Painting Under the Oaks at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

 I took the opportunity to paint this beautiful day on location at the SC Department of Natural Resources Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area near McClellanville, SC.

Sunlight lights my canvas as I paint under the oaks
near the Santee Gun Club Clubhouse,
a regional office of the SC Department of Natural Resources.

The subject of my plein air painting is sunlight filtering through the live oaks leading to the historic Santee Gun Clubhouse circa 1908 on the grounds of the former Blake Plantation once the site of large scale rice planting and the first rice mill in SC.

 "Sunlit Oaks"A mix media painting on canvas
by
 Katherine M Schneider
20" x 24" unframed

Plein Air Painting at Hampton Plantation - Spring 2014

Charcoal Drawing by Katherine Schneider
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site
2014

Beautiful weather made for a wonderful afternoon at Hampton Plantation.

As I worked on my charcoal drawing, the afternoon sun filtering through the ancient Washington Oak cast soft shadows on the Spanish moss as it swayed in the afternoon breeze.












Hampton Plantation Historic Site Park Manager Mr. Dale Purvis and his daughter came over to visit and see my afternoon's artwork.

 

Mr. Dale Purvis, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site Park Manager

and his daughter Miss D. Purvis, age 3

Upon viewing the drawing, Miss Purvis commented "It's a pretty picture of my house".  I couldn't ask for a better review of my artwork "Hampton Plantation - Spring Breeze".  

"Hampton Plantation - Spring Breeze"
by Katherine Schneider
Charcoal and Pastel
11" x 14"

A Plein Air Painting of Cypress Trees In a Managed Wetland at the Santee Coastal Reserve - March 2014

It was a great day to be plein air painting on location at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA in the SC Lowcountry.

Just a sheet of paper, paint, brushes and lots of sun
were all that was needed to record my
impressions in a painting of moss draped cypress trees
on a warm winter day at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA. 

Bright, sunshine, and no bugs - rare for this area of managed wetlands, pristine marshlands, and tidal creeks - made for an enjoyable day after weeks of cold, wet weather. 

I had lots of company with the "locals" also enjoying the sunny day, as I worked to paint my impressions of spanish moss swaying in the afternoon breeze in the cypress trees. 

Nearby, an anhinga (snake bird) paused to dry it's wings in the sun. 

An anhinga dries it's wings in the late afternoon sun
before flying off to roost in the trees of the
Washo Reserve.

This small alligator seemed to be grinning
as it warmed itself in the afternoon sunlight.
It blended so well with the muddy bank, I didn't see it
until  I passed close by on the dike footpath.

Even the natives were mellowing in the sun….Although I didn't see this alligator resting on the edge of the path, my presence nearby didn't seem to disturb it. The resting reptile didn't move a muscle as I walked quietly on my way. 

Sketching Under the Oaks and Woodpecker Sightings at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA Feb 2014

The recent "polar vortex"and ice storm caused downed trees and limbs among the habitats at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA. The staff has been busy restoring the wildlife management area (WMA) to it's pre-storm condition.

"Smoke, Light and Shadows"
charcoal/pastel on paper
11"x14"

My drawing today, depicts burning debris in a clearing near an avenue of live oaks. The lengthening rays of the setting sun cause interesting patterns of light and shadow through the smoke…

A Pileated Woodpecker landed on a branch above me
while I sketched
at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

As I sketched, a large pileated woodpecker landed on a low hanging branch over my head. Suddenly bark chips rained down on me from the bird's energetic efforts to dislodge insects from the branch. In full battle mode, I withstood the flying debris to aim my camera skyward and take reference photos of the moment. 

The sight of a male Downy Woodpecker landing nearby searching for food
made my afternoon painting at Santee Coastal even more memorable

A few minutes later, a soft chirping alerted me to the presence of another woodpecker nearby - a male Downy Woodpecker had flown to the tree directly behind my sketching spot. This smaller bird was a bit more wary of my presence, but still provided a few nice photos of his evening's activity looking for food. Both bird encounters have provided inspiration for future paintings.

