By Emilie Parten, Reporter for The NavCo Chronicle
The Outdoor Painters Society held a Plein Air art exhibit on Tuesday, August 6th featuring scenes from some of the most beautiful outdoor locations. The Warehouse Living Arts Center hosted a lovely display of 44 paintings in various sizes and provided a delicious spread of food catered by Olive Branch Eatery’s Thyme and Elegance Catering. Art enthusiasts came from all over to debate art and techniques and the artists were able to mingle with people who truly appreciated their talents. There were 7 winners, including a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, 3 merit awards and one Best in Show.
John Caggiano’s “Called to the Sea” took first prize with its poignant imagery and amazing detail. The clever use of light and shadows brings the subjects of the painting directly to your eyes while maintaining a light hopefulness.
2nd place was given to Millie Gosch and her painting “American Houses” which utilizes large chunks of color to give depth and definition. The picture preserves a small moment of the normal, everyday monotony that so many take for granted and reminds the viewer to take a look around every once in a while.
“Prismatic Colors” by Martha Watson took 3rd place. In contrast to the first-place winner, this painting is a night scene which uses the darkness in the background and the depths of its colors to bring its subject into intensely sharp relief. It’s stunningly beautiful use of blending techniques makes the bright use of lighting vibrant and realistic. You can almost imagine the flicker of the street lamp and the twinkling of the spattering of stars overhead.
Merit award winner “Shacky Sheek” by Lynn LaRose uses intense shading and bright colors to give her painting a lively summer heat and bright sunlight feel. There is an air of content seclusion to the shack, as if the person living in it is perfectly happy tending to its small gardens and drinking iced tea on the porch.