Blog

Each year during the month of May,, I paint out at the Overland Park Arboretum during the Stem Plein Air Event. This event is a fundraiser for the Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park. This year the weather was absolutely beautiful. A few showers here and there but lots of sunshine and mild temperatures made it a delightful outdoor painting adventure. There are other locations where you can also paint for the event but my favorite location is always the arboretum. Painting among the flowers with all the activity of the hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other garden creatures makes for a deliteful painting experience. Several opportunities are available to purchase the paintings chosen from those submitted by the artist. If your painting(s) are selected they can be chosen to show and sell at the private pre-sale event for Stems VIPS, a month long Art at the Center feature show or the Stems Plein Aire Paint sales tent during the "Garden Soirée ". I have submitted three paintings this year and am hoping that one or all get chosen for one of the sales opportunities. All three paintings are on my website and currently "on hold" pending the judging event. The wonderful thing about painting at an event is being able to see all the wonderful works being created by all the artists. This year was exceptional, in my opinion. Meeting up with fellow artists and friends all creating and enjoying the commarardiere was heaven. There is going to be some beautiful art available to the patrons this year if what I saw being created is any example. I also love that as people walk around the gardens, they stop and inquire about your art and ask great questions about the creation of it. I especially love to answer questions and comments from the children. With many schools doing away with full time art as a subject, it is a venue for children to see art in action and hopefully aspiring to create their own masterpieces or look for an artist to take lessons from in the future. I love how an artist's vision can transform how a person looks at a scene or a flower. Art can transport you from your everyday life to a place of beauty and serenity that no other medium can do quite as well. (In my opinion). It's a glorious feeling to transport someone to a place or scene with art and one of the many reasons I paint, as it also does the same for the creator of the art. So, wish me luck with my submissions and definetley make a trip to the Arboretum as it is well worth the drive. Happy Painting, See you in the gardens, Jennylynne Gragg