2018 Painting Schedule

Ellie Boyd paints at Platt Farm, along Flood Bridge Road in Southbury, CT.

The POP paintout schedule has been set up, for paintouts beginning in May, ending in October.  (No paintout in August.)  YES, it WILL be nice enough to go out and paint soon.  Here is a link to the Google Calendar with all the details:  Calendar Link

Many thanks to Diane Dubreuil, John Forgione, and Geri Dunne for their enthusiasm for the sport of plein air, and their great location suggestions.

Please check it and join us!  Our first location is a repeat from 2012 -- Southbury Land Trust's Platt Farm Preserve on Flood Bridge Road, Sunday, May 20th, from 8:30 to 1:00.  Second location:  New Milford.  Link to Event PDF

Free and Open to All Artists, to gather and paint outside, in a beautiful farm setting with Victorian home, 19th c. farm buildings, and riparian vistas.  

(No instruction; bring your own supplies, snacks, lunch, folding chair.)

Parking along Flood Bridge Road, or in two designated parking areas.

No smoking.  Leave pets at home.

Directions:

I-84, Exit 14, travel North on Route 172.

Turn right on Library Road, then right on Flood Bridge Road.

No rain date

September 10th Paintout with Zufar Bikbov

Zufar Bikbov, of Oakville, CT, is the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters guest teacher September 10th at Bent of the River Audubon Center in Southbury. 

On September 10th, Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will meet at the Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Road, in Southbury for an outdoor painting/sketching event from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

This year, a seasoned POP volunteer artist will work one-on-one with a beginning artist at each event. Anyone interested in trying “plein air” painting in oil with noted Watertown painter, Zufar Bikbov, the featured volunteer teacher for the event, at no charge, may register by phoning Ellie Boyd (203) 429-4356 or email,pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.  The event is also open to experienced painters who just want to come out and spend the day sketching and painting on their own.  The beautiful nature sanctuary is adjacent to the Pomperaug River and features large open fields and a picturesque walk along the river, antique barns and structures, with plenty of shade, parking, and bathroom facilities.  Non-painters are welcome to hike the property and see plein air artists at work.  No pets allowed.  

A Russian native, Zufar Bikbov drew and painted with watercolors under the encouraging eye of his artist father as a child, and said "Learning about art was fascinating and the process of painting was pure magic for me. As a young child, I mimicked whatever my father was drawing. Because I was an enthusiastic learner, my father was taught me as much as he knew.”

He later graduated cum laude from Zelenodolsk Art School in Russia and continued his education with leading artists of Kazan, the "Third Capital of Russia", in the Saint-Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. His other chosen field is medicine, and studying and completing a degree at Kazan State Medical University.  

Zufar states “My love of painting has been instrumental in shaping the direction of my life. It gave me my wife, talented music teacher and singer, best friends and sense of endless way of growth and perfection. Because of the presence of medicine in my life, I have a very special feeling about nature and all that lives in the human soul.  It is reflected in my mind and permeates my art. I love to work with oils, which allow me to be flexible and deeply expressive.”    

Bikbov has received numerous awards for his paintings, most recently three awards this summer alone at Plein Air Easton, one of the U. S.'s premier plein air events, including Best Composition, Artist's Choice, and Best Nocturne awards.

http://www.zufar.com/

Try It! You'll Like It!

Tony D'Amico paints a beautiful scene in Roxbury CT.

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free outdoor painting/sketching event in Litchfield at Topsmeade State Forest on Saturday, June 25^th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  This will be the group’s fourth season of scouting out prime painting locations in Western Connecticut in State parks, and on private land.    This year, seasoned POP volunteer artists will work one-on-one with beginning artists at each event.  The featured artist at this event is Tony D’Amico (oil painter) of Fairfield.  http://tonydamicofineart.com/   Anyone interested in trying “plein air” painting, at no charge, will need to sign up in advance by phone (203) 429-4356 or email, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.  

The Topsmeade State Forest offers many views and painting opportunities for artists featuring open fields, mature floodplain forest, and an authentic English Cotswolds type architectural masterpiece.  Hiking and picnicking is allowed in the park, and the restored main house is open for tours that day.  Visitors are also welcome to view artwork in progress.  Heavy rain cancels.  Directions from Litchfield Center: take Route 118 east for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto East Litchfield Road. Take the first right onto Buell Road. Topsmeade entrance is the first road on the right.

