Loose Leaf Notes

The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on August 22, 2019.

Long before Kyle Buckland knew what the term “Plein Air” meant (French for “in the open air”), he only painted outside. Inspired by the impressionist landscape painters he saw in art books, when he was 15 he made a deal with his parents. He didn’t have to do his homework until after the sun went down, so he could paint outdoors. “I grew up painting these mountains,” said the artist from Abington.  It was his second time attending the Floyd Plein Air Biennial Festival (August 12 – 17). He and his wife, also a painter, camped at Chantilly Farm during the festival week.

Jennifer Young chose a field of wildflowers and a barn as the subject of one of her paintings on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Young, who lives in Ashland, studied painting at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, and later studied landscape painting with various teachers. She attended the first Floyd Plein Air Festival and has come back every year since then.

Kim Hall of Richmond put some finishing strokes on her canvas before a shower on Wednesday. “I might have to jump in my car,” she said, adding that she likes storms because “they make interesting skies.” She had gone to Mabry Mill to paint but didn’t stay, reporting that they are working on the mill.

Along with the Blue Ridge Parkway outing, the 31 Plein Air artists visited and painted at Apple Ridge Farm, in the vineyards of Chateau Morrisette, at the Floyd EcoVillage, in downtown Floyd and more.  They enjoyed wine tasting, a farm-to-table-dinner prepared by Chef Robert Obst and a Gala Reception at The Floyd Center for the Arts (FCA), which the event is a fundraiser for.

FCA Board member and event organizer, Martha Sullivan reported that that the Gala Reception was well attended and that artists sold over $20,000 of fresh Floyd inspired art.  “It was a packed house when juror and exhibit curator, Brett LaGue, announced the major winners of the 2019 Biennial,” Sullivan said.

The winners were as follows: Gold prize ($1,000) winner: Debra Howard for “The Tree Farm.” Silver prize ($500): Thomas Bradshaw for “Days Remembered,” Bronze prize ($250): Russell Jewell for “Silver Bullet,” and Quick paint competition winner: Rebecca King Hawkinson.  The Plein Air Biennial exhibit will remain in the Hayloft Gallery until October 5.

“The whole week was spectacular! I was humbled to see such creative work made by this group talented artists,” stated Sullivan. She added that planning for the 2021 Floyd Plein Air will begin soon. – Colleen Redman