The InstigatorOn Saturday, August 6, a handful of artists took to the streets and green spaces of downtown Salem to paint en plein air for Salem on the Edge’s Plein Air Invitational Show.
“En plein air (French for “outdoors”) is the act of painting in the open air; working outdoors directly on canvas capturing the likeness of the surrounding landscape.
The invention of portable canvases and easels allowed the practice to develop particularly in France and in the early 1830s, the Barbizon school of painting in natural light was highly influential. En Plein Air allows the artist to better capture the changing details of weather and light.
To paint in the elements of sun, heat, wind, rain, and cold of an ever-changing landscape takes a lot of skill. We are honored to have these exceptional artists showing their en plein air artwork. All of these artists paint on location to document the natural light and diversity of the breathtaking scenery of our state, Oregon.”
The outcome of their experience is on display now at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St. NE, and features work by 17 Oregon artists including — Bets Cole, Samuel S. Hoskins, Robin Hostick, Aron Michael Johnston, Tara Kemp, Joanne Radmilovich Kollman, Katia Kyte, Daemion Lee, Patti McNutt, Michael Orwick, Vinita Pappas, Anton Pavlenko, Margaret Plumb, Nathan Sowa, Jill Perry Townsend, Jordan K. Walker and Yong Hong Zhong.
Check out the photo gallery by Ben Mah below then see the exhibit in person through August 27, 2022. For more info, visit salemontheedge.com.
