Winter 2026

Next Event!

Workshop: Saturday, January 17th from 10-1
Kaysha Siemens Workshop “Painting with oil on Copper”

One final plug for Kaysha Siemens workshop, “Painting with oil on Copper”. If you plan to attend, you need to register ASAP. Right now we only have a few spots left, so don’t hesitate!
If you’ve painted alongside Kaysha you no doubt have marveled at the beautiful miniatures she creates using oil paint on copper. I am thrilled that Kaysha has agreed to share some of her knowledge with the group.
Here’s the details! Join award-winning local artist Kaysha Siemens for a lesson in painting in oil on copper. We’ll cover panel sourcing and preparation, ideal brushes, paint consistency, application, and varnishing and presentation of completed paintings. We’ll also learn a little about copper’s place in the history of oil painting and look at some examples. All students will be provided with an 8×10 copper panel (which may be cut into smaller pieces if you like to work in miniature), but need to bring their own easels, oil paints, brushes, and other painting supplies. Since we will be indoors, please bring a reference to work from. You can see Kaysha’s work on her website at www.kayshasiemens.com.
When: Saturday, January 17th from 10-1
Where: The art room at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. Please note this is a change from our original proposed location. Due to the smaller space we are limiting the workshop to ten.
Cost: $85, which includes one copper plate. An additional plate may be purchased for $20, which is at cost. Payable directly to Kaysha via Venmo @Kaysha-Siemens or by check, due by January 10th.

Almost all paint outs officially begin at 9:30 and go until noon, but you’re always welcome to arrive a bit early and stay.

Check out … Urban Sketchers of Asheville on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915 …Note that they are having “coffee shop sketch” at Recess Coffee and Baked Goods on February 1st in Black Mountain!

 

Remember to always check the Facebook page, our website, and the weekly Mailchimp for changes. I’ve done my best to create a tentative schedule for the entire year but things do come up, and changes do have to be made.

North Carolina is blessed with many local plein air groups. If you haven’t done so I suggest you go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/451223895905067 If you find yourself traveling, what better way to see our state than painting with other plein air artists?

Where We’ve been in 2025

Check the Galleries to see past locations of our paint-outs!

A few words as to how I select these spots, as a lot of consideration goes into doing so. I try to find spots that represent as much as Buncombe County as possible, south, north, east, and west. Our members live in various parts of the area and I strive to be as considerate of that as I can. I also try to diversify the scenes, although it seems we do lean heavily on places near water. I’ll try to do better at balancing that.
Sufficient parking is a must, and nearby bathroom facilities, while not an absolute, certainly are a plus. I do want to incorporate more “urban” settings such as our August 20th event in downtown Weaverville, as well as September paint outs in the River Arts District and downtown Asheville. As of now I have us scheduled through mid November; we’ll add others as the weather dictates. I hope I’ve done a better job of organizing things and I’m always open to new ideas and positive suggestions.

With several newcomers joining us we’ve had a few posts asking how the group works. It’s easy. Events are listed here, on our Facebook page, Instagram, or at Ashevillepleinair.com There is no membership fee or costs of any sort, with the exception of special events such as demos and workshops. Find a paint out that fits your schedule and come join us! With very rare exceptions, all of our paint outs start at 9:30 and wrap up around noon; except for a few selected sites, of which I will make note, you’re welcome to arrive a bit early and stay late. We’re a VERY flexible group.

Of course if you’re new to plein air and have questions about materials and such or would like to be added to our mailing list, feel free to email me at jjcassara@gmail.com
I hope you’re encouraged to come out and paint with us!

Planned Schedule of activities – subject to change, so check Website, Facebook or Calendar!

