A Tribe of Painters by Wyatt Waters

By guest artist Wyatt Waters, Clinton MS 

It’s always been paint. Since I was two and a half. It was an old house. Mother gave me a brush and let me help her spatter the floor of our kitchen to help create a linoleum like pattern and cover up the hole repairs. I remember the sensation of paint. 

Table for Two or Tree ©2018 Wyatt Waters

I think it’s an impulse to see ourselves. Cave men in ancient France decorated their walls with painted bison and airbrushed paint through a reed using their hand to create a stencil. I remember tracing my hand on paper as a kid. I suppose that cave painting was the first hand turkey. It was more than just decoration though. The bison was god. They lived according to their hunt for bison. It provided food and tools and clothing and stories of the hunt around a fire. It gave them reason to form together as a society. The outline of their hands was their signature. It told them who they were. It provided evidence that they had been there.

Bambi, ©2018 Wyatt Waters

I think at the core of painting there is much much more than the representation of what we see. There is how we see and the more mysterious how we feel. At its best, painting combines them all. 

Water Pole ©2018 Wyatt Waters

Crowds gathered to watch Wyatt Waters demo in May 2018 in Port St Joe, Fl . Wyatt served on the faculty of Plein Air South.

When I couldn’t say how I felt to myself, I could always paint. When I couldn’t fit in socially, I was able to gain acceptance with a brush. When I wiggled more than I should have, I was given a stubby pencil and a church bulletin and was able to be still. When I was trying to work out an idea, I drew it first. When I was dreaming of how things should be, I planned on paper. I also lost most girlfriends over my decision to paint. I drove older cars because I made art and some people laughed. I lived in homes that other people would not. I was and still am often confused with someone who might not have a home. I have been told I was lazy. 

Gardening ©2018 Wyatt Waters

Once in a while, there are people who throw things from their cars as I paint. It can be so hot the paint evaporates as soon as it hits paper. There are days it’s so cold it freezes before my eyes. In the end, It all balances out and I’m left only with the paint. 
I am like those ancient cavemen who did the same thing. It’s my life I am painting. I follow the herd and go where it leads me.

Video: Static - written and performed by Wyatt Waters.

Widely known for his watercolors of Southern culture, Waters creates paintings of the roadside South. His works have been featured in Art & Antiques, American Artist, Watercolor, Plein Air Magazine, Mississippi Magazine and Delta Magazine. His paintings are held in private and corporate collections. Waters has had solo shows at the Mississippi Museum of Art, The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, The Meridian Museum of Art and The Jackson Municipal Gallery. He owns and operates the Wyatt Waters Gallery in Clinton, MS.

Wtatt has published books of his paintings and collaborated with Robert St. John on “A Southern Palate,” “Southern Seasons,” “A Mississippi Palate“ and “An Italian Palate.” He and Robert St. John also produce and host the “Palate to Palette” series on MPB. He received the MS Institute of Arts & Letters Award for “An Oxford Sketchbook” and the MS Library Association Special Award for Art for his collaboration with Robert St. John, “A Southern Palate.” He has the recipient of the Mississippi Governor’s Award for his painting. He lives with his dog, James in Clinton, MS.

This fall Wyatt and Robert traverse the state of Mississippi in a one-of-a-kind deep dive into the food, art, music, and culture.

A big thanks to Wyatt Waters for his story!

Follow this blog about Mississippi artists. In the coming weeks, this site will be publishing works by several plein air painters from around Mississippi. 

Contact Dot Courson at artist@dotcourson.com to find out how to contribute. 

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The Creation of North Mississippi Plein Air Painters

By guest artist, Linda Peters of Oxford, MS 

As we approach the middle of summer, we have begun to plan the 4^th Annual Paint Out for the North Mississippi Plein Air Painters. Looking back over the last three years, I can truly say we have come a long way.

Four years ago, after attending Olmsted in Atlanta, my passion for painting outdoors was without a doubt going to be a part of my life that I wanted to share.  

Mississippi Sunset, 8x10, Oil on Panel, Private Collection ©2018|Linda Peters

Untitled, 8x8, Oil on Panel, Wolf River Swamp in Pass Christian, MS ©Linda Peters

After getting a few artist friends to commit, we started a group called North Mississippi Plein Air Painters with a plan to meet once a month, and have a three-day event each fall. Most didn’t know much about outdoor air painting and I had only experienced it a few times.

