The hills are alive with art
Cheryl Koen, a Santa Fe artist lately of Fredericksburg, captures a scene of Flatrock Creek on the Wirtz Dam Road. She is one of 40 plein air artists entered in the Paint the Town event in Marble Falls.
Artists are all around Marble Falls, competing in Paint the Town, the annual plein air art event of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA).
Fans and visitors can soak up their techniques and artistic vision in three days of fun events.
“We are billed as one of the top 5 plein air events in Texas,” said Carolyn Bates of the HLCA board. “And, we're asking the community to 'Fire Up for Paint the Town.'
“Through Saturday, plein air artists will be painting in Marble Falls and the surrounding bluebonnet-filled countryside. Visitors will be able to watch them at work and view the finished art.”
From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Paint the Town Galleries at the Marble Falls Lakeside Pavilion will be open and exhibiting/sales space is doubled.
Now is the time, Bates said to purchase the $50 tickets for the Friday night reception, Introducing 2017 Paint the Town, that will include the results of the Nocturnal Paint Out, with local craft foods, wine, beers and live music.
“Saturday from 1-3 p.m. on Historic Marble Falls Main Street from the Quick Draw competition will go on, with direct easel sales open to anyone who wants to paint with the professionals,” said Bates. “This is not a competition, just painting for fun and a firetruck will sound the start and stop signal.”
People can register for Quick Draw for $10 at 12:30 p.m. on the corner of Third and Main streets.
Saturday, at 4 p.m., Eric Rhoads will present a keynote talk, "Today's Plein Air Movement and How Artists and Collectors Can Benefit."
Rhodes is the judge for the competition. His company, Streamline, publishes “Fine Art Connoisseur” and “PleinAir” magazines
Saturday evening, the 2017 Paint the Town Meet the Artist Reception will include awards for the painters. For $50 guests can visit with all of the artists, sample award-winning wine, gourmet catered food and listen to live music. Paint the Town awards and posted auction for the works will be the highlight.
A Combo Ticket for $80 allows admission to both receptions.
For a full Paint the Town schedule, map and ticket purchase information, visit online to www.hlcarts.com.
