When I was introduced to the art of plein air painting a few years ago, the scenic Big Cedar Lodge quickly came into my mind’s view.
I envisioned an artist armed with a blank canvas and color palette on the grassy hillside overlooking Table Rock Lake and its wooded hills, the streams trickling and breezes blowing nearby. Painting this scene would be a natural, I remember thinking.
Such a vision is becoming a reality this fall – just in time for the autumn leaves to cover the rolling hills above the still, blue lake waters.
Big Cedar Lodge, south of Branson in Ridgedale, is bringing an oil-painting workshop and plein air competition to its wilderness resort grounds in October. The style of painting outdoors comes from the French phrase “en plein air,” which means “in the open air.”
While holding art events is nothing new to Big Cedar Lodge, a unique aspect of this one is the headliner: internationally acclaimed German impressionist Guido Frick.
Frick is teaching an oil-painting workshop Oct. 18–20, just before a three-day “paint-out” competition judged by the plein air artist.
Organizers say Frick will emphasize choosing value, hue and temperatures quickly to create more time translating emotions into brush strokes.
“If you don’t let your feelings come out while painting, nothing will happen on canvas,” Frick says in a news release about the event. “The painting should mirror your personality. Be yourself, then your paintings get soul, heart and power.”
Jeannie Morris, wife of Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris, is a plein air painter and has studied with Frick. That connection helped bring him to the resort.
On Oct. 21–23, artists will assemble on the grounds to paint the nature scenes before them, with $2,000 in cash prizes at stake. The paint out includes a one-hour “quick draw” at a preselected location and a “night paint out” with artists working under the moonlight.
“We hope that the participants are able to express the beauty of Big Cedar Lodge in their paintings while improving on their craft,” Big Cedar marketer Jennifer Magnuson said via e-mail. “We are expecting a big turnout as Frick is so well known among the artists.”
Artist registration is open at
www.big-cedar.com, and art buyers also are welcome to attend. The artists’ works will be on display during the event in the resort’s registration building.
Among the available prizes, the best of show winner, chosen from up to three submissions per artist, will receive $500. Also, Big Cedar Lodge has committed to one $500 Purchase Award. The winning piece will be featured on a wine label for a year, and the artist also will receive two cases of the wine.
Let the painting begin.[[In-content Ad]]
