Writing/Essay/Journal
Plein Air is French for “in the open air” and describes a style of painting that is done outdoors. Cheryl LeClair-Sommer uses pastels, water colors and oil paints to show the beauty and peacefulness she finds in nature. She especially likes pastels because there’s nothing between her hand and the paper. She also enjoys mixing the colors and, because it’s a dry medium, being able to go back and change what she’s done.

To her, painting is like a puzzle. Although she appears to know a lot, she is intrigued by the challenge of continuing to learn more. Think of a goal you have had for a period of time. Write about the skills you already have and then describe what you still need to learn. Do you share her excitement at being an “emerging learner” or do you like to fancy yourself an “expert” at everything you are already good at? Do you find pleasure in setting and reaching higher and higher goals?

Activity
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer has trouble picking a favorite season to paint. Winter has interesting shapes. Spring and summer present the challenge of finding shape among all the green. Fall is rich in vibrant color. Pick your favorite season and then challenge yourself to find shapes, colors, textures, patterns and lines in an outdoor scene from that time of year. If you can’t go out in the plein air, paint from a photograph of that season.

Try to paint and draw the same place in two or three different mediums (pastels, chalk, water color, colored pencil, pen, etc.). Put your drawings and paintings next to each other and see which medium best captured the beauty of nature.