Painters talk about losing track of time when they work. Entering this other world is one of the joys of painting.

Plein air painting (on location, outdoors) is the ultimate challenge. We try to pull out the essence of the shoreline, trees or mountains. If we can capture the spirit of what we see with the tools at hand (both mental and physical) and if our work connects with others, then we have succeeded.

Joan Boyer has been painting oils and watercolors full time for over 20 years. Previously, she taught adult and high school art classes in San Diego and American Samoa. She is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Joan is a member of Plein Air Painters of San Diego and Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park.