Did you feel it? There was just a hint of Fall in the air at the end of August. I know just a tease …. we’ll get heat again, but it was so nice to have a taste of cooler weather! James again found some wonderful venues to visit and paint. These include: Art Garden Studios, Lake Julian, & Silver Line Park. Don’t miss the art swap. It’s a good way to get some extra supplies or something you’ve wanted to try. Keep checking back here, Facebook or the Calendar, you might also discover extra paint-outs or events. James keeps coming up with exciting ideas! Finally we have a few non-Asheville Plein Air Painter events … West Asheville Garden Stroll (see up-coming events), and Smokies Quick Draw (below). Also, one of our members, Kimberly Childs, has signed up for a journal painting trip to the Cotswolds, England, June 18-26, 2024 with artist Leslie Fehling. She hopes to encourage a few of our group to go with and make it happen. Check out here, what looks to be a great trip! “I would like to invite members of your group to participate in the 2023 Plein Air Smokies Quick Draw on Saturday, September 30th in Maryville, TN. Cash prizes will be presented and winner of the Open division receives an automatic invitation to be a member of the 2024 Plein Air Smokies class of artists. To learn more, please visit the event website pleinairsmokies.org. ” Saturday Paint Outs! I know some of you aren’t able to attend during the week so I really would like to close out our season with a couple of Saturday gatherings. I often teach or lead hikes on Saturday but I do have September 30 open. Keep an eye out for a location and as soon as I determine a site (and I’m open to suggestions!) I will post the specifics. As requested, here’s the online gallery of paintings done at the NC Arboretum Azalea Festival. What a great event that was! Pastel artists, and we have several among us, are encouraged to check out the NC Pastel Society at www.appalachianpastelsociety.org They’re looking to expand their numbers in our area and I am sure many of you would be welcomed! If you receive our emails but haven’t yet joined us, NOW IS THE TIME! Don’t be timid! Welcome to all new members & be sure to contact James at jjcassara@gmail.com if you want to be put on the mailing list and join the group! Happy Painting! Outdoor paint outs will commence in early April with specific sites to be announced. The schedule will shift, with our • FIRST AND THIRD paint outs of the month on Tuesday, and These changes are to accommodate those who cannot make a specific day of the week, or work a M-F schedule. I understand these changes seem radical and will require some adjusting but, after meeting with former APAP director Sue Dolamore and stalwart member Sandy Moore, I truly feel they’re for the best. I left our meeting feeling optimistic and excited about the future of our group. (James Cassara) In addition to our website and Facebook page I will be sending out weekly reminders 3 or 4 days prior to each paint out. If you wish to receive these reminders you must email me (James) at jjcassara@gmail.com to be added to the list. Please don’t assume because you’ve been a member of the group you’ll automatically be added. In this regard we’re beginning from scratch. 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. Even though Covid is fading (for good we all hope) there are those who still are taking precautions. Be respectful. Carpool if you can, but abiding by requests for masking, etc. and do help with cost of gas – as James says “It’s the kind thing to do!” If you want to be added to the mailing list, please send James Cassara a request at jjcassara@gmail.com I look forward to a great 2023 season of the Asheville Plein Air Painters.Special Event: Kyle Buckland Demo October 18th
Some words from Elizabeth Kellerman about the Kyle Buckland demo: “It will take place at Charles Owen Park October 18th at 0930. We won’t cancel for rain since we have a picnic shelter and will paint from the shelter if needed. Payment should be made in advance ($45) to Kyle via paypal kyle.buckland@gmail.com and leave a comment that it is for the demo.”
