Finding satisfaction under the sun

 

As I look out my window at the bending trees and scudding clouds I think, this is the kind of scene artists like to paint: the trees, the clouds, and people walking by holding their coats tight around them, but it's also a nice day to stay indoors and just watch the action through the window. I would paint the picture I see outside if I wasn't already deep into a painting of another kind. This one is a country scene with a boy, a dog, and a barn. The boy and his dog are running after adventure. His coat is flying open, the dog's ears are flapping, the barn stands big and solid, inviting. I love the freedom expressed here: the wide open landscape, the dog without a leash or even a collar, and no one is telling the boy to do up his coat or wear a hat. It's the kind of life all boys and girls (and dogs) want to live, and should live. Some other day, I’ll paint the scudding clouds and the cold wind that makes people hold their coats tight around them, but when I do, it'll be from the comfort of indoors. When I do paint outside, I'll wait for a warm, sunny, summer day.