Midtown artist, colleagues show plein air paintings in Buckhead

By Martha Nodar

Cheryl D’Amato of Midtown unveils her passion for painting outdoors by bringing her interpretation of a blue bird to the 10th annual Plein Air Exhibit at the Buckhead Library.”

The exhibit, which consists of 70 pieces by D’Amato and fellow members of the Buckhead-based Atlanta Artists Center (AAC) and its subgroup, the plein air painting group, takes wing Dec. 2 through Jan. 12.

Rooted in a French expression, plein air means in the open air. A piece is considered plein air when most of it is drawn or painted outdoors.

Frequently found painting in her condominium’s balcony near Piedmont Park, D’Amato said that plein air painting suits her personality because of the sense of freedom associated with painting outside.

“To paint plein-air is to free the soul in a beautiful location,” she said.

That is exactly what happened when D’Amato painted the “Bird Feeder” at an Atlanta garden during a garden tour sponsored by the High Museum for different groups of artists including plein air artists. The piece depicts a blue bird poking through the opening of a wooden bird feeder.

“I was attracted to the simplicity of the scene,” she said. “I wanted to show the brushstrokes and multiple colors as a way to define the shadows.”

A sense of playfulness comes across in D’Amato’s piece through her “use of whimsical colors and active brushstrokes,” said fellow AAC member Jane Springfield, who is also participating in the exhibit.

“The painting reflects the lighthearted experience Cheryl must have had in the garden that afternoon,” she said. “Vines and flowers curl around the feeder and lead the viewer’s eyes around the painting in much the same way the bird might have circled it earlier.”

Expressing her own experience, Springfield said that when painting outside the senses become more akin.

“I become aware of the sound, the smell, the mood,” she said. “It is as though I am recording a place-in-time.”

Springfield said a lot of planning is involved in plein air painting, such as knowing what to take to the scene, and choosing the time of day as the sun moves quickly.

“We anticipate the direction of the sun,” she said. “It’s almost a science.”

Mikki Dillon, Clyde Draughon, Erin Durham, Lee Jordan, Lorraine Kimsey, Tuyet McDonald, Kay Summers, and Ujjagar Singh Wassan are among AAC members and plein air artists also partaking in the show.

A reception is open to the public on Dec. 6, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Located at 269 Buckhead Ave., the Buckhead Library is now open every day Monday through Saturday but at different times depending on the day. For hours of operation call (404) 814-3500 or visit afpls.org/buckheadbranch.

Gallery and Museums

The Wren’s Nest Victorian Holiday Party: Stop by the home of Bre’er Rabbit author Joel Chandler Harris for a Victorian-era celebration of the holidays. December 7. Free. wrensnest.org

Christmas During the Civil War at Smith Plantation: Experience Christmas at Smith Plantation, as told by soldiers and civilians of the era in this interactive tour and storytelling event. December 12. $6 to $8. archibaldsmithplantation.org

Stars Fall on Atlanta: The Premiere of Gone With the Wind: This Margaret Mitchell House and Museum exhibit highlights the events and people in involved in the world premiere of “Gone with the Wind” in 1939 Atlanta. Closes December 31. $8.50 to $13. atlantahistorycenter.com/mmh

American Sabor: Latinos in Popular U.S. Music: The Atlanta History Center explores how Latin music genres have profoundly influenced American popular music, from the 1940s to the present. Daily. $11 to $16.50. atlantahistorycenter.com

Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair: “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair” The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) honors the traveling fashion show that brought European couture fashions to the AfricanAmerican community. Tuesday through Saturday. $5 to $8. museumofdesign.org

Make A Joyful Noise: Renaissance Art and Music at Florence Cathedral: Three Renaissance marble panels from the great dome of the Florence Cathedral make their U.S. premiere at the High Museum. Tuesday through Sunday. $12 to $19.50. high.org tahoe hybrids: Katherine Sandoz documents her adventures at Lake Tahoe in this multidisciplinary SCAD Atlanta exhibit that she calls a “bridge in her trek to minimalism.” Monday through Friday. Free. scad.edu/atlanta