If folks want more information about Kyle they can check his website out at https://kylebuckland.com
Welcome to Summer in the Mountains
SEPTEMBER
Lauren Gass of Plein Air Smokies would like to extend an invitation to our group:
Special Word from James …
“A fantastic day of painting at Lake Julian. Thanks to everyone who joined us!” James
Thanks as always and keep painting those happy, happy, trees.
https://www.ncarboretum.org/…/art-gallery-asheville…/
Likewise with the newly formed Urban Sketchers of Asheville group. I’ve twice gathered with them and they’re a fine group of folks. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915
…. As one first timer said “thanks to everyone for being so welcoming. It was wonderful to spend time doing what we love.” I couldn’t agree more!Do check out the sidebar here, the Calendar or Facebook for more information.
Past Painting Picks for September
Some are sites that we will revisit this fall. Check out the gallery page for more paint-outs from the past!
Some changes from previous years:
• SECOND and FOURTH paint outs on Thursday.
• If a month has a FIFTH week, those paint outs will be on Saturday.
A Final Word From James:
email List:
Since this list is newly built that means everyone who has signed up wants to be included at some point. If you would like to be added, please email James Cassara at jjcassara@gmail.com
Thank you and happy painting!
James
Next Event!
9-19 (Tuesday) Silver Line Park
1050 Riverside Drive Woodfin
MAP
Fall is almost here and the colors are already beginning to change. It’s a great time to get out and paint! Our next gathering is on Tuesday, September 19th, at Silver Line Park, located at 1050 Riverside Dr, Woodfin, NC 28804. Unique views of the French Broad River, some nice old growth trees, and even some playground equipment: a fun mix of natural and manufactured shapes. Due to a prior commitment I cannot make this one but I encourage you to enjoy what looks to be a lovely day. As usual we’ll start at 9:30 and share out at noon. If anyone can “step to the plate” to arrive early and take photos throughout, that would be greatly appreciated.
Looking Forward
This Saturday, September 23, is the Art On The Island festival on Blannahassett Island in Marshall. Live music, a quick paint contest, and a great variety of artisans. In the past members of this group have participated so I highly encourage you to join the fun. I’ll be there later in the afternoon and hope to see you there.
9-28 (Thursday) Hickory Nut Farm
Looking ahead:
Mark your calendars! Our special artist demo with Kyle Buckland is on Wednesday, October 18, at Charles Owen Park in Swannanoa. There will not be a regular Tuesday paint out that week, so please adjust your schedules accordingly. Details regarding payment and such can be found on our Facebook page. I’m really looking forward to this event.
Anita the Brush Lady is coming back to the River Arts District on October 26th. She’s got a lot more than brushes! She’ll be bringing discounted paints, brushes, and many other art supplies. More details to come about time and place. This is always among our most popular events of the fall.
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.
If you know of a great location in the south end of Asheville I’d love to hear about it. I know most of our paint outs are skewed towards the north end but I really want to diversify our locations. Please email me if you have any suggestions.
Thanks and happy Painting, James
Upcoming Events!
Schedule for upcoming year – which may be subject to change. For information as the event approaches, keep checking back here, the calendar or Facebook. If we have a rain out we’ll do a Cafe Sketch instead. James is also co-coordinating with Preserving a Picturesque America PAPA to schedule our venues with theirs.
10-3 (Tuesday) Travis Lunsford Farm 430 Riverview Church Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
10-12 (Thursday) Walnut Cove Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway
10-18 (Wednesday) Special Artists Demo by Kyle Buckland at Charles Owen Park*
10-26 (Thursday) Park At Flat Rock 35 Highland Golf Drive Flat Rock NC
10-31 (Tuesday) UNC Botanical Gardens
*Some words from Elizabeth Kellerman about the Kyle Buckland demo: “It will take place at Charles Owen Park October 18th at 0930. We won’t cancel for rain since we have a picnic shelter and will paint from the shelter if needed. Payment should be made in advance ($45) to Kyle via paypal kyle.buckland@gmail.com and leave a comment that it is for the demo.” If folks want more information about Kyle they can check his website out at https://kylebuckland.com
The information will also be posted on our website (ashevillepleinair.com) and our Facebook page. If you are on the mailing list, you will also receive a weekly email. If not contact James at: jjcassara@gmail.com and he’ll happy add you to the list!