Some changes I am proposing: Last year’s alternating Tuesday/Thursday schedule seemed to work well, but it still leaves out those who work during the week. I’m suggesting we move to a three weekday paint outs and one Saturday per month format. If anyone wants to host a fourth weekday, PLEASE let me know. But I find myself unable to attend four (and sometimes five) paint outs per month. We are the only local group who maintains a weekly schedule, but with my teaching work and desire to travel more I need to scale back a bit.

email List:

If you would like to be added, please email James Cassara at jjcassara@gmail.com 

If you want to share your paintings for the event day, post them on the Facebook site or send them to Rosemarie and we’ll add them to our galleries for each paint-out. We also have a general gallery for each month which you can share something you’ve done during the month.

Also note: If the weather looks very bad we will post to the Facebook page and our website that a paint out has been cancelled. Always check those places the morning of the event to be sure. If the weather is “iffy” it’s left up to your discretion whether or not to go.


January 2026

John Shuler – January 2024

From James:

First and foremost our condolences to group member Joanna Karpay, whose husband passed away in November. I saw Joanna on Friday and she is, under the circumstances, doing well, heading to Florida for a few weeks to be with family. Joanna, please know you are in our thoughts.
Condolences also to Brad Clement, who had to make the difficult decision to euthanize his beloved dog Marlarne. Brad and his wife were gifted with Marlarne for 13 years. Letting go of those we love is never easy. I hope painting with us will give you some solace.

Thanks to everyone who showed up at Penny Cup coffee last Thursday for our initial 2026 mini-gathering. The weather was cooperative and we had a nice turnout of about a dozen folks. Given that this was a late addition, we’re off to a good start!

One final plug for Kaysha Siemens workshop, “Painting with oil on Copper”. If you plan to attend, you need to register ASAP. Right now we only have a few spots left, so don’t hesitate!
If you’ve painted alongside Kaysha you no doubt have marveled at the beautiful miniatures she creates using oil paint on copper. I am thrilled that Kaysha has agreed to share some of her knowledge with the group.
Here’s the details! Join award-winning local artist Kaysha Siemens for a lesson in painting in oil on copper. We’ll cover panel sourcing and preparation, ideal brushes, paint consistency, application, and varnishing and presentation of completed paintings. We’ll also learn a little about copper’s place in the history of oil painting and look at some examples. All students will be provided with an 8×10 copper panel (which may be cut into smaller pieces if you like to work in miniature), but need to bring their own easels, oil paints, brushes, and other painting supplies. Since we will be indoors, please bring a reference to work from. You can see Kaysha’s work on her website at www.kayshasiemens.com.
When: Saturday, January 17th from 10-1
Where: The art room at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. Please note this is a change from our original proposed location. Due to the smaller space we are limiting the workshop to ten.
Cost: $85, which includes one copper plate. An additional plate may be purchased for $20, which is at cost. Payable directly to Kaysha via Venmo @Kaysha-Siemens or by check, due by January 10th.

One of my stated goals for this year was to have group members offer workshops, and I’m thrilled to add another to the list.
Details are still being finalized, but on Saturday, February 21st Cynthia Llanes will be guiding us to “Painting Beyond What We See“ As Cynthia says, “Get ready to Paint Thick, Paint Fearless, and Paint Bold! Oil or Acrylic. Together we will explore and discover ways to move past literal representation and into feeling, memory and imagination. In this workshop, the landscape becomes a starting point rather than a destination.
Through bold strokes, layered texture and intuitive color choices we will explore how to translate what we see into what we experience or feel at a given moment.The focus is on expression over accuracy—allowing mood, how movement and personal our response guide the painting process.
This is a space to loosen up, trust your instincts and let the landscape speak through texture and color, and it will be fun.
Cost: $75 February 21 10-1 Payment can be made by Venmo to Cynthia Johnson @Cynthia-Llanes-FIneArt-719.
I’m working on securing the classroom at UNCA for the day. As soon as that’s finalized I will let everyone know.

