Had a great time plein air painting in Downtown Wilmington!

Bernie on the docks of the
Wilmington waterfront.

A few weekends ago I participated in the International Plein Air Painters (IPAP) 9th annual Worldwide Paint Out. Simply put... plein air artists from all over the world agree to paint on the same weekend to promote the tradition of plein air painting all over the globe. Most of the Eastern North Carolina artists decided to converge on historical Wilmington as our source of inspiration. I painted with several of my pards from the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society (OOPS) plus had the privilege of painting with dear friend, Brenda Behr. Check out Brenda's ponderings and paintings from the weekend HERE.

It was my first real plein air adventure this summer... my brand new French half easel was screaming for attention... I have been spending most of my time with T.S. Eliot, Langston Hughes, John Cheever, radicals, radicands, polynomials, Mendel, Eukaryotes, Genotypes, and Darwin this summer. Full time college and work leaves little time for painting... however, in the absence of painting... Eliot, Hughes, and Cheever have kept me sane... can't say to much for the others... back to the plein air weekend...

I worked on three paintings Saturday (which still need finishing touches) and had a great time sharing time with artist friends, talking to the public, and enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery of Wilmington. I spent the evening pub hopping with my son-in-law and friends which can all attest to the fact that I  paint better than I play pool!

Sunday morning I got up bright and early and decided to set up along the downtown waterfront. It was the 10th anniversary of 911 and I wanted to paint something patriotic so I zeroed in on the USS North Carolina Battleship just across the Cape Fear River. 2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of the ship's arrival in Wilmington. I turned 50 this summer and have included a photo of me. mom, and dad on the Battleship when I was just a baby.

Mom, baby-Bernie, and Dad at the
USS North Carolina Battleship in 1962.

My painting of the battleship seemed to click from the beginning and I was in a pretty good grove when I met the coolest man from Sweden... Anders Persson. We talked and he explained how he and his wife, Marie, had just visited the battleship yesterday and were interested in American history.

My plein air painting of the battleship.
9-11-11.

Marie and Anders Persson from Sweden.

Anders bought the painting on the spot saying he wished to take a piece of American history back to Sweden with them. I agreed to the sale under a couple conditions... he let me (#1) add the finishing touches and (#2) he and his wife visit with me awhile. I explained that I wanted them to spend a half hour talking to a regular Joe American so they wouldn't think Lindsay Lohan was the American norm! We had a great visit and I learned some interesting things about Sweden. This was very cool since my wife's great-grandfather was from Sweden. The patronage and visit from Anders and Marie were a double blessing for me and I count this among one of my favorite plein air stories!

Marie and Bernie.

Anders and Bernie.

Waterfront Docks, Downtown New Bern. NC plein air by Bernie Rosage Jr.

This original oil painting "Waterfront Docks" by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... the price is $250 unframed plus $15 S&H...  Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.

click on image to enlarge...


Waterfront Docks, Downtown New Bern, NC... 9x12" Oil on canvas, painted en plein aire for the IPAP's 7th annual WWPO, Bernie Rosage Jr., September 12, 2009.
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This plein air work was done for the 7th annual Worldwide Paint Out sponsored by the International Plein Air Painters.... read all about it HERE.

7th annual IPAP Worldwide Paint Out... the video....

Plein air painters march on the historic town of New Bern, North Carolina... watch this...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKTPZ92LH8o

Plein Air Painters and Cyclists converge on the historic town of New Bern. NC for great causes...

Plein Air Painters and Cyclists converge on the historic town on New Bern for great causes!

The Eastern NC Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced over 2,400 cyclists and 300 volunteers participated in last weekend’s Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride. Cyclists left from Union Point Park in New Bern for the successful 21st annual Bike MS September 12-13. Over $1.34 million has been counted to date, and officials project that they are on target to meet their $1.7 million goal.

Also converging on the historic town were plein air artists from Eastern North Carolina participating in the International Plein Air Painter's (IPAP) 7th annual Worldwide Paint Out (WWPO). The paint out is designed to bring recognition to the tradition of painting "en plein air"... the French term for "in the open air". The event brings plein air artists from all over the world who agree to paint outdoors on the same date by organizing events in their local area. Plein air painters from Onslow, Craven, Beaufort, Carteret, Wayne, Pamlico, and Pender counties were present for the special 2 day event.


The following artists participated in the 7th WWPO:
Susan Cheatham (organizer)
Bernie Rosage Jr (organizer)
Mitchell Morton
Stephen Greer
Dean Remington
Kit
Pat Boni
Karen Crenshaw
Kristen Crenshaw
Donna Tyree
Mike Rooney
Ann Ward
Sue Henry
Vickie Vitale
Eleanor McAiver
John Hanley
Art Tyndall
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Apologies to any artist not mentioned.
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Hope you enjoy these photos from the paint out and make plans to join us for the 8th annual WWPO next September... see ya!
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Ann Ward presented Bernie Rosage representing OOPS (Onslow Outdoor Painters Society) with this cool bottle of wine! Thanks Ann!

