(April 14, 2016) For 38-year-old Ashton, Maryland native Barb Mowery, Paint Snow Hill was the gateway drug to her fondness for plein air painting.
The popular annual event returns this week, April 14-17.
“It’s all Snow Hill’s fault,” she said. “We lived in Ocean City and I remember seeing a flyer for Paint Snow Hill, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve never painted outside before. I’ll give that a try.’”
That was a decade ago, and Mowery, who now resides in Lusby, Maryland, has been back each year.
“The first year, I really was kind of clueless, but I had a lot of fun,” she said. “And then I just kind of got hooked. I was never really interested in painting the landscape before, but I was probably equal-parts inspired by the landscape on the Eastern Shore, but also by the other painters and seeing all the amazing artwork that they were doing. It’s really inspiring.”
During that first year, Mowery said her strategy was simple: seek shelter. Because she works in acrylics – a quick-drying medium – she often found herself either stationed under the pavilion near the Pocomoke River, or painting, literally, out of the back of her old hatchback.
“Gradually, I got braver and ventured out into the countryside. My husband is building me a plein air easel that I will be trying out this year when I paint, but I’m usually painting like a hobo out of my car,” she said with a laugh. “Most people are not doing that. Most people have a nice easel set up, and they get out there and trudge into the woods a little bit, or out by the water, or set up in front of people’s homes.”
She said the event has become more popular over time, as evidenced by the extremely short window registration was open this year – just three hours. She compared getting into Paint Snow Hill to buying concert tickets.
“That’s kind of mind-blowing [how quickly it filled up],” she said. “I always feel like a nerd, because I know what time the email is going to hit for registration, and I hang out next to my email, refreshing the screen. You’ve got to be on top of it to get in.
“I think the event itself has always been great, and it’s really a testament to [Bishop’s Stock Owner] Ann Coates and Randy [Coates], and all the people who help put it together every year,” she said. “It’s so fun. I think that’s why it’s really popular. It’s not really competitive, and it’s fun for the artists, and for the patrons and the community. The only thing that really changes every year is the weather.”
For those who are participating for the first time, Mowery said dressing in layers and bringing plenty of water is essential.
“And bring more supplies than you think you need – it always comes in handy,” she said.
She also advised artists to take part in related social events, including a picnic on Friday afternoon, which has become an annual tradition, and the “wet paint” show and sale, Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to mingle with collectors, and to share the excitement of painting outdoors with them,” she said.
The Saturday show and sale, April 16, is a ticketed preview event, taking place at the old firehouse, on West Green Street, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The $30 cost to attend will be subtracted from any purchases made that evening.
On Sunday, April 17, the wet paint show runs from noon to 4 p.m., with free admission.
For more information on Paint Snow Hill, contact Bishop’s Stock at 410-632-3555, or info@bishopsstock.com.
For more information on Mowery, visit www.barbmowery.com.
The popular annual event returns this week, April 14-17.
“It’s all Snow Hill’s fault,” she said. “We lived in Ocean City and I remember seeing a flyer for Paint Snow Hill, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve never painted outside before. I’ll give that a try.’”
That was a decade ago, and Mowery, who now resides in Lusby, Maryland, has been back each year.
“The first year, I really was kind of clueless, but I had a lot of fun,” she said. “And then I just kind of got hooked. I was never really interested in painting the landscape before, but I was probably equal-parts inspired by the landscape on the Eastern Shore, but also by the other painters and seeing all the amazing artwork that they were doing. It’s really inspiring.”
During that first year, Mowery said her strategy was simple: seek shelter. Because she works in acrylics – a quick-drying medium – she often found herself either stationed under the pavilion near the Pocomoke River, or painting, literally, out of the back of her old hatchback.
“Gradually, I got braver and ventured out into the countryside. My husband is building me a plein air easel that I will be trying out this year when I paint, but I’m usually painting like a hobo out of my car,” she said with a laugh. “Most people are not doing that. Most people have a nice easel set up, and they get out there and trudge into the woods a little bit, or out by the water, or set up in front of people’s homes.”
She said the event has become more popular over time, as evidenced by the extremely short window registration was open this year – just three hours. She compared getting into Paint Snow Hill to buying concert tickets.
“That’s kind of mind-blowing [how quickly it filled up],” she said. “I always feel like a nerd, because I know what time the email is going to hit for registration, and I hang out next to my email, refreshing the screen. You’ve got to be on top of it to get in.
“I think the event itself has always been great, and it’s really a testament to [Bishop’s Stock Owner] Ann Coates and Randy [Coates], and all the people who help put it together every year,” she said. “It’s so fun. I think that’s why it’s really popular. It’s not really competitive, and it’s fun for the artists, and for the patrons and the community. The only thing that really changes every year is the weather.”
For those who are participating for the first time, Mowery said dressing in layers and bringing plenty of water is essential.
“And bring more supplies than you think you need – it always comes in handy,” she said.
She also advised artists to take part in related social events, including a picnic on Friday afternoon, which has become an annual tradition, and the “wet paint” show and sale, Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to mingle with collectors, and to share the excitement of painting outdoors with them,” she said.
The Saturday show and sale, April 16, is a ticketed preview event, taking place at the old firehouse, on West Green Street, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The $30 cost to attend will be subtracted from any purchases made that evening.
On Sunday, April 17, the wet paint show runs from noon to 4 p.m., with free admission.
For more information on Paint Snow Hill, contact Bishop’s Stock at 410-632-3555, or info@bishopsstock.com.
For more information on Mowery, visit www.barbmowery.com.