2009 Plein Air Art Open House & Awards

Fifteen talented plein air artists began arriving in Hope, ID, on Friday Sept 18th, from Washington, Montana, and Idaho. They met for dinner at Kally Thurman’s (Outskirts Gallery) home on the Sam Owen Peninsula to renew friendships and plan their painting strategy for the weekend. Before dawn they fanned out to the Clark Fork Delta, Heron, and Bull River to find their special view of our favorite spots, and paint.

This spontaneous work rich with the smell of fresh paint was framed and hung for the public to view on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Outskirts Gallery in the Hope Market Café. Locally grown organic vegetables and flowers were sold on the porch by Robyn Roberts, which created a colorful and festive autumn market atmosphere.

On September 20th, 2009 the art was judged by an experienced artist and teacher (Stephen Schultz), a wilderness advocate (Phil Hough), and votes from the participating artists and viewing public (over 70 votes).

2009 Plein Air Art Open House at the Outskirts Gallery in Hope, ID
2009 Plein Air Art Open House at the Outskirts Gallery in Hope, ID
2009 Plein Air Art Open House at the Outskirts Gallery in Hope, ID

Jared Shear of Thompson Falls, MT, won Best of Show with his “Bull River” oil painting. Aaron Cordell Johnson of Moscow, ID, was second with his view of “Lightning Creek”, and Diana Botkin from Bonners Ferry was third with her painting of the Pack River Delta. Honorable mention went to Wade Nelson of Thompson Falls, and Kenny Olson of Sandpoint.

The number of paintings that received one or more 1st place votes was impressive and spoke to the quality of the work, and its broad appeal. The importance of keeping and preserving a few remaining tracts of wilderness to give sanctuary for such artistic creativity and spiritual renewal, was lost on no one that came through the gallery to talk to the artists and enjoy their paintings.

These spectacular oils and watercolors are still available to enjoy at Kally’s Outskirts Gallery in Hope. Also, for the next month, two large studio pieces by Jared Shear (“Little Spar Pillars”) and Aaron Johnson (“Majestic Mountain”) that were inspired by their four day arduous trek into the heart of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness this summer are hanging at the Common Knowledge Bookstore and Tea House at 823 Main St in Sandpoint. Also, five smaller plein air pieces are on display at the Hen’s Tooth Studio at 323 N 1st Ave, Sandpoint. Take time this holiday season to stop in and enjoy our artists’ vision of the local wilderness.

Soon, the Scotchman Wilderness Gallery of Art will open its doors on the home page of our new and improved website. You will literally be able to enjoy and purchase art from the comfort of your own home. We are excited that we will be able to share the work of our supportive and very talented artists with the wider wilderness community.

These unique works of art would make a truly remarkable and enduring Christmas present for someone you know who appreciates and loves the inspirational beauty that Nature gifts all of us with in Northern Idaho and Western Montana.

For comments or questions please send email to: Neil@ScotchmanPeaks.org

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