Vistas and Vineyards brings 'en plein aire' enthusiasts together

KINGS VALLEY - On a recent summer morning, the term "field hand" took on new meaning at Cardwell Hill Vineyard as dozens of artists at easels around the property flicked, dabbed and stroked color across paper and canvas.

Some artists captured views of Marys Peak to the southwest, while others looked to the vineyard's French chateau-style house for inspiration.

Bucking the trend, Corvallis artist Sue Noel, former owner of The Toy Factory, plopped herself down between the rows and set to work on a close-up sketch of the grape vines.

"I'm going to do a painting, but I wanted to get a sketch first," she said as she worked with permanent markers.

Noel is a member of Vistas and Vineyards, a group of local artists that enjoy painting "en plein aire," or on location, at sites in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Originally begun in 1989 by a group of friends who liked to paint together, Vistas and Vineyards now has about 120 members, of which 30 to 50 often show up at any given "paint out."

Experienced artists in the group take turns leading the excursions, often giving informal lessons and critiques during the sessions.

While many noted local professional artists are members of Vistas and Vineyards, it's important to note that the group is open to painters of all skill levels and the atmosphere at paint outs is casual - a good place for artists to try out new skills and socialize.

Mike Bergen, a retired Hewlett-Packard manager, has been painting with Vistas and Vineyards for about three years and is also a member of various other artist groups including the Corvallis Art Guild and Art in the Valley Gallery.

"This is probably the best thing we have going in town for artists," he said.

A noted watercolor artist, Bergen took the opportunity to try his hand at oil painting on a recent paint out.

"I don't do oils very much," he said. "When you aren't used to using a pallette knife, you might as well use a rock."

While primarily a watercolor group, Vistas and Vineyards artists work in a variety of mediums: oils, acrylics, pastels, charcoal and colored pencils.

Each artist brings his or her own supplies. Some worked from open tailgates at the back of pickup trucks, some from various types of easels, while others hiked around the property until finding a quiet area, where they plopped down and unzipped backpacks to produce pads of watercolor paper and paints.

The group's planned trips are a chance for members to safely explore and paint on private lands and in remote areas. Most trips are on Wednesday mornings.

Other locations that the group has visited so far this summer include Avery Park, Corvallis; Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Salem; Michael's Landing, Corvallis; Old Town Albany; Larwood Covered Bridge near Crabtree; Independence; Cauthorn House, Corvallis; Finley National Wildlife Refuge; and Alsea Falls.

Watercolor artist Tom Allen, a retired Oregon State University professor of botany, was playing the role of facilitator for the Cardwell Hill Vineyard trip.

After painting from about 9 a.m. to noon, artists lined up their freshly created works in the sun on the chateau's patio for inspection.

Allen led a gentle critique of the work, pointing out small things that could be improved to give the paintings better balance, more believable color and better composition.

First and foremost, the critique was a chance to share praise and celebrate small triumphs, such as a painter who managed to not get caught up in too many details and another woman who had created her first charcoal sketches.

Miriam Edell, a landscape architecture artist from Corvallis, was out with the group for the first time.

"I usually paint in my backyard," Edell said. "It's so much fun to come out here, I can't hardly believe it."

Vistas and Vineyards will have a special paint out at this year's da Vinci Days, July 17-19, in conjunction with the Corvallis Art Guild. To see some of the artists at work, visit the Vistas and Vineyards booth at the Art Village inside the da Vinci Days compound.

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: Vistas and Vineyards

WHAT: Outdoor artists' group.

WHEN: Usually 9 a.m. Wednesdays from mid-May through mid-October.

WHERE: Various sites throughout the mid-Willamette Valley

INFO: http://vistasandvineyards.wordpress.com or 753-6138.

UPCOMING PAINT OUTS

Sessions usually begin at 9 a.m.

• July 21-23: Workshop at Greengables Farms in Philomath. Facilitator: Dee Yarnell. Workshop leader: Ned Muller.

• July 29: Historic Deepwood Estate, Salem. Facilitator: Mike Bergen. Critique: 12:30 p.m.

• Aug. 5: Rose Garden, Avery Park, Corvallis. Facilitator and lesson: Joan Brown. Critique: noon.

• Aug. 5 (5 p.m): Oregon State University. Facilitator: Karen Kreamer. Critique at 8:30 p.m. in Milam Hall Room 120.

• Aug. 12: Borgo Pass Vineyard, near Alpine. Facilitator: Mike Bergen.

• Aug. 20 (10 a.m.): Oregon Gardens near Silverton. Facilitator: Terry Tallis. Critique at 2 p.m.

• Aug. 20-22: Annual Vistas and Vineyards retreat at Silver Falls Conference Center, in Sublimity. (Participants had to register by June 15. Cost: $130.).

• Aug: 26: Basket Slough, near Rickreall. Facilitator: Carolyn Canoy.

• Sept. 2: Marys River Park, Philomath. Facilitator: Debby Sommers. Critique: 12:45 p.m.

• Sept. 9: Holstein House and Gardens near Peoria. Facilitator: Linda Humphrey. Critique: 12:30 p.m.

• Sept. 16: Harlen. Facilitator: Jim Jordan. Critique: noon.

• Sept. 23: OSU Sheep Barns, near Corvallis. Facilitator: Terry Tallis. Critique: noon.

• Sept. 30: Takena Landing, Albany. Facilitator: Katy Hanson. Critique: noon.

• Oct. 7: Gregg Farm, near Peoria. Facilitator and lesson: Mike Rangner. Critique: 12:45 p.m.

• Oct. 14: Central Park, Corvallis. Facilitator: Donna Beverly. Critique: noon.

Vistas and Vineyards has an annual juried exhibit in October at LaSells Stewart Center.