Spring is in full bloom and to celebrate the season, world-class artists have been painting garden and landscape scenes “en plein air” (French for “in open air”) all week at Callaway Gardens.
This weekend, Portraits, Inc. Executive Partner, Beverly McNeil will act as jurist for the works that have been created at the Plein Air Spring Paint Out, Art Show and Sale that runs through Sunday, April 21.
While some of the most talented plein air artists paint, visitors can watch them in action, then browse and purchase their finished works at the weekend Art Show and Sale.
In the early 19th century, paint manufacturers made pre-mixed oil pigments in easily carried tubes available for the first time. With their new transferable medium, painters took their paint tubes and easels outdoors.
The ability to paint directly from nature opened the door to the Impressionist movement and Barbizon school. Painting real life and naturalistic scenes, they focused on form as color that suggested light. Leaving behind formulas and static scenes, these plein air painters tested out the theory of trusting their eyes to portray the truth in nature. Today’s artists continue to test these theories and explore the wonders of plein air painting.
All proceeds from the Plein Air event benefit the not-for-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation in its mission to offer fine arts, educational and horticultural programs.
To learn more about the event, see a schedule of events for the weekend and more, visit the Callaway Gardens website.
Portraits, Inc. was founded in 1942 in New York on Park Avenue. Over its 70-year history, Portraits, Inc. has carefully assembled a select group of the world’s foremost portrait artists offering a range of styles and prices. Recognized as the industry leader, Portraits, Inc. provides expert guidance for discerning clients interested in commissioning fine art portraits.