Casey is enjoying the painting....

A Community Painting is Made!

I started painted by the train tracks and it was just a little colder and a little windier than the other day. I was again shy and just one guy driving by in his van interacted with me. He asked me if I was "painting by numbers". I told him no that I was "painting by looking".
Today I learned a lot of neat things by talking to folks in the community. I met a mechanic, exhibitions designer, a mom, a grandmother, and a man named Casey.
The mechanic said he has seen painters out in the area before painting in a group. I’ll have to see if an artists association is in existence here.
The designer (and retired painter) told me about a community program called “STEP” Or some acronym similar to it in Somerville. It stands for something like "suicide epidemic Somerville prevention". This program wanted to get more attention and bring issues to the public’s eye. It was started in reaction to a large number of teen suicides happening in early 2001 in Somerville. So they had local artists come in work with teens and at the end they have a show at Somerville Museum. The goal that I gathered was to create a place where the teens can increase self-esteem and connect with others. The show for this year is actually up now. He also told me that a bunch of artists from Medford were trying to get a specific building that was unoccupied. The city decided to do something else with the building.
A mom told me about a program in Medford her daughter participates in called "Roots and Shoots". In this program they walk around the river, learn about it, and clean it up. She said her daughter might want to come out and paint but that she was not creative.
A grandmother I met told me her son used to doodle a lot and now does paintings of animals. She too did not want to paint when I offered it to her.  She also seemed happy to see people painting her town.
Lastly, a tall man walked by with a yellow jean jacket. He was friendly and asked me what I was painting? So I explained it and low and behold he said he would give it a try. His name is Casey and his painting is below. It came out great! While painting he told me he grew up in Medford and when he was a kids he went to the community center and did art stuff. I also learned he heard that Medford is building a new community center. I wonder where this is? However he told me the community center is at 111 Arlington Street. He had a blast and so did I as I painted some of the sky in. Thanks everyone who I met to day and especially a big thanks to Casey!  Next painting time to be announced shortly.

Meeting the Community

Today I went out and painted by the train station in West Medford. It was a great sunny day with just a little wind. I met no one at first because I was feeling shy. After a while I began to say hi to folks and telling them what I was doing. I was happy to get one man named Joseph to paint with me. He is a photographer and was on his way to Boston to take photos. At first he didn't want to paint however after we talked for about 15 minutes he did paint a little cross walk that goes over the train tracks. Below is a picture of him painting.

I also met a woman with a baby, a woman with two dogs, a videographer, and a young woman with a guitar. I gave them all my card with the blog so I hope they follow me and join up next time. It was nice to meet you all and thanks for taking interest. I hope some of you can participate soon.

My next painting time and location will be Friday 10:00 at the same train station stop in West Medford. I am going to set up so I can paint the little red house the train man sits in. I will bring an extra painting supplies so come on down and get to know the folks in your community.

Creating Community with Plein Air Painting: Why and How?

Hello! Welcome to my blog. This blog aims to serve as a record of my experience creating community with plein air painting. Visitors can also check the blog to find out where I will be painting next if they would like to join me.

My name is Allison Nutting and I’m at student at Mass Art in Boston. For my class called creating community I have been instructed to make a piece of artwork with the community. Usually when doing plein air painting I’m alone and I choose low foot traffic areas so I can focus on painting. However for this assignment I will be inviting to the community and try to get them to make a painting with me or just on their own if they wish. Or if they like they can paint me or I can paint them. Or they can paint from their imagination. Nothing is written in stone. This is new to me and is going to be more of an organic process.

Some of you may be here because you have met me out in the community and want to follow up on how your painting went. Pictures of the paintings will be posted here. I also think i may post a you tube video also. Thanks for coming and do meet up with me again! Others may be here because your friends or family members who heard about what I’m doing. Please feel welcome to comment and of course come paint with me in the community.

I will set up my easel and paint the landscape. I will also bring with me another easel for whoever may want to paint along side me. If kids want to paint I will have a reserve of tempera paint for them to use. I will be painting with oils and using turpentine. These materials are toxic so kids will not use them. If you come out to paint it is suggested you don’t wear your best cloths, bring water, and of course a snack. Painting takes lots of energy.

It is my hope to get to know the community while out talking and painting with them. I would like to find out about available arts programs in the community and also what the community is lacking or wants related to building community through the arts.

I will be painting in two separate communities. I’ll be in Charlestown along the river as I am interested in capturing an old rusting bridge. The other community will be the town of Medford (where I just moved). In Medford I’ll be painting by the train station and later along the mystic river.

So my first day doing this will be tomorrow on Wednesday the 17th. I plan to paint by the train station in West Medford. Come join me! I'll be the girl with 2 easels and a big blue coat.

Thanks!