Hawthorne Bridge Portland, Oregon

Have you ever been to a new place where you are completely emerged in beauty, and with the perspective of amazement of abundance  at nature’s bounty?  This is how a plein air artist feels and experiences when they go to new places and paint. Today our group went to a high vista and painted the Hawthorn Bridge in Portland, Oregon.

Plein air: En plein air  is a French expression which means “in the open air” and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors in natural light.  The light and nature are the master teacher for the artist and their creations. I feel it is a direct contact with the great creator, God, or universal force.

We were on the next to the top floor of a parking structure and painted this scene. It was a cold winter day and the energy was busting with the noises of a parade across the bridge and the remains of fall leaves added color and the canvas became full of paint applied with stucato and ligato strokes as feeling of fun ran through my  brush strokes as I applied the paint.  I painted quickly and with the momentum of the energy of cold day, cheers from parade, and inner amazement of the scene before me.

I received a welcome phone after the painting was finished and in my gallery on Fine Art America call from a magazine called “Country Pleasures” with an even welcomer request. The magazine wanted to feature my Art on their cover with five of my other images and a bio in side. What great publicity. I had to scramble to get things in by their deadline but fortunately I was well prepared so was able to do it in just a few hours.

The message here is the Boy Scout Moto “Be Prepared” and hold the intention that you will get those calls of opportunity.

Keeping positive thoughts is where all opportunity, synchronicity, and pleasure is manifested. Anytime we are feeling good and full of the energy of the thoughts that make us strong we are in abundance and the resistance to getting what we do not want is gone. With this wall of resistance taken down abundance of opportunity can find us and manifest. I am so grateful for learning this “Law of Attraction”. I am continually astonished at how well this all works. I use these ideas in both my Life Coaching Business and my Artistic Career and to keep myself happy and fulfilled. I have a good life.

How is this accomplished you ask?

1. Change thoughts to ones that make you strong not weak
2. Find a time when you had the strong thought or look around see the thought you desire and feel it in your body
3. Be aware and stay in amazement at synchronicities
4. Look for opportunities of giving service.

Sandra Longmore is a Professional Artist. Art Teacher, and creative thinker whom  is dedicated to the very best of life with enthusiasm, energy and expectancy.

Sandra is committed to sharing her vitality through coaching others to a life of becoming remarkable through personal evolution as a member of MorningCoach Coaching Certification Program.  Connect with Sandra online!  Share your thoughts or follow her journey She would love hearing from you!

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“Crystal Springs Rhodendron Garden” Portland, Oregon

Today I joined another Plein-Air Painter, Joy at Crystal Springs Rhodendron Garden in Porland, Oregon. It was a beautiful fall day with foliage putting on a new outfit of golds, orange, and bright red. We both expressed how grateful we were to be in this beautiful setting painting.

Joy is the energy behind the Breath of Plain-Air Group. If it wasn’t for her organization ability I would not have so many wonderful places to go. Being involved with groups helps artist to keep motivated to do their work.

Sauvie’s Island Plein Air Painting

Today we went to Sauvie’s Island Wild Life Refuge again for Jef Gunn’s Saturday Afternoon Plein Air Class.  We had good weather and were all inspired by the days beauty.  We saw two eagles, flocks of snow geese, and soaring flocks of birds.  Nature played a magnificent symphony for our group.

plein-air painting paintings, framed prints, greeting cards and posters are available on Fine Art America.

“Rooster Rock”

"Rooster Rock"

Daily today was more work on the plein air painting done at Rooster Rock.  I really like how this painting is looking. Oil Painting on 10″x12″ Ray Mar Canvas Board.

“Plein-Air Class” Sauvie’s Island”

Today’s daily painting is with Jef Gunn and the “Plein-air Class” on the Dike at Sauvie’s Island.  A wonderful place to paint.

“Oaks Park Portland, Oregon”

"Oaks Park Portland Oregon"

Daily painting today was with Jef Gunn’s Plein-Air Class.  We met on the bluff  in Sellwood above Oaks Bottom.  There was a grand view with interesting large forms, forest, lake, meadow, hills, river, sky but windy and cold.  Jef said it was great at night as well. We are a hardy bunch but decided to set up by the Willamette River near Oaks Park a covered area near the river at the Oaks Amusement Park where  there was shelter.  After a search for just the right spot I set up by the Pepsi machine as a windbreak and started this panting.  Jef said our focus today would by on painting with intention.  It was a gray day and I used Gamlin’s Light, Medium, and Dark  Grays as the underpainting.  The painting is a start and will be finished in the studio tomorrow.