Attention all NC Plein Air Artists ~ Location and Dates for IPAP's 7th Annual Worldwide Paint Out

The International Plein Air Painters (IPAP) 7th Annual Worldwide Paint Out is a gathering of plein air artists from all over the world who agree to paint on the same days to promote the tradition of painting "en plein aire".

Eastern North Carolina artists will converge again this year on the historical town of New Bern on September 12 and 13, 2009 to do their part. All artists are to meet at the gazebo at Union Point Park near the downtown waterfront at 9:00 AM each morning. Groups from Onslow, Craven, Carteret, and Beaufort counties have already expressed interest in participating. If you are a plein air artist... mark your calendar and make plans to join us.

More details to come as the event approaches... meanwhile mark your calendar to save the dates and click HERE to register on the IPAP's site. Registration is FREE and not mandatory but is encouraged to show your support.

http://www.i-p-a-p.com/

"Bradham's Pharmacy... Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, New Bern, NC"... Plein Air

"Bradham's Pharmacy... Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, New Bern, NC"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008. SOLD

 

Click on image to see a larger view...

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This painting, "Bradham's Pharmacy... Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, New Bern, NC" is set in downtown New Bern, North Carolina and was painted en plein aire as part of the 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out sponsored by the International Plein Air Painters. It marks the spot that was once a pharmacy where Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink" in 1898 which he later patented as Pepsi-Cola. The historical site is owned by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company which serves as Pepsi memorabilia store where visitors can purchase a variety of Pepsi products and even belly up to a vintage soda fountain.

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Photograph of sign on the building...

RJ Howarth of Moorestown. NJ

"City Hall Clock Tower #3, New Bern, NC... A View from South Front Street"... Plein Air by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"City Hall Clock Tower #3, New Bern, NC... A View from South Front Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008. SOLD... Thanks Homer, New Bern, NC.

Click on image to see a larger view...

Close-up....

Day 2 of the IPAP 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out started out clear and HOT! I met several other artists from Eastern NC... some from New Bern, Oriental, and Little Washington. Mitchell Morton and I were the only artists from Onslow County to paint on day 2. Keeping my fascination with the City Hall clock tower alive I found a cool vantage point just off South Front Street at the Zaytoun-Raines Century 21 building. I met several nice people who dropped by to chat including a nice man named Homer Ray who worked at the office I was painting from... he even expressed an interest in purchasing this painting and has first dibs on it if still interested. After I finished... Mitchell and I headed to the corner of Pollock and Middle Streets to paint the Birthplace of Pepsi... images will be posted soon.

This painting, on a gessoed panel with painted sides, is easily framed or displayed with a decorative easel.
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All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces. "Certificate of Authenticity" included.

"City Hall Clock Tower #2, New Bern, NC... A View from Pollock Street"... Plein Air

"City Hall Clock Tower #2, New Bern, NC... A View from Pollock Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase...Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.

Click on image to see a larger view...



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Close-up...
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I headed out of the house, riding the heels of tropical storm Hanna, eager to plein air paint with of a couple of my artist friends who I was to meet in New Bern, North Carolina. We were taking part in the IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out. My pards set up in the shade of the trees at historic Christ's Church while I set up across the street (Pollock Street) to paint another view of the clock tower of the New Bern City Hall. We painted till dark... I'll share more soon.
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City Hall Clock Tower #1, New Bern, NC... A View from Craven Street... Plein Air

"City Hall Clock Tower #1, New Bern, NC... A View from Craven Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.

Click on image to see a larger view...

Close-up...

Several plein air artists from Eastern North Carolina (myself included) converged on the historic and beautiful town of New Bern, North Carolina to take part in the IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out. Plein air painters from all over the world agreed to meet in various locations all over the globe to plein air paint on September 5, 6, and 7. This special gathering is to help promote the unique art of painting "en plein aire"... a French term that translates... "in open air". This is my first of several paintings that weekend.

Plein Air Artists and Hanna converge of New Bern...

Tropical storm Hanna may make Saturday's Worldwide Plein Air Paint Out a bit challenging.... none-the-less many Eastern NC artists still plan to converge on the historical town of New Bern... myself included! She is projected (at this point) to be out of here by Saturday afternoon with Sunday being beautiful! The IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) holds a worldwide paint out every year (this is the 6th annual event) to promote the tradition and bring exposure to painting "en plein aire"... a French term which translates... "in open air". Does anyone know the French term "in open air and WIND"?