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John Mills, Neosho, has seen the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage many times, but Tuesday was the first time he had the chance to sit and capture it in paint.
“It’s almost too beautiful a thing to capture in such a short time,” Mills said as he painted from the southeast corner of the square. “But I’m having a lot of fun visiting with people while I paint.”
Jason Sacran, a Fort Smith artist, was looking at the courthouse from the opposite corner of the square. While the courthouse was a part of his painting, Sacran was trying to capture the energy of the Square around the historic
structure.
“Part of what I like to do is capture the back-scene in a painting,” Sacran said. “You can find beauty everywhere you look, especially in non-typical areas. The trees, the cars the businesses, the energy of everyday life, this is significant to the town too.”
The two artists were part of the second annual Maple Leaf Plein Air Paint Out, held Tuesday and Wednesday around Carthage.
Artists checked in at the Phelps House on Tuesday morning and paid $35 to participate, then fanned out across Carthage to see what they could find. Painting continued most of the day on Wednesday before the creations were set up at the Phelps House to show and for judging.
Mills, the president of the Neosho Arts Council, said he was “tickled to have an event like this so close to home to interest the artists and the community.”
He said he was trying to capture the fall color in the flowers, trees and even flags around the iconic courthouse.
“Because of the intricacy of the building, I’m afraid I may not have time to finish it,” Mills said. “It’s really pleasant to talk with the people as we paint though. People here are very kind to offer their enthusiastic support for this event.”
Sacran said he saw energy in the people, the cars and even the streets themselves around the courthouse.
“The tar lines on the pavement make patterns,” Sacran said. “I’ve got two different times of day in this work and two different types of lighting.”
Mills said he’s seen other Carthage artists, such as Jerry Ellis and others capture the spirit of the courthouse.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to come to Carthage and paint,” he said. “I’ve neen in the furniture and appliance business in Neosho for years. My education was in fine arts, but I’ve been out making a living. Now I get a chance after 40 years to do this and have a wonderful time doing it.”
The event concluded with an art show and sale and an art auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States.
John Mills, Neosho, has seen the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage many times, but Tuesday was the first time he had the chance to sit and capture it in paint.
“It’s almost too beautiful a thing to capture in such a short time,” Mills said as he painted from the southeast corner of the square. “But I’m having a lot of fun visiting with people while I paint.”
Jason Sacran, a Fort Smith artist, was looking at the courthouse from the opposite corner of the square. While the courthouse was a part of his painting, Sacran was trying to capture the energy of the Square around the historic
structure.
“Part of what I like to do is capture the back-scene in a painting,” Sacran said. “You can find beauty everywhere you look, especially in non-typical areas. The trees, the cars the businesses, the energy of everyday life, this is significant to the town too.”
The two artists were part of the second annual Maple Leaf Plein Air Paint Out, held Tuesday and Wednesday around Carthage.
Artists checked in at the Phelps House on Tuesday morning and paid $35 to participate, then fanned out across Carthage to see what they could find. Painting continued most of the day on Wednesday before the creations were set up at the Phelps House to show and for judging.
Mills, the president of the Neosho Arts Council, said he was “tickled to have an event like this so close to home to interest the artists and the community.”
He said he was trying to capture the fall color in the flowers, trees and even flags around the iconic courthouse.
“Because of the intricacy of the building, I’m afraid I may not have time to finish it,” Mills said. “It’s really pleasant to talk with the people as we paint though. People here are very kind to offer their enthusiastic support for this event.”
Sacran said he saw energy in the people, the cars and even the streets themselves around the courthouse.
“The tar lines on the pavement make patterns,” Sacran said. “I’ve got two different times of day in this work and two different types of lighting.”
Mills said he’s seen other Carthage artists, such as Jerry Ellis and others capture the spirit of the courthouse.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to come to Carthage and paint,” he said. “I’ve neen in the furniture and appliance business in Neosho for years. My education was in fine arts, but I’ve been out making a living. Now I get a chance after 40 years to do this and have a wonderful time doing it.”
The event concluded with an art show and sale and an art auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States.
