“Art is that fatal net which catches these strange moments on the wing like mysterious butterflies, fleeing the innocence and distractions of common men.”   Giorgio de Chirico

For Iris Sabre, plein air painting is a bold and daring adventure.

She is never sure what the outcome will be. It is this uncertainty that give the painting spontaneity and makes the process new and different every time it is undertaken. When plein air painting, Iris is totally “in the zone.” Working rapidly on a large format with oil paints, she completes a work on site with bold strokes and vivid colors. “You have to love it,” she says. . . “to love being there out on the edge of the cliff over the sea or the high hillside, painting. This is paradise.”

Born and raised in San Francisco, she received her bachelor’s degree in painting at SF State University, as well as two teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects and Fine Art. She has continued to take workshops and study with local painters Randall Sexton, Pam Glover, and Van Waldron. A member of the California Art Club, her work is also shown at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery in San Francisco and the Marin Society of Artists Gallery in San Rafael.

Benicia Plein Air Gallery is located at 307 First Street in Benicia. The collection will be on display from April 7th through May 3rd. The public is welcome to attend a reception and meet the artist on Saturday, April 11, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Also on exhibit is a new collection of plein air paintings by all 13 of the gallery’s artists, showcasing a colorful variety of media and styles.

 

Edit: Due to expanded restrictions in response to COVID-19, Benicia Plein Air Gallery is currently closed and will re-open once restrictions are lifted.