Plein Air Painters of Oregon
About the Exhibition
- Exhibit Dates: November 15, 2023 - February 29, 2024
- The Rotunda Gallery is open during Library hours.
- Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public.
This beautiful exhibit features nature-inspired paintings from the field and studio by members of Plein Air Painters of Oregon (PAPO).
Plein air painting comes from the word “open air” in French, meaning the entire painting is conceived and executed on location. For centuries artists have been painting en plein air primarily using this method as a source for larger studio landscapes. The Impressionist painters of the late 19th century shocked the art world by presenting their outdoor work as the finished piece. Since then artists around the world have enjoyed sharing their plein air work as fully valid finished pieces.
The magic and spark of plein air comes from the artist’s response to the intensity of color, light and shadows, the temperature, wind, humidity, the challenge of bugs and changing light. Painting en plein air is an intense experience that requires immense concentration and quick reactions. A landscape caught from this exhilarating experience often has a freshness and liveliness that can’t be achieved in the studio.
Image: Wendy Wheeler Jacobs | Wayside | Acrylic | 12" x 15" | November 2022
