Earlier this summer, just back from my painting trip to Lake Como, Italy, I met up with my car club friends at Cars n Coffee on a Saturday morning. Soon they wanted “deets” regarding that painting trip. They seemed really interested in this whole “en plein aire” painting adventure. They knew that it had been a high risk for me as it was out of my comfort zone. They pressed for more details. |
As their interest continued, I blurted out, “Would any of you want to come try en plein aire painting at my home? I am only about a week ahead of you in skills but we might have fun.”
Surprisingly, six or seven friends said they were up for it! So I set the class size to ten and opened it to others in our club.
The class quickly filled and I got serious about how exactly am I going to do this? |
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Ken got busy on Amazon and ordered art kits so everyone would have the supplies they needed.
As the day grew closer, some of the participants began to text me: “I can’t draw a stick figure. I’m scared.” “I’ve never even painted a wall.” “I find this terrifying.”
I just kept saying, “I think we will have fun. No skills needed.” As the time for the class grew closer, the calls and texts changed to: “I know the class is full but may I still join?”
“Well of course.” And so on Thursday morning August 14th, promptly at 10:30, 14 of my pals arrived at my home, trusting me (their novice teacher) with their time and their hearts. |
Plein aire painting is about painting out-of-doors in the elements with ever changing light, and finishing a project in one sitting. It is intimidating, challenging and exhilarating. We began with a short tour around my place, looking at possible painting subjects: horses? The barn? Fruit trees? A unique teak bench? I offered some instructions and described the art supplies. Really, that was about it. They were so eager to get started; to see what they could paint that within ten minutes the artists had spread out around the yard, sketching and painting. It was like a magic trick. They seemed like veteran artists, (two of them were). |
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The next hour and a half went by in silence as everyone was captivated by the challenge of painting what they were seeing. I had not expected to get to paint, but no one needed me, and I dug in painting a pot of yellow daisies.
We broke for a relaxing picnic-style lunch and shared our morning painting challenges. Soon everyone got right back to work. By 2 pm the artists had completed their projects and were proudly sharing them with one another. |
As we cleaned up, the artists exclaimed how relaxing the day had been and talked about the next time. They remarked that it had been thrilling and challenging all at once.
In the days since, my thoughts keep returning to the event. I am moved by the fact that 14 busy, accomplished, people set aside a whole day to come be with me and try something new and, perhaps, intimidating. They put their trust in me. For my part, I understand how nerve-wracking and anxiety- producing it can be not knowing if we can do something. I am marveling at the human spirit, that people are bold enough to jump into the unknown, to take on challenges even though it could lead to failure. |
Across my life, I have been passionate about trying to be an artist. In graduate school I took a 2 unit elective class, “Painting for Fun.” Well, it was NOT fun. At the end, the professor wanted to give me a “C” grade. I had to go up and tell him I was in a Masters Program and could not earn any C’s, even in electives. He changed it to “B”, but that experience greatly eroded any fledgling confidence I may have had!
A few years later, l became brave enough to try painting again, but in the privacy of my home. It’s intimidating to try new things that we are not familiar with. However, the rewards can be rich. All the participants in our painting day created wonderful art. The next day, my friend sent a quick text: “My husband put my painting on the refrigerator. I feel like a kid.” I could feel her pride. |
As I look at my life, I see brave people all around me. My husband is mentoring a new teacher at the local high school. The young man has been assigned as head girls’ wrestling coach. He has never wrestled, nor coached, nor seen a match, despite all this, the new coach is all in, going forward into the unknown. My granddaughter Ashley has been accepted into a graduate language translation program in Glasgow. She leaves in two weeks. She’s starting to feel nervous, but she will go bravely forth. |
With school just starting, my teacher family, our daughter, two granddaughters, and my niece, are mentally gearing up for the challenges of a new school year and meeting their new students. One middle school teacher granddaughter has created a new course in Anatomy and Physiology; challenging to be sure. At the same time, our remaining two school-age grandchildren sort out their own excited emotions as they, too, journey into a bit of the unknown. For my part I have been invited to officiate a family friend’s wedding; certainly an exciting challenge. |
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If you think about it, so many of us are taking chances, risking, going forth into uncertainty, Anyway, it warms my heart to know how bold we humans can be.
One of my take-aways from all this is that we are never through finding new and challenging ways to live life; that people are so awesome, constantly risking, trusting, and working hard to become skilled at something new.
What has challenged you lately? What are you taking on that is a bit scary? I would love to hear about it. My best, donna |
