Plein Air Ensemble

14356 Old Quebec in the Rain Watercolour painted in Quebec City in 2004 on a PLE trip

I have been asked about PAE recently. Unfortunately I have no news. I ask myself, are too many of us regulars just getting too senior? Charlie

Just thinking about it brings back memories. I recall the time when we came up with the idea of a painter’s weekend some 30 years ago. Andrew Lyall and Pierrette Dulude-Bohay (who are sadly not with us anymore) and I were having a coffee and chatting about art. We commiserated with each other that we had been painting (watercolours) for a number of years but hadn’t had the opportunity to teach; wouldn’t it be nice to go away with other artists for an extended weekend, where we could practice giving some lessons?

We found accomodation at Calaboge Peaks, chose dates and invited our artist friends to sign up. The weekend came around and much to our amazement, we were fully subscribed. Some of the 30 artists were more advanced artists than us! There were beginners too, eager to learn, so the three of us taught watercolour painting for three days. What we noticed, though, was euphoric artists returning from painting each day with stories of hilarious plein air experiences! So back we went to more coffee time! Next time, we decided, no more teaching, everyone should work on their own, including us. We called ourselves Artists Painting With Artists.

It was a great formula. We never advertised, just spread the news by word of mouth and recommendation. We travelled as far away as Charlevoix, QC (where we met and befriended nationally-renowned, Bruno Cote), Quebec City and the Eastern Townships, and Montebello and more.

We organized Spring and Fall trips for 10 years and then other artists took over the organization responsibilities. At some time, due to the fact that some of us brought musical instruments for a music night, the name got changed to Plein Air Ensemble.

What great memories,
Charlie
​December 2023