Why skiing is a lot like plein air painting (for me!)

Did you know that I am an avid (but careful) downhill skier?!

It comes from a lot of the same things that excite me about painting on-site, "en plein air": my love of being outdoors, the physical challenge, visual pleasure, and having to be in the moment.

There's no question that the fresh mountain air and scenery are a huge draw, especially the bigger the mountain. I am a big fan of the Rockies in Colorado, and hone my skills on the Green Mountains of southern Vermont.

Cabin Fever. oil on cradled panel, 9”x12” (private collection)

Painting outside is my version of not being tied year round to a desk (or easel) indoors, and even if it means painting on a sidewalk in Brooklyn, there might be trees, a glimpse of sky, birds chirping, and interesting shadows.

Cobble Hill Park Planter, oil on canvas mounted on archival panel, 9”x12”, 2019 (available)

Both activities require me to stay physically fit: I stand for hours when I paint and ski, I need to keep my core strong to prevent back strain, and while I don't really need aerobic capacity for painting it helps to have stamina to cart my painting supplies from point A to point B and especially to stay active at high altitudes.

One of the most critical similiarities is having to stay focused and in the moment whether painting on-site or skiing down a groomed black run (although the potential negative outcomes are extremely different!). To be in that mental state means having to clear my mind of extraneous thoughts. They often wander in, but I chase them out as soon as possible.

Both activities can be fun, but also challenging. The conditions can change without warning, such as the weather, obstacles can suddenly appear (there’s nothing more frustrating than a delivery truck parking in front of one’s view OR an oblivious snowboarder who suddenly cuts in front of me), and of course fatigue often sets towards the end of a session which can lead to mediocre or even bad decisions.

Ultimately, there's the genuine and very personal satisfaction that comes from the results: a light-filled, well-composed canvas or 15,000+ vertical feet covered in a day. So now it all makes sense, right?!