"The term 'plein air,' derived from the French language, eloquently signifies the act of  creating art in the open air, capturing the essence of nature on canvas.

In the warm embrace of August 2012,
I made a deliberate choice to immerse myself in a 'plein air' experience using watercolors. Navigating the scenic route to Banff on a serene Saturday, I relished a tranquil evening in preparation for the artistic journey that lay ahead. As dawn graced the early hours of Sunday, I traversed the bridge to the mountainside, discovering a breathtaking spot that promised solitude, an intimate connection between me, myself, and moi. It was a moment of sheer awe.

Ensuring preparedness, I checked my bear pepper spray and set up my small easel, securing my beloved Canson paper. With water within arm's reach and steaming coffee in hand, the stage was set for perfection in motion.

Excitement filled the air as I unveiled my new watercolor kit, specially curated for the traveling artist. The time had come to revel in the experience, expecting nothing less than the finest. However, my enthusiasm was met with an unexpected obstacle when my preferred blue color proved dry and unyielding, resembling a rock. Frustration led me to express my discontent with a string of French words, the choice of which I'll keep PG-13.

The same disappointment awaited me with the other tubes—no paint, Mafi, Nada, Zilch, Comprende!

Undeterred, with no tools at my disposal, I resorted to resourcefulness. Employing a stone, I crushed the tubes, extracting color dust to salvage what I could. In the end, I managed to procure a semblance of black and green, perhaps with a touch of blue.

This endeavor, while challenging, reflects my sincere effort. Your understanding is appreciated, for in the face of adversity, I gave it my all."