Brushes Brigade™ Plein Aire Painters, (BB™) is a group of local artists who paint plein aire at locations around Camano Island, Snohomish County and Skagit Valley.  In addition to the fun and camaraderie, BB™ provides a source of mentorship and encouragement for its members and the arts community.  It is an open group, not limited to degree of knowledge or experience, or specific medium.

During conversations with other local artists, it became apparent there was a desire for more interaction among established, emerging and student artists.  As a result of these discussions, I founded BB™ in January of 2000.  With a core group of 12 watercolorists, the first BB™ meeting was held in my home.  BB™ began with watercolorists who wished to spend more time discussing art and painting, learning from peers, and mentoring emerging artists.  In the summer of 2000, the first BB™ plein aire group met.  Five years later, BB™ continues to expand, has plans to exhibit artists’ work at local venues, and also to expand meetings to paint year-around.

As the founder and builder of BB™ Plein Aire Painters, I subscribe ardently to the philosophy of Robert Henri, who stated:

“Art appears in many forms.  To some degree every human being is an artist, dependent on the quality of his growth.  Art need not be intended.  It comes inevitably as the tree from the root, the branch from the trunk, the blossom from the twig.  …The branch does not boast of the relation it bears to its great ancestor the trunk and does not claim attention to the magnificent red apple it is about to bear.  Because it is engaged in the full play of its own existence, because it is full in its own growth, its fruit is inevitable.”

The Art Spirit

If interested in painting plein aire, with Brushes Brigade™  Plein Aire Painters please contact Teleia Geddes at wisteria@camano.net.  All painters are welcome regardless of experience or medium.