En Train Air
This project celebrates a little-observed but crucial aspect of the American experience — the coming and going of the daily train, linking small towns to the nation at large.
How to Be Different…Go Underground
The Steelville Arts Council hosts a plein air event every summer, and it seems it just can't help but be unusual compared to most....
Birthday Celebration, Plein Air Style
People love going to Rich Gallego’s birthday parties, because it means painting at a beautiful spot. The California artist plans an all-day paint-out every...
The Appeal of Gettysburg
Pittsburgh painter Diane Grguras has painted the historic battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, many times. She told us what accounts for the success of the...
Why I Paint Landscapes From the Side of Cliff
This 23-year-old painter has figured out how to take her easel up the side of cliffs and through the branches of giant redwoods to dizzying heights. Here’s why.
Plein Air Painting in the Land of the Midnight Sun
The Plein Air Painters of Alaska, bound together by their hardy Alaskan “can do” attitude, have battled grizzly bears, huge swarms of mosquitoes, inclement weather, and hours of winter darkness to pursue their passion for painting outside.
Parting Shot: First Plein Air Painting of a Drone?
When Dan Gray decided to paint the spectacle of people jumping into very cold water in a “Polar Bear” type of event on Vancouver...
Water, Water Everywhere!
Cooper Dragonette spent a lovely morning painting a small plein air study of the stormy coastline at Pond Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The...
Parting Shot: Necessity Is a Mother
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
Scott Lloyd Anderson forgot his tripod during a recent visit to his sister’s cabin in the woods....
Italy, Abstracted
Richard Kattman tells the story about how he was painting a fairly abstract piece in Italy when someone in a passing car slammed on the brakes. What did the driver say?
A 260-Mile Plein Air Relay
Is it possible to participate in two distant plein air events in the same week? This ambitious artist pushes the limits to find out. Bonus: Includes a list of tips for your next plein air event!
Watch: Drone Films an Artist Painting Outdoors in Beautiful California
Plein air artist Donald Neff shows us in this video he created using a drone while painting along the beautiful California coast.
OPPORTUNITY: The Chateau Beckons
A group of artists recently returned from a weeklong journey where they took on the enviable task of capturing the Loire Valley in Trôo, France, en plein air. A delightful little photo essay of their adventure is one click away.
Puddles: Water and Light
Robert Bashford likes painting puddles. If you think about it, that’s brilliant. Why?
Lead Image: “The Muddy Bikers,” by Robert Bashford, oil, 10 x...
Tackling Four Paintings in One Day in Colorado Marathon
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
Colorado painters seem to have more fun. Even during marathons.
Lead Image: Painting at the Environmental Learning...
On a Lake in Indiana….
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
The Indiana Plein Air Painters Association has long held biennial paint-outs on Lake Wawasee, the largest natural...
Going to Extremes: Plein Air Painting in a Rail Yard
An artist shares how he followed his muse and made his way into a rail yard to paint a burned out and abandoned train car.
Diving Into Plein Air
It’s hard for a lot of artists to “take the plunge” into full-time painting, let along taking up art in the first place. However, this story is about as extreme — and entertaining — as it gets.
Plein Air Adventures: Make Way for the Helicopter!
We all have our plein air painting war stories. California artist Robin Purcell seems to have more than her fair share. One of the more interesting ones involved a helicopter.
How Do You ‘#PaintItForward’?
Outdoor painting is so much more than a creative outlet—it’s a way to connect with nature, form lifelong relationships, and expose passers-by to an exciting cultural phenomenon. Discover how one ascending watercolorist is using his talents to give back to the community he captures in so many beautiful ways.