A New Journey: Painting En Plein Air
Hello! My name is Alyssa, and I am the middle child of the Strauss family. Welcome to my art and faith series where I post weekly thoughts about art and videos of my outdoor painting journey, which the French call “painting en Plein air”. I hope to inspire your inner artist to be creative in whatever way that is possible.
Everyone Is an Artist
I have always been an artist, even from a young age. While I believe everyone is an artist in their own way, my natural ability and love for art compel me to create. Throughout my life, when I scribbled happy butterflies as a kid to my most recent painting, the still whisper calling again and again to this life of artistry has never changed nor left.
A Gift From Above
In the Bible, James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." As I consider art and the process of art to be good, I must therefore consider it a gift from above, which I wholeheartedly do. In my life, my mission is to steward the talent God gave me to the best of my abilities. As Peter 4:10 says, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." My goal and my desire are to serve God and others with the gift He has given me. I am persuaded that art is my calling, the mission God has placed on my heart.
Sometimes in life, we have to jump into things before we feel ready for them. It can be scary too—doing something that you don’t feel fully equipped for, adequate in, or even practiced enough. However, if we waited till we were perfect at something before we ever tried, we would never get anywhere. Like the old Chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
Plein Air painting is incredibly new for me. Before I recorded this video below, I had painted en Plein air a total of two times. Even though I have experience painting, I can never go back twenty years and start learning something. I have to start today. My goal in recording these videos is to share my journey of learning to paint en Plein air and experience God’s beauty through nature. My hope is that you can join me in this journey, and plant your tree today.
Supplies From This Week's Video
- Gouache primary colors set (this actually includes green, which my set didn't have)
- Easel Stand
- Royal & Langnickel brush set
- Canson 7x10 Mixed Media journal
Alyssa is a high school senior, who has been homeschooled her whole life. She spends her time in things that are creative and unexpected. She loves painting and drawing. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. You’ll find her curled up with a book and an oat milk latte! Above all, Alyssa loves her God, and strives to be more like him every day.