Plein air artists paint ever-changing landscapes at Bitterroot ranch
STEVENSVILLE, Mont. — Artists from all over the state are in Stevensville this weekend to capture nature's ever changing landscapes.
They've come to the Severson Flying E Ranch for the annual Art Focus Plein Air Under the Big Sky Paint Out.
From the French, en plein air is simply the act of painting outdoors on location.
Because the light is constantly changing, artists set up their easels and paint as quickly as they can.
Professional oil painter Becky Smith-Dobbins came from Cascade.
She said plein air painting is difficult but "good practice" for a painter.
NBC Montana talked to the artist as she painted a barn framed by the Sapphire Mountains.
In the foreground was an alfalfa field.
It was early evening.
"It's quite magical," she said. "Right now, you can see the light that's come out all of a sudden, it's hit all the highlights. it's beautiful."
The Paint Out is a partnership between the Hamilton gallery, Art Focus, and the Bitter Root Land Trust to merge art with conservation.
In a partnership with the Bitter Root Land Trust, Dan and Debbie Severson placed their historic family ranch in a conservation easement in 2011.
In September, the plein air paintings will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the Land Trust.
