The Story Behind The Art – Painting “Alive” At Shannon Falls
I painted this piece on a Wednesday. I already had 2 decent painting days this week and so in my mind was primed for a successful painting, though I do know that “anything can happen” and there is never any guarantees that a painting will work out and so I do see that point of just ‘being ready’ for each painting and being willing to respond to what comes up in the moment.
I took an orange and some granola bars with me so that I had some food to sustain me. I realize that diet is important with plein air painting and with any activity that someone does so that they can support themselves to live to their full potential. I sometimes have a tendency to skip meals, especially breakfast when I am out painting though I do see proper sustenance via food is also a valuable tool in the painting process.
I headed out to Shannon Falls.
I have had this spot in my mind since I moved into this area and in fact for years before this as well. The weather has been steady and was looking to be nice for a few days so if I needed to return the next day I could. I normally don’t like to leave a painting too long between sessions.
This was a new area and I didn’t actually know what to expect except for a memory I had of visiting the falls probably 10 years ago.
Once I ‘break into’ a new area it’s a bit easier to return to it. Its kind of like starting something new, or beginning a new pattern. In the beginning its like you have to take that first step and there can sometimes be some resistance and discomfort as you break through that initial barrier to the new pattern.
I took my time getting to the location because I wanted to give the sun more time to come out from behind Chief Mnt otherwise the entire falls would be in shadow.
I arrived at 10am and headed into the trails towards the falls.
I packed an extra shirt because I thought if I am standing in the shade it might be cold.
I hiked up the trail and of course, as I often do as a painter and not just a site seer, I stepped off the beaten path and headed in towards the falls to find where I would set up.
I remembered when I was here 10 years earlier I climbed right up to the base of the falls where I actually got quite wet from the spray of the water coming off the falls. It was Intense.
So In a way I had this memory as a reference and so hiked in towards the falls. It was a bit steep once I got closer and the rocks were wet and slippery. I tried climbing up a fallen log but had to back down and try a different route. Its sometimes tricky with an easel over your shoulder and often a coffee in the other hand. This time was no exception and I didn’t want to spill my coffee….or hurt myself.
I climbed up to a spot that had a bit of a landing where I could stand and had a nice view of the falls.
I had brought a larger 18x24inch canvas in case I found a nice spot and also had some smaller ones as backup if it looked like a larger one wasn’t going to work out.
Everything seemed to align for the larger canvas and so I set it up and began painting. There was a slight mist spraying onto me but nothing that would be a problem. I put on my extra shirt to stay warm.
I began painting, working from the top of the canvas down towards the bottom. The Sun still hadn’t broken the crest of the granite rock face and I actually couldn’t tell from my angle if it ever would so I just decided to work from the top down and see what happens.
There was a nice intense light hitting the very top of the falls with everything else in shadow and I just went with it.
After about an hour the sun started to emerge from over the top of the falls and I was struck with the realization that the sun is going to be shining right in my eyes once it does. And within about 15 minutes this became a reality.
I attempted to continue painting, trying to hold my hand up to block the sun. It really wasn’t working. The sun now was also glistening off the millions of water molecules floating in the air and creating this bluish mist that kind of veiled the entire scene. This phenomenon continued for about an hour.
I then began contemplating what I could do…
“I could wait a bit and see what happens”
“I could pack it in and come back tomorrow”
I decided to eat my orange, then after that with still no change I shifted my focus to another area, popped up an 8x10inch blank canvas onto my easel and decided to paint a quick study while I waited.
After about 40 minutes the sun had moved up into the sky far enough that I could start painting again.
Sweet!
I continued painting, moving down the canvas focusing mostly on the rocks surrounding the water and then after getting much of that covered going back and focusing just on the water then eventually jumping back and forth and together between the water and rocks.
After a few hours I had covered much of the canvas and realized I could probably finish this in one session which I was not at all expecting.
I was happy with how it was turning out and just aimed at staying focused and moving through each stage of the painting.
I was putting the finishing touches on close to 3pm where by that time the entire top of the falls was flooded with sunlight. A completely different scene than what was on my canvas.
So after years of wanting to paint this falls, I finally did and would be walking out with a nice painting.
I hiked out with some new lessons learned about painting water. I learn something new with every painting.
It was a nice day hanging out on the side of a cliff. Lol
Until next time, see you later Shannon Falls, I will be back!
Thank-you for the lessons and for the experience.
“Alive” 18x24inch, Oil on Canvas, Original Plein Air
