Open Air from the Porch

Claude Monet’s expansive gardens were an unending source of inspiration for him, and there is no disputing his floral images painted in that location are recognized/enjoyed worldwide. Much of  his long painting career was spent in his own backyard. While enjoying my front porch this afternoon, I experienced what I will call a Monet moment. The lavender iris and brilliant pink azaleas triggered the episode. In a drowsy haze, I remember admiring the play of light on the blooms and surrounding blocks of color and imagined how the shapes would be positioned on a canvas. I was within an arm’s length, sitting down, no less. How easy would it not be to capture them right now? My car contains my pochade box, packed and ready for an event such as this. My car was just right over there around the corner in the garage! Within 10 minutes, I was painting, totally engrossed in the view from the end of my porch. Monet had the right idea.