About the Island Summer plein air series

En plein air is a French expression for "in the open air", and refers to outdoor painting. This is a series of small 9"x12" works Kathryn painted fully outdoors over the summer, onsite on these islands in BC, while her children played in the water. Plein air works are loose and natural, often created amid bugs, sun and wind. Plein air painting can help an artist slow down and appreciate their surroundings without getting caught up in details, and the finished paintings take on the feeling and memories of the place they were made.

100% of proceeds from this little series will be donated to ocean conservation in BC via the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS).

See the other nonprofits Kathryn's art has supported here. You can also check out her first plein air series painted during the pandemic, which raised funding for outdoor green spaces with Canopy.

About this painting

This piece was painted on the trail around Killarney lake on Bowen island, on the traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) peoples.

Kathryn starts with an orange underpainting to give the lighting a uniform glow, and works with a limited colour palette to layer on colours afterward.

This listing is for the original painting, acrylic on canvas, 9" x 12" with 0.75” canvas depth.

This painting is signed in paint at the bottom right corner by the artist, and on the back with the artist’s custom aspen leaf stamp. The edges are painted to match and hanging hardware is attached, so you can hang it without a frame, or add a frame to suit your decor. The frame pictured is an optional addition and is not included. Check out with the Add a Frame listing to purchase the frame in the photos.

About shipping and currency

This item ships from British Columbia. Because the majority of Kathryn's collectors are international, web prices are in US dollars, and shipping is free for all destinations in Canada and the US. Local BC customers, please contact us directly to do the purchase in CAD.

You can also shop the Prints gallery here, or read more about Kathryn’s work with nonprofits or our sustainability initiatives.

Images remain copyright © Kathryn Beals.