New Year's Eve 2013

So I did it.. I didn't feel like painting since the majority of the day was overcast and the light was washed out, but I decided I'd make the best of it and went out anyways. Originally I was going to take the kids up to the snow, but that didn't work out because of car trouble, so I need to stay close to home. I decide to go to one of my favorite places in Redding, the Sacramento River Trail. Luckily, it's easily accessible and close to home, so I pack up my things and decide to go for it. As I approach my front door, I feel almost guilty about leaving behind me a mountain of stress as I escape for a couple of hours of peace. I quietly convince myself that it is necessary to stick with my resolution, if only for the sake of staying sane.

My "recycled tote" crinkles on my side noisily as I meander down the street. I try to adjust it over my shoulder so that it will quiet down, but I give up after just a minute when I realized it is a lost cause. Recycled plastic is noisy. Period. At least it's cute and it holds all of my painting supplies with ample room to spare.

Neighbors busily work in their yards, walk and bike with family, and take down Christmas decorations; a typical New Years' Eve. I turned onto the river trail and contemplate painting the babbling (yes, I said babbling.. it actually sounded like that) creek. Palette knife or brush today? Probably brush. As I drew close to the bridge that crosses over the creek I see it is overflowing. This is also typical for this time of year. My suede boots with zero support (but cute - yes, I said cute again) are definitely not the right shoes to go tromping through water. They soak up the water through the soles, as if I am wearing slippers. Yeah.. no. So, instead of crossing, I turn the other direction.

Today is a typical Murphy day.. where everything that I actually try to accomplish backfires. Fighting the urge to feel discouraged, I keep walking, in search of the perfect spot to paint. Then it happens. The sun comes out for the first time all day. A little present from God, I tell myself. An acknowledgement that I am exactly where I should be at the right time. I turn around, and there before me is the river trail, spotted with sunlight, bordered with spring grasses, and arched by a gnarly old oak tree. A perfect picture.

I quickly set up my easel, get my paints ready, and begin to paint. It's been a frustrating day, to say the least, and I can't post the picture because it is so rudimentary, but I actually think it has potential. I will let the paint dry and go back and finish it in my studio on a cloudy day. Maybe tomorrow? We'll see.

For now, Happy New Year 2013, may it be happier and more prosperous than 2012! Goodbye 2012!

Railroad Park - December

New Year's resolution starts today! Getting back into painting daily, though a new approach.. Plein Aire.. Lovin' painting with my good friend Chuck Prudhomme in all the cool places in Northern CA. Today it was up at Railroad Park looking up at Castle Crags. Tomorrow will take the kiddos up to play in the snow while I paint.. somewhere.. Anyways, here it is!

Railroad Park - December
10" x 30" x 1/1/2" oil / pallet knife
copyright Raette Meredith 2012

Railroad Park - December (detail 1)
10" x 30" x 1/1/2" oil / pallet knife
copyright Raette Meredith 2012

Railroad Park - December (detail 2)
10" x 30" x 1/1/2" oil / pallet knife
copyright Raette Meredith 2012