Plein Air Painters of Maine at Knickercane

Mon, 07/18/2016 - 8:15am

If you drove by Knickercane Island on July 13 you might have seen several people standing at easels, painting.

Corinne McIntyre, who has a studio in East Boothbay, Ocean Point Studio, was there with the group. She's the one who began the organization, Plein Air Painters of Maine, six years ago, when a few professional plein-air painters from the area were at an art opening. They discussed the idea of getting together to paint, as a group, every Wednesday.

Since then the group has grown considerably, and upwards of 15 members can be seen in some local spot most Wednesday mornings, year-round, except around the Christmas holiday, or when the temperature falls to an uncomfortable level.

“We don't paint when it's below zero,” McIntyre said. “And if it's pouring rain, I have an umbrella.”

The local, or midcoast, chapter has branched out to include six chapters, with a total of 580 members, throughout Maine. “Anywhere in Maine, you can paint with fellow painters, any day of the week,” McIntyre said.

The local chapter isn't limited to the Boothbay area. They've been known to travel to Wiscasset, Sheepscot Village, and Pemaquid.

On the Plein Air Painters of Maine website McIntyre states: “The camaraderie, exchange of ideas and just plain fellowship with other painters is great.”

On July 13, there were around 20 painters scattered over Knickercane Island and across the street at a boathouse covered with colorful buoys. Some were from the Boothbay region, others were from as far away as Tallahassee, Florida.

Any painter, or wannabe painter, is welcome to come paint with the group. Email cmcintyrepainting@gmail.com if you're interested in joining. “There are no dues, and no rules.”

Enjoy more photos of the artists here.