The Art of Charles Spratt
  • Home
  • gallery
  • About
  • Charlie's Blog
  • ART NEWS
  • Contact

Memory Lane - Quebec City

7/18/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Old Quebec 16x20 acrylic #213776 $1200

Plein Air Ensemble has been hosting painting trips for serious - minded artists for 30 years. I should know – I am proud of the fact that I had a hand in organizing it with two friends back in 1990 and running it for the first 13 years until others took over the reins. And I will always cherish the many friendships and adventures we shared along the way

The other day, in my studio, I came across Old Quebec 16x20, painted in 2013, on the last of three trips to Quebec City. I dusted the canvas off, sat down, and let memories of those adventures come pouring back. I clearly remember searching out a protected spot for my easel, out of the way from pedestrian and vehicle traffic, then striving to capture the exhilarating feeling of the day as I painted Old Quebec. Absolute magic!

But let’s go back a bit: many will recall the trips to Quebec City and the wonderful boutique hotel where we stayed, with the grand piano in the dining room, only a few city blocks from the Old City Gates. On our first visit the hotel manager met us at the entrance on Rue Charest, then arranged for a bus tour of the city - and sat up front to give us a running commentary! Each morning we would leave the hotel to go out and sketch and paint and photograph, discovering winding cobblestone streets, ancient alleyways and 400 year- old historic buildings; we also picked out intimate restaurants for extended lunch breaks, making sure that we were back in time for le tableau d’hôtel and music into the night. On our last evening that same manager arranged for a reception in the foyer so that his invited guests could view our work. Several pieces were purchased on the spot! The following morning, after breakfast and bidding everyone goodbye, we set off for the long drive home, savoring the memories and our treasured creations stored carefully in the trunks of our vehicles.

Anyone that has been on one of these PLE adventures knows how they work: The five-day trips (including travel time) are organized every spring and fall without a break - until this spring, that is, when the fully subscribed trip had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Over the years we have traveled to destinations as far away as Charlevoix and the Eastern Townships of Quebec and closer to home in the Laurentians and Ottawa Valley. While there is never a shortage of camaraderie and sharing among the artists, no formal instruction is offered – everyone is expected to work independently.

I look forward to more Plein Air Ensemble adventures under the capable hands of artists, Mary Moore and Tom Lillico. Until we can finally get back to painting without all the Covid 19 restrictions, I will rely on my memories to accompany me at my studio easel.
 
Charlie
July 2020
 
Note: Sadly, the unique Royal William Hotel on Rue Charest no longer exists: a casualty to progress.
0 Comments

    C. Spratt

    The Art of Charles Spratt

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

CONTACT CHARLIE

​HOME
About
En Plein Air
Artist Statement

​Galleries
​​
GALLERY
For Sale
Watercolours 
​Acrylics
What We Provide
ABOUT
About Charlie
Artist Statement 

Solo Exhibitions
Teaching History
Collections
Major Influences
BLOG
ART NEWS
Amberwood Gallery
On-Line Gallery 

Plein Air Ensemble
Ethel Curry Gallery

MMA Plein Air
CONTACT
FAQs

©2021 - Charles Spratt Art  |  All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • gallery
  • About
  • Charlie's Blog
  • ART NEWS
  • Contact