Painting En Plein Air: Finding Peace with Paint

I painted en Plein air with oil paints for the SECOND time ever!

In this episode, I painted at Rockledge Park in Grapevine. This location was absolutely beautiful! We met my cousin at the park and she and my dad and I painted together! For this painting, I used oils on a gessoed panel (links to all my supplies below). I was really intimidated to paint the waves, and really excited to paint the rocks! Funny enough, the rocks turned out to be harder than I originally thought, and the waves easier! Overall, I think this was an improved attempt at oil, although I still can’t get myself to paint dark to light! 🙂

Anxiety Threatens To Call the Shots

Before going out to paint, I felt pretty anxious. If you asked me, I couldn't tell you why.  Maybe it was due to a bad night's sleep, or something I thought of but when it came down to it, I was anxious. Because of this, I didn’t really want to go paint. 

But after talking with my mom, I did. I’m so glad I did. 

Philippians 4: 6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

While we can easily pass the point of not being anxious, oftentimes, once it's there, we let anxiety call the shots, and can miss out on some great things. 

Look Up

For me, painting is relaxing, calming, and a way God brings me peace. The second I began to feel anxious, my anxiety said to skip painting. Isn’t it like anxiety to tempt us away from peace? 

When I paint, I look at more than trees, grass, and clouds. I see God’s beauty in his creation. As we look intently at God and rest in His presence, we allow Him to work in our hearts.

So, I am thankful for my mom who encouraged me to paint. I looked at God’s beauty and was filled with peace that transcended my understanding. 

I think we all see and experience God in different ways. We all can benefit from His restorative presence. Whatever that is for you, I encourage you to reject anxieties lies and go do it, you won’t regret it. 

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I’m very new to this Plein air painting method. BUT! My motto is to focus on the journey and not the destination. Sooooo, maybe you could join me! Get out there and be creative! Try the new scary thing. Trust me; it’s not as scary as it seems. Plus, you might even find yourself enjoying it. 😉

♥ MY SUPPLIES

• Winsor and Newton Oil Paints
• Winsor and Newton Liquin
• Tripod
• Panel Holder (my dad made mine, but this is the concept) 
• Royal & Langnickel brush set 
• 8x10 Hardboard Panel (my dad also cut my board out of a sheet of hardboard, but this is the idea) 
• Plein Air Palette Box (my grandpa made mine, but here’s one like it)