San Angelo, TX
Various locations, October 23-30
Creative Living by Suzie Baker
This story was featured in the October 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Historic San Angelo earned the nickname “Oasis of West Texas” for good reason. The city lies in the heart of the Concho Valley—smack-dab in the middle of ranching country—and is home to nearly 400 acres of developed park space, more than 10 miles of river frontage, and a host of botanical gardens. San Angelo native Barbara Rallo, a painter herself, knew a plein-air opportunity when she saw one. The artist worked with the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts to introduce En Plein Air Texas, a national juried art show and sale. The third annual event kicks off on October 23, bringing together 35 artists from 18 states to paint San Angelo’s eclectic western charm and surrounding scenic beauty.
“We’re drawing a lot of award-winning painters to an area that is new territory for most artists,” says Rallo. Among this year’s participants are nationally recognized painters Mary Pettis, Hiu Lai Chong, Carl Bretzke, Ray Hassard, Shelby Keefe, John Lasater, and Jason Sacran. Between October 23 and 28, the artists paint at designated areas in downtown San Angelo, on nearby ranches, along country roads, and in the parks and water lily gardens. Throughout the week, the artists can also be spotted painting en plein air along the banks of the North Concho River that flows through the city. The event is designed to give artists every opportunity to meet the public, says Rallo.
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- North Baze Beasts by Tim Oliver
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- Behind the Blacksmith Shop by Patrick Saunders
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- Creative Living by Suzie Baker
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- Night Watch by Hiu Lai Chong
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- Cactus Colors by Nyle Gordon
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- Beauty Is Where You Find It by Ray Hassard
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- Old Texas Theater by Shelby Keefe
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- Dusty Road by Paul Kratter
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- Sunset at the Station by John Lasater
The artists are expected to complete as many as 250 paintings, including 70 competition entries. The varied paint-out settings guarantee assorted subject matter, from Texas sunrises and sunsets to desert scenes, pastoral landscapes, ranch animals, iconic late 19th-century architecture, and old train yards and locomotives. (Works shown here are representative samples from last year’s event.) Early works are on display October 24-27 in a show and sale at Gallery Verde. Collectors interested in having first dibs on award-winning works should plan to attend the Art Collectors’ Stampede and Awards Party at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28, held in the Quartermaster Building at historic Fort Concho. All paintings, including the winning entries, are on view in the Quartermaster Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 29 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 30. —Kim Agricola
contact information
325.656.2500
www.enpleinairtexas.com
This story was featured in the October 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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