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and preservation of natural landscapes.  Tony D’Amico joined the group two years ago.  Trained as a commercial artist/illustrator, Tony enjoys capturing scenes of everyday life that are “often overlooked” with his idealized interpretation of the subject.  He has studied with many well known outdoor painters like Don Demers, Matt Smith and Kenn Backhaus, and has garnered many national awards for his work in New England and a number of plein air competitions across the U. S.  He is eager to share his knowledge of identifying an outdoor subject and how to go about getting that three-dimensional subject onto a two-dimensional canvas.

In addition to the Topsmeade paintout, the following additional events are planned for the remainder of the summer/fall season (check POP calendar for updates):

Great Hollow Preserve

New Fairfield, CT

July 9, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Ed Martinez (Oil) and Deborah Chabrian (Watercolor)

Three Rivers Park

Woodbury, CT

August 13, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Jim Laurino

Bent of the River Audubon Center

Southbury, CT

September 10, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Zufar Bikbov (Oil)

Middlebury Land Trust Brookdale Farm Open Day and Fenn's Pond

Middlebury, CT

October 1, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  TBA

For the most up to date info on scheduled paintouts, check the group’s website:

http://pomperaugoutdoorpainters.blogspot.com/2016/05/pop-2016-schedule-of-paintouts.html

For more information on the group or to register to paint in oils with Tony D’Amico, please call or email:  Ellie Boyd, (203) 429-4356,  pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com

Portrait Intensive Workshop--Southbury CT July 10-12, 2015

Official portrait of Governor M. Jodi Rell by Laurel Stern Boeck

Laurel Stern Boeck, nationally acclaimed portrait artist, will teach a portrait painting workshop Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th, from 9:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.   The three-day workshop is hosted by the Bent of the River Audubon Center and the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters in Southbury CT.  Oil painters who are fascinated with capturing the likeness and character of a person will want to register.  Portrait fundamentals will be reviewed to set up the live model and create a strong painting. Composition, tips for achieving accuracy, attention to values, seeing warm and cool color and tips on working with edges will be discussed and utilized.  All levels. Fees:  $390 (model fee included); $355 for Audubon members.

Classes will be held at the Bent of the River, located off CT Route 172 at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury.  Artists should plan to bring an easel and art supplies.  Suggested supply list: http://tinyurl.com/oohtdro

Participants may register online with credit cards at http://bentoftheriver.audubon.org/learn-explore or by mail/check http://tinyurl.com/pxc5a28 with a downloadable form. 

Emily by Laurel Stern Boeck

POP Painters Invitational Pine Meadow Gardens

POP and CCS Invitational Event Saturday 8/16 (Rain Date 8/17)

Garden, art, and music lovers are invited to experience special music, plein air art, and the beauty of Pine Meadow Gardens on Saturday, August 16th.  Twelve invited POP Painters will participate in the Connecticut Choral Society fundraiser to be held at the gardens, in conjunction with a chamber music concert, and gourmet seated dinner.   In the event of rain, the fundraiser will take place the following day, Sunday.  CLICK Photos for large versions

.

Tickets required.

POP Paints by Lake Zoar in Southbury July 26th

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free painting/sketching event in Southbury on Lake Zoar on Saturday, July 26^th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, in cooperation with the Southbury Historical Society.  Free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction provided. PARKING: IN FIELD adjacent to cul de sac.  PLEASE do not park in cul de sac.  Rain cancels.

Lake Zoar offers many water views and painting opportunities for artists. Directions: travel North on Route 172, turn left on West Flat Hill Road at South Britain Country Store, turn right on Purchase Brook Road and then left on West Purchase Road.  Finally, turn left on West Gilbert Road and follow to end.  Location is on Right..  Participants should bring an easel and art supplies, water, bug spray.  Group will break for lunch around noon.  

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces in Southbury and the surrounding area.  

For more information on this event or future events, please call or email:

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313, ellie@ellieboydstudio.com

Paintout on Mansion House Road, Southbury, June 28, 2014

White Oak Schoolhouse, Southbury CT

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free painting/sketching event in Southbury on Mansion House Road on Saturday, June 28^th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, in cooperation with the Southbury Historical Society.  Free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction provided.  Children welcome, accompanied by a parent.  Parking in field adjacent to 7 Mansion House Road.  Rain cancels.

