When master watercolorist Zhang Xiaochang and his wife Shirley sent out invitations to join them for a week of painting, fine dining, and stellar company in Lake Tahoe, these nine artists happily accepted — Andy Evansen, Ratindra Das, Stephen Quiller, Barbara Nechis, Jean Pederson, John Salminen, Kathleen Conover, Mark Mehaffey, and Mary Whyte. Although only a few would call themselves plein air painters, all brought their sense of humor, a willingness to learn from and share with another, and a love for their craft.
“Painting is largely a solitary pursuit,” says Mary Whyte. “Every time I paint with a group of accomplished artists I come away having learned so much from the experience.
“Although I had been to the Lake Tahoe area many years before, this was the first time I went there solely to paint. Since I’m largely a figurative studio painter, the idea of painting the western landscape was an exciting challenge. Knowing that I would be joining a group of talented artists made the prospect even more appealing. And Xiaochang and Shirley were the consummate hosts. They brought with them two amazing cooks who created wonderful Chinese meals.
“Every day we went out to paint, and my favorite location was the falls. The sound and motion of the rushing water was especially exciting. Working en plein air, I only had a short amount of time to complete a piece before the light, shadows, and colors changed. To cover more paper in less time, I used larger brushes. Painting quickly also forced me to make succinct, concise decisions. I believe painting en plein air is one of the best learning experiences any artist could have.”
Don’t miss YOUR chance to experience Lake Tahoe with a group of fellow painters! Join us for the Plein Air Convention & Expo, May 19-23, 2025, with a stage devoted solely to water media throughout the event.