Painting On Location at the SCDNR Santee Coastal Wildlife Management Area - February 2014

The Santee Coastal Wildlife Management Area of the SC Dept. of Natural Resources is a great place to visit this time of year. The weather is cooler, the bugs are more manageable, and with the deciduous leaves down for winter, more expansive vistas are visable in the hardwood forests. I'm continuing to explore the many inspirational locations this diverse ecosystem provides... Here are a couple of areas I've been inspired to paint out in recently

An umbrella shields my canvas from the wind as I paint evening light
on a rice trunk gate at the SC Santee Coastal Reserve.

The Washo Reserve is a scene of seasonal color and migrating wildlife.

Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings of Santee Coastal Reserve SCDNR Wildlife Management Area by Artist Katherine M Schneider on Display at Historic Santee Gun Club Clubhouse

An exhibition of new paintings and drawings by Katherine M Schneider entitled "From Dawn to Dusk" is on display

The Historic Santee Gun Club Clubhouse circa 1898
currently headquarters of the SCDNR at
Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area
210 Santee Gun Club Rd. McClellanville, SC.

at the historic Santee Gun Club Clubhouse of the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The artworks on display are the artist's impressions of the habitats and wildlife of the SC Santee Coastal Reserve.

This diverse ecosystem is made up of 24,000 acres "including a variety of habitats including upland forests, freshwater, brackish and tidal wetlands and agricultural fields. The property is composed of Murphy Island, Cedar Island, The Cape, Washo Reserve and adjacent upland habitats.

Murphy Island, Cedar Island and The Cape are former rice fields managed for the benefit of breeding migratory and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Murphy and Cedar Islands. Washo Reserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, is a 1,000-acre sanctuary consisting of a cypress lake that supports one of the largest Wood stork rookeries on the East Coast and a surrounding upland buffer.

 Schneider's plein air drawing of wind blown spanish moss
in a cypress tree at a freshwater impoundment
 at the Santee Coastal Reserve  

The upland habitat at SCR contains a diversity of forest types, including a natural stand of longleaf pine, Carolina bays and mixed hardwoods. The long-leaf pine and other forested areas support many colonies of the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker, songbirds, raptors, butterflies, fox squirrels and other small mammals." (DNR managed lands site)


Over the past 5 months, Schneider has sketched and painted on location (en plein air) at Santee Coastal Reserve studying the land and inhabitants of the long leaf pine barrens, freshwater impoundments, tidal wetlands, former rice fields and South Santee River.

The setting sun creates dramatic light patterns
in the broom sedge grass of a long leaf pine barren as
 Katherine Schneider paints on location at Santee Coastal Reserve 

The field studies created over this time period developed strong impressions of the seasonal changes in the landscape, native wildlife and migratory birds and have provided a store of material from which the artworks in the exhibit "From Dawn to Dusk" have evolved.  

                                                                                                 

The exhibit "From Dawn to Dusk" Paintings and Drawings of the Santee Coastal Reserve by Katherine M. Schneider is open to the public Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Santee Coastal Reserve Clubhouse, 210 Santee Gun Club Rd. McClellanville, SC. Phone (843) 546-6062.

Great Weather for Plein Air Painting In the SC Lowcountry

. 

My painting and easel  set up on a quiet country road.
As the light faded, a family of deer wandered across the road.
They move soft as shadows.

Sunlight filtering through live oaks on a country road and cool fall weather made for great painting in the ACE basin today.  I'm working on a larger canvas (36"x48") that will take several painting sessions to complete. 

Pictured here is my custom made canvas panel with an under painting of neutral grey-green and dark tones. Next, I'll work on developing abstract light and shadow patterns in the trees. It's often useful to simplify a subject with this much visual "information". Including too much detail will weaken the overall design and cause the painting to look cluttered. 

 I'm working to create a painting about softly filtered sunlight and sheltering live oaks on a road less traveled. A scene of timeless beauty increasingly hard to find ...

