Cahas Mountain Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway

I did this pastel painting plein air at the Cahas Mountain overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway this summer. It was very hot in the valley and quite a few people were driving on the parkway to get out of the heat and stopping at the overlook. It was overcast that day as you can see. I set up my easel and halfway through the painting, a mom and her daughter drove up, got out of their car with their books and just sat on the grass reading. I imagined it must have been sweltering in their house, or else they just needed to be outside but out of the heat. At some point it started sprinkling, which is bad news for a pastel painting. I covered everything up and waited, then went back to painting. This painting sold at our 202 Market Gallery opening, December 7th.  --- Anne Pfeiffer