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Everyone should see beauty every day.

That was my last blog thesis, written when I was on an art addiction high. What about now when the after-the-high blues set in and weeks of rain are keeping me from plein air? Still true. Everyone should see beauty everyday.

I had a few days days—well, no—a week or so of art blahs. Inspiration was a no-show and every attempt at canvas and brush seemed like a failure. But I plodded on, taking photos of rabbits in the yard, studying the flowers just starting to bud on the knock out rose bush, reading Plein Air Magazine, FASO posts, and reviewing old photos, art books, and sketch books. I even attempted a rainy day plein air that almost got washed away (water soluble oils). And then when all seemed hopeless, I passed by a large painting that hangs in my hall. A big field, a few cows, and an afternoon expanse of sky had attracted me a year or so ago, but the painting was too mild.

Old painting + new photo references = inspiration. That sky could use some drama, and drama comes with light against dark, bright against gray, and warm against cool. ‘Oh, so glad my quick-catch photo of a bold sun/cloud scene was taken at just the right time of day for this painting update. And those two little cows looked kind of sad hidden against the tree lines as if they didn’t really want to show themselves. Solution? More cows, more drama with warm sunlight glow across their boney backs. Beauty came galloping to the rescue and, as is most often the case, she came in the Light.

Is this a common experience for us who find more contentment in beauty than in stuff? This step toward capturing a moment of light was more satisfying than any shopping spree.

And now I’m back to the quest of seeing beauty today.

I hope your day is full of beautiful delight. I’d love to hear about your success in the quest.