aceo
Die aelteste Eiche Europas
We missed the turn Garmin suggested, so we consulted the map and decided to take some small roads again. Along the way we saw the sign that pointed to the oldest oak tree in Europe, and went up the hill to see. The tree is on private property, but the farmer allows people to walk over to the tree which stands just past the end of the road.
A couple of years ago the tree was struck by lightning, and people filled it with cement, trying to help. Later on they found out the cement collected moisture and was making the tree rot from inside. A wealthy widow funded the project to remove the cement and a tree doctor who saves trees all over Europe, came to help. The future looks good.
12,5 cm
As far as my home work goes, it's easier for me to get a plein air perspective from my studio.  When I paint outside I get cameos, which, as far as perspective goes, may look more like a still life that can be painted inside.
There are important factors that make a difference painting outside.  Maybe the biggest one is the light.  Figuring out where to put the light and shadow as it is constantly changing.
And then there are all kinds of things floating around out there.  Dog hair, of course, bugs (two landed on the painting today), and maybe even a bird feather.  My brushes joined in and for some reason put down more hair than paint today.  As the saying goes, there must be something in the air.
 17 x 14 cm
This time when we were shopping, nothing looked good enough to paint.  I made a comment to that effect, but my husband wouldn't let me get off that easy.  He picked up a bunch of carrots and said "here".
At home I wandered around the house looking for a basket or something to put the carrots on or in, but nothing was looking right.  I had a couple of things in my hands, and set them down for a second, then thought, oh that's perfect.  The basket and the way the carrots laid in front of it.  But it was right on top of my paint box, with everything I needed inside.