~~A few years ago, Plein Air came to Talbot County. It seems very daunting to be surrounded by some of the best plein air artists in the country. For several years, I was terrified to pick up a brush, but after passing forty years old...I said 'what the heck' and decided to try just about everything. The first year, I took my children to participate in the children's quick draw. However, I did not officially participate. Faced with the prospect of silently observing for three hours, I decided it was best to pick up my brush as well. Granted, this was not the first time I had ever picked up the brush, but it was the first time I had ever let everyone see it in public. Kinda like jumping off the high dive with dozens of peering eyes of fellow 12 year olds watching to see if your nerves would break, when I opened my paint box, I felt a spasm of anxiety that almost took my breath away. However, just as you felt exhilarated when your overheated bobby splashed into the pool, a joyful thrill overtook my person as soon as I put color to paper. What you find during quick draw is that letting your creative child out for a few hours is a lot less scary than allowing him to hide in the dark shadows. Quick draw has become one of my family's favorite days of the year, topped only, maybe, by Thanksgiving or Fourth of July.  You'll find that if you participate, the spirit of quick draw stays with you throughout the year.