Places

En plein air

From hiding my easel to finding inspiration among the houses, sailboats, and people of Belleville.

Christopher Finkle

23 Jul 2023 • 3 min read

To me, painting en plein air is one of the most natural and exhilarating forms of painting.

Early in my painting adventure, I decided to step outside my comfort zone once again and enter the en plein air competitions sponsored by the Quinte Arts Council.

Around 2012, I challenged myself to paint outdoors. Shy and inexperienced, I chose spots where nobody would see me painting so I could concentrate fully on the experience.

I chose two Old East Hill homes I had enjoyed being around as a child.

Framed painting of an ornate house with a gabled roof and porch. — East Hill house

Framed painting of a steeply gabled stone entrance with a pink doorway. — Gabled doorway

At the end of the event, the paintings were displayed on the walls of the historic Dinkels restaurant. Visitors and en plein air enthusiasts spoke with the artists about their inspiration. Now I was hooked!

I had found one of the most relaxed and serene experiences I could imagine. Since then, I have taken part in many en plein air shows. Eventually, the Quinte Arts Council asked me to mentor a class of children in outdoor painting.

Over the years, I have painted vintage doorways, back alleys, tree lines, Victoria Park, a sailboat, and street scenes. These paintings have hung in both the Quinte Arts Council and the Parrott Art Gallery.

Painting of an arched bridge with a water tower and buildings behind it. — Upper Front Bridge

Framed painting of a tree with spreading branches and green foliage. — Leafy tree

Framed painting looking down a street toward a red-brick clock tower. — Street and clock tower

In 2023, I entered the Quinte Arts Council’s en plein air show again. I chose a spot on the beautiful Bay of Quinte, among the sailboats and majestic Meyers Pier.

Painting of small boats and a red-roofed building beneath a broad blue sky. — Meyers Pier

For my second piece, I chose a fisherman who appeared beside me during my first day of painting. He spent the day on the banks of the Bay of Quinte, catching fish for his family.

I wanted to paint him from the side as he cast his glistening line, but he never stayed in the same place long enough for me to capture his likeness.

Then I thought: I’ll paint him from behind, capturing the stillness of him sitting on the rocks and the simple beauty and calm of the bay. That painting, which I called “On the Rocks,” received an honourable mention in the show. I am extremely grateful. My accidental experience was my reward.

Painting of a seated fisherman seen from behind beside the water, shown on a small easel. — On the Rocks

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Christopher Finkle

You can see more local places in my Quinte paintings, and another memory of the bay in First Skate.

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