National Arbor Day 2012

Happy National Arbor Day 2012.  "Lowcountry Morning Glow" is my plein air painting of a SC Lowcountry marsh hummock with the state tree - the Palmetto.  What a great day to get outside and celebrate the beauty of trees.

"Lowcountry Morning Glow"
oil on panel
sold

Katherine Schneider Exhibits at the Oil Painters of America Charleston Paint Out 2011

43 painters including Charleston artist Katherine M. Schneider enjoyed beautiful weather as they gathered in historic Charleston, SC for the 2011 Oil Painters of America (OPA) Paint Out Saturday.

View of St. Michael's Church, Charleston
by OPA member Katherine Schneider

The artists chose to paint at a wide variety of locations in downtown Charleston ranging from historic churches such as St Michael's Church painted by OPA member Katherine Schneider to harbor vistas, historic homes and waterfront parks.

OPA member John Hulsey and his wife Ann traveled from Kansas to participate in the Charleston  paint out.

As the artists completed their plein air works, the paintings were delivered to Lambert Gray Gallery where they were hung for the evening Exhibition and Reception.

Oil Painters of America "Great American Paint Out 2011" Charleston, SC

Oil Painters of America (OPA) artist members and guests will be painting "en plein air" (on location) in historic downtown Charleston from 10:00 - 4:00 Saturday November 12, as part of the 2011 Oil Painters of America "Great American Paint Out".

This year's event in Charleston is being organized by OPA members Sally Reynolds and Hilarie Lambert and is hosted by Lambert Gray Gallery and Studios 54 Broad St. Charleston SC. A reception will follow at the gallery 5:30 - 7:00 pm.

Several artists including Katherine Schneider will be painting along historic Broad Street during the morning and afternoon and welcome visitors to stop by and see what's on their easels.

OPA member Katherine Schneider paints en plein air (in open air) in historic Charleston ,SC

"Springtime in Charleston" A plein air painting of the Joseph Verre House

A bright red Japanese maple and intertwining vines of pink roses and confederate jasmine blooming on the garden gate of the Joseph Verre House were the inspiration for this plein air (on location) painting .

Charleston's historic colonial homes are graced with some of the loveliest, intimate garden spaces in the country. While they are often planted to be enjoyed all year long, it is in the spring that they outdo themselves with colorful blooms.

"Springtime in Charleston"
Plein air oil on panel
Size: 11" x 14"
Sold

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation" an oil painting of a Lowcountry Plantation by Katherine Schneider

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation"

Oil on panel painting by Katherine Schneider

 11"x14" 

$450.00

This time of year the world famous collection of camellias is in full bloom at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens along the banks of the Ashley River near Charleston, SC. Painting on the grounds of the Manor house is a pleasure anytime of year, but even more now when the weather is mild and the amazing variety of  blooming camellias add bright bursts of color to the muted tones of  the winter garden.

A Plein Air Painting of the Restored Bandstand in White Point Gardens by Katherine Schneider

White Point Gardens was a great place to paint today. The park was full of activity as children hunted for Easter eggs, blankets were spread for picnics, and everyone enjoyed the sunshine by the harbor.

The newly renovated Bandstand looked lovely with it's lowered platform and fresh paint.

"What's Old Is New Again"

The Bandstand at White Point Gardens

Oil on cradled birch panel

Plein air painting by Katherine Schneider

"View of a Charleston Alley" Painting on Location in Historic Charleston

Spring is finally here. Today was a beautiful day painting in this quaint alley in the historic French Quarter of Charleston. Our city is a great place to walk, especially in the spring when all the gardens start to bloom.

Little alleys like the one in my painting are hidden gems just waiting to be explored!

"View of a Charleston Alley"

Oil on canvas panel

8" x 10"
$325.00

"Marsh Creek Reflections" Plein Air Painting by a Lowcountry Creek

A bright blue sky with cumulus clouds reflecting in a tidal marsh creek was the subject of today's plein air painting.

