A Brush With Tradition : Plein-Air Watercolorists Take In the Scenery and Money for Museum

The sun peeked through the clouds as local painter Elizabeth Miller set up her canvas Sunday afternoon and began to sketch the cream-colored barn at the Stagecoach Inn.

She studied the landscape, deciding how best to capture the old building, the carriage it housed and the stately trees that framed it.

“The challenge is to present what you see, but keep the colors bright and maybe even make them a little brighter,” said the 73-year-old Thousand Oaks resident.

Miller was one of more than 10 local artists who put their brushes to canvas to paint traditional outdoor scenes.

The Thousand Oaks Plein-Air Watercolorists, sponsors of Sunday’s “Paint Out” benefit, were themselves a picture of tradition--most dressed in late 19th century costumes.

While they were trying to raise money for the Stagecoach Inn Museum, group members--who donated a minimum of 10% from each painting sold--were true to their main purpose for the entire afternoon: to have fun with one another.

Barbara Froloff and Ed Greenwood sat together and painted the same landscape--a few trees planted next to an electrical valve unit. Froloff concentrated on the trees, using several shades of green. But the valves in her painting were simple and abstract.

Greenwood, however, sketched and painted the valves in detail, all but ignoring the trees. Aware of their individual strengths, Greenwood made Froloff an offer.

“I’ll paint your valves, if you paint my trees,” the 70-year-old Thousand Oaks resident said.

Froloff, also of Thousand Oaks, declined but agreed that working together is an important part of the group.

“We all know each other,” she said. “We just have a lot of fun.”

Museum visitors and art enthusiasts strolled along the inn’s wooden veranda, observing the artists at work and studying collections of their earlier works.

In between that and wandering through the museum--which is dedicated to preserving the history of the Conejo Valley--spectators walked through an exhibit of the watercolor group’s work that will be on display at the museum through January.

Aspiring young painter Justin Dyer said he talked his mother into taking him to the Stagecoach Inn so he could learn more about watercolor painting.

“He couldn’t wait to come,” said Nadean Dyer of Westlake Village.

Impressed by the artists’ work, Justin, 11, said he is looking forward to trying his hand at using watercolors.

“I like all of them,” he said. “I want to start [painting].”

Shirley Morris of Thousand Oaks said she’s no artist, just an admirer. She bought a floral painting.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said of the event. “Anything that brings culture to the area is great.”

Started two years ago, the plein-air painters--a style of painting outdoor nature scenes--gets together once or twice each month in scenic areas in the Conejo Valley. From beginners to professionals, the group of about 40 members welcomes anyone who enjoys watercolors.

Members share ideas and gently critique each other.

“Painting with a group is so much nicer than painting by yourself,” said Blanca Relle, a member of the group and a docent at the museum. “It motivates you.”

David Deyell, a retired architect, said he enjoys painting with watercolors because of the freedom.

“If you want it to look exactly the way it is, you grab your camera. If you want it to look the way you think it should look, you grab your paintbrush,” Deyell said. “To me, that’s the fun of it.”