PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS

“En plein air”, which is the French expression for outdoors or “in open air”, refers to the practice of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting which is typically done indoors under more controlled and prescribed conditions.

The paintings in this gallery are those I originally created outdoors. They are in various stages of completion which I will note in my comments. Typically, I work in acrylics, but I use oils when I paint plein air. More often than not, I paint with the Michigan Plein Air Painters out of Milford Township and also the Plein Air Troupe in Farmington, Michigan.

I have, as of spring 2020, established my own Downriver plein air group, which I have called, the “Downriver Plein Air Squadron.” Its launch has been curtailed by the corona virus outbreak but I have maintained intermittent contact with members via social media and email. Below is our logo, which I designed for the group.

Gallery of Plein Air Paintings

Lake erie metropark marina, brownstown, michigan

Despite the lawn crew buzzing by, chopping the lawn, and trimming the barrier along this marina, I set up my paints and captured my initial oil (12”x16”) of the array of sail boats docked in this small channel. The location is the Lake Erie Metropark Marina.

Elizabeth Park, Trenton, Michigan

Having started my own plein air group, the Downriver Plein Air Squadron, I began to visit potential sites for our painting trips. Elizabeth Park in Trenton was my first stop, a place I had not been to before. I took the opportunity to stop and paint. This was a brisk early March day.

Other images from my plein air excursions…

Emily Franks Garden, Trenton, Michigan

Blooms at Lake Erie Metropark

Milford, Michigan farm

On a casual visit to Oakwoods Metropark, I did this pastel of a nearby tree.

Sunrise at Crawford Farm, Milford Township, MI

Lake Erie early morning visitors…as I set up!

Mick Mastal (right) and I at Lake Erie Metropark

Icy Open Water at Kensington Metropark

Roadside shack in Milford

Just off the road I stepped through the overgrown foliage to set up my easel in front of this weathered shack nestled under a large tree. This was an oil done while with the Michigan Plein Air Painters in the Milford, Michigan area. I hope to work on this more and strengthen the contrast and color to my liking.

This is a detail of the pastel on the left. I don’t typically work in pastels. I enjoyed this!!

January, 2020 - - milford, michigan

My first 2020 excursion to Kensington Metropark to paint.

(L to R) Parked at Nature Center; set up across the street; two hours of work; a view to use as reference.

January, 2021 - - belle isle, detroit

A rare combination trip meeting my son, Mark, Detroit Zoological Society biologist/herpetologist at the Detroit River doing a mud-puppy survey. I painted the conservatory and later drove over to hook up with him.

We held a pre-season meeting of some of the pilots of the Downriver Plein Air Squadron; L to R Judy, Vivian, Tiffany, and Jim. I took the photo.