Plein Air Paint Out and Auction This October in Old Forge

At some point you've stopped your thoughts to take in a scene, or perhaps your thoughts were stopped by a scene.  Trees of changing color, sunlight reflecting, shade enticing.  For each person the instrument of escape is a different venue.  The rusting water tower and abandoned barns that ease my mind, are autumn leaves and sunsets for others.  We sometimes aren't aware of what our triggers are, but we all know the sensation of experiencing that pause.  That escape.  It's ancient and it's in our bones.

This October The Arts Guild of Old Forge has invited artists to bring their easels and root themselves before any number of inspirational spots.  The Old Forge Plein Air Paint Out will last for two weekends, October 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th.  Painters will dot Old Forge and it's surroundings to lose themselves in the moment.  Creating, in dual exactitude, a landscape for us to take in as well.  Not only will artists be a facet of the Fall scenery here in the Adirondacks, but their canvases will be available via auction on October 11th.

It will be exciting, in the subtle way these things are exciting.

There will be this view, of which you've seen hundreds of times.  Sometimes you noticed, sometimes your mind was elsewhere.  But this time, you'll see an artist there and you'll agree it was a good choice.  Maybe you'll just say it to yourself, or maybe you'll compliment the painter on their selection.  Not wanting to stray too long, you'll look at that view (maybe steal a peek at the easel's contents) and realize this is a new moment you haven't had here before.  

Later on, at the McCauley Mountain chalet, while you're searching for that canvas you saw only partially completed, you'll try to recognize the landscapes of all the other paintings.  There will be wine, but also music will be pouring into the room as you search.... looking for something that tickles that part of your mind.   The silent auction will begin at noon, followed by a live auction at five in the evening.  Finger foods enough to satisfy your dinner cravings will be available. 

Come find out how easy it can be to be a patron of the arts.  It will be exciting, in the subtle way these things are exciting. 

I don't own an easel.  Plus I'm fairly certain whatever paints I had remaining are long ago dried up, and more recently disposed of.  Still, every once in awhile I'll pass an artist who has perched themselves on the edge of a scene in an attempt to capture it, and I'll feel a tinge of jealousy.  They're in the moment, working on the moment, and extending that moment both in time and into a framable existence.  While skills are involved no doubt, my envy doesn't come from knowing how good they are at painting.  It comes from knowing they are experiencing the zenith of a scene.  Hour after challenging hour is being enjoyed in the pursuit of capturing a feeling at its apex.  It's exciting, in the subtle way these things are exciting...

Ken Thibado (your plein air pal)

Plein Air Paint Out - October 3 & 4 and October 10 & 11

Auction: McCauley Mountain October 11

Silent Auction begins at 12pm; Live Auction begins at 5pm

 

Celebrated regional artists will be on scene to capture the beauty of the Old Forge area and its spectacular autumn landscape over the course of the first two weekends in October.

 

Using paint, canvas, paper and pastels artists will capture the magnificence of fall in artwork to be auctioned to benefit the Arts Guild of Old Forge.   Their methods for recording their vision will be on display as they work at easels at various sites around the community to paint their surroundings.  It is an opportunity to show the public what artists do during the painting process.

 

The event will culminate with an exhibition/auction at McCauley Mountain on October 11, in which everyone will have the opportunity to bid on local scenes created here during the event.  Live entertainment and hors d’oeuvres will be part of this event, which will be fun for the whole family as well as the serious or beginning art collector.

 

For a full list of participating artists visit us at www.artscenteroldforge.org

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“As we approach the Old Forge Plein Air Paint Out, the weekends of October 3 & 4 and 10 & 11 and the Auction Event that will follow, artists are gearing up for this special event.  We thought it might be interesting for participating artists and those who will go out to watch them create to learn what the experience is like.  We asked Loretta Lepkowski, a valued member of the planning committee, as well as an artist who will paint in this event to share her thoughts on Paint Outs she has been involved in that were sponsored by other groups.  Below, Loretta shares her thoughts.  Thank you, Loretta.”

 

Old Forge Plein Air Paint Out Committee Chairman, Linda Weal

 

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Experiences of a Novice Plein Air Artist

by Loretta Lepkowski

 

As a relative newcomer to the world of Plein Air, I experienced my initial public

Plein Air/ Paint Out events sponsored by the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust at Trenton Falls last fall and this spring at Constable Hall.   Truthfully, I hardly slept the night before both events in nervous anticipation, wondering if I could pull it off.  Could I paint something on site, outdoors in open view of the public within a specified time frame that would be suitable for that evening’s auction? 

 

At Trenton Falls, we were fortunate to have a beautiful fall October day.  Another novice artist friend and I settled upon a site along the tree-lined path.  I was without an easel but utilized my borrowed lawn chair and started in with a loose sketch of two large pine trees that were joined at the base.  The curious onlookers who came to view Trenton Falls wandered by and were surprised and curious to find us painting along the trail.   

 

Gradually, I became more encouraged despite my ongoing concerns of my ability to paint spontaneously with my watercolors in this open setting.  I discovered that people were more polite and supportive than critical of our work. It actually became fun for me as I was socializing too.   I managed to complete two small watercolor paintings but found to my dismay that I had measured one too small for the frame I had brought.  Luckily, the “Joined  Trees”  painting got framed and subsequently, it sold at the exciting benefit auction that evening.  I felt that I had graduated into a new realm of painting that was rather unexpected and thrilling.

 

The Constable Hall Plein Air Paint Out event was even more challenging for me.

Not only was it in my neck of the woods where I would encounter many familiar faces; but I had recruited my son and his classmates to volunteer and wanted them to do a good job.  I felt more of the time constraints as well as the pressure to produce a painting that would interest a buyer at the auction that evening.  I set up after other artists were already painting and quickly chose to place my new portable easel near a vendor’s tent who seemed an interesting subject.  This older man wearing a weathered hat and a plaid shirt with suspenders appeared down-to-earth.  He didn’t seem to mind that I wanted to paint him and even sat a spell so I could capture him.  Lots of acquaintances and strangers meandered by and again were curious and surprised to find me and another nearby artist painting amongst the vendors.  Of course, there were comments and even suggestions but mostly encouraging words.  I nearly panicked when I noticed how the time had flown.  This time, I was better prepared.  The painting fit into my pre-made frame.   I was happy that I could donate my painting and it sold at the auction later that day.  It was amazing to see the beautiful paintings created from the all the artists, each with their individual styles.   We had been successful in helping The Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust with this unique fundraiser.

           

Don’t miss the upcoming Old Forge Plein Air Paint Out that will be held this October for the benefit of the Old Forge Arts Center.  Come out and cheer on us artists at various locations around Old Forge and attend the auction on October 11^th to bid on your favorite paintings!