The Joys of Painting Outdoors | Charles Spratt
We are thrilled to have Charlie Spratt as one of our two 2020 Ten Collective Guest Artists. Charlie’s bio and paintings are both spectacular. Below is one of Charlie’s personal blog pieces. You can read some about Charlie here and visit his gallery here. However, there’s even more information about Charlie on his artist website. Please don’t hesitate to contact him if you have any questions about his work.
Ah, the joys of Plein air painting on a nice day! To be outside, immersed in the world of nature; struggling to find words that express impressions through the poetry of painting. It’s as inspiring as it is formidable. I love it.
Being a part of the MAA Plein Air group outings for the last four years has allowed me to watch artistic talents grow and develop. Like the others, I, too, have learned many things from just being there, as I continue to strive for ways to improve my art. One major benefit to painting directly - whether from nature, life drawing or still life, etc. - is that, occasionally, we create something that is beyond our normal grasp, and in surpassing ourselves we often reach a new personal level.
And we also learn from each, not uncommon, failure. Privately, we covet the hope that “our next painting will be our best one yet”.
If there is someone who would like to join our group, please see the Manotick Art Association website and read about the group and what you need to start. Send me an email to register. It’s that easy. The painting, Floral Patterns, is just one of a number of works that I painted last summer with MAA Plein Air. It was created on a foggy morning in the herbal gardens of La Fougèrès Restaurant in Old Chelsea Quebec, home also to Galerie Old Chelsea.
Floral Patterns will be on view at The Ten Collective Show, April 4 & 5, 2020 in Almonte.