The Highlands East Plein Air Arts Festival

This year was the start up year for what is to be an annual event.  There were only 14 artists registered at The Highlands East Plein Air Arts Festival this year but we all had a fantastic time and it has far too much potential not to grow quickly into a huge success.  The Haliburton Highlands has some of the best painting sites anywhere and there are lots of choices for local accommodations.  A number of us all camped together so it was four days of painting all day and talking painting all evening.

This was my first of six paintings produced at the festival.  Four huge horses came to the gate and totally blocked our view of the barn and hill but when they realized that we didn't have treats for them they wandered off.  The farmer who owned the barn came and gave us a tour.  There was a 1968 Porsche and a Ski Doo of about the same vintage in the barn.

I am pretty happy with this one.



There were sever thunderstorm and possible tornado warnings for the area so we rushed to Glamor Lake to get some painting done before they hit.  We could occasionally hear thunder off in the distance so this was painted in a bit of a rush.  It received lots of positive feedback but I am still not sure if I like it.  I may darken the highlights on the rocks a bit and see if that helps.

This third painting is of Centre Lake which is about five minutes from my parents house.  I have painted it a few times in watercolour and I was excited at the prospect of painting it in oils during the festival.

I am really happy with the result



I can't wait until next year.  I had a blast this year and it can only get better.