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"Ode to the Plein Air Painter"

I didn't get to paint today...so I turned my creative juices to a bit of poetry. Had fun composing this!!

ODE TO THE PLEIN AIR PAINTER

Starting New Year, what are your goals,

as an artist who paints "En Plein Air"?

To increase you skills, pay all your bills,

and become an "Art Millionare"?

By January first, become fully immersed,

in what inspires us to create.

Prepare for all weather, travel "light as a feather",

and remember.....not all will be "great"!

Throughout the year, it becomes clear,

as the secrets to "art" are revealed.

Not a moment to rest , you're on a quest-

and eyes , continuously "peeled"....

For that outdoor scene, we attempt to glean

a " likeness", a "spirit", a "feel"...

a struggle, a fight, a sudden changed light-

...damn, now where's that colour wheel?

Then suddenly one morning, it comes without warning-

like a gambler whose dealt a "royal flush".

The "zone" you have entered, and finally "centered",

create effortlessly, "at one with the brush"!

So in Art don't despair - we never "get there"

as our goal is a life-long quest-

We create and perspire, bewilder, admire-

and, will always be seeking our best!!

Add a Comment

Comment by Karen Scannell on January 4, 2011 at 13:30: Yeah, that was a great one...is it around anywhere??

Nothing wrong with a bit of poetry..warms up the oul' brain!! Maybe we could set up a discussion page for a "group" composition of a Limerick?

THERE WAS A OLD MAN WHO THOUGHT PAINTING....

Comment by Kevin Freeney on January 4, 2011 at 12:26: Well done Karen but you may have just encouraged Tony to take up the pen again. Remember his Sea Shanty about the Saltees Expedition?

Comment by David Diaz on January 2, 2011 at 23:12: Well---aren't the wordsmith----clever, accurate, and well formed---maybe you should do as some in the gallery I work with--write a short poem on the back of each--kind of like keeping a diary--only better.---Hop;e you're enjoying the new beginning, 2011.

Comment by Dublin Sketchers on January 2, 2011 at 17:58: Karen that is fantastic! Well done - captured the eccentricity of chasing the dream :o) Looking forward to getting back out there next weekend, Happy New Year to you all! Tracy

Comment by Belinda Fair on January 1, 2011 at 16:35: Ah yes. Well said. I think you got it all in there.

Comment by Karen Scannell on January 1, 2011 at 0:52: We'll have to define Plein Air Painting more clearly.....a person can paint with words can't they?? :)

Thanks everyone. I'll look up that site Liz

Comment by Jane Meyler on December 31, 2010 at 17:16: Great creativity Karen...love it! had to share this on FB ;)

Comment by Liz Walsh on December 31, 2010 at 13:38: Great stuff Karen - describes 'the artistic endeavour' wonderfully. I, also write poetry - and it improves my painting. There is a great website (free) called Poetry Soup that you can put your poetry up on and you get feedback. I love it. You are a very talented girl - Liz Walsh

Comment by Louise Treacy on December 30, 2010 at 17:28: EXCELLENT KAREN . I MUST REMEMBER THAT THE NEXT TIME IM GONNA TEAR ONE UP

Comment by Michael McGuire on December 29, 2010 at 23:11: Oh! I just had an apocalyptic vision. 2011 will be the year of the Plein Air Poet. Our paint-outs will be taken over. Around every corner there will be yet another loudly reciting his/her latest creation. Karen, what have you started!