PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS

“En plein air”, which is the French expression for outdoors or “in open air”, refers to the practice of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting which is typically done indoors under more controlled and prescribed conditions.

My paintings in this gallery are those originally created outdoors. Acrylics are my primary media, but when painting plein air, oils are my go-to media. My start in plein air painting was in 2014.

Northville plein air event

My output, for two of three designated days of this event, were two paintings-- one each day. Those paintings are shown below: (Top) Mills Race Stream (Bottom) Yerkes House

mills race stream, oil

yerkes house, oil

views along the riverwalk, detroit, michigan

Gallery of Plein Air Paintings

RiverWalk meditation, oil

visits to Detroit river international wildlife refuge, trenton

Various excursions to the park by the Detroit River

the path to the river is clear, oil 20”x24”

lake erie metropark & marina-- brownstown, michigan

Lake erie metropark marina i, oil (plein air;studio enhanced)

Despite the lawn crew buzzing by, chopping the lawn, and trimming the barrier along this marina, I set up my paints and captured my initial oil (12”x16”) of the array of sail boats docked in this small channel. The location is the Lake Erie Metropark Marina.

detroit zoo

detroit zoo, royal oak, michigan, Oil, 12”x16”

Elizabeth Park, Trenton, Michigan

Elizabeth Park in Trenton is one of the places that offers a variety of subjects to paint: the Detroit River front, bridges, a gazebo, geese and all types of natural settings.

Other images from my plein air excursions…

Emily Franks Garden, Trenton, Michigan

Blooms at Lake Erie Metropark

Milford, Michigan farm

On a casual visit to Oakwoods Metropark, this individual tree became the subject of pastel plein air sketch.

Sunrise at Crawford Farm, Milford Township, MI

Lake Erie early morning visitors…as I set up!

Mick Mastal (right) and me at Lake Erie Metropark

Icy Open Water at Kensington Metropark

Roadside shack in Milford

Just off the road , in a rural spot in Milford, was this weathered shack nestled under a large tree. This was an oil done while with the Michigan Plein Air Painters in the Milford, Michigan area.

This is a detail of the pastel on the left.

January, 2020 - - milford, michigan

My first 2020 excursion to Kensington Metropark to paint.

(L to R) Parked at Nature Center; set up across the street; two hours of work; a view to use as reference.

January, 2021 - - belle isle, detroit

A rare combination trip meeting my son, Mark, Detroit Zoological Society biologist/herpetologist at the Detroit River doing a mud-puppy survey. My goal was to paint the Belle Ilse conservatory and later drive over to hook up with him.

We held a pre-season meeting of some of the pilots of the Downriver Plein Air Squadron; L to R Judy, Vivian, Tiffany, and Jim.