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April 2016
Feature Tucson Plein Air Painters Society by C.J. Shane |
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The French-language phrase “en plein air” translates into English as “in the open air.” This is an apt description of what artists do when they haul their gear to locations “in the open air” and start producing artwork. No doubt artists have sketched in the open air for centuries.
But the “plein air movement” began in earnest in the 19th century when paints became available in tubes. Prior to that time, artists had to mix oils and pigments together to create the desired colors. Oil paint in tubes made greater mobility possible.
But the “plein air movement” began in earnest in the 19th century when paints became available in tubes. Prior to that time, artists had to mix oils and pigments together to create the desired colors. Oil paint in tubes made greater mobility possible.
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Working from natural light was important to many 19th century painters, among them the painters of the Hudson River School, and most notably, the Impressionists painters in an art movement that originated in Paris in the late 19th century.
As we see here from these two 19th century paintings by Americans Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent, paintings of other artists painting en plein air was a popular subject as well as the expected landscapes. Tucson has an active plein air art scene, and our own organization devoted to the art. The Tucson Plein Air Painters Society (TPAPS) with 130 plus members has the stated mission “to encourage and support artists who work primarily outdoors, directly from nature. To that end, we seek to raise public interest in plein air painting and offer a forum for established, as well as young and developing artists, to continue the Plein Air tradition.” [click on all images to enlarge] |
John Singer Sargent_Claude Monet Painting by the Edge of a Wood_ 1885
Winslow Homer_Sketching in the White Mountains_ 1868
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Terri Gay_Moody at St. Philips_
Today artists in TPAPS and other plein air societies often go out in groups to paint in the open air in what they refer to as “paint outs.” TPAPS board member and “Paint Outs” coordinator Terri Gay describes these events this way.
“Paint outs are a gathering of artists at a particular location. Not only is it a chance to paint with others, but it's a great learning opportunity! TPAPS schedules demonstrations by our signature members who've earned that title by displaying expertise and professional quality work. It's also nice to see how others in the group work and deal with equipment challenges like easels, wet canvases and so on.”
Gay describes her work as TPAPS Paint Out chair: “I locate sites that offer subjects our members might find interesting. I often include sites TPAPS has visited before plus new ones when they seem like a good fit. Informing our members of the paint out schedule and locations is also part of paint out chair duties.”
“Paint outs are a gathering of artists at a particular location. Not only is it a chance to paint with others, but it's a great learning opportunity! TPAPS schedules demonstrations by our signature members who've earned that title by displaying expertise and professional quality work. It's also nice to see how others in the group work and deal with equipment challenges like easels, wet canvases and so on.”
Gay describes her work as TPAPS Paint Out chair: “I locate sites that offer subjects our members might find interesting. I often include sites TPAPS has visited before plus new ones when they seem like a good fit. Informing our members of the paint out schedule and locations is also part of paint out chair duties.”
Terri Gay_Eleven O'Clock Bisbee_
“We have partnered with Pima County Natural Resources and Parks to paint at their parks to encourage awareness and offer a program that benefits the community," says Gay. "It's also great they allow us to have an annual exhibition at the Agua Caliente park gallery. TPAPS as a group exhibits in other venues. It's been encouraging to see my work hanging, plus seeing the process of putting on an exhibit was quite educational for me.
Gay makes it clear that the love of nature and the outdoors is a key element in her work as a plein air painter. “Plein air combines two passions of mine into one, being outdoors and doing art. I have hiked and climbed a lot and kept sketch journals during my outdoor adventures and travels. Watercolor is pretty easy to transport and it seemed like a natural extension of sketching. Watercolor is my only medium.”
Gay makes it clear that the love of nature and the outdoors is a key element in her work as a plein air painter. “Plein air combines two passions of mine into one, being outdoors and doing art. I have hiked and climbed a lot and kept sketch journals during my outdoor adventures and travels. Watercolor is pretty easy to transport and it seemed like a natural extension of sketching. Watercolor is my only medium.”
This love of the outdoors is also fundamental for TPAPS member Chris Rightmer. “Hiking to those crazy beautiful places was and is amazing around here. Artists move to Tucson to paint here. I trail run, hike, and moved to Tucson for this quality of life, and I've lived in many places so living in Tucson was that quality of life decision.”
Rightmer paints primarily in oils. “All my work is in oil. Acrylic, and watercolor can be a pain in the ass with the arid heat temps.” As any painter knows, acrylics dry very fast – too fast in hot weather. Many plein air artists work in oils or watercolors and others use soft pastels as a medium.
Rightmer has been a member of TPAPS since 2003. He believes that there are numerous values to being in TPAPS. “As an entry-level artist, you can participate and learn with the best. Pairing up with individuals with varying degrees of talent allows established and aspiring artists to collaborate on projects and to evaluate/critique pieces, necessary to advance our artists to another level.” Rightmer says his favorite places to paint plein air are “the local washes with any set of mountains in the background.”
Rightmer paints primarily in oils. “All my work is in oil. Acrylic, and watercolor can be a pain in the ass with the arid heat temps.” As any painter knows, acrylics dry very fast – too fast in hot weather. Many plein air artists work in oils or watercolors and others use soft pastels as a medium.
Rightmer has been a member of TPAPS since 2003. He believes that there are numerous values to being in TPAPS. “As an entry-level artist, you can participate and learn with the best. Pairing up with individuals with varying degrees of talent allows established and aspiring artists to collaborate on projects and to evaluate/critique pieces, necessary to advance our artists to another level.” Rightmer says his favorite places to paint plein air are “the local washes with any set of mountains in the background.”
Chris Rightmer_Agua Caliente_
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Chris Rightmer_Gates Pass Sunset_
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Chris Rightmer_Snowmelt in Rillito_
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Apparently Rightmer is not the only one who sees the southern Arizona region and Tucson as a great place to paint plein air. The world’s largest plein air event, the 5th Annual Plein Air Convention and Expo will be held in Tucson this month, April 15-19. The convention will have a full slate of speakers, workshops, and opportunities to show and sell.
Learn more about the convention at http://pleinairconvention.com/
Also there will be a Plein Air Festival in Bisbee on May 14 and 15. Learn more here:
http://www.bisbeeafter5.com/#!plein-air-festival/cho6
Learn more about the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society at http://tpaps.com/ and more about Chris Rightmer at http://chrisrightmer.com/ and Terri Gay here http://terrigay.com/
Read interviews with two Tucson plein air painters in Sonoran Arts Network.
Gay Scheibl and Meredith Milstead
Learn more about the convention at http://pleinairconvention.com/
Also there will be a Plein Air Festival in Bisbee on May 14 and 15. Learn more here:
http://www.bisbeeafter5.com/#!plein-air-festival/cho6
Learn more about the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society at http://tpaps.com/ and more about Chris Rightmer at http://chrisrightmer.com/ and Terri Gay here http://terrigay.com/
Read interviews with two Tucson plein air painters in Sonoran Arts Network.
Gay Scheibl and Meredith Milstead