I know that feeling. I think plein air is perhaps one of the hardest arts that I have been involved with. It is physical - lugging around all that stuff not to mention battling bugs, heat, wind, cold, rain, sunburn, sweat, that hovering cloud, and dealing with onlookers. A few weeks ago I was painting in the woods and three layers of DEET, herbal insecticide, and lemon eucalyptus couldn't keep me from getting bitten up. Then the sun made strange shadows from the leaves above on my canvas. I'd move and two minutes later, the shadows came back. Not having my umbrella, after several times of moving, I had no choice, but to give up on the painting and completely move. Then there is the occasional forgetting something at home...and if something aches...your painting will show it. Then you realize you should have worn something else. Oh and I almost forgot, the sun and your umbrella does something that effects your color perception....and watch where you step... poison ivy...

Notice that I didn't even mention anything really art/design related.

What do I do to try keeping myself out of a rut? I ask myself what worked and did not work that week and what I could try next. What did not work last week? We wasted alot of time trying to find a place to paint and one person would not let us paint on their farm. Also, I brought the wrong sized carrying case for my panel. I still need to work on fine lines, but the flat areas worked really well. so for next session I will be sure to decide on a location and one backup location....Bring the correct carrying case and check all supplies. What's my next challenge? I think trying to add a new color (black) and a different type of brush.

:) Thanks Courtney