Susan Cary
Going Outside to Play

Artspace Member Spotlight Exhibition

March 24 - April 22, 2023
Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Gallery

Acrylic and oil stick paintings on canvas

I think my first sentence was “I’m going outside to play.” I was the youngest of four children and wanted to be like everyone else. I remember one day my father making me come inside to put on a shirt before I went out to explore in the neighborhood. My three year old brain could not wrap around the fact that my brothers left with no shirt on, why not me? This past summer I was invited to a “plein air” event ( painting outdoors). I needed to “go outside and play” in other words, paint outside to prepare for that weekend, of course with my shirt on!

As a retirement gift, my school got together and gave me a French easel for painting outside, along with a very generous Plaza Art gift card, I was set! Usually I sketch and paint with watercolors outdoors and bring the small studies inside and paint larger works in the studio. This summer was all about acrylic painting outside , and some touch up when inside the studio. I found that there are many differences and tricks when painting outside; the biggest difference was that I needed to paint really quickly. I use acrylic paints and even the Open acrylics dry really fast on a summer day. I have continued to paint outside this past fall and on an occasional warm winter day.

I am so fortunate to live in rural Virginia where I enjoy the beauty of all four seasons. The changes of the light and surrounding landscapes of each season provide ample inspiration for my paintings. Some of these works were painted “en plein air,” some were started outside and finished in the studio, and some are from small sketches done outside. All I know is that these new retirement days are best spent when I’m going outside to play!

susancaryart.com