Plein Air Red Fern 2020
April 23-25
LOOK for DETAILS of 2020 Very Soon!!
Plein Air 2019 - Greg Stone of Tulsa won Best of Show and took home $500 at Plein Air Red Fern, April 26- 27 with, "Bridge at City Park."
Stone was one of 14 artists who painted Tahlequah during the three day event. First place was Karen St. Clair, of Owasso, with a watercolor of Franklin Castle, winning $500. Kelly Pennington of Ada placed second with, "Pat Synars Studio, with a $300 prize and Kindra Swafford, of Tahlequah took third place for a watercolor,"Tiki."
Judges Sylvia Nitti and Mikel Yantz took time to share some of the points they considered in deciding the winners with the artists, who greatly appreciated the feed back.
"The Best of Show painting had good stacking of color and blending, nice repetition of the color and the artist understood color," said Nitti.
The washes are really good hues, said Yantz, "it's extremely balanced, the brushwork is tight and compositionally it's really good."
Surprised he won Best of Show, Stone said it's his first plein air competition.
"I'm happy just to be able to complete a couple of pieces let alone that one one," said Stone. "It's really lovely painting here. I got to meet some really nice people and speak to people here in town."
A graduate of Northeastern State University with a bachelors and masters in English, Stone said it was very enjoyable to be back in Tahlequah.
Sponsored by the Arts Council of Tahlequah the art event showcases places and faces of Tahlequah. ACT Gallery in Cort Mall features the Plein Air Red Fern Exhibit through the month.
Landmarks that artists painted this year include the Thompson House, Franklin Castle, Meigs Jewelry, scenes from the Red Fern Car Show and Lake Tenkiller.
Artists were given maps and suggested locations to paint. Last year's Best of Show winner Temple Moore taught an upbeat, acrylic class at the gallery, and led a group of painters who painted at the Classic Car Show. On Friday morning a surprise location was offered to artists to paint and those who chose to go were charmed by the artist retreat and studio home of Pat Synar, including John Dillingham, of Prairie Grove, Ark.
"I have a great time, every time I come here to paint," said Dillingham, who enjoyed lively conversation with the host. "I like the area, meet good people and it's close to home."
As for painting outdoors, he said, "I love the light, the air. I love being outside and paint every evening and early in the morning."
"I look forward to exploring more places here, going back to paint Diligwa at the Cherokee Heritage Center, the creek and I liked the peace and quiet of the surprise location," Dillingham said.
New to plein air painting, Beth Parker, from Eufaula found her muse during the weekend. Having lost her husband 20 months ago she hadn't felt very creative, but when she left on Sunday she had painted three paintings and taken a jewelry class with Wolf Walker at the Cherokee Art Center.
"John told me if I was scared of the canvas to make a long slash across it then another one, then just take off," said Parker, laughing, "he was right."
What has really appealed to Parker is, "the generosity of spirit, the people here are kind and welcoming," said Parker. "The town is charming and I want to explore it more."
Of the surprise location to paint, Parker described it as artsy and full of magical surprises, "I love the wind chimes, the serenity and the host brought us tea and offered us salmon."
"I joined the arts council to come back more and know more about the arts here," she said, "my lazy muse is back and she's feisty!"
Kelly Pennington also chose the surprise location to paint, and the back of a studio turned out to be a good subject for her, winning second place.
"The connection with the locals," is her favorite part of the weekend event. She requested a home stay in exchange for a painting for her host, and both were pleased. "I've been here before to visit and explore but this was really great. I don't know how many people stopped to talk to me [while I was painting.]"
Interaction with people who don't see plein air painting was interesting.
"I met a little girl who told me about hound dog show. She educated me on coon hunting," said Pennington. "
First place winner Karen St. Clair also painted Meig's Jewelry for the contest.
"I enjoyed looking around and seeing some of the beautiful and historical sites," said St. Clair. "People are so friendly, they came up and talked to me. I hope people will come here to the gallery and see this place [Tahlequah] on the wall."
It's her first time to paint at Plein Air Red Fern.
