I love the smell, of sage brush! Sometimes when I am walking through sage brush on my way to a painting location I will pick a sprig and put it in my nose!
There was plenty of Sage Brush to pick and paint in Richland, May 3-7th, as over 25 PAWA members traveled to the Tri Cities to participate in a Juried show and Plein air Paintout hosted by Gallery at the Park in collaboration with the Allied Art Association and Plein Air Washington Artists.
Many PAWA members drove over Snoqualmie Pass in driving rain, then heavy squalls and high winds on the way to Richland on Sunday to be ready to check in on Monday morning. Providence smiled when we woke to sunny skies and pretty good painting weather for the next three days.
This is the first plein air event hosted by Gallery at the Park. They did a great job organizing all the many parts of an event like this and things went smoothly as we all checked in, stamped our panels and got the information to begin. Some PAWA members who live near by helped out by making maps of the local painting spots. There are lots great places to paint! From Howard Amons Park right near the gallery, to the vineyards of Walla Walla.
The Yakima river meets the mighty Columbia in Richland and further up in Burbank the historic Snake river enters the Columbia river near the McNary National Wetland Refuge and Sacajawea Historic State Park. There are many water way views along with rolling sage brush hills and distant mountain ranges to paint. PAWA members spread out across the territory to find their favorite locations.
We started out at a local favorite location called Snively Road. We drove all the way to the end where you have a view of the river and Rattlesnake Mountain. I went back a mile or so and pulled off the road for my first painting. I have learned like many others that you can fall into the trap of driving around looking for the perfect spot and waste a whole morning....or day! Its best to trust your gut when a view strikes your heart and get one under the belt.
We went on to try out Columbia Point Marina Park. Was able to get over a bank to get out of the wind and do another one of the river and Rattlesnake Mt in the distance. We took a break and tried out one of the excellent Brew pubs before getting in the last painting that day at Top of the World with great views of the valley but very strong winds!
The next day I got up early and went to Howard Amon Park where I saw some beautiful old trees growing near the river. I knew the early sun would light up the trunks and cast nice shadows. A very pleasant morning and I was able to direct a lot of the local walkers to the gallery for the exhibition.
On Thursday the artists met to paint and share take out dinner together back at Columbia Point Park. Artists painted the sage brush fields and the river earlier and then after dinner we painted the sunset. It was great to meet and paint with Janelle's husband James Kroner who came along to join the fun.
The week ended with artists gathering for the gala exhibition and awards ceremony. we all swapped painting stories and caught up with painting buddies and made new friends with the many old and new members of PAWA in attendance.
We are all hoping this plein air event will become an annual event in the future and we can all visit Richland and it's beautiful vistas again!
JURIED SHOW
BEST OF SHOW - Susan McManamen for "Portage Bay"
FIRST PLACE - Dave Roholt for "Rainier from Gig Harbor"
SECOND PLACE - Jenny Kinberg for "Lights Still On"
THIRD PLACE - Robin Weiss for "Consider the Lilies"
HONORABLE MENTION - Lorraine Goddard for "Surprise Whidbey Snow"
HONORABLE MENTION - Julie Stonebraker Nelson for "Mt. Baker Over Fog"
PLEIN AIR
BEST OF SHOW - Robin Weiss for "Sealock Grove"
FIRST PLACE - Min Zhong for "Sunset at the Marina"
SECOND PLACE - Melanie Thompson for "Badger Mountain Sunset"
THIRD PLACE - Leslie Ann Haver for "Coming Attractions"
BEST RIVER - Teri Capp for "Wanawish Sunset"
BEST LANDSCAPE - Brooke Borcherding for "Riverboats and Rattlesnake"
BEST SKY - Julie Stonebraker Nelson for "Fields Above Demoss Road"
Vasari- Award of Excellence for Oil Painting- Susan McManamen for "Dancing at Sunset"
Award of Outstanding Oil Painting- James Kroner for "The Distance"