My paintings have always been done in the studio with the aid of my computer and the ability to trace from photographs that I have taken. This week I attempted to paint plein air. We are in Whangarei, New Zealand. There are many beautiful large sailboats here. They are impressive intimidating to paint, yachts as they call them here. Power boats are called launches not yachts. I choose to paint tenders. It seemed it may be easier. On Tuesday I find out that a local artist center, The Quarry, is having a watercolor class for $5 NZ. (about $3.50 US). If I go I need something to paint, so I set out to sketch the dinghy dock. I wake up early to resketch it onto my watercolor block. At the class there are about ten lovely retired woman and two men. They talk of health care issues and vacation cruises and enjoy each other's company as most woman in classes do. They have all known each other for years. I am the youngest by far. About four of the mare very talented. Next week there will be a demonstration. We plan on casting off so I will miss it. The Quarry art center was a group of creatively designed buildings used as painting studios, ceramic wheel studios, a store, a gallery and outdoor sculptures. All were snuggled up against a mountain with a 20 foot waterfall coming out of from rocks with ferns surrounding it. It is more than beautiful here. Today, Sunday I finally have time to finish my painting. The dingy dock has about half the original dinghies. My pallet leaks, my water bucket leaks and falls over and spills on my pallet. I am frustrated, but carry on. I work on it another hour or so and call it a day. I did have a darling conversation with a four year old boy who came from his boat in a dinghy with his very pregnant mother. He told me that other boys were riding their bikes down the slanted floating dock with there feet out to the sides. He said it was not a good idea and that you could get hurt. I assured him I would not do that. Painting finished, it is time to get ready for dinner.