"It's fun to be part of this show, and all the beauty and history," said St. Clair. She also has a drawing of Coach Jack Dobbins in the gallery, he was her husbands coach.
Kindra Swafford won first last year but was happy with third place.
"I like being outside. I work 40 hours a week and like being able to be outside and taking time to reconnect with nature," said Swafford. "I love doing this."
Jerry Sutton, of Tahlequah, painted truck from the car show, a red swing on a porch and a landscape.
"I like plein air painting. Everything changes second to second so whenever I paint plein air I know the result is going to be my interpretation, what my eye sees not what the camera sees," said Sutton.
When painting in the studio, he said, "I forget how many of our senses are lost from the initial experience. My studio process has so many steps to it, from idea to photography to processing and design to draftsmanship and technical aspects of the medium and craft that it has morphed from an initial emotional connection to a cerebral and calculated endeavor."
"With plein air I discovered that I am not recreating a frozen, silent nanomoment in time, but I am playing chase with time itself, with all the attendant sounds and smells of this evolving moment," Sutton said. "It is the sounds and smells, as well as the tactile sensations from the wind, that are dead in the studio and so much alive under the sun."
"The final piece is rough and hardly mind bending art, but you know what?, Bob Ross has it right all along," Sutton said.
It's challenging as heck because of the changing light, Sutton said, "you have to take something 3D and interpret it on a 2 D plane."
"This plein air event highlights the city and area that I love. It's beautiful and worth of painting."
WELCOME to the 4th annual Plein Air Red Fern 2020
Artists are invited the last Friday and Saturday in April to capture nuances of light as it plays across the friendly faces, landscapes of the Ozark Mountain foothills, lakes, rivers, vistas, charming downtown and architecture of historic Tahlequah, home of the Cherokee Nation with cultural museums and Diligwi Ancient Village-
Artists can register Thursday afternoon from 1-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday morning between 8-10 a.m. and have canvas or paper stamped.
Prize money in 2019 was $1600
Celebrity Judge Workshop
Artist Reception Collector Show on Saturday. Artists can enter up to two pieces.
Entry Fee: $50.00 to participate in painting and Saturday show and competition
Judges in 2019 were Sylvia Nitti and Mikel Yantz
Contact: Renee Fite
E-mail: artscounciltahlequah@gmail.com
Phone: 918.457.7345
Website: www.artscounciltahlequah.com
2019 SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 25
1-5 p.m. Registration $50 at Arts Council of Tahlequah Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
Friday, April 26
8-10 a.m. Registration at Arts Council of Tahlequah Art Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
Group to paint at private location meet at 10 a.m. at ACT Gallery
Workshop with Best of Show 2018 winner Temple Morris 3-5 p.m. $25 (Minimum 4 - Limit 10)
Turn in completed art by 4 p.m. at the Art Gallery framed and ready to hang.
Dinner 6 p.m. at The Branch restaurant (dutch but please pre- register for reservation count)
Saturday, April 27
8-10 a.m. Registration at Arts Council of Tahlequah Art Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
11 a.m. Paint the Park at Norris Park with Red Fern Plein Air 2018 winner Temple Moore. This is a group painting activity to show what plein air is to visitors of Red Fern Festival with tips and suggestions by a pro.
Turn in completed art or best piece by 1 p.m. at the Art Gallery framed and ready to hang and be judged.
Artist Awards and Collector's Reception 2 p.m. Art Gallery.
PAINTING SITE SUGGESTIONS DOWNTOWN:
Red Fern Festival activities (like coon hunting competition and Classic Car Show) Norris Park
Cherokee National Capitol Building, Cherokee Nation Prison Museum
Cherokee Nation National Museum
Franklin Castle
Leoser Cabin
French-Parks House
Victorian Thompson House
Seminary Hall/Northeastern State University campus
Sequoyah City Park
ON LOCATION:
Air Show Fly-In and Classic Car Show
Cherokee Heritage Center museum and Diligwi Ancient Village, Seminary Pillars
Hunter's Home and grounds
Illinois River- Lake Tenkiller\
SURPRISE LOCATION 2019
Sculptor and Bronze Bell Maker Pat Synar's Artist Retreat
April 23-25
LOOK for DETAILS of 2020 Very Soon!!
