From now until the end of September, Wendell artist Laurel Wetzork is showcasing a selection of her en plein air paintings at the Garner Historic Auditorium in their recently renovated lobby. Chosen from painting trips in North Carolina, New Mexico, and Georgia, this selection features her favorite and most recent en plein air works. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air,” and is particularly used to describe the act of painting in the outdoor environment. Many artists feel that this painting technique is the only way to truly capture the beauty and colors of landscapes. Laurel completes most paintings on location and adds finishing touches in her studio.

The North Carolina paintings in the Garner show are chosen from the artist’s series “The Beauty of North Carolina Farms.” Laurel’s paintings are exhibited in juried shows and solo exhibitions, have won awards, been commissioned, and are held in private collections. Her mediums are oil and acrylic on stretched canvas or linen panels, and soft pastels on Kitty Wallis Museum-grade paper.

Grape Confusion (Green Creek Winery, Columbus, NC), oil on canvas, 18″ x 24

There is a reception on Sunday, September 14 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The artist will be bringing several other new works, and will be on hand to say hello. If you’d like to attend the reception, please RSVP.

When: August through September 2008, Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 5:30 or by appointment
Where: Garner Historic Auditorium Lobby, 742 West Garner Road, Garner, NC