Plein Air Lesson at Elizabeth Park W. Hartford

Rose Parade, Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, CT 11 x 14" oil on canvas, available

Today's plein air class was with my one student Marilyn. I met Marilyn and her husband Joel last year at my husband’s cooking class on April 12 - Easy for me to remember that date because it’s my birthday and my husband Dean’s birthday and…. Joel’s birthday too! Dean taught us how to make homemade pizza that night and we finished off the evening with a triple wish birthday cake. Such fond memories of a wonderful night.

The first Plein Air class was scheduled for the previous day but unfortunately was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain. My small group class was then split in two with one student on Friday and two on Saturday. Our first location for the season took place at Elizabeth Park which is on the West Hartford/ Hartford Line.

Marilyn and I walked around the park. Sketched for about 30 minutes  and then settled in on a place in the shade. We were fortunate that it remained shady until we packed up around 1:30pm. A sprinkling of visitors came by, politely asked permission to see what we were painting. Followed by a brief conversation and then back to work.

Apparently Elizabeth Park draws folks from all over the state and beyond. We met a nice group from Barkhemstead, Maine, Virginia and New Jersey. A few even asks permission to take a photo of our paintings… which was very flattering. Even when our paintings were still in the middle stages and without the flowers!

Here’s my piece. Not sure if I’m calling it finished or not… might need a little adjustments before varnishing. Looking forward to a second session at Elizabeth Park today.