Upcoming Events: Montford Plein Air Festival, April 4-6. Stayed tuned, but plans are coming together. Azalea Festival at the North Carolina Arboretum. Always one of our most popular adventures.
Be on the lookout for at least one other “pop up” Paint Out in February. It all depends on the weather!
Lastly, if you had a piece in the North Asheville Library Show, please email at jjcassara@gmai.com so we can make arrangements to return your work.

Thanks as always. Use this time to recharge, relax, and be good to yourself.
James

 

Memorial for our friend John Shuler
on Monday, November 24, at First Baptist Church in downtown.

John Shuler – September 2025

Sad news that John Shuler, a stalwart member of this group, passed away a few days ago. John and his loving wife Lynda, both retired art professors, joined the Asheville Plein Air Painters about six months ago. John walked with a cane and offered to me that he’d been battling brain cancer for several months, and had undergone chemo, radiation, and surgery. He was remarkably upbeat and at the time doing as well as could be expected. Regardless of his challenges he LOVED painting with us, and never failed to say so.

John Shuler – June 2025

A month ago he learned the tumor had grown rapidly. At this point John, along with his family and doctors, made the decision to discontinue treatment and focus on being comfortable and surrounded by those he loved. I only knew John a short while but truly thought the world of him. If you were privileged to meet him I know you feel the same.
Our thoughts go out to Lynda, his children Morgan and Maddie, and all his family and many friends. If I learn of any Celebration of Life, and this was a life worth celebrating, I will pass that information along.

Bradford Clement & the Facebook group had fun with this …

Bradford Clement – Bailey Mountain, August 2025

“Google tells me that there is no specific word for a group of barns… Seems to me that this group of barns is plotting something. Why else would they be huddled together like this. Instead of brainstorming they’re barnstorming perhaps. Apologies.”
My painting from Bailey’s Mtn this past Thursday.
 

 

If you haven’t checked out Asheville Art Supply in the previous Cheap Joe’s location, be sure to do so. I am incredibly impressed with the work the new owners and returning staff have done to ensure we have an independent art supply store in our area. They have great plans to make this store the best it can be, so please be sure to support them. We are so fortunate to have a locally owned place to buy the tools we need from knowledgeable folks.

Highlights from “Y” not make art with kids?

From James: Thanks to Woodfin YMCA staff member Ashley Phillips for helping to organize things, making a last minute supply run, and taking these photos.
Great fun painting with kids and their families at the YMCA on Beaverdam Rd. All photos shared with permission.
From Deborah Hughes: We brought our granddaughter Iris along to the the paint out at the YMCA Saturday. It was an everything, everywhere all at once kind of happening. Kids getting into paint running around, a melt down or two, some fire ants. But a lot of fun was had and the snacks, pizza, and watermelon were very welcome. This 12 x 12 oil is very different composite illustration in which I strive to capture the essence of the morning.

Be sure to also check out the events sponsored by the Hendersonville Plein Air Painters, found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/381293125729349, as well as our friends in Haywood County ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063680940353) Lots of opportunities to meet folks and plein air paint.

Please note: Unless otherwise stated, all events begin at 9:30 and finish up with an optional sharing at noon. This is not a “critique”, but rather an opportunity to meet other members and see what they’ve done.

In the spirit of friendship I’d like to gently remind folks to please limit side conversations during our sharing time. I fully understand the need to socialize at our paint outs, but I also want to be respectful of the artists who are sharing their efforts, as well as those who have diminished hearing or soft voices. Let’s all do a bit better!

Helene

Yesterday (October 19th) I made my first trip into the River Arts District. I thought I was prepared for the level of destruction but it’s far worse than I could have imagined. Please keep all those artists in your thoughts, and look for the many ways we can help and support them in this most difficult of times.

The Asheville Artists Network Facebook Page I co-moderate has been a great resource for those who need help. If you’re unfamiliar with us, we can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashevilleartscene

Stay well friends. Together, we will get through this. I firmly believe our city and the arts community will emerge stronger than ever.