Flowering Crabs in the Rain

As I drove past these beauties on my way home from the gym,  they called to me.  Answering their siren song with paint,  I started quickly.  I had to dodge rain with this one,  as the clouds brimmed over sporadically.  I had to finish this one in my car!  As a result of that,  my reds vary from the ones I see outside of my car.  I had not yet started the tree color when the rain forced me in.  My windows have a bit of a blue tint, and the difference is easily seen when compared with the outdoor photo.  Crazy,  right?  I didn't even realize it until I got out to take a quick photo before heading home!  I still like the results,  but I'll be back to capture their true color on another painting!  Each painting is a lesson,  after all.   Painting number 1547 in 1547 days :)

Profusion of Crabapples

Profusion of Crabapples
Oil on canvas panel, 14x11
Fist Brush of Spring - sold

The first day of the New Harmony Plein air found me in front of the Roofless Church just off of Main Street.  There must have been a dozen of these glorious blooming trees in pink, white and dark pink. It was the very first gorgeous sight I saw when driving into town - and it is where I returned to paint.  I did something today I have never done - I left all of my painting substrates at home!!!  The new puppy kept jumping on my bag, pulling them down, and I was afraid he would start chewing on the birch.  I pushed them out of his reach, and out of my sight. Thankfully, my dear artist friend, Michele had purchased 6 panels to stamp for us, since we couldn't be there by 9:00.  So, that is what I will be painting on this week! Painting number 838 in 838 days.