Johnson Creek, Portland, Oregon

Johnson Creek, Portland, Oregon

Have you ever been to new places and really emerge yourself in their energy, beauty, and completely fill up your senses with nature’s spiritual elements?  That is the life of a Plein Air Painter.  For this painting I painted for the Johnson Creek Watershed Council along Johnson Creek.  The purpose was to raise consciousness for the transformation of Johnson Creek from the dreaded “flooding of Johnson Creek” to the happy joyous enjoyment of the improvements made for the many families, cyclist, and of course artists.  What a wonderful day to be part of this awareness.  I am so grateful.

“Jackson’s Bottom Wetland”

Daily Painting today was at the Jackson’s Bottom Wetland in Hillsboro.  Jackson Bottom Wetland’s Preserve is a 725-acre wildlife preserve located within the city limits of Hillsboro, Oregon.

“Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens”

Its only been a week and here I find myself surrounded by other Plein-Air Painters in the beautiful Hulda Klager’s Lilac Gardens in Woodland, Washington. Just writting these words brings a energizing feeling to my fingers. How else can a person really get t o know a place unless they paint it. As I sat there painting this scene, I heard birds calling, and the wind touching my face. Some of the painters in our group felt the wind was blowing them away but where I sat it was just a gentle breeze.

Rooster Rock Plein Air Painting

Rooster Rock Plein Air Painting

Rooster Rock Plein Air Painting with Saturday Afternoon Jef Gunn Painting Group.  We were painting when a big gust of wind sent us to Sherrie’s Restaurant to regroup.  When the sun came out three of us went back out and all felt they got a good start on painting.  When you are willing to stick things out things can turn for the best.  Our lesson for the day was on brush strokes and getting out of our comfort zone.  The wind seemed to punctuate the lesson and drive home how change can bring unexpected results.  This painting is still in proress

“Serenity” The Grotto”

Today I spent a beautiful few hours at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon. Warm weather in an inspirational setting was a wonderful way to spend Friday the 13th. The Grotto is a beautiful 62 acre Catholic Shrine and botanical garden is located in Portland, Oregon. The Grotto (as it is commonly called) is a non-profit Oregon corporation, supported solely by the proceeds of its gift shop and by donations. It is administered by the Order of Friar Servants of Mary.

“Sauvie Island on a Great Monet Day”

"Sauvie Island"

My daily today was studio work on a painting done in Jef Gunn’s Plein Air Class at Sauvie Island  The Reeder Road Dyke.

We had farm views, broken water, distant blue hills and lots of atmosphere to choose for  our composition.  We started with lunch and discussion of the site.  Gems of wisdom for the painter from Jef and class members were abundant.  Here is a recap of the days discussion.

• Orient yourself to the land.  Let it speak to you.  Cezanne’s book on Composition is a good book.
• In the afternoon the west changes fast and in the morning the east changes fast.  So we picked north or south
• What is your point of view?  High (cliffs) Low (looking down) or level eye level.
• Stop seeing things and see forms, look for the relationship in things, identify 3 or 4 shapes.
• Dark over light will warm and light over dark will cool.
• let you edges find themselves, edges become beautiful by working and reworking
• Standard glazing medium: 1pt. Turpentine, 1pt. Stand oil, and 1pt. Danmar.

“Today was a great Monet Day”

Blogging “A Love Story”

I started this blog on a Sunday and I am a “Sunday Child” which means one who is born on Sunday is full of grace. And I feel it is a great grace to be a daily painter.
when I paint the rest of my life feels like it is going well. My moods are harmonious with life and most of all I feel happy…so I am using this blog and stay in the higher happier feelings of life.

This is a view from my front yard. I live in a beautiful setting surrounded by nature and nature has greatly effected my attitude on life.

“Frenchman’s Bar” Plein Air Painting

Today was a fun day. I painted with “The Breath of Plein Air group” we meet at Frenchman’s Bar. Sunny Weather, and good company made for a good painting of a large ship. There was so many inspirational things to paint and the atmosphere electric with family fun and barbecues. This was a spot where my father always used to go fishing so it had special memories. He was in a happy mood when he returned from Frenchman’s Bar, especially if he caught a fish. I think I will improve on my composition with the addition of folage in the right corner of my painting.

“Crystal Springs”

"Crystal Springs"

Daily Painting today was the finish of the “Crystal Springs” Plein-Air Painting in my studio.  I started the painting last fall and was happy to get back to it and finish. The garden now has over 2,500 rhododendrons and azaleas. They are at their best in spring and early summer but always has wonderful plein-air spots when ever you can visit.  This link has information on other gardens in Portland as well.  I love being an Artist around all the beauty we have in our world.