“Notes from the intrepid plein air painter in North Vancouver..”
by Sheree Jones
Saturday morning dawned rainy with expected showers and more rain throughout the day. While not the ideal conditions for painting outdoors, more than fifty hearty souls showed up to sign in at my local Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge. Mingling with friends outside the store, we shared our ideas about locations while keeping dry.
I had scouted the area earlier and planned to paint three yellow school buses at the local high school. Big yellow buses on a gray day would be perfect! And it being a Saturday, surely they wouldn’t move. Well, so much for that idea.
Rule number one- don’t count on moving objects as reliable subject matter.
I carried on towards the water, entered the dog walking park and nestled somewhat under a birch tree for shelter. Two umbrellas, a camping poncho and gore-tex pants were my companions. As I always work in oils, the rain took quite some time to compromise my palette.
After two hours, I began to periodically pick up my palette and pour off the collecting rainwater.
Rule number two- when painting in the rain, find a really big tent (or make friends with someone who has one).
After about two hours, my friend and colleague Lorn Curry came by to take photos of me and some of the other painters scattered throughout the area. Some people set up tents, others parked themselves under a pedestrian overpass while many simply braved the wet with as much individual rain gear they could carry.
Being in the dog park I met many new furry friends and their owners. Lots of dogs were quite curious of me, sniffing around my gear wrapped in plastic on the ground.
Rule number three- Keep your roast beef sandwich out of reach of canines in a doggy park.
Painting on the shoreline with a view of the city was quite a challenge for me. I usually paint greener, more organic landscapes, so buildings and barges were really new to me. I usually only give myself two to three hours on any one plein air study, mostly because of fast changing light, but fast changing dampness was my time factor that day. Fortunately, the barges in my view did not move, nor did the city’s iconic skyline.
In talking to fellow painters later, some felt an advantage in working with watercolour and created some beautiful work. Others working in acrylic felt challenged by the extra moisture, but also created some amazing pieces. Mostly though, this extremely hearty group were exhilarated by the challenge and rose to it with gusto.
Opus North Vancouver had just moved their location, so the day was also for celebrating their new location with a “Grand Opening” party. At 5pm everyone gathered to see each others paintings, and to share in food, beverages and music. There was also a giant raffle with many incredible prizes.
The jurying was completed by Sandy Waters and Andrew McDermott.
The winners are as follows:
1st: Dimitry
2nd: Rene Gourley
3rd: Norm Vipond
Honourable mention: Ruby Gourley
Well done, everyone, for your unwavering participation in the Opus Plein Air Challenge 2013!
A Guided Outdoor Painting WorkshopJune 3, 2025 - 4:59 pm
16th Annual Grand Prix Plein Air ChallengeJune 2, 2025 - 12:06 pm
Beginners Plein Air :: Qualicum BeachMay 21, 2024 - 2:12 pm
Plein Air in Kelowna with Michael KingMay 16, 2024 - 4:04 pm
Grand Prix d’Art :: 2013
/by pabcDate: July 27th, 2013
Time: 10am Start time
Location: Qualicum Beach, BC, the Old School House Art
Cost: $20 which includes lunch
Info:
The Grand Prix d’Art, hosted by “The Old School House Arts Centre“, is a “race”; competing artists must complete a work of art “en plein air” in the space of three hours. This year each artist will be assigned a zone in the picturesque town of Qualicum Beach by lottery. Prior to the event, local businesses are approached to sponsor an artist. Those sponsoring businesses will be in the designated zones from which the artist must work. The work must represent or be inspired by some thing or person that is visible from the assigned location. Most locations are within walking distance of The Old School House. The finished work must be in presentation condition, titled and priced for sale no later than one hour after completion. A panel of three judges then determines the winners of the contest. $20.00 entry fee includes an Artist Meal at the end of the event will be provided; companion meals may be purchased for $10.00. Prizes to be announced.
Schedule:
10:00 Registration and site selection
10:45 Proceed to site.