Pam Locke, Sony Strauss, and Katherine Adams

To kick off the start of this group, I offered my farm on a remote county road away from any hustle and bustle. The three-day paint out was very organized and I was well received with my “know how”. The first day got off to a good start with Mother Nature giving us a beautiful display of lovely fall colors.  The attendance was surprising with most not knowing what a “Paintout” is all about. At the end of the third day, most knew that this style of painting was truly adventurous.

Linda Peters with her pet donkey

That first year we came away with a few incidents and stories to tell: someone’s umbrella went for a float in the pond, (more than once), my donkeys were more curious than I imagined and got paint on their noses and then on us, and each person looked as though they had packed their entire studio without really knowing what they needed, but the fun we had learning from each other reinforced the idea that Mississippi needs this group to show what our state looks like through the eyes of outdoor artist’s.  

Susan Rose with Linda's pets

Many lessons were learned the last three years including numerous studies to take back to the studio.  The highlight of 2017 was how each artist had become inspired to study the outdoors, anticipating the elements, while creating lovely paintings. As I recall, the umbrella did get in the pond again and the donkeys are always happy to help.

Spring Serenity by Linda Peters, 6x16, Oil on Panel, Calhoun County, Private Collection

I was with Susan Patton painting on the side of a county road. The wind was blowing so hard, we both had to stand behind our vehicles!

 

So, as we plan for this year, the opportunities are limitless for this brave group as we share this with other artist across the state. Our goals are to mature as outdoor painters, travel around the state, and share our creations with others who have no idea what adventures they are missing.

L to R, Front: Vicki Ramsey, Carol Roark, Pam Locke, Janet Barnes, Linda Peters

Back: Debbie Myers, Tammy Cook, Pat Gillenwater, and Justin Treadaway.

Linda is a self-taught artist who has painted for as long as she can remember. Her favored medium is oil, which she uses to great effect in her bold, brightly toned canvases.

Born and raised in Mississippi, she currently resides in rural Oxford, Mississippi. She is the founder of North Mississippi Plein Air Painters and an active member of both the Oxford Artist’ Guild and Gallery and Oil Painters of America.  She most recently illustrated the children’s book, Farzana’s Journey: A story of the land, water, and people.

Although she has no formal art training, Linda pursues her art education by attending workshops, studying the “masters”, and constantly reading. She works hard under the direction of other well-known and fellow artist to reach her full potential as a landscape artist.

A big thanks to Linda Peters for her story!

Follow this blog about Mississippi artists. In the coming weeks, this site will be publishing works by several plein air painters from around Mississippi. 

Contact Dot Courson at artist@dotcourson.com to find out how to contribute. 

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Life as an Artist

 By guest Bloger, artist Beth Dean of Madison, MS

Beth plein air sketching in Istria 2018

Beginning:

Painting has always a huge part of my life since an early age.  I learned to paint en plein air when I was 8 years old from a well-known local artist, Myra Green of Jackson, MS.  (Of course, nobody in Mississippi CALLED it “en plein air” way back then…..we were just painting outside! )  Myra always had me paint outdoors from life, not photos.  Her wisdom in teaching was in not showing me how to paint a tree, but instructing me to really LOOK at the tree and paint what I saw. What a gift to me as a young child to learn to paint this way! This is truly the heart and soul of painting en plein air.

Returning:

Over the years, I painted off and on, with long breaks due to running a business, raising children and life in general.  After retiring in 1998, I returned to my life-long dream as a professional artist.  I have had the privilege to study from many accomplished artists who have continued my education, stretched my knowledge and encouraged me.  Combining plein air painting with my travel wanderings is an on-going obsession for me.

 

 Beth’s 9” x 12” plein air painting in Harbor of Korcula 2018

                                           

 Beth painting with her students in Croatia 2018

             

Expanding:

I recognized several years ago, while traveling with 2 young sons in tow, that painting with oils en plein air was not always practical.  Sketching became my next-best thing.  My incredibly-gifted-sketcher/architect husband and I gave each son his own sketch book, so it started our travel ritual to sketch at some point every day. ( I find that most children are natural artists and it was a great way to keep them occupied while waiting for food to arrive!)    Over the years, this ritual has added dimension to my direct observation of real life, and has created a tangible memory of wonderful experiences.  I strongly encourage daily sketching, and particularly Travel Sketch Journaling, to artists and to non-artists alike.   You will be surprised how much this will improve your painting and enrich your life.

Travel Sketch example

     Beth teaching Travel Sketch Journaling 2018

       

On-going:

Painting, like life, is not a destination, it is a journey…...  And as that old adage goes:  Drawing will always make you a better painter, but painting will never make you a better drawer.  With these two thoughts in mind, I continue to draw and paint from direct observation daily.  Well, as daily as possible!

