What a great week to be outside painting! May now is feeling like summer and I cannot resist any opportunity to get fresh air. Yesterday I went to Grant Park in South Milwaukee around 9am. It seemed early but the sun was still hot. I of course chose my painting spot in the middle of an open field with no tree cover so that I coud paint the tree line out in front of me. I was also facing the sun. Not ideal conditions… but I caked on the sun screen and made it work. Three hours was about all that I could stand. I had plenty of water and sunscreen but was still feeling drained by the sun exposure.
After packing up my easel I decided to cool off by dipping my feet in the lake. It was one of those inspiring mornings that words cannot do justice to. I walked the path through the park crossing wood bridges over shallow streams. I didn’t know I was so close to the lake, but when I found it I saw it open up in fornt of me like it was waiting for me. And best of all, there was no one else around! I slipped my feet into the icy water and walked along the shore. I enjoyed the sounds of birds and waves. I found a few interesting rocks. I thought about painting. It was good.