Patrick Saunders Fine Arts - Plein Air Painting Inspiration In Your Own Backyard

Not sure what to plein air paint while stuck at home? Sometimes there's great subject matter right in your own backyard.

I painted this on a rainy day in 2015 in the backyard of Craig Sole Designs in Overland Park, Kansas, for a local plein air event. The rusty old chairs seemed to be having a conversation between the two of them, but what really grabbed me was the cool reflection of the overcast sky in the wet patio stones. - Patrick Saunders

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

“Warm Chairs, Wet Patio” • Oil on Panel • 9"x12” • Private Collection

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Patrick Saunders Fine Arts Plein Air Painting - Throwback Thursday

For #ThrowBackThursday, here is one of my all time favorite plein air memories.

Kimberly and I were in Jerome, Arizona, an awesome place. Built in 1899 and supported by copper mines, the town is now considered to be one of the most haunted spots in the U.S. There are historical sites and interesting structures everywhere. This charming house belonged to the owner of the town candy store, Rickeldoris Candy & Popcorn Company, and it caught my eye due to the rich color amongst a hill covered with older structures. This is another case where I didn't think I had the skill to paint such a complicated scene, and so of course, I decided to do it. If it scares you, paint it.

Kimberly shot a short video of me painting the scene that you can view here: https://bit.ly/Patrick_Saunders_Painting_Jerome

The painting went on to win Best of Show at the Sedona Arts Center's 2016 Sedona Plein Air Festival, and was featured in the 2018 June/July issue of Plein Air Magazine, as part of an article about my journey as a plein air painter. - Patrick Saunders

“Hillside History, Jerome” • Oil on Panel • 16"x20” • Private Collection

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

"A Welcoming Table" - Plein Air Interior Painting

For #ThrowbackThursday, here's an interior Patrick Saunders painted at the 2018 Plein Air Richmond event. 

We might all be stuck at home for now, but there's plenty of inspiration all around us. Keep making art, friends.

"A Welcoming Table" • Oil on Linen • 18"x24" • Private Collection

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Patrick Saunders Fine Arts - "Backlit Blooms" Crazy Eights - 2020 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival

For my "Crazy Eights" submission for the Lighthouse ArtCenter's 2020 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival - everyone had to do an 8"x 8" - I chose these ultra saturated purple hibiscus flowers. - Patrick Saunders

"Backlit Blooms" • Oil on Canvas • 8"x8" • Available at the Lighthouse ArtCenter

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

"Mangroves Dipping Their Toes In The Water" - 2020 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival, Tequesta, Florida

A few weeks ago, I wrote about John Singer Sargent's painting "Portrait of Ralph Curtis on the Beach at Scheveningen" having sand particles embedded in its surface. Yesterday, a similar fate befell my own painting.

As I painted these mangroves at the Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island, Florida, I was sitting just five feet away from the water's edge, and I kept a close eye on the rising tide. What I didn't expect was the huge yacht that came speeding past me just yards away. The resulting wave came ten feet up the beach, sending my easel and the painting face down into the sand. Thankfully, it only adds to the authenticity, and sand is completely archival.  - Patrick Saunders

"Mangroves Dipping Their Toes In the Water" • Oil on Linen • 14"x18"  

• Available this evening at the Lighthouse ArtCenter 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Patrick Saunders Fine Arts Plein Air Painting Workshop - Stokes County Arts Council, Westfield, North Carolina

Artist friends, my April plein air painting workshop sponsored by the Stokes County Arts Council in Westfield, North Carolina is almost full, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here to sign up: http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Workshop-Westfield

I’ve met a lot of artists in my workshops who are intimidated by outdoor painting because speed is required to capture changing light. I can help you overcome that fear, because my whole approach to painting lends itself to plein air, as it’s all about simplifying the subject and moving to finish rapidly in order keep energy and excitement in your work.

The way I paint, the way I will teach you to paint, will help you to meet the challenges inherent in painting plein air. - Patrick Saunders

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

2020 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival Paint Out - Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, West Palm Beach, Florida

My painting this morning for the 2020 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival Paint Out at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach, Florida.

It's a bit windy and overcast today, but I just put my ear buds in and had fun with this one. - Patrick Saunders

"Cacophony In Green" • Oil on Panel • 9"x12" • 1 Hour • SOLD

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saunders Fine Arts POTD - Blowing Rocks Preserve, Jupiter Island, Florida

Happy feet at the Nature Conservancy in Florida's Blowing Rocks Preserve, Jupiter Island, Florida.

© Patrick & Kimberly Saunders, Saunders Fine Arts, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, and/or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or video, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Portrait Demonstration - Patrick Saunders People & Pets Workshop - Lighthouse Artcenter - Day Three

Patrick Saunders' portrait demonstration from life this morning on day three of his People and Pets Painting Workshop at the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum and School of Art.

Many thanks to Bob for being an excellent model!

"Bob Portrait Study" • 14"x18" • Oil on Linen • 2 Hours • Available at www.patricksaunders.com

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Patrick Saunders Fine Arts Panama City Center for the Arts Painting Workshop - Group Photo

My thanks to Karen C. Williams for persevering and making my painting workshop happen in Panama City, Florida, which is still rebuilding after Hurricane Michael.

My thanks also to all of the artists in my class for working so hard, but also keeping it fun. I probably won't steal Karen's idea for dance breaks, because clearly I can't dance, but thanks all the same for a great moment.

Now remember, squint, squint, squint, and don't paint things, paint shapes. - Patrick Saunders

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Plein Air Streaming, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.