Blog

Adventures En Plein Air - Chincoteague

 

Well, I really gained an appreciation this past week for all those artists who paint "en plein air," especially during all weather conditions and despite other environmental hazards (like mosquitoes)!

 

Plein air festivals provide a limited period of time during which artists can paint and (hopefully) develop a body of work that can be sold at a show and sale at the festival's conclusion.   During this year's Chincoteague Plein Air Week, the first few days were typical of seaside in September...cool, misty, rainy and VERY windy!  Fortunately, things improved!

 

The weather inspired this view from my porch, Front Approaching.

 

 

This painting, The Dock at Tom's Cove, was painted on a day where winds were clocking 30 mph...I had to hold my easel in place with my knees so it wouldn't blow away!  I hope you can feel the wind.

 

Island Resort was painted through a cold, misty rain...I was glad I use oils, unlike some of the watercolorists, who simply could not paint outdoors in these conditions.

 

Thursday of Chincoteague's Plein Air Week offered a "quick draw" competition, which is a standard feature of many plein air festivals.  Both participating artists and community members can compete in a timed event to paint the best painting within a limited area.  This event took place at a seaside park off Main Street.   I chose to paint the Chincoteague Island Library, and I was very surprised and delighted that my painting captured a blue ribbon!

 

No week at Chincoteague and the adjoining Assateague National Seashore would be complete without paintings of the beautiful marsh views, children playing at the beach or a pony!  The pony below is "Martha," one of those that rotate out from a corral at The Refuge Inn.  I learned at the final sale and show that she is seven years old and named for a relative of the Inn's owners.

 

 

 

One of the best things about a plein air festival is getting to meet many wonderful artists and volunteers, and also meeting members of the community.  I was lucky to meet the owners of Whiteraven's Nest, a wonderful local produce store, Burke Landon and Kimberly White-Landon.   I painted this lovely spot and was thrilled when they chose to buy the painting.

 

 

I am VERY grateful to the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance and its staff and volunteers for putting together an extremely well organized and fun event--their 22nd year of offering a plein air event!   What a great first experience for me.

 

Crossroads Gallery Show Friday Night

 

I hope you can stop by Friday night, September 19th at Crossroads Gallery, Richmond.  Crossroads will be hosting an Artist's Open House from 5 to 8 pm.  Featured during the evening will be singers from Virginia Opera, beginning at 6:15 pm.  While you're there, check out my painting, Lucky Strike, which is featured in the front window.

 

Warmly,

Trish