ARTS & CULTURE
GET OUTSIDE
& Paint EXPERIENCE THE WILDERNESS WITH A PLEIN AIR PAINTING GROUP BY AISLINN SARNACKI
I
magine sitting at the edge of the ocean, of the top organizers for the group Plein paintbrush in hand and a canvas before Air Painters of Maine. “It’s sort of like you. A cool, salty breeze tempers the heat knitting or playing music or reading of the sun. Shadows shift and deepen and where it just relaxes you. It’s wonderful to grow. Waves dance and sparkle. Your goal is be outside in a beautiful spot and get lost to capture a piece of this dynamic scene, to in your painting.” bring it to life in washes of watercolor. Plein Air Painters of Maine was created Painting outdoors — also known as in 2009, when four professional artists from plein air painting — is a great way to experience the wilderness while stretching your artistic “IT’S SORT OF LIKE KNITTING OR PLAYING muscles. It can also be a MUSIC OR READING WHERE IT JUST social opportunity. RELAXES YOU. IT’S WONDERFUL TO BE Throughout Maine, OUTSIDE IN A BEAUTIFUL SPOT AND GET groups gather at scenic locations to paint outdoors. LOST IN YOUR PAINTING.” Whether you’re a seasoned artist or new to painting, these events are an opportunity to learn new techniques, make friends and the Boothbay region started painting together — hopefully — create a painting or two. outdoors every Wednesday. In just a few years, “Any time there’s a sunny Maine the group grew rapidly to over 600 members. day, I’d rather be outside than inside It later split into regional chapters, each with and painting,” said Fran Scannell, one their own schedule of group plein air events. 10 / BANGOR METRO June/July 2022
Today, seven chapters plan events throughout the state, starting at the beginning of May and running until the end of October. Locations of the events vary from state parks to private islands. Beginners are more than welcome. “People are really supportive of each other,” said Sarah Baskin, who joined the group last year and became the top organizer for the Acadia Region chapter. “If someone were new and came [to a plein air painting event], there would be plenty of people to ask questions of or to watch.” Plein air painters use a variety of materials, including watercolor, oil and acrylic paints. Some paint on canvas and use an easel, while others use different types of paper and clipboards or notebooks. “Some people are really quick and just come with a sketchbook and sketch a few things,” Baskin said.
