When I was an art student, in the BYU art program almost 30 years ago, we used to take field trips around the art building to do various drawing assignments featuring our lovely campus.  I was always inspired by the architectural details of each building and the landscaping so lovingly groomed by students and professionals alike. 

One day during oil painting class, I was shocked when our professor invited us to load up our gear and do our paintings outdoors!  Drawing class, sure. Watercolor painting maybe, but oil painting….well now that elicits a whole basket of challenges. Oil painting requires a lot of supplies, you know multiple liquids in glass jars and a laborious set-up, a challenging painting process and of course the dreaded clean up after all that work.  I am pretty sure every art student was wondering if there would even be a moment left for painting.  

I obediently carried my supplies outside on that scorching hot day and chose as my subject the majestic Carillon Bell Tower not far from the art building.   At the base of the structure, I got a stunning perspective on the tall bright tower and dark bells above.  I made the necessary preparations and was happy to find I still had time to do some oil painting.  Not my best work as I look back now, but a thrilling discovery emerged as I painted under those ever-chiming bells that day in the very hot sun.  Oil paint did not need special dryers when painted in the sun.  The paint dried almost immediately allowing for a unique oil experience unlike any I had ever encountered. Suddenly, I was racing to finish each detail from a medium usually known for deliberate muttering and slowly or “never” fully drying. I was thrilled to run around the painting from textured bushes to the cloudless blue sky so nicely contrasted behind the tower.  

As the bells chimed the final hour signaling the end of class, I packed up my gear and went home thoroughly exhausted from the heat and concentration.  I was giddy about the newfound technique and happy that my painting was already dry for the journey home.  

So many years later now, I look back at this experience as one of the most unique and memorable from the hundreds of hours I spent in art school.  Just the fact that we accomplished the colossal task of painting outdoors was one thing, but discovering a new painting style in the process, now that was something special.  Such a simple thing combining two of my great loves as painting and squinting in the hot sun.