by Julie Dodd
Plein Air in the Smokies will bring together 20 acclaimed plein air painters for a week of capturing the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will have the opportunity to watch them paint and to purchase their original art. Plein Air in the Smokies will be held Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2022.
You can watch the artists painting in Elkmont on Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 26-28, and in Cades Cove on Thursday, Sept. 29. Artists will be painting in other locations in the park from Monday through Friday. Check the Schedule of Events for the locations and times the artists will be painting.
Their art will be on display and available for purchase at a Gala/Reception on Saturday, Oct. 1, and at a Public Art Sale on Sunday, Oct. 2. Funds raised from Plein Air in the Smokies will benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Meet the Artists
This is the second of four blog posts introducing the invited artists for Plein Air in the Smokies 2022 — Roger Dale Brown, Jim Carson, Bill Farnsworth, Trey Finney and Beverly Ford Evans.
Roger Dale Brown
Franklin, Tennessee
rogerdalebrown.com
Why are you excited about participating in Plein Air in the Smokies?
The Appalachian Mountain range, the Smokies in particular, have been a passion of mine since an early age. I remember trips with my parents that instilled such wonderful memories. These memories, along with the beauty of the mountains, creeks and rivers, impassion me to paint not only what I see but what I feel about this region of our country. If I can make the viewer feel what I felt as a kid and the beauty and emotion of what I feel as a painter then I have succeeded as an artist.
What is something that those who view your art would be interested in knowing about you?
Other than the love I have for God, my wife and being a professional artist, I have several other passions in my life. I am avid about fitness. I train four days a week with weights for strength and endurance and run one to two days a week for cardio. I compete in Obstacle Course Racing, road races, and Senior Olympics among other events. I love trail running and hiking up mountains. I also love to metal detect for old relics specifically Civil War relics.
Jim Carson
Saluda, North Carolina
jimcarson.net
Why are you excited about participating in Plein Air in the Smokies?
The most exciting part of being in Plein Air in the Smokies is that I will just get to be in the Smokies for a whole week, and painting there is a real bonus.
What do you enjoy about plein air painting?
Plein air painting is enjoyable and fun because it gets you out of the studio and where you can really feel your subject matter.
What is something that those who view your art would be interested in knowing about you?
People may find it interesting that, although I have been a professional painter for 20 years and painted a lot before that, I was also a lawyer for 31 years. So just because you didn’t begin here or study art in school, you can still paint. It’s never too late.
Bill Farnsworth
Venice, Florida
billfarnsworth.com
Why are you excited about participating in Plein Air in the Smokies?
I’m looking forward to painting in the beautiful GSMNP and honored to set up my easel on land that was set aside to become one of our National Parks.
What do you enjoy about plein air painting?
Going outside and painting combines two things I adore — painting while emerged in nature.
What is something that those who view your art would be interested in knowing about you?
I illustrated over 60 books for Children, including The Kaya series for American Girl.
Trey Finney
Spartanburg, South Carolina
treyfinney.com
Why are you excited about participating in Plein Air in the Smokies?
An easy and beautiful drive from Spartanburg, South Carolina, I look forward to exploring the park once again. I am also excited to paint with the many great artists invited and join in the artistic fellowship. What a beautiful location to document with paint!
What is something that those who view your art would be interested in knowing about you?
Some may not know that I was an animator for Disney Feature Animation, and I try to incorporate the storytelling aspect of that experience. Though most of my work is not figurative, I try and bring some life to the landscape or inanimate subject matter.
Beverly Ford Evans
Franklin, Tennessee
beverlyfordevans.com
Why are you excited about participating in Plein Air in the Smokies?
The Smokies have always been a favorite place for me. The mountains and streams are where my batteries charge. I feel so blessed to have these majestic mountains and beautiful park, virtually in our backyard, to visit and experience the glorious nature God has provided for all of us to enjoy. To be asked to paint in them, to help support this naturally beautiful place, is an honor.
What is something that those who view your art would be interested in knowing about you?
I retired from my design business in 2002 to begin my life-long dream career of being an artist. I have continued to grow and learn more and more about this wonderful craft through the years. With each place I set up my gear to try to capture the beauty in front of me, I get the same excited feeling that I had the first time I set up. I give thanks that I really get to live this life.
A previous blog post introduced plein air artists Suzie Baker, Greg Barnes, Carl Bretzke, Brienne Brown and Krystal Brown. Upcoming blog posts will introduce artists Jake Gaedtke, John Guernsey, Neal Hughes, Charlie Hunter, Christine Lashley, Dan Mondloch, Kathie Odom, Nancy Tankersley, George Van Hook and Dawn Whitelaw.