Local artists can experience the joy of painting outdoors during Painting En Plein Air from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Red Oak Nature Center in Batavia.

The Conservation Foundation is partnering with the Fox Valley Park District and the Kendall Arts Guild for this event, which is part of its Art of the Fox project featuring artist-in-residence Joel Sheesley of Wheaton.

“En plein air” is French for outside and has long been embraced by artists throughout the ages including Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh to name a few, who recognized the value of getting out of the studio to experience the ever-changing natural lighting in revealing their artwork.

All skill levels are invited, whether a novice or more experienced would-be Gaugin. Artists are encouraged to pack up their field easels for an afternoon of painting on the banks of the Fox River “en plein air.”

Sheesley will be on hand to provide constructive guidance and critique for those interested.

Painting En Plein Air

• 11 to 11:30 a.m. — Registration at the shelter
• 11:30 a.m. to noon — Choose a painting location and set up
• noon to 2:30 p.m. — Paint
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Share work and enjoy light refreshments at the shelter

This event is free, but registration is required by email or by calling (630) 636-1184. The Red Oak Nature Center is at 2343 S. River St., Batavia 60510. Bug spray, water, and a sack lunch are recommended. Rain date is Saturday, Sept. 23.

Sheesley is an emeritus professor of art at Wheaton College and has partnered with The Conservation Foundation as artist-in-residence for the Art of the Fox, a program that is part of the Fox River Initiative to encourage cultural, social, economic, and ecological appreciation for the river in the communities it flows through.

Sheesley is a plein air artist and is working on an exhibit of Fox River paintings to be showcased in late 2018 highlighting the moods and seasons of the Fox on canvas.

The Conservation Foundation, celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2017, is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations. Since it was founded in 1972, TCF has helped preserve nearly 33,000 acres of open space, restored and cleaned miles of rivers and streams, and educated thousands of kids by engaging them in nature and the outdoors.

Work is focused in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties to preserve and restore nature in your neighborhood. Find out more at theconservationfoundation.org.

• Feature Photo: Joel Sheesley paints outdoors. (CREDIT: Conservation Foundation)

SOURCE: The Conservation Foundation news release