Plein air painters join brushes across America

Wed, 09/07/2016 - 6:30pm

ART MAYERS News Contributor

Oil painter Ed Buonvecchio of Manchester incorporates local homes in his seascape. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Jean Wyman of Popham and Susan Zimmerman of Georgetown enjoy the chance to paint outdoors. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

John Seitzer works on his oil painting. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Erin McGee Ferrell of Portland converts a cruise ship painting into a Grimes Cove seascape. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Corinne McIntyre is a cofounder of the local chapter of plein art painters and this year’s event organizer. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Jorge Pena of Wiscasset joins painters at Grimes Cove.ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Oil painter Ed Buonvecchio of Manchester incorporates local homes in his seascape. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Jean Wyman of Popham and Susan Zimmerman of Georgetown enjoy the chance to paint outdoors. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

John Seitzer works on his oil painting. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Erin McGee Ferrell of Portland converts a cruise ship painting into a Grimes Cove seascape. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Corinne McIntyre is a cofounder of the local chapter of plein art painters and this year’s event organizer. ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Jorge Pena of Wiscasset joins painters at Grimes Cove.ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register

Artists who regularly take their paint boxes, brushes and easels outdoors gathered at Grimes Cove at Ocean Point on Wednesday, September 7 to take part in Stroke of Art, one of Harbor Fest’s activities.

The artists are participating in the 12th Annual Great American Paint Out sponsored by the Oil Painters of America. Painters from across the country joined in the one-day event, according to Manchester artist En Buonvecchio.

Organizer Corinne McIntyre said she expected 40 plein air painters to join her. Last year she logged in 55 participants.

Watercolorist Kathy Baribeau of Brunswick said she enjoys meeting with other plein air painters in the Midcoast. There are five chapters of plein air painters in Maine.

“It is a wonderful group,” said Baribeau.

She said the mixture includes watercolor and oil painters, both amateurs and professionals. She expected about six watercolor artists to arrive during the day.

Oil painters have to frame their paintings in time to have them on display and possible sale at Fisherman’s Wharf that evening.

“There is no fee,” said Baribeau.

McIntyre said the local chapter of plein air painters meets weekly throughout the year.