It was snowing today at Jordon's Pond in Acadia National Park.  It was so beautiful.  There were two icefishing huts on the frozen lake.  The bubbles were in the distance.  The blueberry fields in the foreground were covered with snow.  I marched out to this spot, set up my easel, drew out my drawing.  Then I placed my pallete on top of my easel getting ready to paint.  I was mixing some sky color when a big gush of  wind just blasted me.  My pallete with my oil paints went up into the air and into my face. 
  I thought about not showing you this photo as it is really not flattering.  But sometimes painting is not flattering.  Plein aire painting has it's disasters.  Nothing about painting in 30 degrees with twenty mile an hour winds is easy!  Even with the proper equipment, the most perfect Winter day, things just happen.  Well after the initial shock wore off, I went looking for my entire wax pallete paper pad.  I found two pieces of it.  Not the piece with all of the paint though.  I looked for a long time and just gave up.  It is probably on top of a Spruce tree.  An eagle will be spotted this spring with multicolored babies.  It will be my fault. 

  This is Sieur De Mont Springs in Acadia National Park.  I decided to try a more sheltered location.  I love to paint water, and I knew this Spring would be unfrozen and beautiful.  I set up and started to paint.  I was pretty warm.  I have figured out how to dress appropriately.  My North Face black show pants were great.  My legs were warm and comfortable.  My Cabela's Trans-Alaskan III Boots were keeping my feet warm and cushioned.  I had two layers of polartec and wool liner gloves as well as a heat pack in each hand.  I had two layers of polartec shirts on and a North Face 600 down trench coat on.  I wore a face mask.   My oil paints were working fine.  I was using Liquin.  I was really enjoying Cobalt Violet for shadows as well as Utramarine.  The Spring was amazing.  I think I was identifying with this Spring.  I was the Spring, warm and flowing but surrounded by snow.  I could not decide whether this was a low key or high key.  I think I try to just paint when it is this cold.  I am really not able to think too much yet about my snow painting process.  Maybe I will be able to plan and analyze while I paint later.  I have only painted outside in these conditions for maybe five different days.

  This is my painting guerrilla taped to the lid of my cigar box guerrilla painter easel.  I have my pallete sitting on top of the easel.  You can see the Spring behind I am finishing up painting. 

  I tried really hard to take this photo.  I put my camera on a branch and set the timer.  You can see all of my Winter clothing and gear I have to wear. 
   "Sieur De Mont Springs"  6x8 Oil on Copper  Here it is the painting I painted today.  It is an interesting composition.  I like the colors.  I am pretty pleased with this one. 


     I learned something today.  I really need my glass pallete I have ordered from ASW express.  Wax pallete paper does not work.  It is difficult to mix paint which you need to do in cold weather.  Wind also is constantly trying to blow this paper around and as you saw up into my face.  I think I am pretty much through with this type of paper pallete.  I learned also to try not to pick a spot where wind is blowing down from mountains and off the lake.  I was just really wanting to paint the bubbles.  Nature said not today!  Have a great night.  I hope you enjoyed reading about my crazy Winter plein aire day!  Get out there and paint!