By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Plein-Air art movement began in the early 19th century in France as a liberating response to more traditional European painting styles and techniques. The movement led the way for French Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renior, the Macchiaioli group in Tuscany, Italy, landscape artists in California and the Hudson River School in the United States, and indeed artists throughout the world.
“Plein-Air” literally translates to “open air” or simply being “outside” while engaging in the creative process of painting. The plein-air movement celebrates nature, and specifically the subtle changes of light, color and weather that an artist can observe in natural surroundings. The style is more free form, with softer qualities, looser brushwork, and tonal colors. Often it depicts pastoral elements in ideal forms, where humans and nature come together peacefully in harmony.
Being outside in the open air, creating art, enjoying trees, water and nature in its purest form—that sounds like everyday life in New Bern—and so it seems natural that artists who participate in plein-air painting would be drawn to our charming historic downtown, where it all comes together so beautifully.
Kippy Hammond, who is the founder and Host Artist of the New Bern Plein Air event, explains why painting in the open air is a valuable experience for artists and patrons alike: “The plein-air experience teaches movement for artists—what light is on a leaf, what the sun or the rain does visually. Painting is usually a solitary thing; artists are isolated in their studio. They create work alone and present that work, and people typically don’t see art happening. Many people have never seen anything like the plein-air event, and here people are able to watch someone create art from front to finish—and it’s mesmerizing. The artist and the observer create a connection, and then the observer gets a fire in them for original art, because buying a piece of art is sharing a piece of somebody’s soul. The reward is that you get to live with it every day in your home. There is a reason that people choose original art as well. It’s personal and people really remember why they are drawn to a particular piece and how it makes them feel.“
Kippy Hammond, whose work has been recognized in numerous exhibitions and solo shows, has received numerous national and international awards for her work. She is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, and is known for her teaching and lectures on creativity and self-mentoring. As the resident artist and director of La Bonne Etoile Artist Retreat in Fontaine-Fourches, France she hosts visiting international artists throughout the year. She holds a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia, and maintains a home in New Bern as well as in Paris, France.
Annalee Ash, who is a local artist who works primarily in oil, painting mountains and meadows, seas and skies, is in her second year organizing the event. She says “Artists love to come to New Bern because every view is a painting. The houses, rivers, boats, streetscape, urban-scape, architecture, people, benches, gardens, churches, marina, historical structures—everything. There is certainly no lack of meaningful subject matter. In fact, it’s almost like, where do I begin? There is something for every type of artist. There is also something about the sky, the water and the pure light in New Bern that creates reflections, and what I call ‘God skies’ because they are so divine. There is nothing else like it.”
Annalee Ash, who was recently named a CAGS Emerging Artist and given an Honorable Mention in the TRAA Exhibit at the Bank of the Arts in New Bern, creates art in order to help viewers find peace, calm and comfort when they observe her work. “It’s a spiritual thing for me,” she says. “I think plein-air painters feel a special kinship and stewardship for our surroundings.”
The New Bern Plein Air event officially begins at sunrise on Monday, May 9th but painters will also be gathering in other locations throughout the week, including Tuesday in Oriental, and Thursday in Beaufort. Thirty-five nationally and locally acclaimed artists will be participating, and patrons can find where artists will be geographically using the En Plein Air app available at Apple App or Google Playstore. Artwork—plein-air style, studio pieces, and wet canvases created throughout the week—will be available to purchase from 9:00am-8:00pm starting Monday morning and continuing all week long through Sunday at the Farmer’s Market in downtown New Bern. On Friday, judging will be held from 3:00pm-6:00pm, with a private ticketed affair from 6:00pm-8:00pm, followed by opportunities to purchase for the public starting at 8:00pm. For more details, go to www.pleinairnewbern.org. Friday is also Art Walk for the City of New Bern, so there will be no shortage of visual stimulation for art-lovers!
“It is an understatement for me to say creativity is the spark of life,” says Kippy Hammond. “I’ve always been committed to that. Creating art is an opportunity to come together as a community. We also should realize the value of art itself and the financial impact art has on our community. It can drive downtown development and tourism. I believe that we are living the 8th day of creation, and our community is making art together.”