PIPAF 2023

an unforgettable journey of art and discovery

PIPAF 2023 (Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival) was once again an incredible event — I’m still processing the experience.

From start to finish, the organizers and sponsors put on a truly fine event. It started off with everyone meeting at Art Lab Studios and Gallery to debrief and get our canvasses stamped with the official PIPAF logo.

Art Lab Studios gifted us a wonderful assortment of art supplies, including a Rosemary & Co. long handled brush created specifically for this event. Talk about special! Thank you Art Lab Studios & Rosemary Brushes!!!

Special Edition long handled Rosemary Brush - PIPAF 2023

The event itself took me up and down the breathtaking Fundy Shore (Jurassic Shore, to me), from Soley Cove to the western tip of Advocate (and a little bit beyond, even dipping into the parking lot of Cape Chignecto’s Provincial Park, where it overlooks the Isle of Haute).

A quick thumbnail sketch in one of my sketchbooks of Isle of Haute as viewed from Cape Chignecto Provincial Park.

This year revealed parts of the area I had missed on previous visits. It was like reuniting with an old friend and discovering even more beauty than I thought possible. Inland, there are stunning rolling fields, streams, trees and farmland.

Blueberry farmers in the region rely on honey bees to pollinate their crops. There are warning signs everywhere. I noticed some locals walking the roads with bee hats with netting and long sleeved shirts for protection. The bees didn’t bother me at all (and I hope I didn’t bother them either), so I was lucky, as I did hear of someone being swarmed recently in the area.

Honey beehives in use for pollination

At Newville Lake the dappled shade helped to beat the heat. This is the start of a plein air painting there:

The start of a painting at Newville Lake.

One of the highlights was the opportunity to spend time with fellow plein air artists, exchanging ideas and stories - just having fun - while also being enthralled by the diverse and exceptional body of artwork created during the event—a treasure to cherish.

The quick draw event on Sunday, as always was extremely popular:

For those who missed the chance to attend this year’s PIPAF, fear not! You can still acquire some of the remarkable paintings through ParrsboroCreative. Simply follow this link to add a piece from the event to your collection: https://www.parrsborocreative.com/pipaf-2023-paintings

Seeing the collection online takes me back to the gala, standing in awe amidst the work, basking in the sheer fortitude of the plein air showcase. Discovering something new each time I walked the perimeter of the show.

It’s a dreamy memory etched in my heart and mind.

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Note Card Service

And now, a little about my Note Card Service - If you haven't already joined my blank note card list, there's still time! You can sign up for my note card subscription service, receiving 12 thoughtfully designed note cards over the course of a year, complete with envelopes. I’m told they come in handy in a variety of situations.

These are the three blank note cards that will be shipping out next week. They represent three of my plein air oil paintings from the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival 2023.

To subscribe to the Note Card Service, click here: https://maryann.ca/note-card-subscription-service

Alternatively, you can also pick up individual blank note cards (and original artwork) from my website: https://maryann.ca/blank-note-cards

Thank you for being a part of this creative journey with me, I look forward to sharing more in the future!

Best regards,

M.A.

www.MaryAnn.ca