Teen Paranormal Romance: Sculpture, photography and video take on the new pop culture fascination with the genre of Teen Paranormal Romance at this Atlanta Contemporary Art Center exhibit. Tuesday through Saturday. $5 to $8. thecontemporary.org

Performing Arts

gestures that soon will disappear: THE ROMANTIC BODY: gloATL presents the final live performance of this site-specific work at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA). December 4. Free. gloatl.org

John Oliver: John Oliver brings the timely humor of his show “Last Week Tonight” to the live stage in this standup show at the Cobb Energy Centre. December 4. cobbenergycentre.com

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: Laugh and sing along with Alexander’s misadventures in this hilarious musical with lyrics by Judith Viorst, author of the best-selling classic book. December 4 through December 14. $12 to $20. atlantajcc.org

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas

Carol: A holiday tradition at the Tavern, Atlanta Shakespeare Company transports audiences to Scrooge’s London counting house for a fateful meeting with three ghosts. December 4 through December 23. $15 to $39. shakespearetavern.com

The Gifts of the Magi: Back for a third season by popular demand, this musical about a penniless husband and wife in 19th century New York City is based on two of O. Henry’s timeless stories. December 4 through December 23. $20 to $35. theatricaloutfit.org

A Charlie Brown Christmas with David Benoit: One of the great contemporary jazz pianists performs the classic Vince Guaraldi Christmas tunes at the Ferst Center for the Arts. December 5. $37 to $62. ferstcenter.gatech.edu

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker: Atlanta Ballet transports audiences to a magical world of dancing dolls, mischievous mice, and sparkling snowflakes with this time-honored classic at The Fox Theatre. December 11 through December 28. $18 to $124. atlantaballet.com

IT’S A WONDERFUL LAUGH

Libby’s at the Express: Cabaret master Libby Whittemore joins the hilarious Connie Sue Day in one of Atlanta’s favorite holiday music shows at Actor’s Express. December 12 through December 21. $40. actors-express.com

Handel’s Messiah: The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and the Cathedral Schola of the Cathedral of St. Philip perform the traditional holiday “Messiah” with four guest soloists, who are all specialists in Baroque performance. December 13. $10 to $25. atlantabaroque.org

Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure: This new live show brings Disney characters from “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” to the stage for a live adventure. December 13 and December 14. $20 to $80. cobbenergycentre.com

Christmas with Atlanta Master Chorale: Atlanta Master Chorale celebrates its 30th Christmas together with this annual holiday concert of peace and glad tidings at Emory’s Schwartz Center. December 13 and December 14. $30. atlantamasterchorale.org

Rising Appalachia: This sister duo performs their unique mix of global sounds rooted in Appalachian tradition at The Fox Theatre’s Egyptian Ballroom. December 19. $27. foxtheatre.org

American Sabor

Marvel Universe Live Celtic Christmas

Marvel Universe LIVE!: More than 25 Marvel characters come together for one epic quest in the Marvel Universe at this live arena show. December 19 through December 22. $45 to $170. philipsarea.com

It’s a Wonderful Laugh: Dad’s Garage Ensemble parodies “It’s a Wonderful Life” in this audience-driven show at the Alliance Theatre that will be different each night. Closes December 20. $18. alliancetheatre.org

Atlanta Celtic Christmas: The Celtic Company celebrates the solstice season with fiddling, dancing and singing from the Celtic and Appalachian traditions at the Rialto. December 20 and December 21. $25 to $65. thecelticcompany.com

Lyle the Crocodile: In this musical, the Primms and their son Joshua are in for a shock when Lyle the Crocodile turns up in the bathtub of their new apartment and tries to become a part of the family. Closes December 28. $10 to $40. synchrotheatre.com

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Center for Puppetry Arts’ beloved holiday adaptation is back in town once again, this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of the stop-motion animated special. Closes December 28. $16.50 to $20.50. puppet.org