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Art in the open airFriday, October 13, 2006
Wednesday afternoon, Gloria Gaus sat behind an easel at the Charleville Vineyard. Clouds moved constantly overhead, creating shadows above rows of grapevines that lined the hillside before her. "Nothing stays the same for more than two seconds with these clouds moving," said Gaus, who was painting the hillside. "If it was a clear day it might be easier -- but I don't have control of what's going on around me." The Columbia, Mo., painter is one of 22 artists from across the state in Ste. Genevieve for the second annual plein air art festival. Plein air is the French term for open air. Plein air artists spent the past week painting outdoor scenes around Ste. Genevieve. This weekend the plein air artwork will be on display and for sale at Ste. Genevieve's Autumn Daze festival. The artists will also enter two of their new plein air paintings in a contest to be judged Saturday. Other events are planned in conjunction with the art festival during this weekend's Autumn Daze event, including a quilt show, children's art tent, farmers market, a 5K and one-mile run. Gaus began painting in the open air almost eight years ago. "I'm hooked forever," she said. Plein air painting is challenging, she said. The artist is constantly battling the elements. "Being outside, it's either hot or cold. You're dealing with the light and shadows. If you like something, you have to capture it right then and right there or else the image changes," Gaus said. The plein air art movement began in France in the late 1800s, when artists felt painting outside would be a challenge and would reveal more realistic images, said Iris Vincent, president of the Ste. Genevieve Art Guild. The history of plein air artists in the French-settled town of Ste. Genevieve can be traced back to the 1930s, when a plein air art school was established. Vincent said the school attracted students from the Midwest who didn't want to go to places like New York for art school. After the Depression, the plein air style slowly was replaced by other styles, she said. "We're trying to bring plein air art back, especially since Ste. Genevieve is an art community," Vincent said. Mike Devaney, who recently moved to Ste. Genevieve from Farmington, Mo., took a vacation from his counseling job to join other artists at the plein air art festival. His grandmother encouraged him to begin painting as a child. The plein air style is new to Devaney. "It's very relaxing, and a great way to spend some time outdoors," he said. Last week, he attended a plein air workshop taught by Billyo O'Donnell. O'Donnell, who is from Eureka, Mo., is one of the country's most well-known plein air artists. O'Donnell's work is shown at several exhibits nationally, and he has traveled across the United States painting in the open air. Laura Lee McDermott of Grubville, Mo., is a portrait artist. Learning the plein air style has been difficult for McDermott. "I like to be very precise in my work, but you can't do that with plein art. You have to be quick," she said. This was the first year McDermott and friend Mary Jane Telle of House Springs, Mo., have attended the Ste. Genevieve plein air art festival. Telle, who has been a painter for about 25 years, discovered the style five years ago. "Plein air paintings are really fresh and beautiful. Missouri has some of the prettiest scenery, and there's always something you can find to paint outdoors. There are a million pictures right here," said Telle as she looked out upon Charleville Vineyard. Neither Telle or McDermott had visited the Ste. Genevieve area before, but they're coming back next year. "We're very happy we came -- it's something new for us," McDermott said. "We love trying something new every time we go on a trip." Tuesday night, the women tried something else new. Telle and McDermott packed up their easels and paintbrushes and went to Hawn State Park off Highway 32 in Ste. Genevieve. The women wanted to try plein air painting at night. They set up in a creek. "It got really dark," McDermott said. "We had to use a book light to see what we were actually painting." 335-6611, extension 246 Want to go? * What: Autumn Daze * Where: Historic downtown Ste. Genevieve * When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday * Information: (800) 883-2622 * Plein air display at the Mammy Shaw House, Second and Merchant streets * 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: An open reception featuring an art exhibit by a member of the original Ste. Genevieve artist colony of the 1930s at the Mammy Shaw House. * 8 a.m. Saturday: 5K and one-mile run at First Bank Parking lot. For more information, call (573) 543-5305 |
