BAYarts to host new plein air festival

"En plein air" is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works.

Several years ago, BAYarts hosted the Ohio Watercolor Society Plein Air event which was such a success; they decided to create their own annual event based on the apt tagline "Artistic by Nature."

"Where better to paint outdoors in the fall than in the areas around Huntington Reservation and the Lake Erie shore?" said BAYarts Artistic Director (and a painter herself), Karen Petkovic.

To facilitate the event, BAYarts invited award-winning plein air artist Jeff Suntala, a professional plein air painter who can be seen painting around northeast Ohio various neighborhoods and along the shores of Lake Erie throughout all kinds of weather, year round.

Suntala is a watercolor artist and art educator who belongs to the organized painting groups The Urban Sketchers and The Pretentious Cleveland Portrait Artists. His work has been awarded and displayed throughout Northeast Ohio and nationally.

BAYarts' painting weekend begins Friday, Sept. 23, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 25, with an awards ceremony and sale, followed by a free outdoor concert featuring China Grove, a Doobie Brothers cover band from 5-7 p.m. Participating painters can find details for the Artistic by Nature Annual Plein Air Paint Out and Sale at www.bayarts.net.