Road trip! My sister Emily and I just got back from a week-long escape to our home state, Wisconsin. Even though it was a 16-hour drive one way, we had a great time, and it felt good to get out of Dallas, which has been sweltering since the beginning of June.

Aside from visiting family and friends, I made it one of my goals to paint plein air on my parents' beautiful 80 acres in the country. I don't think I realized how lucky I was to live in the country when I was growing up. Now, since I've been in Dallas for two years, it's always incredibly refreshing to get out of the city, take walks through the woods, and get a little dirty for a change. So, I did just that one morning: I got up just after sunrise, packed up all my painting supplies and French easel, and hiked them up to the top of the wooded bluff on the property. I found one of my favorite childhood perches up there, a rocky cliff we used to call "Castle Rock," which overlooks the whole eastern side of the bluff as well as the smaller bluff that neighbors it. I chose to do a quick study of this smaller bluff, showing the horizon fading away several miles in the distance. There is something truly peaceful and refreshing about painting outdoors - I really should try to paint outdoors more regularly!

Henry's Bluff - 8x10 - oil on linen glued to board
(click on image to view availability)

So summer has begun...the seasons change so quickly for a painter; time flies when you're immersed in your work.

And now I actually have someone to keep me company during the day; I brought a 6-month-old English Springer Spaniel home with me from Wisconsin. Her name is Bella, and I'm sure she'll be in a painting or two at some point. In the mean time, she's the perfect companion for an artist, although a bit distracting at times!

Thanks for reading and for your continued encouragement and support of my career - I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Sincerely,
Anna Rose Bain

http://www.annasblankcanvas.com/