Plein Air is coming to Bruce, which means over the next few weeks you may see a number of artists set up in different locations around town or out in the country capturing the scenery on canvas.
The “Town and Country” project is in conjunction with the Oct. 7 Skuna River Arts Festival planned on the Bruce Square.
Susan Patton, of Bruce, a member of the North Mississippi Plein Air Painters, is leading the project which is set to capture life around Bruce. All the paintings will be displayed in the Bruce Museum during the festival and sold.
“We’re all interested to see what these artists capture,” Patton said.
Plein Air artist Mark Hanson will be a featured artist in the upcoming show in Bruce.
Participating artists will paint one “town” and one “country” scene of Bruce (and the surrounding areas) prior to the show. Artists may submit up to five paintings.
Among the participating artists is Marc Hanson, master OPA, who will also be doing a demo at noon on the day of the show, Saturday, Oct 7.
“I’m really fascinated to see what Marc chooses,” Patton said. “He is very talented.”
The show is open to all representational Plein Air artists. Patton explained Plein Air means “open air.” Artists set up in the outdoors and paint a scene as they look at it as opposed to painting in a studio.
“Most of us have plein air farm scenes that reflect this area, but we are asking for people to actually come down prior to the show date and do plein air paintings of the businesses as well as go out and paint from the local farms and community areas around Bruce,” Patton said. “We ask that these paintings be of Bruce or the surrounding countryside around Bruce. My suggestion is for artists to come to Bruce and start at the Bruce Square and go out in all four directions and find a place that appeals to them both in the town and in the country.”
Anyone may participate in the project. Patton asks all participating artists to email her at spatton251@gmail.com.
She already has commitments from artists in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. She said local Calhoun County artists are encouraged to come join in as well.
A reception will be held in the Bruce Museum during the Oct. 7 show.
An example of Plein Air painting by Susan Patton, of Bruce, where the artist sets up outdoors and paints a scene on location, rather than by a picture in a studio. Patton is leading a project that will be in Bruce and displayed at the Oct. 7 Skuna River Art Festival.