Plein air painting was one of my major goals last year since Covid is behind us and being outside is always an enjoyable venture. May was a terrific month and in 2022 was able to get in some much needed sunshine days. Especially fun at Rehoboth Beach because we went before parking fees set in for beach season and, luckily for us, the Amish came to the beach
Now I’ve seen the Amish at the beach before and have painted from a set of old photos my friend Beverly gave me years ago from ones she had taken. And a few times I’ve captured them there and at a few fishing ponds around Dover. But this year, the mother lode of Amish. I counted forty-three from swaddled babes in arms to hunched over elderly dependent upon canes.
So what began as a Plein air adventure turned into a photo opportunity of sheer joy. Here are a few of the paintings I worked on in 2022 since that fun day. I’m still working on collage as well as some acrylic paintings.
Stay tuned for more on Plein air work in the 2023 season. We usually go out Wednesdays. Our group started several years ago and we have about 5 to ten show up. On this day only two of us ventured out, Winnie Way and myself.
As artists it’s important to stay in touch with reality whenever possible. Plein air painting is a wonderful way to meet people and get over your fears of rejection, criticism, and angst. I studied with a master Plein air painter named Jack Lewis who was a painter during the WPA era. Those kind of programs might be helpful today in employing our talented youth and having them capture our changing and often vanishing landscape.
That’s a huge part of my work as I began as a folk artist trying to capture the Delmarva scene. Over the years, the original wooden barn I captured of Spence’s Bazaar in two limited edition prints, burned down. The Little School, a pre-K and private kindergarten for decades is no longer there. The iconic Dolle’s sign on Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is gone. The Onancock Carnival was dismantled and sold decades ago. My limited edition prints are an easy way to keep history alive and I feel the work is not complete until the purchaser adds their story to the scene.
As 2023 approaches, I look forward to a new Plein air season. I even won an award in a competitive Plein air event in Dover in October and hope to be as competitive in the one planned this fall. Stop by if you visit historic Dover Delaware.