Arts Council hosts Plein Air Paint Out

 

 

Over 20 artists will be bringing their painting prowess to Hill City Sept. 22-24 for the 5th Annual Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out event.

 

‘Plein air’ is a French term meaning ‘out of doors’  referring to the practice of painting entire finished pictures outside instead of in a studio.  

 

The Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out is a unique opportunity that allows artists to make and sell art in a matter of a few days. It is also a fascinating experience for attendees who can observe the creative  process in real time.

 

The Hill City Arts Council will be utilizing Art Forms Gallery for artist check-ins.  As artists  arrive in town on Wednesday and Thursday, they will have their blank canvases officially stamped with the date, so as to authenticate the Plein Air process. 

 

Artists will then have time to create paintings out in the field, choosing any location in the Black Hills region. 

 

Painters will be scattered all over, searching for inspirational subject matter, lighting and space. According to Hill City Arts Council Board President Sherry Liddell, Thursday and Friday are the best outdoor viewing days for the public. 

 

New this year, artists’ “homework” will  be for sale, displayed at Grace Gallery in the Eileen Hamm building.

 

Thursday evening, the best of day winner will be selected.

 

 On Friday, the Jon Crane Gallery will host wet sale judging, an awards ceremony and the 6:30 p.m. evening public reception and art sale. 

 

Wet work is work that was just completed and is so fresh that sometimes the canvases are still wet.

 

The Old World Plaza will be the site for Saturday’s quick draw judging and live auction event. 

 

Quick draw is a timed event where artists are given only a few hours to create an original piece.

 

Esteemed artist Carl Judson will be this year’s judge. Judson was managing a cattle ranch when he began painting, prompted after reading Winston Churchill’s essay, “Painting as a Pastime.” The essay advocates the concept of painting as a form of relaxation. 

 

Judson soon became obsessed with painting. He designed a tiny portable painting kit, known as a pochade box, to hide under his pickup seat, to keep his new passion a secret from other ranch hands. 

 

While doing volunteer work in Bolivia, with his pochade boxes in tow, he began to think of himself as a “ Guerrilla Painter,” using every possible occasion to artistically capture the world around him. 

 

Judson paints a wide range of material and strives to include people in his painting where possible. He has had several solo exhibitions in both South and North America.

 

Judson now owns Judson’s Art Outfitters, a premier supply house for plein air artists.

 

A more detailed schedule of the Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out can be found on the Hill City Arts Council website at www.hillcityarts.org.