As Good as It Gets

 Plein  air painting is not for the faint of heart. Obstacles such as locating and accessing the subject can sometimes be difficult. The sheer logistics of getting to it are often insurmountable. Dealing with natural elements have to be overcome, as well. Equipment has to be transported...mostly on my back. Gnats, mosquitoes, strange dogs, ill-tempered ducks, and other strange animals are often problematic, and then there’s the weather, the greatest traitor. This outbuilding on 3rd Avenue in Nitro has appealed to me from the moment I saw the afternoon glow light up the rusted tin doors on the old building.  Other than my own yard, painting this spot required little inconvenience. All I had to do on a Sunday afternoon was drive three miles, pull into an unused parking spot, get out, and set up. I was even in the shade.  Easy...peasy... Within the span of two hours, I was wrapping up. A city trash receptacle was across the street...perfect for my soiled paper towels. That...is as good as it gets.