Jack McGowan, PAPNM, OPA, shares insights on painting Route 66 en plein air:
While Route 66 often evokes images of hot rods and neon hotels, for the plein air landscape painter, the Mother Road offers a source of nearly endless compositions that delve deep into American history. Now celebrating its centennial, Route 66 overlays ancient pathways, sharing large stretches of course with iconic routes like the Camino Real (starting in the 1600s), the Santa Fe Trail, and the late 1800s railroads. Thousands of years before modern travelers, the Anasazi Native American people threaded these trails, and their Puebloan descendants still live along the road. This layering of history, combined with the iconic landscape, is profoundly compelling.
The majestic West has captivated generations of artists. The unparalleled beauty of the scenes passed along Route 66, particularly the mesas, buttes, and mountains of New Mexico and Arizona are the true stars of this American story. This terrain drew plein air artists such as Thomas Moran, the California Impressionists Maynard Dixon and Edgar Payne, and even Georgia O’Keefe, all of whom captured their own unique visions of the area. For many painters, the soaring cliff faces of New Mexico are especially alluring, providing great inspiration and unforgettable views for those willing to explore.
Among those interested in celebrating Route 66 artistically, the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) will hold its Mother Road Open Road Open Air Paint-Out. This non-juried show, co-sponsored by PAPNM and the Amarillo Art Institute in Texas, runs from May 15 through August 28 along Route 66. The show will be exhibited at the Amarillo Art Institute from September 3 through October 4, 2026. You can learn more about the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations at route66centennial.org.
Walk About Plein Air Hiking
While the automobile defines Route 66, painting dramatic vistas close to the car is only part of the experience. To pursue more diverse compositions and get exercise, consider ditching the car for a “Walk About Plein Air” hike. By carrying a day pack painting kit, you bring the studio with you.
Weight is a major factor for a multi-mile round-trip hike. A comprehensive, yet lightweight, kit totals about 15 lbs (plus water and snacks). My essentials include:
- A lightweight Osprey Day Pack (2.5 lbs.)
- A Strada Mini with two nesting trays (3 lbs.)
- A carbon fiber compact tripod (3 lbs.)
- Loaded “box N paint” trays, paint tubes, mediums, tools, supplies, and sun protection (5.5 lbs.)
- A Masterpiece wet panel carrier (1 lb.) for 9×12 or 8×10 linen canvas boards
Crucially, the right hiking gear ensures comfort and safety. Experts recommend a pack with an integrated hip belt, like my Osprey, to distribute weight off your shoulders. Tightening the hip belt creates the best ergonomic fit. Additionally, opt for quality, breathable, lightweight hiking boots with good arch and ankle support. Wear comfortable layers and a shade hat.
Always plan before you leave: let people know your destination, carry a GPS-equipped device, and research trails. The All Trails App is highly recommended for pre-trip preparation, providing distance, difficulty, map previews, and pictures for each hike. This research is essential for a successful day.
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Route 66 creates great inspiration, while at the same time making it possible to visit and see some unparalleled scenes like those shown here, if you have an appetite to get out and hike. There is nothing quite like it.
To learn more about the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations will be happening all along the route throughout the year, visit www.route66centennial.org.
For those who are interested in more painterly celebrations, the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico will again hold its Mother Road Open Road Open Air Paint-Out as a Non-Juried Show, co-sponsored by PAPNM and the Amarillo Art Institute in Texas www.artsinthesunset.org, another Route 66 State.
A Note From Eric Rhoads: There’s a reason artists have always been drawn to Route 66. The light. The open road. The roadside Americana that looks like it was made to be painted. This year, Route 66 runs right through our corner of the country where we’re hosting the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE) in the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri, May 14–18.
So here’s the challenge: Drive Route 66 to the convention. Stop. Set up your easel. Paint it. Then join us at PACE to spend five days painting, learning, and connecting with the best plein air artists in the country. The road trip is the warmup. Branson is the destination. Load up your friends and turn it into an adventure. (@ericrhoads)
Story prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
