Plein Air Party

What makes a plein air party you may ask?

A gorgeous day, a stunning location, a mess of easels, paints, mediums, gloves and canvases or boards and you’re good to go – oh yes, and most importantly a whole whack of talented artists!

What makes it festive is a hot barbecue, a cold beer and a mountain of mouth watering desserts. Add in a painting and gift exchange, some lava soap and hand lotion all is merry and bright!

Artist Diana Leone and her husband Ed hosted the LGAA -PA holiday party this year and it was time for me to break out of the studio and brush up on my plein air skills. Most artists chose to paint a view of the meandering Calero Creek but I went with the Leone’s magnificent persimmon tree. I must say, I so enjoyed sitting underneath that canopy of impossibly orange fruit set against that brilliant blue sky, watching the flock of marauding starlings and listening to the croaking of bullfrogs – I didn’t really care how my painting was turning out! So when artist Kevin Kasik came to climb the tree and harvest what he could reach, I was only to happy to get out of the way. Not before a plump, ripe persimmon practically fell into my lap – and my, it was sweet!

Calero Creek- photo Marie Cameron 2012


Calero Creek meandering along in the morning light of a Californian winter.

Plein Air Painters - Photo Marie Cameron 2012


Plein air artists setting up to paint along the creek.

Artist Hershel Abelman - Photo by Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Hershel Abelman blocking in his values with a persimmon underpainting.

Artist Rebecca White - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Rebecca White ready with her palette knife!

Artist Kathy Carlquist  - photo by Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Kathy Carlquist adding the last touches to her view of the Calero Creek.

Artist Diana Leone (portrait) - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Diana Leone laying in her color. Visit her website at www.dianaleone.com

Artist Cynthia DeBenedetti - photo by Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Cynthia DeBenedetti  capturing the moment.  www.cdebenedettistudio.com.

Artist Ellen Howard - photo by Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Ellen Howard setting up her easel. Visit her website www.ellenhowardart.com.

Artist Will Maller - Photo by Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Will Maller setting up for plein air.  His website is willmaller.com.

Artist Will Maller's Set Up - photo Marie Cameorn 2012


Will Maller has sketched in the work with persimmon orange, start with a spark!

Will Maller's Paints - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Will Maller’s paints could be a great painting too.

Persimmons and Sky - photo Marie Cameron 2012


The Leone’s Hachiya Persimmon tree was dripping with ripe fruit.

Marauding Starlings - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Flocks of marauding starlings liked them too!

Sitting Under the Persimmon Tree Painting - photo Kevin Kasik 2012


Working on my persimmon painting under that big beautiful tree.

My Inspiration - photo Marie Cameon 2012


This view was the inspiration for my painting.

Fresh Persimmon Painting - photo Marie Cameron 2012


And the result before I let Kevin have the tree.

Kevin Kasik Persimmon Harvesting - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Artist Kevin Kasik harvesting persimmons on high.

Kevin Kasik Out on a Limb - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Kevin Kasik out on a limb.  See his work at www.kevinkasikart.com

Kevin Kasik Tossing a Persimmon - photo by Marie Cameron - 2012


Kevin Kasik tossing persimmons to artists below.

Kevin Kasik in Persimmon Tree 1- photo Marie Cameron 2012


This is my favorite one of Kevin Kasik in the persimmon tree with the tub ready below.

Tub of Persimmons - photo Marie Cameron 2012


One of two tubs filled with very ripe fruit – someone is going to be busy!

Lava - photo Marie Cameron 2012


Keep it clean party favor – best soap ever! Thanks Diana!

 

 



 

 


 

 

Diana Leone – Featured Artist

Diana Leone is the featured artist this month of November at the Los Gatos Museums Art Gallery. You can catch her every Sunday from 11- 3 and enjoy cider and cookies while she paints. She’s good! I was chatting with her while she was whipping up a sunflower before my eyes and she didn’t miss a stroke. She said she works better under pressure and often uses a timer. That’s her secret to her fresh and vibrant work. Her colors glow – they don’t have a chance to get muddy. I asked her how she finds inspiration. She smiled and said, “I just look out the window”.

See more of her work at dianaleone.com.

Diana Leone and Marie Cameron LGMG 2012


Diana Leone, her oil painting, Join Me For A Cup Of Tea and Marie Cameron at Los Gatos Museums Art Gallery.

Diana Leone at the easel 2012


Diana Leone at the easel (she had done another painting even before coming in)!

Diana Leone's Sunflower in progress


A closer look at Diana Leone’s Sunflower in progress.

Diana Leone's oil painting Bountiful Maui.


Diana Leone’s oil painting Bountiful Maui.

Diana Leone's oil painting Springtime.


Diana Leone’s oil painting Springtime.