While stumbling across a plein air painter can happen , especially in popular scenic vacation spots , keeping a sharp lookout adds to the romance of the hunt . Some artists are very measured when choosing their painting locations , while others enjoy the spontaneity of setting up their easel when a particular scene strikes their fancy . If you find yourself admiring a bucolic vista , look around — chances are there might be plein air painter working to capture the same sentiment and sensory experience of the moment .
" Sunscreen " by Georgia artist Dottie Clark
" Soireé on St . Simons ," painted by Georgia artist Elizabeth Osborne during the Olmsted Arts Georgia Color Nocturn Painting
THE APPROACH Lora Sherrodd , a 25-year-old burgeoning art collector based in Philadelphia , was first introduced to plein air painting by her artist mother . When vacationing in Boston , the family was taking advantage of the swan boats on a lake in the Public Gardens . As they approached the shore , Sherrodd noticed a group of plein air painters and pointed them out to her mother and grandmother . The family made their way to the artists , sparked up a conversation and then realized one of them was painting a scene of the boats they had just been on . Her mother purchased the painting off the easel , adding it to the family ’ s art collection . This led to numerous plein air acquisitions , with Sherrodd and her twin sister taking turns finding artists during family vacations .
“ My favorite was when my sister found a plein air painter in the old town of Gamla Stan in Stockholm , Sweden , where my grandfather lived as a boy ,” Sherrodd says . “ My mom enjoyed his work so much she commissioned the artist to paint several pieces in places my grandfather used to tell us stories about when we were children . Someday my sister and I will inherit those paintings along with the memories they represent .”
It may seem intimidating to approach a painter set up with their easel , yet most welcome the conversation and are eager to talk about their work . “ I am open to all kinds of questions and interaction ,” says Trish Rugaber , a representational artist who works in watercolor and oils , and maintains working studios in St . Simons Island , Georgia , and in the mountains of North Carolina . “ I am honored when others take an interest in my artwork and wish to learn something about my process .”
Sparking a conversation and establishing a rapport with an artist adds to the experience of a plein air acquisition . Many artists remark that it is a true “ give and take ” between the artist and observer . They find the interactions meaningful whether the painting is purchased or simply admired . Some carry with them touching stories of how their artwork has engaged in such a way as to be particularly memorable .
George Netherton , a plein air painter who works in oil , gouache and watercolor , recounts the story of a gentleman who purchased a painting for his wife , who had been admiring Netherton ’ s work in progress but seemed to be having trouble speaking . The gentleman , taking Netherton aside , expressed that he wanted his wife to have the painting as a particular keepsake of Jekyll Island , a favorite vacation spot of the past 25 years . He then revealed that his wife had
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66 SEA ISLAND LIFE | SPRING / SUMMER 2023