The term Plein Air in French means "in open air." Painting on site allows us to experience (feel and see) the fullness of our natural surroundings. We try to capture the beauty of the moment that nature provides in the interplay of light on form. This challenges us to convery this feeling on the canvas or board. Painting on site also gives us the opportunity to observe how foreground, middle ground and background change color values and how light actually defines color and form - evoking a response in us. When we paint streetscapes, we combine architectue with nature and get geometry, adding line and the rhythm of solidification. Painting en plein air can be overwhelming because of the forces of nature and time doesn't wait for you, as it is ever-changing; this forces us to paint quickly in order to capture the light and the moment; and makes us see with more than just our eyes and to "feel" what it is in the scene that moves us. Hopefully, when we lay paint down on the canvas/board, the viewer will be able to see and feel what the painting and compostion is all about through the artists' eyes and brush strokes.

We have some fairly new members but most of us have known each other a long time and have college degrees and/or background in visual arts; some have worked professionally in art and design; some have art studios and one is a gallery owner. Some in the group have been published in magazines, newspapers, and books and have won awards. We have exhibited as a group, individually and with other groups, locally, and nationally and have studied with local, regional and nationally known artists. Our work is in private, corporate and individual collections in the United States.

This group was founded by Jane Morgan in 1998.