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Like all landscape artists and photographers, I love to work with the light during the " magic hours" ;early morning first light, and the last rays of the evening.

 I awaken with bright splashes of citrus colored sun bursts starting the day. At the approach of evening a rosy glow just kisses the tops of trees and buildings, as shadows creep across the landscape. I never tire of the show!

Like all elusive things, it lasts for just a few brief minutes, but the pleasure in observing it has stayed with me for my whole life.

And, like any artist I want to capture it in my work. Since it is such a brief light, I have taken numerous photos to work from, that usually just hint at the spectacle.

So, I often say to students, working directly from life is the best way to become an accomplished painter. So how to " get it" when it is here and then gone in the space of 10-15 minutes?

What has helped  me, is that I have , for many sessions worked en plein air during the magic hours, on consecutive days at around the same time, when I know that conditions will be very similar.

" Morning Mesquite", pastel, 11x14 is a work that was done over two consecutive mornings, when the raking streaks of sunlight were playing across my front yard. I chose an amber paper, as I knew it would help to have a warm tone coming up through everything, which replicated the effect I was after.

I have also done the same on a summer evening... "Summer Solstice" , pastel, was done on two evenings at the end of the day; same time, same place. In this instance I chose a  violet paper to help tie together the cool shadows. 

My plein air sessions have given me invaluable information, which I refer to when I render the same light effects in the studio.

" Moon Rise, Night Fall", pastel, 18x24 is a studio piece that was done from photo references. However, my many hours of direct observation really helped  me to paint it!

Many times, I'll set out to plein air paint, looking for a good subject. More often than not, the subject finds me...and it is very often an everyday setting, or occurrence when the light hits just right...a very fleeting moment.

At other times, it is just a glance out of the window...as was the case just last week, when a wildfire was playing out just up North of my studio.

There is a beauty in subjects when one does not bring inherent associations to mind. Everyone loves cloud formations, and there are stunning ones here in Arizona at this time of year. This one was a bit different...a haze of smoke from a fire that was allowed to burn, as there was no immediate danger of structure loss, and it is a way of clearing out brush and dried out tinder on forest lands.

"Let it Go", pastel 16x20.

If you look closely, you can see, the top of a " real " cloud peeking out from the smoky haze.

There is beauty in destruction at times...and there will be a rebirth.

It can be said that most people are likely not aware of just how physically demanding painting can be. When you're out plein air painting, this is particularly true.

But I'll bet that you really don't even think about standing at an easel for hours at a time...or just how tired your eyes get after a long session doing detailed work, in particular.

So, I would point out that it is very important for us, as artists to take good care of ourselves.

Today I'm concentrating on the physical aspect of good health: I'll write about our mental well being in another post.

For me, it means eating good food,  going out for regular exercise, or inside...lifting small weights, and getting good rest. 
Most days I go out for a long walk, or bike ride. I joke that the hill that we live on is my gym...going down is easy, but I do have to make the trip back up!

"My Evening Walk", pastel, 17x23

This piece was inspired by one of the places where I walk regularly.

A great benefit that goes hand in hand with my walks is that I sleep well...and I get painting ideas as well !

I lift small weights so that I know I can carry my gear when I go out plein air painting, and hang my own shows on occasion.

When I do long studio easel sessions, I make sure I stretch...and that I'm wearing shoes that are a good foot cushion. ( My studio floor is a hard laminate. ), and  I also have a chef's mat at my easel. From time to time, I'll just gaze out my windows...just to have a break from staring at my canvas or pastel board. 

I try not to eat much sugar ( I have a weakness for chocolate...but the good, dark kind) no overly processed stuff, no soda,  eat lots of vegetables and salad, and I drink a LOT of just plain water,  Necessary here in Arizona, but I always have.

So, I do make an effort to take care...after all, I want to be around to paint all of the thousands of ideas I have !

What do you do to take good care of yourself?