DVAC Club Night – Plein Air Show & Tell – November 17

(Submitted by Brent Arlitt)

The DVAC Plein Air ‘Show and Tell’ Night was led by our Plein Air Coordinator Franca Montalbetti who, assisted by able committee members, held 12 DVAC Plein Air outings over the 2017 season. The event was kicked off by Georgia Bowen who demonstrated her artwork and the small, light but very versatile Guerilla Box, mounted on an artist’s tripod for a very convenient way for artists to do plein air painting, even in a remote location. Artist Wally Lush showed his paintings and his use of a panel pack used to transport wet oil paintings after the painting session is over.

Other artists showed works created in various mediums including oil, acrylic, water soluble oil, watercolour, coloured pencil, egg white and various sketching materials including the use of palette knife. Over this year these creations were made on DVAC outings and in many locations such as Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Grand Manan, Arizona, Manitoulin Island and in Europe. It was mentioned that Plein air landscapes are much more difficult than painting in the studio but are especially successful because outside you connect with your environment and “you paint from the heart whereas indoors you paint from the head”. Some artists showed how their plein air work inspired them to other creative pursuits later in the studio.

Next year the committee wants to paint in some new locations, possibly in a member’s backyard, and possibly with an overnight outing outside the GTA. They are looking to all DVAC members to propose good plein air location suggestions. If you have a location to suggest that meets the criteria of accessible parking, washrooms and access by TTC, please contact Wally Lush and Franca Montalbetti.