Nothing plein sailing in outdoor art competition
ARTISTS braved the wind and the unpredictable outdoors to make art on Saturday.
Sarnia Arts & Crafts Club organised the en plein air competition, which saw 19 artists take paper, canvas and art materials onto the Jerbourg peninsula.
Club vice-president Liz Potter said the area gave people a variety of options as to what to have as their subject.
They started at 9.30am and could create a number of images by 4.30pm, but they could only enter one to be judged.
‘They are not allowed to take it away – everything has to be done on site,’ said Ms Potter.
‘That means they have to cope with the light changes and the shadows. It’s quite a challenge. We are lucky that’s it’s not too sunny, but the wind is picking up.’
The artists not only had to cope with the wind, but a few spots of rain during the day.
For the first time there were a junior section.
The youngest person to take part was 11-year-old Scarlet Stanford. She found out about it after one of her friends gave her a leaflet.
‘I love art,’ she said. ‘I have never done it outdoors. It is exciting to do this.’
She decided to paint a garden using a acrylic paint and said she had enjoyed it.
One of the oldest entrants was Bob Worsley, 84.
He also decided to do a garden scene, after his eye was drawn to an interesting tree. He drew the initial outline in pencil and then ink, before painting it with watercolour and doing highlights in ink.
The retired architect said this was his second time doing en plain air.
‘It’s a challenge,’ he said. ‘Everything moves. But I’m liking it [my piece].’
The judging was carried out by David Ummels, from Art for Guernsey, Helen Bonner-Morgan, from Art for Impact, and Meriel Lenfestey. The adult winner will get £100 and there are also other prizes.
n There is a chance to look at the work, which is being displayed in a studio behind the Doyle Monument from 10am to 4pm from today until Wednesday. Admission is free and islanders can vote for their favourite.
