Plein Air @ Odd Fellows

Slice of Jug Handle, by Suzi Long

Plein Air Painters of Mendocino annual Whale Festival show ~ Mendocino

A special feature of the Annual Whale Festival is the Plein Air exhibit of beautiful works in oil, pastel and acrylic from all parts of our north coast every week.  16 local artists bring out their best, hosting visitors to this wonderful exhibit.   And when you are on coastal trails, look for painters at work out in the fresh air.  

The Exhibit is at the historic Odd Fellows in Mendocino (corner of Kasten & Ukian Streets) and is open Friday to Sunday, 11-6pm.  Opening Artist Party is March 14, 5-8 and part of the Mendocino 2nd Saturday Art events.
Participating Plein Air Artists include:
Eleanor Harvey
Agnes Woolsey
Maeve Croghan
Lynn Cyrilla Crutcher
Claire Fortier
Carolyn Hagopjan
Mary Ann Nation
Deb Nord
Jurate Seputa
Bob Nation
Suzi Long  
Micaela Marsden
Cornelia Gerken
Pat Jones
John Hewitt
Jim Stallings

The exhibit can also be viewed by appointment with Suzi Long 707.937.5664--- Suzi's Water Tower Gallery is adjacent to the Odd Fellows.

Inside the Plein Air Painters of Mendocino by Suzi Marquess Long, Artist
The term en plein air is a French expression which means “In the Open Air” and is used to describe painting in the outside environment rather than in a studio. Alfresco means the same in English, but in Italian, the term al fresco means in jail or simply cool air. Thanks, Wikipedia!

We definitely have lots of cool air here, but “in the open air” is where the PAPM (Plein Air Painters of Mendocino) are happiest. The incredible natural light, the fresh ocean breeze and negative ions in the atmosphere all combine to make perfect conditions for outdoor painting.

The PAPM are an unstructured group of people who like to paint outside and capture nature in the moment. We try to allocate two Thursday afternoons a month to the same location so we have a chance to finish an oil, or make two pastels, or have a rain day and still have a day to get to “that spot” together. We live near the coast and usually paint the sea, but in autumn we travel into the Anderson and Alexander Valleys to capture the fall colors of grapes, apple trees, and barns.