Sunday morning, October 29th, artists woke to find the Washington area having a perfect Fall day - brilliant blue skies and sunshine, a comfortable 57 degrees, peak Fall color, and "a bit of wind". Inspired, many members headed out for the scenic drive and a day of painting. Sky Meadows Park is about an hour southwest of DC in Clarke and Fauquier County near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The State Park is the original home and lands of the Settle family and dates from about 1835. The area is rich in history and provides beautiful rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas, the historic Mount Bleak House and various outbuildings.

The "bit of wind" became challenging! Artists Altaffer and Chamberlain sought out locations near the buildings to form a wind block. Others were weighting down their easels to protect them from blowing over (some did!), and everyone was glad they had dressed in layers since the wind dropped the temperature so much it felt like December. Most artists chose to set up on the lawn in front of Mt. Bleak house with the panoramic views - this view was also looking directly into the light and posed an artistic challenge. Most everyone worked on a smaller scale such as 9 x 12, so that their canvases weren't propelled by the wind. Sara Linda Poly said the wind was so strong it was blowing her hand as she painted! Fiona said, "The wind was more challenging than the children, and that it was great to be out painting and 'in the zone' again." Despite having one hand holding down their pochade boxes and the other handling a paint brush, some very strong and lovely paintings emerged from the day.

A Fall Festival was scheduled that weekend, and small groups of tourists and families would stop and watch the painters before going off to pick their Halloween pumpkins in the neighboring fields. Lani Browning, the paintout coordinator, did not paint, but chose to use her time videotaping the paint out for WSLP's new website that is about to be launched. She interviewed artists working, and filmed them painting. It was a joy to have Fiona Corn with us again, as well as her family. Watching Fiona paint with a baby in her arms and another clinging onto her legs so the wind wouldn't blow them away was a true testimony to a dedicated artist!

Members gathered at noon for lunch in the picnic area, enjoying the camaraderie of such a good turn out. Paintings were set up against the barn wall (protected by the wind) and Dick Whiteley, WSLP president led a lively critique.

15 Members present: Ahlstrom, Altaffer, Browning, Chamberlain, Cooper, Corn, Huddy, Justinian, Kushnir, Merrill, Negri, Nuss, Perry, Poly, and Whiteley. Three painting guests were present: Mary Arthur, Nina Kildee, and Bill Cook. Four members of the Corn family, Fiona's husband Gavin and children, Liam, Sofia and Tristan shared our day.