I consider it a privilege and obligation to share my knowledge of painting with others, since other artists have graciously shared their knowledge with me. I frequently receive messages from people needing advice, encouragement, lessons or a painting buddy, and I welcome these opportunities. I am most grateful for the experiences and friendships that life as an artist has given me.  Above all, I believe that we are to honor God in all that we do, with the talents and abilities He has given us.  Colossians 3:17

Beth Dean is a Mississippi native who holds a BS in Interior Design from Mississippi State, with an elected emphasis in Renaissance Art History.  She paints en plein air, is a studio painter, and an Urban Sketcher.  Her studio is next to her home on a lake in Madison County. Beth travels frequently to paint and to sketch en plein air.  She is partial to Italy, and loves adventure and discovering places where she gathers inspiration for her paintings.

Beth teaches plein air workshops, studio oil painting, and her most requested workshop, Travel Sketch Journaling. In September, Beth will be teaching a 1-Day Workshop in Helena, AR,  where she is  the Juror of  “Helena on the Mississippi.....en Plein Air” paint-out competition. 

You can see her work and contact her at:

www.bethdeanstudio.com

bethdeanstudio on Instagram

Beth Dean Studio on Facebook

Beth Dean Artist on Twitter

A big thanks to Beth Dean for her wonderful post!

Follow this blog about Mississippi artists. In the coming weeks, this site will be publishing works by several plein air painters from around Mississippi. 

Contact Dot Courson at artist@dotcourson.com to find out how to contribute. 

I'm Social!

Click to join me right now at these links:

Website: www.dotcourson.com. 

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Lessons Learned From Painting Daily

By Guest Blogger artist Carol Roark

Carol painting on her farm north of Charleston, Mississippi 

 In the fall of 2017 with the encouragement of the CSA Award (Community Supported Arts) given by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, I challenged myself to paint a painting a day for 200 days.  Over the years, I have heard several instructors talk about this challenge and how it would strengthen you as an artist. I had even done a 30 day challenge here and there, but I had never pinned myself down to a commitment such as this.

 I signed a contract with myself.

What better way to commit yourself to a project, right?... and started to paint. I gave myself a few stipulations:

1. All of the work would be plein air or if conditions were just impossible, at least from life.
2. I would not spend more than an hour on each painting. I wanted these paintings to be studies. I wanted to concentrate on mass and value and not details. I wanted to experiment and challenge myself.     
3. Paintings would be small - no larger than 8” x 10” and most no bigger than 6”x 8”.

What did I learn? 

The first thing I tell everyone who asks me this question, is that I should have done this 25 years ago. The visual education and brush mileage that I gained feels unmeasurable to me. I felt like what I imagine actors feel like when they stay “in character” while working on a specific role. After about 3 weeks, it was like I was always “in character” as a painter. If I wasn’t painting with a brush, I was sketching. If I was sketching, I was painting in my head.

 

Carol happily painting in the happiest place on Earth” 

I tend to be somewhat shy, especially when I am painting, but I learned to break out of my shell and become comfortable painting anywhere (even Disney World!). I also developed a love for the southern landscape and the changing of the seasons like I never have before. Most importantly, I got better and I realized there is NO substitute for brush miles and this is coming from someone who has been painting for many years, just not as focused as this.

 

Carol painting at the Windsor Ruins, a bucket list check!

My project has now come to an end, but I am still on the roller coaster and I’m not sure I ever want to get off - a day or two away from the easel and I almost feel lost. I am now spending my time focusing on larger works and implementing what I learned over the past several months. I also never go more than week without painting plein air.

 

Carol with a few of her 200 paintings during the CSA reception at the Powerhouse in Oxford

So I challenge anyone reading this to try a daily painting project. Go at least 60 days, preferably more. It will rain, the wind will blow, the bugs will come out and it will be hotter and colder than you can imagine, but I can promise you will come away a better painter with an amazing experience.

 Carol Roark is a full time artist and teacher living on the bluff of the Mississippi Delta. She received her BFA from Mississippi State in 1992 and then continued to study painting with artist Sammy Britt after graduation.  She has also had the privilege of studying with Kim English, Jason Saunders and Marc Hanson (who was an influential  mentor through the 200 day project) 

You can view more of her work on her website at www.carolroark.com, on Facebook under Roark Studios and on Instagram @roarkstudios.

A big thanks to Carol Roark for her wonderful post!

