Today was the third gathering of the new group Ontario Plein Air Society. Nine of us met at the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams. We used my former studio in the beautifully restored old yellow mill - which can now be rented by the half day - as a home base, but painted down the road by the Credit River.
In my secluded little spot on a couple of feet of eroded shoreline, and only a foot from the water, I painted the tree line that stood at my eye level, resulting in the oil painting on canvas above "Spring Growth by the Credit River. A Glen Williams, Halton Hills scene) . The day was hot, and very bright, but in my tiny shady oasis, I was cool and relaxed by the lapping water. That is, after I decided to ignore the huge yellow jacket that buzzed in front of my eyes every 20 minutes, and the clouds if midges that wafted above now and then!
Some terrific paintings were produced by all, and it is always fascinating to see each artist's interpretation of the same location. I am always surprised how 3 hours of painting outdoors feels like a happy day away! (Please note: this plein air painting is now sold)
Today we were honored that J. Bandini, President of the International Plein Air Painters Worldwide Organization drove all the way from Niagara Falls to join us.
And for those of you who think you might like giving painting out doors a try - the following is info on OPAS. By the way OPAS is free, and anyone is welcome. It is a way for plein air painters across the GTA and beyond, to link up to paint.
http://ontariopleinairsociety.blogspot.com
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