The first time I took an easel outside to paint I tried to find a spot off the beaten path so that no one would feel compelled to investigate just what a mess I was making of the otherwise, beautiful landscape.  And though I thoroughly enjoyed making that particular mess, I really didn't want anyone else to see it because in fact, I had no idea what I was doing.  I didn't much care about my effort being judged harshly but, I didn't want to find myself having to explain to a parade of strangers that this was my "inaugural flight", so to speak.  Well, almost twenty years has past since that day and now, I have a completely different attitude about painting out in public.  To be sure, I very much enjoy the solitude of painting alone in the great outdoors, having the opportunity to focus on nature and my work, uninterrupted, for long periods of time.  However, these days I also relish the opportunities to engage people in conversations about painting.  So, often , I'll deliberately set up where there's plenty of foot traffic.  Oh sure, there's always the guy who feels obliged to tell me about his Aunt who used to paint.  Or, the lady who who claims she "couldn't draw a stick figure" (note: there are no stick figures in any of my paintings).  And then there's my favorite, the parent of the three year old who says to their little bundle of artistic joy, "Look, Kaylee!  He's an artist JUST LIKE YOU!"  Well, hopefully, not JUST like her!  I mean, I have been at this a bit longer so,...  Anyway, the fact is, one never knows whose path might intersect with their own.  Could the lady that stopped to watch me paint this morning be a potential patron?  A future workshop attendee?  Perhaps, she's just a really interesting art appreciator who has something to say that's worth hearing.  The point is, it's in my best interest to engage people in conversation because I never know which of them may come bearing an opportunity to advance my career, to learn something new, to make a friend.  And making a living as an artist is very difficult in my experience so, I don't want to make it any harder by turning away any of those possible opportunities.  In truth, it can sometimes be a little frustrating if a passerby decides to linger too long.  After all, I am trying to get something done!  And hopefully, something of quality.  And this is where plein air painting has taught me another unexpected lesson, BE PATIENT!  I once had a gentleman stop and engage me in what was about 45 minutes worth of conversation while I was trying to work.  He was very nice but, every time I thought he was about done he'd find some other topic to expound upon.  Soon, I was trying to think of ways to extricate myself from his presence but, I couldn't leave.  Right about then is when I thought to myself, "Rich, be patient.  You're a walking, talking, painting advertisement for your work!  You can't leave this man with a bad impression of you." Well, the man finally got his fill of chatting with me and decided to leave.  But, before he did, he bought a painting from me.  Patience definitely paid off.  I suppose one could write that experience off as a rare event whose only value was the money earned for the painting.  But, there's a larger gain to be recognized.  You see, that event always reminds me to be more patient when I meet people out in the field, in galleries, in workshops.  And over the long term, I have become more patient in all those situations.  I've even become more patient with my own struggles improving my work to a level I'll be satisfied with.  (Yeah, that'll never happen. ;))  In a small way It's made me a better version of me.  And that's a real pay off!  By the way, these days when the parent with the little kid comes by, if the child shows any interest, I usually invite them to paint a few strokes on my canvas.  You never know when you might help spark an interest in painting in the mind of a little child!  Thanks for spending these few moments with me.  Be well.

Rich