Plein air moves from Giverny to the Glebe

By Louise Rachlis 

En plein air (“in the open air”) painting really took off in the 1870s with the revolutionary invention of paint in a tube, enabling artists to more easily paint outside from start to finish. 

I started to paint en plein air in the Glebe in 2020 when art classes at the Glebe Community Centre were shut down because of COVID-19. 

“We initially called ourselves the Pandemic Plein Air Painters,” says Victoria Sutherland, who decided to give it a try outdoors with me, Tom Grace and a few other occasional early painters. “Afterward, we then became the Post Pandemic Plein Air Painters.” 

Others from Bhat Boy’s art classes decided to join us over time, and this summer was the largest gang of plein air-ers we’ve had. 

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to plein air paint with such a fine group of people and artists,” says artist Anne Robinson. “My sister, Lori Fournier, had invited me to join her in taking classes with Bhat Boy which I accepted. It has been such a fun-filled experience!” 

The painters meet at 10:30 on Tuesdays in front of Victoria’s condo building on Patterson Creek and then proceed to various nearby locations, depending on sunshine, temperature and floral offerings. Tulips, lilacs, the Flora Footbridge, the pond and the Bistro have figured prominently in our work.  

It’s not Provence or Tuscany, but our work is less costly than a Monet, and we have water lilies in the Glebe as well. 

The painters have also attracted attention from European visitors walking along the canal path who are excited by this touch of home. That has led to many interesting conversations en plein air. 

Louise Rachlis is a painter and writer who lives in the Glebe.