HANCOCK COUNTY — More than 25 artists fanned out throughout Hancock County on Saturday to enjoy a day of painting in the great outdoors.
Each armed with an easel, a canvas and tubes of paint, they set up shop outside historic homes, barns, shops and landscapes to paint from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The timed event was hosted by Hancock County Arts, which will display the resulting works of art at the Twenty North Gallery in downtown Greenfield during the upcoming Will Vawter exhibit.
This is the third consecutive year for the arts council to host a timed plein air painting event, although it has hosted several sporadically throughout the years.
Based on the French term for a 19th-century style of painting outdoors — with a strong sense of open air that became a central feature of French impressionism — plein air literally translates to “the open air.”
“You have to pay attention to the light when you’re painting outside, and today is a good day because it’s overcast so the light is pretty calm,” said Alice Hedden, president of Hancock County Arts.
Hedden said artists drove for miles from cities like Muncie, Irvington and Greenwood to attend the event, for which they each paid $20 to participate. Prizes were awarded at the end.
“This is the most we’ve ever had participate,” she said.
Diana Porter and her friend, Teresa Overby, drove from Johnson County to enjoy a day painting under partly cloudy skies.
“Towns like this are among Indiana’s hidden little gems,” said Overby, who spent the day painting the front view of the Hancock County Courthouse.
Saturday was her first time painting plein air.
“I retired a few years ago as a systems accountant and wanted to do something totally different,” said the Bargersville woman, so she took up painting.
“Painting outdoors is so much different from painting in a little spot in your home. When you’re painting indoors, the people don’t move and the flag doesn’t wiggle,” she said with a smile.
A few yards away, her friend was capturing the image of Overby standing alongside Main Street in her own work of art.
Porter had intended to paint the courthouse, but liked the view facing away from the courthouse instead — a view that featured not only Overby working at her easel but a colorful hanging basket of flowers and a billowing American flag.
“What I like about plein air is you have to be on your toes,” said Porter, who lives in Greenwood.
“I like the spontaneity of it. The time limit makes it challenging, and that’s kind of fun. You don’t know what you’re going to paint until you get here,” she said.
The artwork from Saturday’s plein air event will be on display at the Twenty North Gallery from June 14 through July 13.
The exhibit will debut at the open house for the Will Vawter exhibit, which takes place at 6 p.m. Friday at the gallery, at 20 N. State St. in downtown Greenfield.
For more information, visit the Hancock County Arts page on Facebook.
