STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

KENTVILLE, N.S. — An advisor to a fundraiser that encourages participants to get out and paint says artists will find the scenery and subject matter in Kings County virtually limitless.

Artists Edward and Anne Wedler, who now live in Bedford, founded Plein Air Artists of the Annapolis Valley (PAAAV) seven years ago.

“En plein air” art includes works in any medium produced outdoors, on location.

The former Valley residents are collaborating with the Kings County Museum on a fundraiser called Brush with Nature. Professional and non-professional artists alike are being encouraged to get out and paint — or draw — for a good cause.

Edward said Kings County art subjects are as bountiful as the food that is grown there. Its rolling topography, patchwork of farm fields, coastal features, historical buildings, and farmers’ markets are only the beginning of what an artist might paint en plein air.

“It’s the museum staff who saw that potential in Miner’s Marsh and excitedly broadened that vision to all of Kings County. There are many delightful nooks and crannies within Kings County that artists can uncover for the rest of us,” he said.

Anne agrees that Kings County has an amazing variety of subject matter for plein air artists. From the cliffs of the Bay of Fundy shores and tidal marshes to the farmland, orchards, vineyards, waterfalls, and forests, “it is blessed with natural beauty.”

The Brush with Nature project directly supports the work of the cultural community, as proceeds from art sales, auctions and draws will be shared between the artist and museum.

When considering the plein air art style, Edward said he is most moved by expressive watercolour, especially of human structures that have stories to tell — “if they could only speak.”

Yet, he said he could also be thrilled by a line drawing from a child that expresses their inner-most feelings.

“It’s not the replication of what one sees that I most enjoy. It’s the feeling and mood in how an artist paints that I most enjoy,” Edward said.

Anne said she enjoys the ever-changing light and atmosphere that presents an unlimited number of subjects.

“I like the involvement with nature,” she said. “I love the energy that flows from a scene to me as I paint.”

Anne describes it as “slow travel” because people develop a connection with the places they paint. She said it heightens powers of observation, and the memory of the experience of painting in one place for several hours imprints strongly.

Edward said plein air artists can open the eyes of the community to see things differently, in ways people perhaps never imagined. Art is a common language that brings people together, and plein air brings people together in the environment.

Anne said that since painting is usually a solitary activity, Brush with Nature is a wonderful opportunity for artists to come together to work and associate with one another.

Edward said that, according to publisher Eric Rhoads of Plein Air Magazine, plein air is the fastest growing art movement in the world today. Edward said he isn’t certain why this resurgence is happening, but perhaps artists are expressing or reflecting society’s increasing concern over the environment.

Anne said she thinks the growth in the plein air movement relates to a desire to be outdoors and connect more with nature, like the rise in popularity of hiking and camping.

“This activity is an integration of art with the outdoors. So, people have to have a desire to paint and improve their skills by using nature as their inspiration,” Anne said.

Edward said he and Anne have been inspired by their relationship with Russian-born artist Vlad Yeliseyev in Sarasota, Florida, and his plein air group to initiate similar groups in Nova Scotia.

When asked if they have any advice for aspiring plein air artists, Edward said “persist and be patient.” He suggests joining like-minded artists to go out and paint. PAAAV has listed 26 weeks of plein air “paint-outs” for 2022.

“Anne and I have hosted over 90 online group critique sessions over the past two years with plein air artists. You learn and advance through this experience, especially when receiving and listening to constructive, supportive advice,” Edward said.

Anne said it is challenging because plein air artists must battle the elements, ever-changing light and, in Nova Scotia, ever-changing tides.

“There is an immediacy in acting and reacting with nature that cannot be copied in a studio situation. Being outdoors is amazing for your health and wellbeing,” she said.

Edward said after learning from the museum about those who have responded to a recent call to artists, he and Anne are excited by the level of talent that Brush with Nature has attracted so far. They anticipate that other aspiring artists, young and old and all skill levels, will join in the fun.

Kings County Museum office manager Heather Killen said Brush with Nature is the museum’s first en plein air art fundraiser.

She said the museum has an extensive art collection. Curator Ellen Lewis was considering a salon hang, and the idea arose to do an en plein air fundraiser, kind of like the Paint the Town Festival in Annapolis Royal.

“We were thinking Miner’s Marsh, and one of our board members is good friends with Edward and Anne and suggested maybe they could give us a hand,” Killen said.

She said painting outdoors is certainly nothing new, but it has seen a resurgence in popularity, perhaps partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Killen said the Kings Historical Society has a mandate to promote Kings County’s natural and cultural history, so the fundraiser is a good fit.

“It’s another component of getting people out to look at natural history and to appreciate the environment in Kings County,” Killen said. “We’ve got really stunning places to paint.”

Killen said they hope to help raise the profile of the Annapolis Valley art community through the fundraiser. As of July 7, they already had 13 artists registered.

She said they also hope to get area businesses to sponsor awards and help promote the businesses on an event map showing suggested painting locations.

For more information on Brush with Nature or to register for the Long Brush, visit www.kingscountymuseum.ca. To see Plein Air Artists of the Annapolis Valley’s 2022 Paint-Out map and schedule, visit www.tinyurl.com/pleinairmap.

Brush with Nature includes the Long Brush and Short Brush (or Quick Draw). The Long Brush runs from Aug. 1 to 18. During this time frame, registered artists can pick one or more locations within Kings County to paint or sketch.

Resulting en plein art works can be submitted to the museum for hanging anytime between Aug. 11 and 18. All submissions must be “hang-ready,” and sales will be handled by the museum.

The Short Brush takes place in Kentville’s Miner’s Marsh on Aug. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists are encouraged to sketch or paint marsh scenery. Weather permitting, all artwork from the Long Brush will be displayed at the museum and marsh that day. Short Brush artists can display their works on their easels or stands.

Artists at any level can register for Brush with Nature. Artists who have been working for at least two years and who have sold artwork can register in the “Professional” category. Those with less than two years of experience or have not sold artwork can register in the “Open” category.

Artists are asked to identify their work on the back, including the artist’s name, title, geographic location, date of painting, medium, selling price and contact information. Work can be in any medium and artists may donate work to help raise funds for the museum.

Long Brush artists can register online until July 27. The registration fee is $30. Short Brush artists can register in-person at Miner’s Marsh between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 20. The registration fee is $20.

For the Long Brush and Short Brush, in both the “Professional” and “Open” categories, there will be awards for Artist’s Choice, People’s Choice and Sponsor’s Choice.

Ensure local journalism stays in your community by purchasing a membership today.

The news and opinions you’ll love for only $14.99/month.

Start your Membership Now

Your home for the news shaping Canada's East Coast