Mo Myra paints the way she runs — scouting a place on foot before she ever sets up an easel, chasing the spots that seem to have a story to tell. That instinct for finding a scene’s “feel” has taken her from cow pastures in Maine to a fly-filled car (long story) to a hard-won lesson about slowing down. Below, she talks about presence, patience, and the peace she’s chasing with every painting.
Kelly Kane: What draws you to painting outdoors?
Mo Myra: Growing up, I loved both painting and the outdoors, so plein air was a natural fit. It’s busy — bug bites, shifting light, constant focus — which forces me to be present in the moment. That immediacy is the best way I know to truly experience a place.
KK: When you’re out painting, how do you decide which scene or moment to capture? Is it about color, light, story—or something else?
MM: I often explore a new area by running through it first so I can see what grabs my attention. More than anything, I’m drawn in by the “feel” of a spot; some places just have a story to tell — and I can’t resist sharing it.
KK: Can you identify a specific “aha” moment that represented a creative breakthrough for your work?
MM: I used to think speed was everything. My breakthrough came when I realized it’s okay to slow down, to really understand what’s in front of me and how I feel about it. If I run out of time, that’s fine — I can always return to the same spot on another day.
KK: Have you ever had a plein‑air painting adventure—or misadventure—you still laugh or cringe about?
MM:Once, while scouting subjects in Maine with my dog, I got so excited at the sight of cows just hanging out by the side of the road I immediately pulled over and started painting. I spent a couple hours drawing and laying in a few washes — completely in the zone, when I looked up to see all the cows had vanished! I packed up and returned to my car, where I discovered I’d left my windows open and it had filled with flies. I kept finding their carcasses for weeks!
Watch Mo and other world-class plein air artists demonstrate their process at the Plein Air Live online art conference this week! Their tips can help you improve your use of color, light and shadow, giving you the confidence and skills to paint outdoors and create more amazing artwork than you ever have before. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.
KK: Can you name an artist—past or present—who has had the biggest influence on your approach to light, color, composition, or plein air painting in general?
MM: I admire Wyeth and Sargent, but two contemporary artists really shaped me: Tyler Berry and Mario Robinson. I’m still reminded of lessons I learned in their workshops when I’m out painting today.
KK: What do you hope viewers feel when they see one of your outdoor paintings?
MM: The same thing I feel when I’m outdoors painting — peace.
KK: What advice do you wish you had received earlier in your painting career?
MM: Take workshops with artists you admire and never stop learning. Always aim to get better.
KK: If you were not an artist, what do you think you’d like to do for a living?
MM: I often daydream about being a farmer. I know I have an idealized vision of what that actually means, but I love hard work that makes you feel exhausted, but satisfied, at the end of the day.
Representation: Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison, CT; Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
Website: momyra.com
Instagram: @mo.myra.art
