Solomons Seen: Plein Air 2015 – Saturday Paint the Town

Saturday,the artists awoke to a very foggy morning. This presented a unique challenge to the last day of painting. Should they choose to paint the cloudy atmosphere, or prepare for the sun to burn off the mist and be ready for streaks of blue sky to show? Ultimately, a mixture of both decisions could be seen in the completed art.

Like the Quick Draw event on Thursday, the artists were limited to the Riverwalk and local area. The event organizers arranged for a showing of several classic cars and a couple trucks to whet the artists’ appetite for color and shape. Their central location near the Gazebo allowed the crowds to quickly admire a range of styles and techniques of the artists working there.

This event was open to anyone with no fee required, you simply needed to register and bring your own supplies. With no age limit either, grade school children, high schoolers and a few college age folks joined in the fun.

The children of one artist (Greg Johannesen) decided they would paint in the event. Clearly the youngest painting, they none the less have clearly been learning the basics from mom and dad and were such fun to watch. His daughter and son were having a very serious discussion on which size paint brush to use. I also noticed how his son brushed off the excess paint on a cloth before putting it to work on his paper. Watch out dad, they’ll be competing with you in no time! In fact they won prizes for their efforts!

The best use of space award, here and now awarded by me, goes to two high school girls using the back of a van as their vantage point. I would not have even noticed them if it weren’t for “mom” who was painting along the railing of the Riverwalk. As I was talking to her, she commented that “the real artists are in the van.” I should have asked their names, but the two young ladies seemed a bit shy, so I didn’t stay long. They had their music playing, were out of the sun (which had broken through by then), and were working happily. The art was coming along nicely too.

You may remember from my post on Thursday’s event that a woman named Sherri had tried ‘en plein air’ for the first time. She enjoyed it so much she came back for Saturday morning! She had the same bright smile and the same high energy. Sherri told me that she had learned so much by coming out Thursday that she just need to try it again. This time she had a prepared the canvas ahead of time – she wasn’t sure that was permitted on Thursday, and she chose a smaller size to give a better chance of completing in the time allowed. All artists needed to be finished by 1:00 PM and have their work submitted for judging – though some also chose not to submit their pieces. So, if you have any interest in painting, or drawing outdoors in a really great place with fun atmosphere, please come out next year and give it a try.

Bruno at work

Bruno Baran and Wesley Drake both went with the foggy/cloudy approach to the scene. Bruno was nearly finished by the time the sun was breaking, but Wesley had to work hard to stay true to his initial vision while completing the effort.

Wesley well in to his piece

Dennis Young started by painting Bunky’s Bait & Tackle, and I thought he must have finished because I later saw him set up near the gazebo looking at one of the cars. It finally dawned on me that he painted the car into the scene in front of Bunky’s; it was like Photoshop in an old-school way – cut and paste one scene into another! It was done so seamlessly it was incredible.

A number of artists chose the automobiles as subject. Dauane Sabiston was among them. About 1030 and well after the start, another car for the event showed up. The Pantera was an awesome car, and the car owners thought it should have a prominent location. They moved out a Corvette and backed in the Pantera – much to Duane’s horror as he was painting the Corvette! The Festival leaders quickly got the Corvette back in position much to Duane’s relief!

The most unique painting position goes to Prof. Andrew Wodzianski,

Barbara Stepura painting in the low light

Throughout this event, two intertwining story lines to be recognized. The first is about community. The Plein Air Festival to me becomes a living breathing community of artists, volunteers, and the local southern Maryland participants. I chose the word participants carefully because without the collectors and people interested in art and Solomons Island, the festival just would not be the same.

Barbara moving on to the church

The second part is the perspective that the artists bring to the public. Their ability to view a landscape or car and bring out the beauty, the mystery and emotion allows the viewer to see the world in a new and refreshing way.

The magic happens when the visitor comes up, looks and simply gasps or says “wow” and a dialogue between the artist and community occurs. There’s a moment of appreciation felt by all involved and it pulls people together for at least that short period of time. It’s beautiful and joy filled, and we all need more of it.

The judging of the works is a necessary part of the event, but I cannot fathom the difficulty in how to discern a ‘best.’ The works are varied in style and technique and each stands on its own. In fact, both the judge for this event and later the overall event said as much.

Carole Pierson with a good start, and finished piece below

Nearly always smiling.

There is also a philanthropic aspect of this event is that the sales of these works support local charities. An amazing 40% of the sales go to support the College of Southern Maryland, Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center, Solomons Business Association, Heart FELT, and Sophia’s Oasis for Equines.

Catherine Whitehead working her 2nd piece (I think)

Catherine Whitehead had a prolific day.

The first was completed in the early morning fog

I like this whimsical take on a beach scene.

Diane Laird took her skills to capturing the Solomons United Methodist Church.

Eileen Eder painted the 1940's coupe and eyed up the contrasts of the sky, water and car. She showed me a card with different shades of gray on it. She held it up to look at the scene over the card, it was a tool of sorts to help identify the tones of color needed for the painting. Just another tidbit of information that I really appreciated.

Elissa Gore and Raymond Ewing painted the red Corvette from different locations.

Here's a series of shots showing Hiu Lai Chong's work.

Jackie Clark earned a second place ribbon for her efforts.

JoEllen Murphy has a beautiful sense of color in her pastel work.. take a look.

I missed catching John Caggiano working on his painting. I only got to see his First Place Blue Ribbon result. It's outstanding.

Juliya Ivanilova was back painting, she was a awarded an Honorable Mention for non-juried artists with a strong watercolor of the Corvette.

Mick McAndrews continues to impress, earning a 2nd Place Ribbon for his wonderful watercolor.

Mick with the happy collectors.

Neal Hughes captured the beauty of a hot rod with the glare on the windshield. I wondered how he could keep looking at the bright reflection all morning. In the end though he ended up with a Third Place Ribbon!

Patrick Lee working his canvas, with Bruno Baran looking on - and no doubt kibitzing the whole time too!

Peter Emerson had a great idea from his host family for this Paint the Town. It turns out that the family of Henry J. (I blogged on this young man and his lemonade stand) hosted Peter this week, and Henry J. suggested that the family bring their boat around to have Peter paint it! Perfect!