I’m happy to be OuTSiDeY

I just learned a new wonderful word. Outsidey 

And I identify with it so much.  I love the fresh air, the warming sun and gentle breezes. Long walks on the beach.  A hike in the woods.  All the little critters (except ticks, hornets and black flies) I also love creature comforts.  Like heated car seats and heated steering wheels. Air Conditioning! Indoor heating and warm showers!  I’m essentially a wimp.

I’m kind of amazed that at this point to discover a new way to describe myself. I mean I always sort of knew it – but never had a word to describe it. Outsidey!

Discovering something new, no matter how simple, makes me think of how much more I should be open to expansion. This is especially true living life as an artist. There is just so much to learn.

So what’s in a word?

I struggle with calling myself an artist or a painter. Is it a bit arrogant to refer to oneself as an artist? An artist may be so many things, a creator – may also be a singer… a painter may be scaling ladders and painting houses and other large structures. It comes down to how one self identifies. I describe myself as a fine artist and a Plein Air painter. It fits. I’m mostly comfortable with it and yet I still somehow suffer from that dreaded *Imposter Syndrome (GASP)! and the funny thing is – they are only words and still I trip over them.

As an Outsidey, I get to spend a lot of time in the elements with my paint gear and wonderful painting friend Dale Cook. We regularly check in with the weather app to see how conducive the weather may be. What time is high tide? We almost never get it right for some reason. Looking at wind strength and direction – it really matters. Temperatures. Chase the clouds.

All so that we may venture outside in relative comfort to pursue something wonderful to paint. Fresh off the easel I’ve been quite busy in the studio since my last post – which was far to long ago I have to admit.