Up in 10, & Pre-preps!

Morning Path, 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

Came back from a weekend camping trip with the family and had the best of intentions to paint A LOT! But the East side of Mount Hood is breezy, if not down right windblown! So I decided I'd probably work in the morning times when the wind is resting. Woke up at 6:20, with eyes propped open with toothpicks, and set out to paint...with NO WIND! I had already picked out my scene and left my belongings there ready to set up in 10 minutes so I could catch the light at daybreak. By the time I had the piece blocked in, the sun began to stream between the trees like a relentless searchlight. I was a happy camper to say the least!

Midmoring Path, 8x6" Pastel on sanded paper

Later that morning, I went at it again. By the time I finished this one, the wind began to blow hard again! I wondered if this was the same famous wind that blows the windsurfers down in Hood River?

This week on out, I have been preparing my frames and mounting boards with a new product that I discovered. I am now using a sheet of dry mount paper (new) that I apply to my Museum Boards, then affix the Wallis to these prepared boards. I will be working on these boards for this coming weekend at the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2010 Event in Hood River. They are cut to drop right into a Plein Air frame with Anti-Reflective glass and backing. Easy as that! I love the Pre-prep process and the freedom it gives me to relax and enjoy this upcoming weekend.