Kathleen, This is so refreshing. I have seen this trend lately of the "plein
air " painting as a fad. I so agree being outside painting or observing is absolutely necessary to know your subject. It all goes in to the mental assimilation of knowing your subject. I have travelled to Africa, Alaska, the Hudson Bay just to observe and know my subject. But, just the fact that is was painted en plain air does not make it a good painting and I think that is what some artists miss. Just my humble opinion.