Back to Nature by Dianne Lorden

I started this plein air of the pond, at the site of the former Gettysburg Country Club’s golf course, two weeks ago. (The title reflects the fact that this was once well manicured and maintained, as a golf course feature, but has acquired a wonderful look of natural abandon. The property is now part of the Gettysburg National Military Park.) It took me several days to be able to go back in the morning, and the light was entirely different that day, anyway, so my efforts weren’t as helpful as I’d hoped for. I was amazed at how changeable the surface of the water was — every time I looked up from my paper it was different! That’s exciting and challenging. The technique I used for the water is one I will be teaching in my September "Intro to Soft Pastels" class at the ACAC. So this is actually one of the pieces I’ll bring with me, as a visual aid, when I tape the Arts Council’s cable access TV show “You Gotta Have Art.” The show promotes upcoming classes and showcases various instructors. I’m taping tomorrow and will let you know when it will air.

View my fine art: South Mountain Sketchbook