Most artists work within four walls. But not Susan Havey. As a plein-air painter, Havey creates anywhere but inside. One day, you may find the Henderson County artist amongst the dahlias, turtleheads, and cardinal flowers at Bullington Gardens. The next, you may spot Havey at Mills River Park, looking up in awe at Mount Pisgah. “Painting en plein air is a good way to get outside and meet people while creating a study from life,” says Havey. “It also helps keep me accountable for my practice efforts. Believe it or not, this is a more accurate way to record color notes and impressions than painting from a photograph.” Havey is such a staunch believer in the benefits of working al fresco that she founded a plein-air painting group through the Art League of Henderson County in 2021. Several times a month, members gather together for “paint out” events. Havey will present a series of pieces created during these functions during Plein Air: Home Is Where the Heart Is, an Art League group show running at the Henderson County Public Library through late March. Havey will be joined by fellow artists such as Susan O’Connell, who hopes her piece “Afternoon at Marked Tree Vineyard” calls to mind a time with no haste or hurry — “just fresh air and a sense of peacefulness and connection to the Earth.”
Plein Air: Home Is Where the Heart Is: February 3-March 31
Henderson County Public Library / 301 North Washington St., Hendersonville / artleaguehvl.org