Editor's pick: In plein sight

A season of plein-air painting opens for aspiring artists and nature lovers

LORDS VALLEY, PA — Come Paint with Me, a free non-instructional program for adult and student artists, begins its 2008 season on Thursday, June 5, at Gunstock Creek Farm, and will meet regularly on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at different locations throughout the region until October 2.

Come Paint with Me was started by local artist Joan Polishook in 1997. It gives plein-air artists, whose focus is to paint outdoors while communing with nature, an opportunity to gain inspiration from the gardens and grounds of such local paradises as Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Hemlock Farms in Lords Valley, the Dorflinger-Suydam Sanctuary in White Mills and other locations.

In addition, two instructional Come Paint with Me Kids sessions are included in the 2008 schedule. On July 24 at the Dorflinger-Suydam Sanctuary in White Mills and on August 14 at Grey Towers in Milford, school-aged children are invited to join Polishook for plein-air painting sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Pre-registration is required by calling 570/253-1185 (Dorflinger –Suydam Sanctuary), 570/296-9630 (Grey Towers) or 570/775-6896 (the Come Paint With Me coordinator).

Come Paint With Me’s participating artists come from throughout the tri-state area and are encouraged to paint outdoors, working at their own pace with mediums of their choice. Representing many levels of expertise, variations in style and technique, the artists are offered the opportunity to network with others, share a common interest, and socialize over lunch break where informal critique and newsworthy art topics are often included. They also have the opportunity to show and sell their completed plein-air paintings in scheduled area art exhibits in September, October and December 2008 (exact dates to be announced).

Come Paint with Me schedule

June 5—Gunstock Creek Farm, Lords Valley.

June 12—Grey Towers, Milford, rain or shine.

June 19—Resica Falls, Route 402 , near Marshalls Creek.

June 26—Dorflinger–Suydam Sanctuary, White Mills.

July 3—Hemlock Farms orchard and stable area, Lords Valley, rain or shine.

July 10—Grey Towers, Milford, rain or shine.

July 17—109th Regiment Armory, Honesdale.

July 24 –Dorflinger- Suydam Sanctuary, White Mills, “Kids” program included, rain or shine.

July 31—Lukans Farm Resort, Hawley.

August 7—Pecks Pond Picnic Area, Brewster Road off Route 402, Porter Township.

August 14—Grey Towers, Milford, “Kids” program included, rain or shine.

August 21—Fair Acres Nursery, Sussex County, NJ.

August 28—Delaware River at Lackawaxen.

September 4—Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-On-Delaware, pavillion by river.

September 1—Grey Towers, Milford, rain or shine.

September 18—Dorflinger-Suydam Sanctuary, White Mills.

September 25—Main Street Deck, Narrowsburg, NY.

October 2—Grey Towers, Milford, rain or shine.

October 4—Saturday-Dorflinger Day Exhibit (details available in August).