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I recently added four new plein air paintings to my website. Three of them are paintings done in the Cook County Forest Preserves, but one is different from the others. It was done in the fragrance garden at the Morton Arboretum and I really liked it. I went painting with three other artist friends and we had a great time. Painting is normally a very individual or introspective occupation. It is not a team sport. You are pretty much in your own head while painting. However, it is very comforting to have other artist friends around while you are all doing your own thing. You can take a break and walk around and see what they are doing and encourage each other. There is also safety in numbers when you are in an isolated area which sometimes applies to the Forest Preserve. That is not true at the Arboretum. There are a lot of people walking around and many stop and watch or talk. The children are especially interested in what you are doing. I have not yet sold a painting off my easel while out painting, but I know artists who have. I will post the other plein air paintings later.