Plein Air Painting: A Local Charm
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| Brent Seevers en plein air at Krug Park, St. Joseph, MO. |
Painting outdoors is more than just a method of capturing a moment in time from life. It is an attractive quality to those who observe and live nearby.
People enjoy parks, neighborhoods, and communities not only for their geographic or architectural features, but the quality of life they may contain. We visit our parks for a time-out from busy schedules and work weeks, and find the joys of others doing the same through various activities. Whether it's enjoying the weather with family, friends, or a good book, or more recreational with good exercise---these activities attract others through inspiration and motivation. Who doesn't enjoy a park where children play on playgrounds, families picnic on the lawns, kids play catch, throw a frisbee, or where people simply stroll through? Some qualities are more common than others, but all create a pleasant atmosphere. That atmosphere is what draws people near. Ever been to an area that seemed empty, lifeless, and forgotten? Now you know why.
Plein air painting is a charm that delights the community, and in most places a very rare one to find. Those of you who paint outdoors know exactly what I mean if you ever noticed the joy from onlookers and pedestrians with their smiles, compliments, and the occasional photograph taken of you as you work. I had a chance to experience this during my first paint out this past April, and I'm sure the other artists who came along did the same. One passerby asked permission to take my picture with her iPhone as I was painting the lagoon. I briefly imagined how entertaining this must have been for her, worthy of a photograph to share and remember it by. I recollect several of us being photographed as we became part of the park scenery. That's it, that is what we become...part of the park scenery, like a kid flying a kite. Our presence is fulfilling and help complete the parks we often paint due to the certain visual quality we bring. Admiration is shown by those who find us interpreting areas we find inspiration. As we paint the world around us in public places, we give others a chance to see our work in progress. Though it may be a small form of entertainment and a limited exhibit of one, it does attract interest and can be found memorable to those who observe.
As all artists, we enhance the life in the communities we are active in. Be it an exhibition, an open studio event, or a plein air paint out---we make the areas in which we work more attractive. If you drove by a plein air painter what would your thoughts be? Exactly.
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