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces in Southbury and the surrounding area.  

Mansion House Road, and adjacent Crook Horn Road offers many views and painting opportunities for artists featuring open fields, mature floodplain forest, beautiful old adjacent farmhouses and barns, an historic bed and breakfast, and even an old school house. Mansion House Road may be reached by turning left off of Route 6, just north of town.  Participants should bring an easel and art supplies.  No pets allowed.  Non-painting visitors also welcome to view artwork in progress.

POP Benefit Show and Sale at the Southbury Public Library September 2013

It's official--come and see the show at the Southbury Public Library and join us for an open meeting on Sunday, 9/15 from 2-4 p.m. to learn about plein air painting by the artists.

Kettletown Woods Paintout August 3rd

Join POP painters at Kettletown Woods, home of the Lyons family, 1133 Kettletown Road, Southbury CT 06488. A beautiful small farm location with a number of interesting outbuildings, cows, pond, rocks, chickens and across the street a vista with a silo, and a renovated cottage and barn. Parking is at the Lyons off to side of semicircle gravel drive. Bathroom available. Bring lunch, meet the Lyons, and with members of the Southbury Land Trust board at 1:00pm, then continue painting. This is our last paintout for new participants to be eligible to enter September show to benefit the land trust. Come and bring a friend!

Spirit of Gladys Taber--Southbury Land Trust and POP Join Forces Sunday, April 7th

POP artists and the Southbury Land Trust folks will meet Sunday, April 7 at the Stillmeadow Farm, Gladys Taber's writing haven, on Sanford Road for simultaneous events--a POP paintout, a SLT hike and bench dedication.   POP members will continue to help SLT with their overall mission to conserve of the natural beauty of Southbury while enjoying being out in the open spaces, and new this year, POP will help raise funds and awareness for the rebuilding of SLT's Phillips Barn.  See the attached flyer for details on the event.

Sunday, April 7th 1:30 P.M.
Parking:  at Phillips Farm
Paint at Phillips or Stillmeadow Farm (where writer Gladys Taber lived and wrote) or Hike Stillmeadow Farm and stay for dedication of the Nelson and Polly Camp bench.  There is no charge for this event.

The POP event schedule for the rest of the season is being firmed up and will be posted shortly along with plans for the September show at the Southbury Library.

It's Pretty Nice Out for January

Karen Cashman, fellow Pomperaug Painter and I headed over to the West side of town to get some sunshine, fresh air, and do a quick study. Limited palette: ultramarine blue, burnt Siena, yellow ochre, titanium white. The Canada geese hunkered down in just a little open water. Feels good to be outside--35 degrees & sunny.  Supposed to be warmer Wednesday.  If you venture out, send me a photo of your painting so I can post it here and share.  

POP Painters Support Safe Haven Show

POP painters Alain Picard and Karen Cashman will take part in the Safe Haven Gala and Art Show on Nov 10th 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm and Nov 11th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. If you need further information, please contact Susan McNeil @ 203-217-5445.

Tina Wiese takes on the farm buildings. (Photo:  David Liang) 

Karen Cashman captures fog effects on Autumn leaves. (Photo:  David Liang)

Photographer David Liang of Oxford stopped to take pix of POP painters and friends in this beautiful location, Southbury Land Trust's Platt Farm on Flood Bridge Road in Southbury CT.  The fog rolled out, and we had a great time capturing the colors of Fall.

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters Event at Platt Farm October 20, 2012

Turn Right at South Britain Library off Route 172.

Sweeping View of Platt Farm on Flood Bridge Road

Please join the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) at Southbury Land Trust's Platt Farm located on Flood Bridge Road in Southbury on Saturday, October 20th, with a rain date of Sunday, October 21^st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Artists of all skill levels are encouraged  to come and sketch or paint for the day at no charge.  This will be the final printout of the season.  

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group that has been formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and additionally to help in the preservation of natural spaces in the Southbury, CT area. 

The SLT Platt Farm Preserve, 110 acres, was purchased from Willis and Lillian Platt who had farmed the land for more than 50 years.  The property features, open hayfields, mature floodplain forest along the Pomperaug River, glacial boulders, a beautiful old adjacent farmhouse, and barns.   The property offers many views and painting opportunities for artists, as well as hiking companions. 

