Fannin County, Texas -- If it is a Thursday morning, it is a safe bet that the Fannin County Plein Air group will be set up at a scenic location to bring images to life on a canvas. Styles and techniques vary and this group invites area artists -- from beginners to professionals -- to join them at their next outing, which will be Thursday, August 20, on the west side of Lake Crockett.
The group meets at 7:00 a.m. to catch the morning's first light and artists typically paint until approximately 10:00 a.m.
The setting on Thursday, August 13 was a colorful flower garden, with artists spread out around the yard.
French Impressionist master Claude Monet was famous for the settings he created just outside his back door and he once said, "My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece."
In the local flower garden on this day, Laurel Hamrick worked on a watercolor of a pergola and flowers.
Oil painter Phyllis Ryser focused on wild flowers.
This was Paris, Texas, resident Amber Bee's first experience painting en plein air and she was using acrylic to capture bright flowers and the beautiful garden décor.
Tammy Mize was using oils and captured a rusty bike against a beautiful cedar tree.
A slight breeze made the early-morning temperature feel perfect and artists were serenaded by a variety of birds as the sun peaked through the trees.
"Hummingbirds and beautifully bright-colored butterflies explored us as we each focused on creating something beautiful to represent their world of color," observed Mize.
Fannin County Plein Air Group will meet at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, on the west side of Lake Crockett.
The final session planned for August will be in the evening. Artists will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27 at Honey Grove Methodist Church.
