Artist Linda Klenczar To Discuss Painting "en Plein Air"

Local artist Linda Klenczar is this month’s guest speaker for Painting Pals, a weekly group at the in Saline.

Klenczar will give a talk 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, about painting “en plein air” – painting outdoors in natural light. She will discuss tools of the trade, what artists should wear, what to take along, whether special equipment is needed, and how this technique differs from painting from a still life or photograph. Painting Pals members will garner tips before an upcoming plein air session at Saline Mills.

 “Painting outside has its challenges, but it’s a very rewarding experience,” said Klenczar, adding that she learns quickly how to compensate for blinding sun or lack of shadows on a cloudy day. Painting en plein air means working fast because sun, clouds, and shadow do not stay in position more than seconds.

“Each and every plein air session is a new challenge, the day is never the same,” she said. “The success may come that day, and then again, it may not, but I’ve learned something.”

Klenczar, who also paints with the Ann Arbor Women Artists Plein Air Group and Ann Arbor Area Pastelists, has a solo exhibit of 30 of her pieces at the Ann Arbor Senior Center for June and July, including Michigan scenes and pastels from trips around the United States.

She was part of the March juried show of the Great Lakes Pastel Society at the Carnegie Center for the Arts in Three Rivers, where two of her pastels of the Saline Mills were exhibited. She took part locally in the 2010 Art Walk, at the Harvest of the Arts, and has exhibited at My Favorite Café and at Saline District Library.

Klenczar, who has taught pastel classes at the Two Twelve Arts Center, recently gave a talk at Weller’s Carriage House about plein air painting.

She and Jane Darling founded the Plein Air Painters group at the art center three years ago, and ran it for two years; Carol Evert now chairs the group.  Members have painted at several sites around town, including the Braun Farm, Weller’s Carriage House, Davenport-Curtiss House, Depot Museum, Rentschler Farm Museum, historic homes and churches, Saline Farmers Market, and at local shops.

The group, whose work will be displayed at the Raymond James offices at Main Street and William in Ann Arbor during the Art Fairs in July, has raised funds for the center by creating and selling wall calendars featuring their art, as well as greeting cards, ink drawings and post cards.

Saline artist Kathe Suddendorf is the facilitator for Painting Pals.

“Margie Bovee, director of 212, has been so generous to offer this free, drop-in, art studio time on Tuesday mornings,” she said.

Registration is not required for this 3-hour weekly get-together, where area artists can work on their medium of choice, get to know other artists, watch different techniques, give friendly critiques, share tips, and network.

The Two Twelve Arts Center is located at 216 W. Michigan Ave., in Saline. For information, call 944-2787 or visit www.Twotwelvearts.org.