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Renting a home in a different part of the country for 1 week each summer has been a tradition since our kids were very young.  Our family has grown to 8 now with our two oldest sons married. Destinations are almost always near a body of water. Our adventures consist of riding jet skis, hiking, boat rides with tubing, evening fire pit and each couple taking turns making a gourmet dinner for the family.  During our down time some enjoy reading a good novel, or playing games.  This year I brought my plein air painting supplies to relax and connect with the sights and sounds of the lake through painting a couple scenes.  

These plein air studies may or may not develop into larger paintings back in my studio.  Plein air painting is invigorating yet peaceful for me.  The human eye sees much more color, light and shadow than even a professional camera can record.  There is a feeling and connection with the scene I choose to paint as well which is lost when painting from a photograph.  I'm thankful I discovered plein air painting just a few years ago.  I look forward much more plein air painting as we travel throughout this country and others in the future.