Painting of the Week: Grazing

The following is part of a series that spotlights the work of an accomplished plein air artist whose work has been featured in PleinAir magazine. Here, Bonnie Zahn Griffith shares her inspiration for “Grazing,” shown above.

“I’m inspired to paint the pastoral scenes of the modern west illustrating the summer colors of the fields contrasting that of the livestock within the view,” says Bonnie Zahn Griffith. “It’s about a peaceful view to enjoy as I create it but also one that the viewer can experience as well.”

Bonnie’s painting “Grazing” was featured in the October/November 2025 issue of PleinAir Magazine. Connect with the artist at www.bonniegriffith.com.

“This rich pigments of pastel and oil allows me to create paintings that have the brilliance and the bold color we see in the landscapes of the in the western United States, giving me unlimited options to create,” Bonnie says. “My goal is to create work that draw the viewer in to experience and imagine the time of day, the temperature, the sounds, the smells. I want the viewer to experience the work and get lost in it – if only for a moment.

“My love of the landscape prompts me to paint it. I look for a story to tell when I look at the sagebrush hills, the lush river lands, the wheat fields, the intense greens of spring in rich mountain valleys and the ever changing colors of the desert … If I have been able to create a piece that brings the viewer to experience that, then I have done my job.”

Published bi-monthly, PleinAir magazine is focused on landscape paintings by historical and contemporary artists, art collections, events, and the process of creating plein air paintings. Beautifully designed with rich reproductions on high-quality paper, PleinAir features the top artists and artworks from around the world. Start your subscription here.

Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today