Plein Air - Thursday Evening

In my last post on the Plein Air festival, I told you about the Nocturnal  Quick Draw event.  Thursday night I scrambled to see some of the artists in action. I've thought about it further today and one or two things have struck me.

First, no one sees the exact same thing even when looking at the same scene.  The artists were spread out over maybe a quarter mile.  Many were on the Riverwalk, and three were lined up right next to each other.  As I got closer though, the artists were not painting the same thing.  One was looking at the bridge.  One concentrated on the boats along the Riverwalk.  The last of the trio was taking in the boats and the bridge.  Beyond the scene, the various artists had different techniques and ways to show how they saw the world. 

  

 Wesley Drake, was one of the several painting the bridge.  He has some amazing works you can see at his site.

 

 

 Two artists were in front of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.  The beautiful church was not the subject though.  The gentleman to the left was capturing the boat docked there.

Nancy Tankersley was painting the side of the old Oyster House.  I met her, while she was having a box dinner as the sun set.  She was mid bite as I was about to take her photo.  I did not take the shot, and laughed.  I told her I wouldn't do that.  We talked a few minutes and I found that she had previously lived here in Southern Maryland and had even sailed with the Navy Sailing Club for a time.  While not too far away as the Crow flies from her home in Easton, MD, it's quite a drive.  Nancy was waiting for it to get darker before continuing her painting, and like many of the seasoned artists, she had battery powered "Bar-B-Que Lights" to illuminate her painting.You can see some of her "Contemporary Impressionist" paintings on her site.

  

One of the canine admirers

 

There were lots of eyes on the artists

 

 

 I had talked briefly with these ladies when I took the picture above of the German Shepherd.  I caught them again at Cone Island, and "Super Woman" was not telling her friend that I was taking more photos.  It was a fun moment.

 What was also fun to watch, was the cooperation that happened.  Mr. Barans, the one with the white hat and goatee, helped the other artist by loaning him the Bar-B-Que lights that he no longer needed (He was done painting already.) Mr. Barans even helped get the lights situated on the easel.























The TJ Bridge is iconic, but I'm glad a number of artists choose other subjects.
To the right is the Solomons United Methodist Church taking shape.

SMSA hosted the judging immediately after the competition.









At 7:20 PM it's really starting to get dark, some of the photos are brighter than how dark it actually was, but they show the artists more clearly this way.



I like the choice of this piece, the small boats on trailers alongside Southern Maryland Sailing Assoc.  (SMSA.) You can see the photo of what the artist was looking at.

















Another interesting choice, the church steeple over Bunky's (Headboat Fishing, bait and tackle store.)
















 I've saved my favorite part of the story for last.  I was admiring a piece being worked on by a female artist.  She was on a bench on the Riverwalk, looking at the Thomas Johnson Bridge.  I talked to Jennifer for a few minutes and found that this was her first contest.  The beautiful part was how excited she was just to compete and "see what I can do in two hours."  The St. Mary's County resident just exuded enthusiasm for art and being outside.  She was worried about how much time was left when we realized she still had an hour to go!  I'm only sorry that I didn't get to see the completed project.  Jennifer, if happen to see this post, please let us know how everything turned out!
  

 

 Till next time,


 Blessings,
Brian