A Windy Workshop

Photo by Tom Nachreiner.

A sold-out group partook in artist Tom Nachreiner’s workshop May 31 and June 1. We enjoyed the first day as we painted on the Geisel farm and at the country home of the DeNoto’s. The first day we had wonderful weather and Tom explained how the plein air painter should select the best possible painting site. Tom’s demonstration, his explanation of how he selected his site, and watching his painting take shape was amazing.

The second day we were fortunate to paint at a dock in northern Door County. Even though Sturgeon Bay was calm and warm, Northern Door was experiencing wind. Lots of wind. There must have been winds blowing off the lake at least 20 to 30 miles an hour. The temperature had to be at least 15 degrees colder than in Sturgeon Bay.

We arranged vehicles to block the wind and Tom, under duress, did a wonderful demonstration. I served as his partial wind block and stopped the canvas from moving as he put the name on the boat. Yes, it was that windy.

Lunch in Sister Bay was wonderful and the warm temperatures and almost no breeze gave us hope for a comfortable afternoon. Our caravan drove back to the site, maybe five miles, and as we approached we could see the trees moving. More wind, much more. Since living in Door County I have seen windstorms over 50 miles an hour and this had to be close to that number. I have been painting plein air for seven years and have never painted in wind blowing as hard as it was on the dock.

Photo by Tom Nachreiner.

Three people had their easels blow over and some participants painted in the back of a large truck to get out of the wind. I, for a moment, watched in amazement as Audrey Off’s French easel lifted off the ground. Interestingly, Audrey was painting out of the direct wind. Tom said he couldn’t remember ever painting or doing a workshop on a windier day.

My painting landed paint-side down (of course) smearing Prussian blue over the entire canvas. I spent at least a half an hour trying to remove this staining color and removed a lot but still ended up painting on a brilliant blue canvas.

Was it fun? Yes. Would I paint in that much wind again? Yes.

I think you have to be a plein air painter to appreciate partially conquering this kind of day. I actually think the painting, in the end, turned out well and you can see it at the AMO Gallery in Sturgeon Bay. Look closely…the under-painting is Prussian blue.

For more information about Tom Nachreiner and his workshops, visit tomnachreiner.com.