Lessons from Outdoor Painting

I recently did a field trip assignment for our fearless painting tribe.  (http://dirtyfootprintsworkshops.com)

We were to head outside to paint - and I was quite excited.  The spicy colors of fall are seasoning every overlook and capturing that beauty in paint was sure to be enjoyable.

Next time, I'll just have to remember to pick my spot a little better.  The video shows the story, but a quick overview: The family & I went to Brown County State Park and set up camp at a beautiful spot overlooking miles of orange, red, yellow, and green spotted hills.  After getting everything in place, we were literally attacked by ladybugs.  I tried to love them.  I tried to love nature.  I tried to be one with it all.

But when one crawled down the back of my pants I said words parents probably shouldn't say and decided the ladybugs had won.  This time.

I did finish painting at home.  I used techniques from 21 Secrets (written text on tissue paper, which I then adhered with a medium to make the tissue paper almost translucent) and a Rilke quote I heard on the drive (from the podcast Being with Krista Tippett on NPR)...and ended up with this:

(Is not impermanence the fragrance of our days)

Because I always find the process more fascinating than the end product, here's a look into the site, the ladybugs, the drive, my attention issues, and how the painting progressed.