State PArk

Painting can be lonely. Laboring away at a painting all by yourself, with no one who understands, can feel isolating. But last Thursday and Friday I painted with about 25 members of Plein Air Washington Artists (PAWA) at Dosewallips State Park on Hood Canal. Most of us camped at the campground where we met for our throwdown (daily art show) and a potluck. It was great to be with people who are excited by the same things I’m excited about.

My best painting was Friday morning. I walked out the clammers’ trail to the tide flats where I saw a lone tree with character. This tree was painted by many other painters in our group.

Later I walked way out onto the tide flats at low tide where probably a hundred people were scattered, digging clams. I made a value painting to get the lights and darks established, then I made a colored painting. The value sketch is good, but the watercolor is disappointing.

On Thursday afternoon, I drove about six miles up the Dosewallips River Road, where I found the river pouring through a narrow gorge next to the road. Although it was a blazing hot afternoon, I found some shade and made my painting. I like the drama of the light and dark areas.