11:00 When Town Clock strikes 11:00 pm – START YOUR PAINTING
2:00 When Town Clock strikes 2:00 pm – STOP YOUR PAINTING, return to the Old School House for framing and hanging of pictures. Note: You may return to the Old School House at any time after you are finished your work.
Deadline: 2:15 – you must have returned to the Old School House.
Work is to be framed and priced for the 3:00 pm judging. No touch ups allowed.
3:00 Judging commences when the hanging is completed. An Artist Meal will be served at 3:00. Spouses and friends may join you for the meal. (Companion Meal: $10.00 fee should be paid when you register so we know the numbers.)
4:00 Award Presentation
Grand Prix d’ Art Entry Form can be found in the events section of their website.
Reflections :: Art for an Oil Free Coast
/by pabcReflections – Art for an Oil Free Coast is a documentary video showing a group of 50 artists traveling into the Great Bear Rainforest. It runs 23 minutes and is well worth the time.
Dan Gray :: BC Plein Air Painter
/by pabcLearn to Paint Outdoors
/by pabcDate: July 6th to 7th, 2013
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: $140
Instructor: Sheree Jones
Information:
Learn to paint outdoors with oils, a fun and simple approach.
This workshop will provide you with the basics of drawing, colour mixing and composition. Through demonstrations, handouts and group discussion, you will learn techniques used by plein air painters around the world.
Explore your own backyard – the “North Shore” and discover new vistas, while painting en plein air in the luscious medium of oil.
Registration: Call Sheree at 604.980.0855
Download Information Poster
Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge :: 2013 :: North Shore
/by Sheree Jones“Notes from the intrepid plein air painter in North Vancouver..”
by Sheree Jones
Saturday morning dawned rainy with expected showers and more rain throughout the day. While not the ideal conditions for painting outdoors, more than fifty hearty souls showed up to sign in at my local Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge. Mingling with friends outside the store, we shared our ideas about locations while keeping dry.
I had scouted the area earlier and planned to paint three yellow school buses at the local high school. Big yellow buses on a gray day would be perfect! And it being a Saturday, surely they wouldn’t move. Well, so much for that idea.
Rule number one- don’t count on moving objects as reliable subject matter.
I carried on towards the water, entered the dog walking park and nestled somewhat under a birch tree for shelter. Two umbrellas, a camping poncho and gore-tex pants were my companions. As I always work in oils, the rain took quite some time to compromise my palette.
After two hours, I began to periodically pick up my palette and pour off the collecting rainwater.
Rule number two- when painting in the rain, find a really big tent (or make friends with someone who has one).
After about two hours, my friend and colleague Lorn Curry came by to take photos of me and some of the other painters scattered throughout the area. Some people set up tents, others parked themselves under a pedestrian overpass while many simply braved the wet with as much individual rain gear they could carry.
Being in the dog park I met many new furry friends and their owners. Lots of dogs were quite curious of me, sniffing around my gear wrapped in plastic on the ground.
Rule number three- Keep your roast beef sandwich out of reach of canines in a doggy park.
Painting on the shoreline with a view of the city was quite a challenge for me. I usually paint greener, more organic landscapes, so buildings and barges were really new to me. I usually only give myself two to three hours on any one plein air study, mostly because of fast changing light, but fast changing dampness was my time factor that day. Fortunately, the barges in my view did not move, nor did the city’s iconic skyline.
In talking to fellow painters later, some felt an advantage in working with watercolour and created some beautiful work. Others working in acrylic felt challenged by the extra moisture, but also created some amazing pieces. Mostly though, this extremely hearty group were exhilarated by the challenge and rose to it with gusto.
Opus North Vancouver had just moved their location, so the day was also for celebrating their new location with a “Grand Opening” party. At 5pm everyone gathered to see each others paintings, and to share in food, beverages and music. There was also a giant raffle with many incredible prizes.
The jurying was completed by Sandy Waters and Andrew McDermott.
The winners are as follows:
1st: Dimitry
2nd: Rene Gourley
3rd: Norm Vipond
Honourable mention: Ruby Gourley
Well done, everyone, for your unwavering participation in the Opus Plein Air Challenge 2013!