Augusta, MO Plein Air Event and Workshop

                                        Billyo Workshop at the Augusta Plein Air Event

       I learned about the Augusta Plein Air Event from an artist friend who had attended it for the past 5 years.  She said this was a fantastic event sponsored by the community of Augusta, Missouri and open to all artists.  It is a 10 day event with different businesses and local wineries sponsoring daily events with daily purchase awards.  I planned to arrive on Mon. April 25 and to participate in the last 5 events. 

      When I got a notice they were offering a plein air workshop on the first day of the event, taught by Bill O’Donnell, a well-know plein air artist, I decided it would be worth an extra trip to the St. Louis area to take the workshop. Gary and I made it a little “getaway” and we went a day early and visited Hermann, MO, a quaint area near Augusta that has many wineries.  On Wed, April 20^th we drove to Augusta and Gary spent the day taking photos while I attended the workshop. I love to  look for “isms”  when I take a workshop.  “Isms” are little nuggets of information by the presenter that capture the essence of the experience.  Here are a few of Billyo’s “isms.”

     Start painting with a middle value, then add lights and darks.  Big shapes first.

     Look for “hidden colors”  in whites.

     If a painting reads well in the dark, it will read better in the light.

     If you use more than 5 brushes on a painting, you’re insecure!

      Before we left Augusta, we had a chance to meet the lovely couple who had agreed to provide me logding during the next week’s event and visit their home complete with a view of the historic Katy trail, a vineyard and an incredible wine cellar.

"Painting on the Katy Trail"   (my painting during the workshop).

My next 6 posts will highlight my experiences and paintings during the 6 days I spent in Augusta.