It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque setting than this small north Oregon Coast beach town. For years, the spectacular natural beauty of Cannon Beach has beckoned artists from around the world out of their studios to capture unique elements of this landscape “en plein air” or “in the open air”. To celebrate this challenging artistic style and the work of the artists, the Cannon Beach Gallery Group is presenting the 4th Annual Plein Air & More festival. Scheduled for June 22-24, the event will include 28 artists represented by a dozen of Cannon Beach’s art galleries
The featured artists will create art on location throughout the town and on the beach on Friday and Saturday with their work showcased at gallery receptions on Saturday evening. They will also participate in a group show at the Cannon Beach Chamber Building Friday evening. The events are free and will take place rain or shine.
Maps detailing the location of each artist will be available at all Cannon Beach Gallery Group locations and the Chamber of Commerce. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions of the artists while they work, or simply observe.
2012 Schedule
Friday, June 22
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Group Show and “Meet and Greet” reception for artists Cannon Beach Chamber Building
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Group Show and “Meet and Greet” reception for artists Cannon Beach Chamber Building
Saturday, June 23
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Artists creating work throughout the town of Cannon Beach, on the beach and in nearby settings.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Artists creating work throughout the town of Cannon Beach, on the beach and in nearby settings.
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Individual gallery receptions showcasing new work
Individual gallery receptions showcasing new work
Sunday, June 24
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., artists working on location, and group show continues in Cannon Beach Chamber Building
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., artists working on location, and group show continues in Cannon Beach Chamber Building
| DRAGONFIRE GALLERY | |
 | Christopher Gerber For Christopher, reality is not a static state but constantly occurring. His brushstrokes are inspired by the ink paintings of Zen and Taoist masters, evoking focus and intent. By using multiple layers of mica pigments, he generates a holographic effect in an ancient medium as he fuses the layers with torch fire, integrating contrasting textures and simultaneously revealing intriguing nuances. Dripping wax, he plays. He says, “It takes millions of bees pollinating millions of flowers to produce the couple of pounds of wax used in these paintings. That in itself is sacred to me, painting with life itself.” |
 | JoAnn Chartier An award winning painter, sculptor, printmaker and published writer, JoAnn has been making art since the age of 12, when she learned the joys and frustrations of painting on location. Though most of her work is now done in acrylics in the studio, she returns to her roots to paint local landscapes and seascapes. She says the challenge of capturing the essence of a place in juicy oils using a knife or brush is, for her, like windsurfing or snowboarding to an adrenaline junky: Irresistible. |
 | Michael Orwick Michael’s skill as a landscape artist creates compelling views of our world that move beyond time and place—places as mysterious as Oregon’s craggy coast, as unpredictable as a glacial view of Mount Hood, or as serene as an Oregon waterfall. His work can conjure up thoughts of Remington in his most enamored moments with the majestic west, or the dance of an impressionist on a pond or the snow. |
