Eight North Carolina artists returned Sunday for the fifth year to paint historic Ocracoke.
All plein air–or outdoor–artists, the group will paint all week throughout the island, in front of their easels on the beaches, by the marina and throughout the community.
A socially distanced, front porch sale of their freshly done paintings will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at 187 Silver Lake Road.
All are invited to stop by to meet the artists, enjoy their many creative interpretations and purchase their art.
A percentage of all art sales will be donated to an Ocracoke nonprofit.
“Ocracoke’s unspoiled beauty provides a magical setting for artists to commune, create art, share ideas and enjoy,” said Ann Hair, one of the group members. “While painting on previous years, I loved meeting the people who call Ocracoke home, learning about their beautiful island and sharing our interpretations of it at our wet paint show and sale.”
The artists, Mike Rooney, Dan Nelson, Joanne Geisel, Ann Hair, Karen Crenshaw, Peg Sharp, Oona Lewis and Lynda Chambers bring experience and talent to the island. Among the group are painting instructors, award winning artists and highly recognized ones represented by North Carolina galleries.
Their varied approaches and their final paintings represent their unique perspectives of the Ocracoke marina, historic homes, marshes and beaches.
“Artist retreats like this one are valued parts of an artist’s life,” said Geisel. “It is unusual for artists to come together like this for a period of time to enjoy the camaraderie of new and old friends, and to share ideas and enthusiasm for plein air painting. Because of this and the fact that many of us have been isolated, this retreat is particularly meaningful.”
