Many people ask me this question. Literally translated from the French, en plein air, it means in open air. It began in the late 1800s with Impressionist painters such as Monet, Pisarro and Renoir. Before them, oil painters had to grind and mix their own pigments in the studio. Now the artists were freed to take their paints and canvases outdoors. The color and temporal qualities of painting in the open air dramatically changed the way they painted.

They began painting every day life in natural light. The look of their painting shocked the public. Unaccustomed to the fresh color and fleeting light, the Academy and critics were outraged by their daring paintings. They were dubbed ‘Impressionists’ by a critic ~ and the name stuck. What was intended as a jab, turned out to be the movement that would bring art to everyone.

Today plein air painting continues to grow in popularity. Professionals and amature painters alike benefit from the practice of painting a wide variety of subjects on location. It calls one’s creativity into action by providing the painter with the opportunity to capture the present moment. This solves the biggest problem which all beginning artists have ~ getting out of one’s head and into action!

Instead of standing in front of a blank canvas wondering what to paint, if talent is required, how to do it or anything else ~ Picking up the brush is like plugging in the connection to the Muse. From there the Muse dictates everything. Painting becomes an exercise in following instructions from the Source and discovering the gifts hidden within.

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