The article profiles the Plein Air Painting Group of Wimberley, a community of artists in Texas who gather weekly to paint outdoors. Organized by longtime painter Jim Street, the group formed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe way for studio painters to socialize and create. Members paint quickly to capture changing light and weather, often starting at 9 a.m. and finishing by noon to avoid the heat. The group has grown from two founders to a mailing list of 80 interested artists.
This story matters because it highlights the enduring appeal of plein air painting as both an artistic practice and a social activity. The movement, described by PleinAir magazine as the "largest in art history," offers benefits beyond technique: it encourages artists to work faster, engage with the public, and build community. In an era when many schools lack art programs, such groups provide informal education and inspiration for young people, keeping the tradition of outdoor painting alive at the grassroots level.