Plein Air 2019 - Greg Stone of Tulsa won Best of Show and took home $500 at Plein Air Red Fern, April 26- 27 with, "Bridge at City Park."
Stone was one of 14 artists who painted Tahlequah during the three day event. First place was Karen St. Clair, of Owasso, with a watercolor of Franklin Castle, winning $500. Kelly Pennington of Ada placed second with, "Pat Synars Studio, with a $300 prize and Kindra Swafford, of Tahlequah took third place for a watercolor,"Tiki."
Judges Sylvia Nitti and Mikel Yantz took time to share some of the points they considered in deciding the winners with the artists, who greatly appreciated the feed back.
"The Best of Show painting had good stacking of color and blending, nice repetition of the color and the artist understood color," said Nitti.
The washes are really good hues, said Yantz, "it's extremely balanced, the brushwork is tight and compositionally it's really good."
Surprised he won Best of Show, Stone said it's his first plein air competition.
"I'm happy just to be able to complete a couple of pieces let alone that one one," said Stone. "It's really lovely painting here. I got to meet some really nice people and speak to people here in town."
A graduate of Northeastern State University with a bachelors and masters in English, Stone said it was very enjoyable to be back in Tahlequah.
Sponsored by the Arts Council of Tahlequah the art event showcases places and faces of Tahlequah. ACT Gallery in Cort Mall features the Plein Air Red Fern Exhibit through the month.
Landmarks that artists painted this year include the Thompson House, Franklin Castle, Meigs Jewelry, scenes from the Red Fern Car Show and Lake Tenkiller.
Artists were given maps and suggested locations to paint. Last year's Best of Show winner Temple Moore taught an upbeat, acrylic class at the gallery, and led a group of painters who painted at the Classic Car Show. On Friday morning a surprise location was offered to artists to paint and those who chose to go were charmed by the artist retreat and studio home of Pat Synar, including John Dillingham, of Prairie Grove, Ark.
"I have a great time, every time I come here to paint," said Dillingham, who enjoyed lively conversation with the host. "I like the area, meet good people and it's close to home."
As for painting outdoors, he said, "I love the light, the air. I love being outside and paint every evening and early in the morning."
"I look forward to exploring more places here, going back to paint Diligwa at the Cherokee Heritage Center, the creek and I liked the peace and quiet of the surprise location," Dillingham said.
New to plein air painting, Beth Parker, from Eufaula found her muse during the weekend. Having lost her husband 20 months ago she hadn't felt very creative, but when she left on Sunday she had painted three paintings and taken a jewelry class with Wolf Walker at the Cherokee Art Center.
"John told me if I was scared of the canvas to make a long slash across it then another one, then just take off," said Parker, laughing, "he was right."
What has really appealed to Parker is, "the generosity of spirit, the people here are kind and welcoming," said Parker. "The town is charming and I want to explore it more."
Of the surprise location to paint, Parker described it as artsy and full of magical surprises, "I love the wind chimes, the serenity and the host brought us tea and offered us salmon."
"I joined the arts council to come back more and know more about the arts here," she said, "my lazy muse is back and she's feisty!"
Kelly Pennington also chose the surprise location to paint, and the back of a studio turned out to be a good subject for her, winning second place.
"The connection with the locals," is her favorite part of the weekend event. She requested a home stay in exchange for a painting for her host, and both were pleased. "I've been here before to visit and explore but this was really great. I don't know how many people stopped to talk to me [while I was painting.]"
Interaction with people who don't see plein air painting was interesting.
"I met a little girl who told me about hound dog show. She educated me on coon hunting," said Pennington. "
First place winner Karen St. Clair also painted Meig's Jewelry for the contest.
"I enjoyed looking around and seeing some of the beautiful and historical sites," said St. Clair. "People are so friendly, they came up and talked to me. I hope people will come here to the gallery and see this place [Tahlequah] on the wall."
It's her first time to paint at Plein Air Red Fern.
"It's fun to be part of this show, and all the beauty and history," said St. Clair. She also has a drawing of Coach Jack Dobbins in the gallery, he was her husbands coach.
Kindra Swafford won first last year but was happy with third place.
"I like being outside. I work 40 hours a week and like being able to be outside and taking time to reconnect with nature," said Swafford. "I love doing this."
Jerry Sutton, of Tahlequah, painted truck from the car show, a red swing on a porch and a landscape.
"I like plein air painting. Everything changes second to second so whenever I paint plein air I know the result is going to be my interpretation, what my eye sees not what the camera sees," said Sutton.
When painting in the studio, he said, "I forget how many of our senses are lost from the initial experience. My studio process has so many steps to it, from idea to photography to processing and design to draftsmanship and technical aspects of the medium and craft that it has morphed from an initial emotional connection to a cerebral and calculated endeavor."
"With plein air I discovered that I am not recreating a frozen, silent nanomoment in time, but I am playing chase with time itself, with all the attendant sounds and smells of this evolving moment," Sutton said. "It is the sounds and smells, as well as the tactile sensations from the wind, that are dead in the studio and so much alive under the sun."
"The final piece is rough and hardly mind bending art, but you know what?, Bob Ross has it right all along," Sutton said.
It's challenging as heck because of the changing light, Sutton said, "you have to take something 3D and interpret it on a 2 D plane."
"This plein air event highlights the city and area that I love. It's beautiful and worth of painting."
WELCOME to the 4th annual Plein Air Red Fern 2020
Artists are invited the last Friday and Saturday in April to capture nuances of light as it plays across the friendly faces, landscapes of the Ozark Mountain foothills, lakes, rivers, vistas, charming downtown and architecture of historic Tahlequah, home of the Cherokee Nation with cultural museums and Diligwi Ancient Village-
Artists can register Thursday afternoon from 1-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday morning between 8-10 a.m. and have canvas or paper stamped.
Prize money in 2019 was $1600
Celebrity Judge Workshop
Artist Reception Collector Show on Saturday. Artists can enter up to two pieces.
Entry Fee: $50.00 to participate in painting and Saturday show and competition
Judges in 2019 were Sylvia Nitti and Mikel Yantz
Contact: Renee Fite
E-mail: artscounciltahlequah@gmail.com
Phone: 918.457.7345
Website: www.artscounciltahlequah.com
2019 SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 25
1-5 p.m. Registration $50 at Arts Council of Tahlequah Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
Friday, April 26
8-10 a.m. Registration at Arts Council of Tahlequah Art Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
Group to paint at private location meet at 10 a.m. at ACT Gallery
Workshop with Best of Show 2018 winner Temple Morris 3-5 p.m. $25 (Minimum 4 - Limit 10)
Turn in completed art by 4 p.m. at the Art Gallery framed and ready to hang.
Dinner 6 p.m. at The Branch restaurant (dutch but please pre- register for reservation count)
Saturday, April 27
8-10 a.m. Registration at Arts Council of Tahlequah Art Gallery in Cort Mall- Have canvas or paper stamped.
11 a.m. Paint the Park at Norris Park with Red Fern Plein Air 2018 winner Temple Moore. This is a group painting activity to show what plein air is to visitors of Red Fern Festival with tips and suggestions by a pro.
Turn in completed art or best piece by 1 p.m. at the Art Gallery framed and ready to hang and be judged.
Artist Awards and Collector's Reception 2 p.m. Art Gallery.
PAINTING SITE SUGGESTIONS DOWNTOWN:
Red Fern Festival activities (like coon hunting competition and Classic Car Show) Norris Park
Cherokee National Capitol Building, Cherokee Nation Prison Museum
Cherokee Nation National Museum
Franklin Castle
Leoser Cabin
French-Parks House
Victorian Thompson House
Seminary Hall/Northeastern State University campus
Sequoyah City Park
ON LOCATION:
Air Show Fly-In and Classic Car Show
Cherokee Heritage Center museum and Diligwi Ancient Village, Seminary Pillars
Hunter's Home and grounds
Illinois River- Lake Tenkiller\
SURPRISE LOCATION 2019
Sculptor and Bronze Bell Maker Pat Synar's Artist Retreat
Living History at Hunter's Home
