A Lively Sky!

…Or maybe you’d call it a “ferocious” sky? I was just so excited to try to paint those clouds! The sky over Eastport today was a clear blue, but over towards Ellsworth and East Jordan it looked amazing. I’d had to run a few errands in that direction and had my painting gear along. I turned north off Ellsworth/East Jordan road onto the infamous Slough Road. Don’t let Slough Road fool you — only about the first 1/4 mile is paved. After that it can turn into the most horrible quagmire! I’ve nearly become stranded there more than once. Thank goodness for 4WD Low! But today the road had been freshly graded and was remarkably dry. I love that road, of course! There are some quite beautiful spots along the way.

I’d signed up for an online painting course recently from a former teacher of mine, Scott Christensen and the most recent lesson I watched was about “clouds and form”. I find it helpful to be reminded once again of what I should do. Oh, the challenge of trying to paint a wild circus of moving clouds, as the cold wind blows! Values! Form! Color! Composition! Oy vey! So much to think of! It’s one thing to work from a studio in a comfortable studio; hacking away out in the blowing dust (or snow!) amidst constant changing light and clouds is another! But will I quit? Hecky-no!

And here’s my setup: