Island Great Place for Impressionists' Style of Plein Air Painting

Sharon Griffes Tarr (left), Marcia Dunnigan, Daniel Dunnigan, and Diane Harte pose for a picture Saturday, July 14, when the Dunnigans hosted a dinner reception for 23 members of the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association.

Dan and Marcia Dunnigan hosted 23 members of the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association (GLPAPA) at a dinner reception at their East Bluff Donnybrook Cottage Saturday, July 14. Among the artists were Sharon Griffes Tarr, the association's founder and a master member who is a regular summer guest of the Dunnigan's.

Painting "en plein air" is a French expression that means "painting in the open air," not restricted to a studio environment.

Ms. Tarr believes painting from life is essential for artists to develop a high level of knowledge and skill. Plein air painting was made popular by the French impressionists who worked outdoors on location to capture the essence of light. This idea is highly popular among landscape artists today.

As a GLPAPA master member, Ms. Tarr provides professional mentoring for the general membership. Responsibilities include offering critiques, workshops, and demonstrations to assist members in skill building and artistic career development. To achieve master status, an artist must meet significant artistic recognition and a high level of technical skill in their chosen medium.

According to Diane Harte, GLPAPA's president, a master must also have experience as an instructor and a record of community service resulting in the furtherance of the fine arts at the local, state, or national levels. Only four artists of the organization hold the rank of master.

Ms. Tarr works from life in the field, usually on small canvases, eight inches by 10 inches, then uses these in her Lansing studio to develop larger works.

In the field, she may work in watercolor, pastel, or oil. Her large studio paintings are executed in oil. Intimate scenes of Northern Michigan and rural life, including Mackinac Island, are some of her favorite subjects.