Margaret von Kaenel participated in the first Nature Speaks Through Art Plein Air art experience at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The Missouri Botanical Garden missouribotanicalgarden.org engages visitors with nature in unique ways. On Thursday, August 8th the organization launched its first Nature Speaks Through Art program – an experiential opportunity integrating nature, learning and art. As part of the admission during these extended evening hours visitors were able to learn about Plein Air Art – a French phrase meaning “in the open air,” describing the process of painting a landscape outdoors. The Garden engaged the Missouri Plein Air Painters’ Association missouripleinair.com having local artists create art throughout the Garden during the evening.
M. Shawn Cornell, a renown Missouri plein air artist gave a talk in the Farr Auditorium about the practice of plein air painting and its connection to nature.
Each artist was assigned an area to paint from 5pm – 8pm. Margaret’s area was the Woodland Garden on a man-made wood-chip path. While the area where Margaret was painting was completely in shade, she looked up and painted the dramatic sky that wound its way down to the woodland floor through sky and sunlight. She created a dramatic painting that inspires one to look up and to be hopeful about the future.
Participating Artists and their areas of painting included:
Norma West-Ottoman Garden
Nancy Mueth-Hosta Garden
Billy Paulsen-Knolls
Miachael Anderson-Central Axis
Lee Streett-Swift Pools
Jenn Collins-Victorian Garden
Margaret von Kaenel-Woodland Garden
Denise Otterbach-Woodland Garden
Carolyn Karasek-Lotus Shore
Gino Santa Maria-Japanese Garden Lawn
Debbie Niewald-Carver Garden
Susan Rogers-Kemper Garden
Sandy Haynes-Holly Fields
Deb Trafton-Holly Fields
Kellie Bick-Lehman Rose Garden
Kathy Morrison-Bulb Garden
Shawn Cornell-Stumpery
All paintings will be on display at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Thursday, August 22, 2024.