Acrylic with rainwater wash and gold leaf on 1.5″ wood panel 36 x 12

We in the northwest corner of the United States live with a lot of rain and this winter has seemed exceptionally wet. I’ve been very influenced by the Pacific Northwest climate and I’ve been painting rainy scenes since I moved here years ago. I grew up in the desert climate of New Mexico so the showers here are pretty astonishing to me, even still.

In my search to find new ways to be inspired in those long expanses of gray and wet, I was working in the studio on acrylic under painting options. The surface was dry to the touch but not cured and a droplet from the washed brush happened to fall. When I wiped it away the water took the surface with it. This produced a string of expletives at first. But as I stared at the blemish in the expanse of color it occurred to me that I could use all those droplets to my advantage. Instead of just painting a picture of the rain I could paint with the rain, using it as a tool to elevate a piece with subject matter ABOUT rain and all that implies, but also creating an actual impression OF the rain.

I prepared another background and waited for it to dry. As it rested in the studio I stepped outside to find the rain had subsided. If the surface dried too much the rain wouldn’t wash away the paint. This is what I believe people call a “teachable moment”. A realization that sometimes one must surrender to circumstances and hope for the best. Letting go of the control and just being in that moment with the smell of the wet and the pat-pat sound of the dripping trees was truly peaceful and oddly thrilling.

I went to check on the painted board. Dry. I set up a camera under the awning, hauled out the easel and checked the sky. Suddenly, the clouds opened up and it began to pour. I ran for the painting, set it on the easel and let the rain do its thing. I held my breath as I pulled the squeegee. Sculptural shapes of elegance and grace appeared. I nearly cried.

Today the sun is out and there is blue sky. But I have several boards stacked and ready. So I listen to the weather. And for now, I just wait for that glorious rain.