Plein Air News From Oxford to Ocean Springs Mississippi... and Beyond

Plein Air Events in Mississipppi

When I first started this blog there had been plein air groups in Mississippi but not a single one was active at the time. Now there are several small groups, and one is especially active in Oxford. My daughter Susan Patton paints with them and our friend Linda Peters serves as the leader of the group. They are the North Mississippi Plein Air Painters. I am mostly a studio painter but do go out if the weather is cool to paint when I'm invited. So (disclaimer here) I'm not the only news source for plein air events in Mississippi, but I do play that role on this blog. If anyone in MS ever has a painting event that I don't know about, just send me your copy and some photos for the blog!  

Susan Patton of Bruce, MS

Here is a photo my daughter artist Susan Patton texted me from the Oxford square this spring telling me she sold her painting right off the easel to a client of hers, an Ole Miss alumni who was in town from North Carolina. Susan was already painting their daughter's portrait so that was a serendipitous moment for them both!  

Susan Patton painting on the square in Oxford, Mississippi. 

  

Susan is known for her lovely plein air work (see images below) but also has a love and interest in portraiture. I love her versatility and here are images of her judging a show in Tennessee and also doing a demo en plein air and teaching portraiture at one of her workshops. She has taught this year in MS, TN and soon will be teaching at an already sold out workshop in Panama City, FL!   You go girl!!

Susan assisting a student in one of her workshops here at my studio.

Susan Patton demo in a Tennessee Plein Air competition in spring of 2018 where she served as judge.

©2018 Susan Patton Art - portrait commission. 

Marc Hanson, OPAM of Pontotoc, MS

My friend Marc Hanson is all over the place. Look at his work on his website. It's inspiring! He lives in Pontotoc but not really because he travels so much. He's sweet and amazing. I'm so happy for him that he was named an Oil Painters of America Master painter this year! He's an "artist's artist" and I like to mention him to people just to make it sound like Pontotoc is a popular art destination, since he lives here.  Marc has been painting around Pontotoc (where he lives- did I mention that?) and other parts of Mississippi, but also travels. A lot. 

This year Marc has painted in Indiana, North and South Carolina coasts, Florida, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Georgia, Indiana and other places. He was  teaching in most of those places, judging big National shows, etc., ..........and speaking of teaching- He is teaching here this fall at our workshop again! We already have people coming to Pontotoc from New York and even Mexico. When you have workshops in rural areas with master artists you bring the world to our small town! There are still a couple of openings left in his workshop here so contact us HERE if interested. 

Marc Hanson painting at Plein Air South in Port St Joe, 2018.

Marc Hanson paining in Mississippi.

Please note: Correct dates are September 24-29, 2018 for Marc's workshop in MS! 

My Own Plein Air 2018

I favor painting outside... but only in cool weather. So far this year I have been painting around here some and also in Gadsden, Alabama's Plein Air Invitational again, and also in Ocean Springs as described below. We had beautiful weather! 

Knew this was going to be a good one as soon as I glanced at the scene.

The finished painting. (Sold)

Early morning fog was lifting fast as the sun rose......

The above as a finished painting, Available.

As I said, I also went to Ocean Springs at the invitation of event host, my good friend artist Jerrod Partridge who hosted the La Côte en Plein Air - Ocean Springs, MS.  When Jerrod invited me to paint I came down to do it and also to swap out some paintings to the Pink Rooster Gallery there as well.  So I called my good friend Debbie High of Lumberton, MS to go with me. Boy did we have fun! 

My dear friend Phil Sandusky of New Orleans was also invited and I got to see him, and also had the opportunity to get to know some of the Mississippi Gulf Coast painters who were there as well. Like Curtis Jaunsen. Love his remarkable work and it was a treat to finally meet him and become friends.

Phil Sandusky and Dot Courson painting in Ocean Springs

The start of one of my paintings. I love little pink houses!! But I didn't finish it an wiped it off!

This actually was awarded "Artists Choice" believe it or not! ©2018 Dot Courson

Debbie High in her painting apron talking to one of the coastal artists.

Flyer for the event. It was exceptional!! 

Workshops for Plein Air Artists

As I mentioned above Marc Hanson is teaching September 24-28, 2018 and we have a couple spots left. I have had many people who have said they were sending checks but have not yet so first come, first serve. 

This spring we had Jason Saunders of Tennessee teaching en plein air painting. Here is he group out on a cool morning:  

Below is a plein air painting I did of  our neighbor, Mr. Kemp's barn. It is 11x14 and I'm giving it to he and his wife as a gift for letting us (along with about a hundred different artists) paint on all his property all these years!  

Kemp Barn 11x14 Oil. ©2018|Dot Courson

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