When most people think of plein-air painting, they picture artists sitting at an easel, palette in hand, quietly capturing the scene before them. After all, “en plein air” is French for “in the open air.” As it turns out, many plein-air painters also work from photographs to combat changing light and weather conditions. The inaugural Plein Air Legacy Event at Tlaquepaque – PALET for short – will celebrate the artists who paint outdoors without the use of a camera, which is what PALET is all about. From June 3-5, 11 Arizona painters will gather at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village to paint models, architecture and the landscape, all without the assistance of a camera. Art lovers are invited to watch these artists in action. Sunday evening, the public is invited to a closing reception and awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. (There will also be an awards ceremony – open to the public – Friday at 5:30 p.m. for paintings created prior to PALET.) Artwork will be sold throughout the event. There is no cost to attend PALET or its award ceremonies and receptions. This is a collaborative event with Sedona Arts Center. For more information, visit www.tlaq.com or call 928-282-4838. – Erika Ayn Finch
PALET 2016 in Sedona
Williamson Tapia, oil painter and organizer of the inaugural Plein Air Legacy Event at Tlaquepaque.
