The Members Show for January and February at the Sagebrushers Gallery will feature the work of many of the 75 Plein Air Painters of Oregon members in a variety of media, much of it done outdoors, and some studio work for comparison. Drop by the gallery Saturday, January 16 for the reception from 2-4pm to meet the artists and talk with them about their work.

Plein Air Painters of Oregon or PAPO is a regional artists’ organization with its roots in Bend. Founded by a group of local outdoor painting enthusiasts in 2003, PAPO provides scheduled opportunities for artists to gather at various locations between April and October.
Often the sites are within an hour’s drive. Most weeks there are at least two events scheduled to choose from. They have sponsored out-of-town paint outs in such locations as Yachats at the ocean, Steens Mountains to the southeast of the state and the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds. In the off-season, they encourage members to gather for “draw-ins” at local coffee houses and pubs.

Work can be seen on display at various galleries during the year sponsoring at least one guest artist workshop for members each year. All types of painting media from watercolor to oils to pastels are used to capture the time and place or our beautiful landscape. It’s an adventure like no other says member Daniel O’Neil!

En plein air is a French expression which means “in the open air” and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein Air artists see and embrace the landscape unvarnished, describing for the viewer the beauty before them.
It is the ultimate battle of light and time. Plein Air artists brave cold, heat, wind to capture a fleeting moment in time. Pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains, soaring cliffs, dashing rivers, twisted junipers, glowing rabbit brush — all are fair game for these talented artists.

They encourage and learn from each other, have only one formal meeting a year and provide a safe and enjoyable environment to paint outdoors with friends. That’s a lot for only $15.

The Members Show for January and February at the Sagebrushers Gallery will feature the work of many of the 75 PAPO members in a variety of media, much of it done outdoors, and some studio work for comparison as well.

Drop by the gallery Saturday, January 16 for the reception from 2-4pm to meet the artists and talk with them about their work.