Artists paint on protected land

In sun, rain, and wind ten artists set up their easels on protected lands to paint in plein air (outdoors). Their mission was to capture and share a sense of place and a brief moment in a changing landscape. “Plein air sketches make great reminders of how a landscape changes constantly. They are small recordings of time, when the weather causes docks to wash away or barns to cave in,” explained artist Carole Böggemann Peirson.

The connection between art and conservation has a long history. The area that became Yellowstone National Park was once known simply as a harsh and wild place. In 1871, Thomas Moran sketched the area while a photographer documented it. The sketches were the first color renderings widely seen of Yellowstone. Thomas Moran presented the work to Congress and the public. The resulting support led to our first national park in 1872 at Yellowstone. “As artists celebrated nature on canvas, city dwellers who hung landscape paintings on their walls came to believe that the natural scenes depicted were worthy of preservation,” acknowledged the National Parks Service.

Artists from Ansell Adams down to many of our local artists today play a critical role in celebrating wild places. They build support and understanding of the beauty of preserved lands while not harming them in the process. This year artists Margaret E. Bradach, Carole Böggemann Peirson, Carrie B. Jacobson, Monica Johnson, Laura McGowan, Allison Swan, Clelia Sheppard, Ellen Sinclair, Nancy Richards West, and Valerie Witkowski lent their talent to support conservation efforts on the Eastern Shore.

Margaret Bradach shared, “I’m fortunate that I chose to become a painter because I’m able to capture the essence of the beauty on the Eastern Shore and share it with others. In the air and out in the field all my senses respond to the plants, animals, people, land and water that inspire me to paint. It is wonderful to be alive and to experience this reality. It is important to preserve this natural oasis of human pleasure for ourselves and others.”

On the Eastern Shore, we are blessed with access to many wild places and breathtaking natural beauty. We have a rich tapestry of preserved land sprinkled up and down the peninsula. The Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust alone has 14,000 acres privately held but permanently preserved. Because the lands are privately owned, VES Land Trust is always seeking ways to connect the community to these protected landscapes. Paint the Shore was one more way to open access both to the artists painting on protected lands and the public viewing the artwork at the exhibit held at the Barrier Islands Center.

“Few places on Earth deserve protection more than our beautiful Eastern Shore of Virginia. From stately historic homes and grounds, to pristine marshes and creeks, the VES Land Trust is preserving the Shore’s history. I feel privileged to have been able to visit and paint at these lovely sites, many of which were new to me even after 25 years here,” reflected Laura McGowan.