Excelsior Springs, MO—Local landmarks and landscapes provided a canvas for more than twenty artists in the inaugural Paint the Town, Plein Air Event last Saturday, June 7th. Judged by award-winning artist Farley Lewis, participants worked all day painting popular locations using the plein air approach.
Attendee Jennifer Riva, from Shawnee, Kansas, spent her day battling shifting sunlight, bugs, heat, and moving cars while capturing the historic downtown.
“In Plein Air, you’re in the elements, you’re chasing the light. “Obviously, trying to work on finishing up this painting, the light has changed,” said Riva. “I’m trying to paint what I saw this morning. And then kind of adapt throughout the day.”
Plein Air painting allows artists to create pieces that are natural and immersed in nature. However, it does increase the stakes because the artist cannot go back and fix mistakes as easily.
“If you are a hardcore Plein Air artist, you do not go back in the studio and touch up or anything like that,” said Riva.
Aside from the difficulty level, the event brought together many artists, local and far, who painted The Elms Hotel, Regent Street Bridge, St. Luke Episcopal Church, and other iconic locations.
Each artist has their own criteria when deciding on locations to paint. For others, they let the location pick them. For the first-place winner and Kansas City, MO, artist Alex Hamil, that’s exactly what happened.
“The location decided for me,” said Hamil. “After about an hour of driving around looking for a vantage point. I just decided to find the best vantage point that was at tree level that was nice and open and had a good landmark.’
Hamil did more than paint the town and claim first place. He played a major role in connecting event coordinator Denice Belcher with others to help orchestrate the event.
“I started talking with Alex Hamill at the art event that was in Kansas City, Brush Creek Artwalk, last year, and that’s kind of how I got started,” said Belcher. “Alex has been instrumental in helping bring this about because he knows a lot of artists and has emails and was able to help spread the word.”
Sponsorships from local businesses, such as Kilgore’s Vintage & Design, Molly Roberts Studio, Other Trails Coffee & Goods, and many more, helped Belcher get this event off the ground.
“There was a little bit of a challenge in finding purchase award sponsors because it was the first event, and who knew if it would be successful or not,” said Belcher.
Looking into the future, Belcher hopes the event can become an annual occurrence for Excelsior Springs.
“I want to bring attention to the community of Excelsior Springs,” said Belcher. “It’s a great community. It’s growing. There are so many beautiful places here to paint.”
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