Directions:  the preserve may be reached by taking Exit 15 off of I-84.  Drive North on Route 172  to the South Britain Library. Take a right off of Route 172 onto Library Road, continue up the hill, turn right on Flood Bridge Road. As you drive down Flood Bridge, you will see many areas to paint--and a couple of places where you might park on the road.  If you continue on to the dirt portion of the road, just before you get to the far Eastern boundary of the preserve, you will see a grassy, fenced parking area on your left. Bring your own easel and art supplies, a lunch/snack and water.  No restroom facilities available.  Artists will gather at 12 for a lunch break.

For more information on this event or future events, please call or email:

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313, ellie@ellieboydstudio.com

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters to Host Plein Air Event September 16th—Audubon Bent of the River Center

The Welcome kiosk near the parking area at the Bent of the River  entrance.

The barn education center.
Visitors are asked to walk up or get permission to carpool up to the barn,  
about a fourth of a mile up the hill from the entrance.

Please join the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) at the Audubon Bent of the River Center located at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury on Sunday, September 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. followed by a potluck.  Artists of all skill levels are welcome to come and sketch or paint for the day, and bring a dish to share.

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group that has been formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and additionally to help in the preservation of natural spaces in the Southbury, CT area.  

The Bent of the River Center, owned and operated by the National Audubon Society, lies on 660 acres in Southbury, CT, near the historic village of South Britain.  The center is an outdoor sanctuary where artists can connect with nature on 15 miles of walking trails through a wide diversity of habitats.   The property offers many views for sketching and painting.  Parking is on the grassy area, to the right of the entrance.  Be sure to bring your own easel and art supplies.  No pets allowed.

For more information on this event or future events, please call or email:

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313, ellie@ellieboydstudio.com

New Outdoor Painting Group Southbury CT

POP first paint out to be held at Southbury Land Trust's Phillips Farm (see below for map and directions.)

Please join Pomperaug Outdoor Painters(POP), a new informal plein air group for Western CT painters and neighbors for its first paintout at the Southbury Land Trust's Phillips Farm, August 25th from 9:00-4:00 (rain date 8/26.) (See below.) We are planning to host one or more events per month, and welcome participation of artists of all levels.  A listserve is being set up to facilitate getting the word out to painters about scheduled events and impromptu painting outings.  Additionally, there is a show being planned for September 2013, and the possibility of a workshop with a nationally known instructor.  For further information call:  

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313

Event information:

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters to Host Plein Air Event August 25^th

Southbury, Connecticut, August 8, 2012; Please join the inaugural painting event of Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) at Southbury Land Trust's Phillips Farm located on Sanford Road in Southbury on Saturday, August 25^th, (rain date,Sunday, August 26th) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Artists of all skill levels are welcome to come and sketch or paint for the day at no charge. 

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group that has been formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and additionally to help in the preservation of natural spaces in the Southbury, CT area.  

The SLT Phillips Farm offers 105 acres of panoramic ridgeline views, pastoral meadows, uncommon old growth forest, and delicate marsh and wetland areas. Located on unpaved Sanford Road, where the popular author Gladys Taber lived and wrote about the pleasures of country living, Phillips Farm is a scenic emblem of Southbury's rural past. Connected to Phillips by hiking trails, Lovdal Farm next door also hosts a variety of wildlife, birds, agricultural fields, plants and trees – even an old apple orchard - on the 50-acre property.  Together, the properties offer many views and painting opportunities for artists. Parking is on the grassy area, to the right of the entrance.  Be sure to bring your own easel and art supplies.  No restroom facilities available.

Bring a friend and join us for the day.  There is plenty of hiking for non-artists.  

Come and enjoy one of Southbury Land Trust's fine preserves.

Directions to Southbury Land Trust Phillips Farm:

About 5 minutes from Exit 15.

From Exit 15, head South on Route 67.

About .4 mile, take Right on Jeremy Swamp Road.

Travel 1.8 miles then take Right on Sanford Road

In .2 miles on Left, turn into entrance to Phillips Farm and park on right in grassy area.

Map:

New to oil painting, Keely Riel trys out plein air painting at Phillips Farm.