Plein Air Painting at Morristown NY Plein Air Event 2014

Gardens at Charles Chapman House

Fall at Morristown Bay

The second annual Morristown Public Library  Plein Air Event was held the first weekend in August. Twenty one artists participated  and came from as far as Rochester NY , New Jersey and near Albany, as well as from Maryland, Pougkeepsie NY and many other places. Artists donated a 5 x 7 inch painting for silent auction and in return the selling commission was only 15%. We all had a great time at the Bella Brook Winery party  Friday evening with bargain priced wine and  plenty of great food donated by the Morristown residents. Visiting artists were spared the expense of a hotel room because of the generosity of the host who provided lodging. Morristown is located on the St Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands NY, just across the River from Brockville Ontario.

The Gardens at the Charles Chapman house (11 x 14 oil), so called because he rented the property summers to paint in the area as well as teach classes. The property is privately owned with a beautiful stone mansion and several ponds, many gardens, and is situated on the St Lawrence River at Morristown Bay. Chapman was a friend and contemporary to Frederick Remington. The museum of works by the latter is located a short distance away in Ogdensburg NY.

Fish Creek at Pope Mills NY

The falls are located at the innermost end of Morristown Bay.  I did the painting with a painting knife. It is 8 x 10 inches and am told the water flow is significant in the spring.  Finally, Fish Creek at Pope Mills, is 8 miles south of Morristown on route #58 at the junction with #184. Pope Mills got its name from Mr. Pope who
built a mill for grain and sawing wood on the creek (long gone). The  area looks like a set for  and old western movie with a General Store (closed 10 years) and several boarded up buildings. I had to stand on a concrete bridge next to the highway to paint and  my Shady-Buddy umbrella only sticks in soft ground. The owner of the property brought out a table size umbrella and stand to shade me and the easel. It was 82 degree F and hotter on the bridge, muggy with no breeze. I had to return the next day to complete the painting and he brought out the umbrella again as well as a cold beer later! I am going to send him a matted print.
The painting is a 9 x 12 inch oil.
Sales were very good at the Sunday silent auction. I sold all three paintings as well as one of the three originals  I  brought for display outside the auction barn. Looking forward to returning next year.