“ Sunrise ” Melanie Thompson | Oil on linen panel | 6 ” x 12 ”
The Artists Chat
Left to right : Melanie Thompson and Sean ,
Cindy Gillett , Sue
Martin , Laura Gable , Sue Tyler , Bonnie Griffith remote on monitor .
group of artists to work and share . In the organizing of the event and in the spirit of education , these participating artists gathered once each day in a common location that was easily accessible to the public , to encourage visitors to come watch them paint over a two-hour time frame . Beyond that , the artists then continued painting independently around the valley to complete works that were framed for the featured exhibit and sale at Combine Art Collective . Locations were posted at the gallery . The demo painting days were May 30 through June 1 . By Friday evening the work was hanging for an opening reception ( June 2 ) 5-7pm , with an artist ’ s talk at 5:30 . A demo and workshop was offered later with Bonnie Griffith , on plein air technique .
The artists met Monday evening at Combine Art Collective and delivered their plein air works from other locations that would be shown with their new art from the Walla Walla area . Tuesday morning they all went out to Bennington Lake to paint . The public was invited to come to this location and watch the artists paint . The wind was chilly and brisk but the artists painted in an area resplendent with beautiful vistas of the Blue Mountains , fields and the lake . Later in the day they sought out other locations to paint independently . Similar schedules with times for interaction with the public took place on Wednesday — at a downtown location in the newly developed plaza on First Street , and Thursday morning — at a painting location at Whitman Mission . Evening meals were gatherings to reflect and chat . All paintings done during the three days were framed and delivered to Combine Art Collective Thursday evening . The next day gallery staff hung paintings , with each artist having a “ wall ” of nine paintings for sale . The opening reception on Friday included an artists ’ talk moderated by Bonnie , where the participating artists were prompted to discuss various aspects of plein air and their own work . The half-hour long talk encouraged interaction and questions from guests attending the event .
The goal to offer a non-competitive event / atmosphere for the artists , where they could interact with each other , was very successful . Laura Gable said she enjoyed the relaxed
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