The Why of Painting

“The craft of painting is the same basic thing no matter where it is taught... The why of painting is something different entirely: it is something that you know or do not know. It is a constant over which there is little control. It may be that no amount of study can bring it where it does not exist, but nothing can destroy it where it does.” (Christopher Pratt)

This plein air watercolour was done from a pink granite ridge in Killarney National Park. I love to find a high vantage point from which to paint. My wife Margaret and I were on ridges separated by a hollow and so were a rock climb away from one another. She was told by passing hikers that there was a bear in the immediate area and so was making some noise to keep it at a distance. She titled her painting “Bear Approaching” while mine has a more mundane title, “On The Ridge”. More joys of plein air painting!

On The Ridge (14" x 10-1/2")