A group of 98 painters gathered in October 2015 for PleinAir magazine’s first annual Fall Color Week publisher’s invitational event in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine. The event was designed for painters of all levels who wanted to spend a solid week painting the spectacular scenery of the Maine coast and the brilliant colors — which some locals said were the best they had ever seen.
Hosted by PleinAir Publisher Eric Rhoads, painters gathered from all parts of America, staying at the Schoodic Institute in the park, eating meals together, and staying up evenings for fun, music, singing, and looking at one another’s paintings each day. Although the event was solely about painting, several attendees offered five-minute talks during breakfast or dinner on various painting-related topics. For instance, painter Joe Anna Arnett offered tips on perspective, and Symi Jackson of Rosemary & Co. Brushes discussed different kinds of brushes and their uses.
PleinAir Publisher Eric Rhoads (center) with some of the painters
Some of the plein air paintings shared with the attendees
John MacDonald
The weather was sunny and pleasant most days, but there was one day of fog and rain — and that made for some beautiful paintings. It also gave an opportunity for a brief demo and workshop from painter Corley Hanson, whose paintings were marveled over by everyone participating.
Lynne Edgerton
Cynthia Rosen
Corley Hanson
Faye Shutzer
After five days, participants were treated to a lobster dinner and a farewell party to close out a fabulous week of painting. The next event will be held October 7-14 in 2016; information is available at www.fallcolorweek.com.
