Annual Paint-Out offers a variety of colors

DOT BARDARSON

June 12, 2008 at 3:30PM AKST

Every June, artists from around the state and Outside converge on Seward to pick beautiful vantage points from which to paint. Rubbing shoulders with other artists is always a treat, and the resulting oils, pastels, acrylics and watercolors that develop are small treasures.

The Paint-Out, a chance to paint en plein air, was conceived and organized by Anchorage artist, Andy Sonneborn about five years ago.

On Friday, June 13, artists will arrive, look around and choose their spots. All this depends upon the weather, of course, which pushed last year’s participants indoors, where they painted from the comfort and warmth of the Windsong Lodge. Every window provided inspiration.

This year’s theme is “On-the-Scene.” Wherever easels can be seen around town, an artist will not be far away.

A mini-workshop will be being offered by veteran teacher-artist, Andy Sonneborn, who will gather her students at 7 p.m. Friday at the New Seward Hotel to introduce the French easel and supplies and plan for painting on Saturday.

The weekend will culminate in a public art show on Sunday at the New Seward Hotel at 1:30 p.m., where hopefully easels will stretch across the parking lot and sidewalk.

Wind or rain will force the group into the lobby, where the still wet and mostly unframed art will be displayed for viewing.

Refreshments will be served.

For information on the workshop or Paint-Out, call me at 224-3131 or e-mail dot@seward.net or call Andy Sonneborn at 277-3712, e-mail at paintspotinak@aol.com.