This past Monday I hosted a plein air painting party for three of my artist friends where we all were painting my garden. These girls, or I should say ladies, (my grandma who lived to almost 96 always called herself and her group of friends the girls or gals, so I guess I can too). Anyway, these ladies mean so much to me.
I may have talked about this group before, we met at a local gallery (Stac Gallery) that offered Lunch and Learn’s for area artists and we became fast friends. Unfortunately, the gallery we met each other at closed last year but thankfully we’re better friends than ever. In fact one of them, Lori Rivera, shared the exhibit I had last December at Cook Mansion.
We also got together just a couple of weeks ago and had plans of painting. Instead though, we just ate lunch on my deck and talked and laughed and had a great time catching up and enjoying each others company. We hadn’t seen each other in person since before the damn virus.
We had a great day for plein air painting even though it was a little hot. Plein air just means painting outdoors. We had tacos for lunch and then set up in Studio Gardens. Each of us picked a spot. Of course you know I have no shortage of things to paint. There’s the koi pond, the lake and lots and lots of flowers.
I got a late start setting up making sure they had everything they needed. That’s what a hostess does 🙂 Alright, I’m using that as an excuse. I was a little intimidated painting outdoors, I’ve never done it before. My studio is just inside those windows there so I never felt a need. Plus I thought the paint would dry out too fast but I was pleasantly surprised at how fun it actually was.
We got to paint a couple of hours before the weather changed on us and the clouds moved in and it started to sprinkle. They had to get home anyway so it was a good time to stop.
Even though none of us finished our painting, it was great fun. We definitely plan to do this again. I was telling the girls I have a bunch of gloriosa daises that will be blooming soon and that would make a great painting, they’re going to look spectacular. I do believe after they bloom, I’m going to have to thin them out because they’ve taken over everything.
Sandy Dodd focused on painting a coneflower along with the a few other potted plants. Lori Rivera painted an abstract painting, she’s really into those even though she can paint just about anything. Vicki Wilson painted a geranium. Vicki was trying out new paints, but said next time she’ll bring more canvases or at least a larger one. And I painted my garden path.
We’re already planning on painting again together at Sandy’s exhibit in July. It’ll be at The Pizza Factory in Evansville, Indiana so I need to practice a bit more. I don’t’ know how comfortable I’ll be painting in front of other people but I guess I’m going to find out. Yikes.
So I’m always curious what you think. Have you ever seen artists painting en plein air? If so, did you go up to them and watch and/or ask questions? I’d like to be prepared so your comments will help me. Thanks in advance!
Here’s links to my friend’s websites:
Sandy Dodd – Sandy is on SmugMug currently at https://sandydodd.smugmug.com/
Vicki Wilson – Vicki has a website and is working on a blog
Lori Rivera – Lori has a website where she sells her paintings and a blog
⬅︎ Current Challenge / Feeling numb and unable to create ➡︎
Learn more about me on the ‘About’ page under the additional links menu. I’m an artist – a painter mostly and an avid gardener. I paint a variety of subjects including birds, koi fish, my gardens, ponds and flowers as well as anything having to do with nature especially trees and tropical scenes. I also enjoy painting abstracts and have started created more and more of them. My most favorite thing to try to achieve in my painting is is mystery and telling mystical stories.
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This is wonderful! How fun and your garden is gorgeous! I wish I lived closer. I go an countless garden walks and on a couple of them, there are painters in the garden. It is so fascinating and I’m impressed by their paintings of what they see that day.
Oh I wish we lived closer too Lisa! I’m sure you’d contribute to my houseplant addiction, haha. Thanks for telling me about the painters you see in your garden walks, all good information to have. Have you walked by and thought omg what is that? haha
My wife and I have often watched and talked with plein air artists in New Harmony and especially when we travel to Santa Fe and Taos, NM. They are always extremely friendly and willing to talk. In Taos there are always artists painting outside their studios, on street corners and in parking lots. Love to see them and visit with them, many of them year after year.
Hey Steve! Thanks for stopping by my site! You know, I kinda expect a place like Santa Fe and Taos to have artists all around painting and even New Harmony since I live around here. I know most people have good intent and like to see artists doing their thing. I hope everyone is as kind as you are when I’m out there!
Love your featured painting for this update! Can’t see Sandy’s other side of painting! And oh can I relate to underestimating my time!! Like for appointments and work! Anything “important”!
Ha ha yes, time. I think I have time blindness. 🙂 Sandy’s painting turned out real pretty. You can see it on her social media, just look up Sandy Dodd. Thank you Gloria!
This was a fun post. I’ve seen people painting along the river but have never gone up to them, feeling like it would interrupt the place there were in, creating. Mainly because I know how difficult it can be to get back in to writing when someone stops to chat and interrupts the flow. This looked like all of you had a lot of fun. And I love that basket at your friend Sandy’s feet. I’m also envious of your koi pond, but I think I’ve mentioned that before…if I painted, and painted that pond, there would have to be a lot of ‘green’ included.
Thanks Lisa. I’m glad you brought this up because I’ve read a lot about artists being annoyed when people come up and break that connection or flow like you mention. And I have to admit, it would break my concentration as well but I don’t think I’d be mad about it. I’ve read where some of those artists who need to stay in the flow wear t-shirts that say things to answer common questions like “Yes, I’m an artist”, or Yes, it will be for sale”, or even as rude as “I’m painting, leave me alone”. That last one wouldn’t be a good idea, at least I don’t think. But I think about Karma a lot. haha. I also envied that basket of Sandy’s! It held all her paint supplies and she just carried it in the crook of her arm no problem. Last night I looked for such a basket I might have at home and didn’t find anything. Oh my koi pond… my favorite thing <3 actually there is a lot of green in there, the algae is ridiculous right now.