Paint out captures the essence of Flagler

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Sunshine beamed down from a blue sky Sunday afternoon, as Laura Darnell sat on the south side of the Flagler Beach boardwalk. A dense fog was settled above the ocean, creating a dreary scene, a scene that Darnell, a visiting painter, was capturing on canvas with oil paint.

Darnell is one of many painters who are participating in the Gallery of Local Art's Plein Air Paint Out. Plein air is a French term meaning outdoors or in the open air. Painting plein air is essentially about observing and painting subjects from life outdoors.

"Painting in nature is always challenging, and it's an amazing experience to be out with the birds and to hear the waves crashing," Darnell said, peering out into the open sea.

Pieces created during the six-day painting outing will be on display at GOLA with an opening reception 5 p.m. Friday, March 7. The show will be judged by Justine Wintersmith, director of the Flagler Fine Arts Festival; Deirdre Rutledge, fine arts teacher in Flagler County; and Jim Challenger, publisher of the Destination Flagler Beach magazine.