Lots of sunshine and temperatures in the 70's made it a great day for painting on location near Edisto Island, SC.

As I painted, I noticed that young green grass has started to push up through the brown reeds of winter.

Soon the marsh will change from the winter brown into the fresh green of new growth for Spring.

"Marsh Creek Reflections"

Oil on canvas panel

8"x 10"

"Lowcountry Oyster Boat" Plein Air Painting in a SC Fishing Village

Windy conditions on the creek made painting on location chilly this March afternoon.

Quick placement of values and color notes was important in the plein air painting of this boat because of the rapidly changing water level in the tidal creek.


This weathered oyster boat is a favorite subject of mine to paint.
I like to imagine all the time it's spent traveling the creeks and marshes in all kinds of weather harvesting Natures bounty.

"Lowcountry Oyster Boat"
Oil on panel
11" x 14"
 $425.00

Spring Fever Replaces Frost Bite for Plein Air Painting in Charleston March 2010

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Just a short while ago, I was painting in the snow from the same spot that this afternoon brought out shorts and a case of spring fever.

Temperatures reached the 60's with warm and sunny skies and a light breeze off the lake. Perfect weather for plein air painting or ..... not.

Even a serious outdoor painter is susceptible to being seduced by Nature on a winter afternoon like this. So I gave it my best shot until a mockingbird started singing right above me adding more enticement to "do research for my art" by relaxing and absorbing all the sights and sounds of this unseasonable warm afternoon.




In the famous words of Scarlet O'Hara "...after all, tomorrow is another day...".

Plein Air Painting in the Southern Snowstorm of 2010

Three inches of snow fell tonight here in Mt. Pleasant on the coast of SC.

The sight of the falling snow inspired me to get out my easel to paint the beauty of this rare moment.

It's an understatement to say that painting in the snow tonight was a "learning experience".

First lesson.. Don't try to paint without cover while the snow is still falling. It seemed so dry at first....




Second lesson: Anchor the easel well into the ground. I usually do but in the excitement of the snowstorm (and the wind had been calmer) I forgot. You can see the predictable result in this picture.



Third Lesson: Snow can turn to rain very quickly...See lesson one about painting under a cover.



With my charcoal sketch on a cold, wet easel I decided I've "learned" enough tonight. I've sketched an interesting composition and have enough reference material to finish the painting in the studio.

For me, the value of plein air painting is as much the "process" as the "product"...




It was a fun painting challenge, but I think Mother Nature won this round.






Either way, it was a beautiful night.

Plein Air Charcoal Drawing at the Irvin House Vineyard Festival 2009

It was a beautiful day under the majestic oaks of the Irvin House Vinyard for the annual "Blessing of the Vines" Festival.

The Reverend Gregg Snyder from St. Johns Episcopal Church led a progressive blessing of the winery buildings, the grape vines, the Irvin family and gathered guests.
It was a spirited event with participants following Father Snyder around the vineyard adding rousing acclamations to each of the blessings.
After the blessing ceremony, all returned to picnic under the trees, enjoying the beautiful weather, live music, food, wine and craftsman displays.

A "plein air" (drawn on location) charcoal and pastel drawing of the Irvin House "Blessing of the Vines" Festival 2009.

Plein Air Paint Out at Charleston Vineyard 11.14.09

Grab your paint brushes, drawing materials, or camera and head out to Charleston's only domestic winery the Irvine - House Winery and Vineyard this Sat (11.14.09) to join local artists who will be attending at the 7th annual Blessing of the Vines Festival. In addition to providing a great opportunity to paint en plein air "in the fresh air", the festival will include blessing of the vines, live music, wine, and a BBQ cook off.

Here's a link to the Irvin - House Vineyard website for directions and more information about the day's activities.
PS: The paint out is not a sponsored activity of the festival, just a great opportunity for artists to do what we love to do - Paint Out! Check this link to the Charleston Outdoor Painters (COPA) site for more information.