Filming ‘Plein Air’ Mini Documentary

Over the past few days, I have had the pleasure of working with aspiring film makers, Natthan Davis and Miles Richardson, as we captured footage for an upcoming video project focused on my ‘Plein Air’ painting. We started the first day early as the rain was far from sight and the sun was beckoning us onward. We began close to home visiting some of my favourite little haunts, luckily for us Vancouver island is full of wild places and beautiful vistas both amazing to paint and to film. Like most things worth pursuing, it took some time to find a groove but after a few hours I was used to cameras hovering around me and drones buzzing overhead. It was a real fun experience. The experience challenged me to articulate my own process as the young film crew asked ‘why and how’ to understand what I was doing. The day ended with the failing light, and the boys spent another few hours formulating ideas and reviewing footage, as I prepared a good meal for all and enjoyed warm much deserved fire.

Day Two, we were becoming a team. Silent communication and simple head nods, were enough for everyone as the film makers looked to get what was needed for their story; I got to focus on what I love, painting. Although, we had some hick ups with locations we were able to adapt as my son’s (the photographer) knowledge of the area. He recommended some great little spots to explore. It always amazes me the spectrum of different landscapes that exist in the mid island. Sandstone beaches, roaring waterfalls, calm swimming holes and rugged mountains were all within a few hours travel. On the painting front, I came away with several nice little pieces. It seemed to me the crew was happy. All their angles, everything from a mole’s eye to an eagles seem to work for them. We chatted away about life and what it means to work in a creative field. The day finished back in my studio, as I had questions to answer or should I say a final interview. Although it was the end of a long day, I enjoyed sharing some of my thoughts on painting from direct experience and how it shaped my career.

Look out for the video in the new year, along with more about this painter’s adventures here on the blog.