Alumni Weekend and Plein Air Practice

This weekend was alumni weekend at Young Harris College which is my spiritual home. I needed to get in some plein air practice for an upcoming event (details to be revealed very soon) so what better place and time than to go see old friends at my very favorite enchanted valley.

I got there right around 10ish so I parked and grabbed my gear and set out for the patio in front of one of the dorms.  I love the Susan B. Harris chapel but everyone always paints it from the same couple of places.  I wanted a different view so I chose the one that most people know but I don't feel they think of as often.

Here's the photo from where I set up...

And here's the painting I got from this vantage point...

So after this, I met up with a couple of friends and we headed over to the gym where we were being served lunch.  Had a lovely time chatting with friends and talking to some students about school and then it was back out into the sun for more painting!

I crawled up the back of campus (holy crap, I am not as young OR in shape as I used to be) and found what everyone pretty much said was the best view of the valley and campus.  After finally wheezing my way up there, I am inclined to agree.

The view...

And what I took from it...

So once again, I had a great time at my alma mater and got some pretty decent pictures out of it.  Not bad for someone who used to be TERRIFIED of landscapes.

Official Business

I had a random day off again yesterday. I took the opportunity to go and get a business license for Paintmonkey Studios. And like most days I had a sketchbook with me. I just feel more productive when I can work from life and get some practice in.

These two gentlemen came into the office right before me. They were standing at the little desk where you could fill out paperwork waiting for their number to be called. I took a spot a little further back from the windows so I could watch everyone.

The guy on the right kept talking with his chin up like that which is what drew me to them. It was such an interesting pose I HAD to draw it.

And I got the license. Paintmonkey Studios is official!