and other endeavours of interest
PAINTINGS en PLEIN AIR
PAINTING en PLEIN AIR
​1. a style of painting produced out of doors in natural light.
2. Taking place outdoors. [From French (en) plein air, (in) the open air : en, in + plein, full + air, air.]
Most paintings are created in a studio - produced in a controlled environment, under little time restraints, in privacy and isolated from public view until their completion. Painting outdoors "en plein air" provides little to none of those properties.
Plein air painting is about the interaction of the artist and their surroundings during a brief moment of life. It is direct contact with a chilly wind-gust against the painter’s face, the smell of spring flowers, and the rapidly shifting light. It’s the buzz of a bee, and the joy of children as they sprint up to ask, “Are you a real artist?” It’s exposure to the elements and the public’s scrutiny. No other mode of painting provides a more direct connection between artist, subject and public.
Plein air painting is painting from life and life’s inspirations and experiences during the moments in which they are happening.
WORKS IN THREE Ps AND ONE F
Paintings, Pottery, Printing, and Found Object Sculptures
GRAPHIC PRINTS & MONOTYPES
Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye. Saadi Shirazi
PAINTING en PLEIN AIR
"If you see snow in the painting, it means the artist was standing in snow.
​If you see rain in the painting,​ it means the artist was getting ​very wet."
M. SHAWN CORNELL
Plein Air Magazine's Artist Profile Article
Limits That Open Possibilities
by Stephen Doherty
Missouri artist M. Shawn Cornell often imposes parameters on where and what he will paint in order to force himself to look more carefully and think creatively about his plein air paintings.
​“Setting boundaries has always motivated me to work harder and more creatively,” says M. Shawn Cornell. “For example, I never work on my plein air paintings once I’ve left a location and removed myself from all the sensory aspects of the landscape. And I often commit to exploring a narrowly defined location so I really have to know it well and search for paintable material I might have overlooked. All that makes the process more challenging, and I believe it has helped my paintings get progressively better because I avoided the...
COMMUNITY
I'm a proud member of Heartland Art Club
Heartland Art Club serves and promotes artists in the heartland of America. The club supports and encourages the creation of quality representational art through education, exhibits, and engagement. Its purpose is to elevate representational art, its disciplines, and history.
Much wisdom often goes with fewer words.
Sophocles