Winter 2024

 

MARCH

Anne Marie Brown – March 2023.

We are still in Cafe Sketch mode this month, but we’ll be busting out in April. Check the “Special Word from James” … section below to find out more about upcoming events!  Enjoy the season’s changes!

Special Note: My thanks for Anne Carrington Asplin for setting up an Asheville Plein Air Instagram page. I’ll add event to it but would love for members to please post their paintings to the page. Link here or go to Menu

Special Word from James …

Happy spring, and while we haven’t had much of a winter there is something about the turning into spring that re-energizes me. I am super excited about the upcoming Asheville Plein Air season.

Before we get to that, I know they’re are a number of folks who get our information but don’t live in the immediate area, so I thought I’d pass along information regarding a new Plein Air group forming in the Indian Trail (Union County, not far from Charlotte/Matthews) area. If you live out that way, or are looking for a road trip, email Alan Capps Art at
alancappsart@gmail.com or visit his website at www.alancappsart.com

Other things to be on the lookout for: The Weaverville Art Safari takes place the last last weekend of April. You can find more information at https://weavervilleartsafari.com While the emphasis isn’t on Plein Air painting I do know some of our group have participated in the past.

But hold that date! Plans are coming together for a three (possibly four) day Plein Air event with California artist Cleo Vilett. Group member Brent Adams and I have been working behind the scenes for what promises to be a fabulous long weekend of learning, painting, and expanding the visibility of the Asheville Plein Air Painters. You have my word that as soon as all the details are finalized I’ll be spreading the word. We are working on making this event fun, expansive, and affordable, so stay tuned!

Applications are now being accepted for the Leicester Artists Studio Tour, taking place in mid August. I had hoped to have a group booth for this event but (unfortunately) they only include individual artists. Applications can be found at https://cometoleicester.org There seems to be a number of plein air artists included, so take a look and see if the fit is right for you!

 

Lastly for now, we’ll still be participating in the North Carolina Arboretum Festival on Saturday, April 27th. I’ll post more specifics as I have them, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

Whew! That’s a LOT to digest. I hope to see everyone soon, and as always be kind to yourself and be kind to the world.

James

I am always looking to add in new and workable sites. If you have one in mind PLEASE get as much information as possible and forward it on to me. By my count we painted at 30 different spots last year and building a reserve of other venues will make my task easier. I already have a few new ones lined up and plan to post a tentative schedule by April 1st.

A number of folks have asked me about the national Plein Air Convention being held in Cherokee. This is a fabulous week of gathering with painters from all around the country, but as you can tell from their website it costs a very pretty penny. If you’re comfortable spending that much, then by all means do go! I will say that we are in the very early process of bringing in (early May) an artist from California for a three and a half day event that will be affordable to most of us. I don’t want to elaborate further until I have more solid information, but if all goes according to plan it will be wonderful and informative. I promise to keep you posted.

See you this Tuesday and beyond. Be well, keep painting, and be kind to yourself and those around you.

James
 

Tuesday, March 12 – Penny Cup Coffee – Haw Creek

What a great turnout this morning at Penny Cup Coffee. Thirteen folks showed up to sketch, enjoy, and share stories. My thanks to everyone! Photos by James Cassara & Terrilynn Dubreuil

 As requested, here’s the online gallery of paintings done at the NC Arboretum Azalea Festival. What a great event that was!

https://www.ncarboretum.org/…/art-gallery-asheville…/

Pastel artists, and we have several among us, are encouraged to check out the NC Pastel Society at www.appalachianpastelsociety.org They’re looking to expand their numbers in our area and I am sure many of you would be welcomed!
Likewise with the newly formed Urban Sketchers of Asheville group. I’ve twice gathered with them and they’re a fine group of folks. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915

If you receive our emails but haven’t yet joined us, NOW IS THE TIME! Don’t be timid!
…. As one first timer said “thanks to everyone for being so welcoming. It was wonderful to spend time doing what we love.” I couldn’t agree more!

Welcome to all new members & be sure to contact James at jjcassara@gmail.com if you want to be put on the mailing list and join the group!

Do check out the sidebar here, the Calendar or Facebook for more information.

Happy Painting!


Some changes from previous years:

 Outdoor paint outs will commence in early April with specific sites to be announced. The schedule will shift, with our

FIRST AND THIRD paint outs of the month on Tuesday, and
SECOND and FOURTH paint outs on Thursday.
• If a month has a FIFTH week, those paint outs will be on Saturday.

These changes are to accommodate those who cannot make a specific day of the week, or work a M-F schedule.

I understand these changes seem radical and will require some adjusting but, after meeting with former APAP director Sue Dolamore and stalwart member Sandy Moore, I truly feel they’re for the best. I left our meeting feeling optimistic and excited about the future of our group. (James Cassara)

 

A Final Word From James:

In addition to our website and Facebook page I will be sending out weekly reminders 3 or 4 days prior to each paint out. If you wish to receive these reminders you must email me (James) at jjcassara@gmail.com to be added to the list. Please don’t assume because you’ve been a member of the group you’ll automatically be added. In this regard we’re beginning from scratch.

email List:

If you would like to be added, please email James Cassara at jjcassara@gmail.com 


If you want to share your paintings for the event day, post them on the Facebook site or send them to Rosemarie and we’ll add them to our galleries for each paint-out. We also have a general gallery for each month which you can share something you’ve done during the month.

Also note: If the weather looks very bad we will post to the Facebook page and our website that a paint out has been cancelled. Always check those places the morning of the event to be sure. If the weather is “iffy” it’s left up to your discretion whether or not to go.


 

Next Event!

PLAN B

March 28th Thursday – Yellow Mug Coffee
113 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
MAP

The weather for tomorrow’s paint out at Weaverville Main Street Park is looking a bit iffy. We’re scheduled to meet at 10am with a prediction of overcast skies (thankfully no rain) and temperatures in the mid 40s and brisk winds. Let’s instead go with our “plan B” and meet at 9:30 at Yellow Mug Coffee, 113 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787 The owners are super nice folks, the baked goods and coffees are terrific, and we can keep Weaverville Park in our back pocket for sometime in April.

Special Note:

I also want to plug two upcoming events. From March 1 through April 14 our friend Chris Jehly will be having an exhibit of his plein air watercolors at Tyger Tyger Gallery in the River Arts District, 191 Lyman Street Suite 144. I’ve been privileged to see a few of Chris’ new works and they’re FANTASTIC. Opening reception is March 1 from 6-8.

Planning ahead

Remember to always check the Facebook page, our website, and the weekly Mailchimp for changes. I’ve done my best to create a tentative schedule for the entire year but things do come up, and changes do have to be made.

Planning way ahead …

The North Carolina Arboretum is eager to again have the Asheville Plein Air Painters partner with them for the Azalea Festival. This year’s event was a HUGE hit. So mark those calendars for April 27, 2024. This year they’d also like to host an in-house exhibit of work produced for the festival. It’s going to be great!

Final Note:

If you love to sketch (and who among us doesn’t need more practice?) be sure to check out our “sister” group, The Urban Sketchers Asheville. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915

Thanks and happy Painting, James

Where We’ve been in 2023

Check the Galleries to see past locations of our paint-outs!