Eugene Plein Air

Outdoor painting social group in Eugene Oregon! Follow us for meeting updates. Email us at [email protected]

[eugenepleinair]

October 2025 Meeting

Palace Coffee/Bakery - Downtown Thursday, Oct 23, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

This is our first indoor sketch session of the year! Please respect the space by only bringing supplies that will not make a mess or take up too much space. I recommend a sketchbook and drawing tools or compact water-based media like watercolor or gouache! You are not required to purchase coffee/food to attend but we encourage it if you have the means to do so! Access: Just a few blocks from the Eugene Bus Station! If the bakery is too full we will switch to a nearby location. (Most likely Dark Pine since they have a larger seating area)

Notes: If you have suggestions for indoor locations which are free and wheelchair/mobility aid accessible please let us know! -Nico

[eugenepleinair]

September 2025 Meetings

Campbell Community Center Thursday, Sept 18, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Meeting location: The clearing to the right (when facing Campbell Center from the parking lot).

If it's raining we will meet under the covered walkway at Campbell Center Access: Bus line 01 drops off one block from Campbell Community Center. The path from the bus stop and parking lot to Campbell community center is fully paved. Closest water sources: fountain inside Campbell Center

Alton Baker Park: Ponds Saturday, Sept 27, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Meeting location: Near the Sun marker at the ponds. If you haven't seen it before it looks like a big yellow orb! If it is raining we will meet at one of the covered picnic areas near the parking lot. Access: Bus line 12 and 66 drop off near Alton Baker Park. You can follow a sidewalk or path around the car dealership to the park entrance. Est .4 mile walk. Closest water sources: The water fountain near the restrooms.

Notes: If it is windy or cool on a meeting day I recommend dressing warmer than you normally would! Sitting outside for 1-2hrs can feel much colder than you'd expect if you aren't used to it.

Depending on weather, this may be our last month of outdoor meetings for the year. We will take a seasonal break or switch to indoor meetings in the fall/winter. Thanks to anyone who painted with us this year! -Nico

[eugenepleinair]

Location Change:

Tues July 17th Plein Air

Hello, due to lack of parking space we will be moving today's meeting to Washburne Park. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Nico

[eugenepleinair]

July 2025 Meetings

Mission City Park Thursday, July 17, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Meeting location: The field in Mission City park. It is very small so we will be visible from the parking area. Access: Mission City Park is accessed via a gravel parking area attached to a residential road. Mission Ave does not have a sidewalk but has smooth pavement. Unfortunately there are no bus lines near the park. Closest water sources: n/a

Hendricks Park: Rhododendron Garden Saturday, July 26, 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Meeting location: The trail near the Rhododendron Garden parking area. Access: The closest bus is the EmX. It requires an uphill walk through a neighborhood on either side of Hendricks Park. The Rhododendron Garden is not fully paved but Amy and I will remain in the area near the loop and the parking lot which is paved. Closest water sources: The water fountain near the restrooms.

Updates: We are approaching the hottest weeks of the year. Please remember to pack water and wear sunscreen! We are still looking for location suggestions so please email us or comment if you have ideas! -Nico

[eugenepleinair]

June 2025 Meetings

Willamette Confluence, hosted by the Mckenzie River Trust! Thursday, June 5, 9:00am to 1:00pm

More information and reservation here: https://give.mckenzieriver.org/event/painting-and-photography-open-house-at-the-willamette-confluence/e686442

Amazon Community Center 2700 Hilyard st Sunday, June 22, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Meeting location: The covered walkway near the parking lot. Note: Amazon Community Center is the set of buildings furthest south in the parking lot. (Closest to the skate bowl) Some map application will send you to Hilyard Community Center by mistake. (the building furthest north) Access: The closest buses are the 28. 81, and 82. There is a fully paved path from the bus stop to the meeting location. Amazon Community Center has a dedicated parking lot. Closest water sources: The bathrooms near the playground and at the fork in the path near the skate bowl.

Updates: We are also still looking for location suggestions so please email us or comment if you have ideas! -Nico

[eugenepleinair]

May 8th Meeting Update

Hi everyone!

We are moving to the field at the back end of Tugman park since it's a bit too cold in the shade. I'll post a reply with a picture of the area so we're easier to find!

[eugenepleinair]

[eugenepleinair]

May 8th Meeting Update

Hi everyone!

We are moving to the field at the back end of Tugman park since it's a bit too cold in the shade. I'll post a reply with a picture of the area so we're easier to find!

[eugenepleinair]

May 2025 Meetings

Tugman Park Thursday, May 8, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Meeting location: Near the covered benches by the playground. The group may decide to move to another area in the park. If we move I will post the new location here! Access: The closest bus is the 28 and there is a fully paved path from the bus stop to the meeting location. Parking is on the street and may require a detour due to construction. Closest water source: The bathrooms and water fountain near the playground.

Owen Rose Garden Saturday, May 31, 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Meeting location: Near the benches closest to the parking lot. The group may decide to move to another area in the park. If we move I will post the new location here! Access: The closest bus is the 51. It drops off four blocks south of the park. There is a fully paved path from the bus stop to the meeting location. Owen Rose Garden has a dedicated parking lot. Closest water source: The bathrooms near the bridge at the back of the garden.

A Small Update:

Apologies for the delayed announcement. I'm healing from a wrist injury so it took a bit longer than usual to finish the poster. We are also still looking for location suggestions so please email us or comment if you have ideas! -Nico

[eugenepleinair]

April 19 Meeting Update

Hi yall! Today we will be meeting at the picnic table just past the water fountain instead of the table near the community board.

[eugenepleinair]

April 2025 Plein Air Meetings

Hendricks Park Every Saturday, 3:00pm to 5:00pm

To kick off the plein air season we will be meeting every weekend in April! I'll also be participating in PleinAirpril; a daily plein air painting challenge hosted by the Warrior Painters. If you're interested in the challenge you can check it out here! https://www.warriorpainters.com/pleinairpril

Meeting location: At the benches near the parking lot and the bulletin board on the poster. If it is raining we will meet under the covered area across the street! The group may decide to move to another area in the park. If we move I will post the new location here! Access: The closest bus is the EMX and it requires a steep uphill walk to reach the park. From the parking lot most paths are unpaved, with the exception of the path to the covered area. Closest water source: The bathrooms near the parking lot. Water fountains may be turned on by our first meeting. Weather: Since I'll be out no matter what, April meetings will be rain or shine. If there is a cold wind I recommend dressing warmer than you would normally.

We're also looking for plein air location suggestions in Eugene or Springfield. If you have ideas please comment here or email us at [email protected] Eugene plein air is hosted by local artists: Amy Ticknor Graves and Nico Oakley. This post was written by Nico.

[eugenepleinair]

Eugene Plein Air - Sketch March 2025

Our next sketch meeting will be Saturday, March 22nd from 3-4:30pm at Palace Bakery. We plan on setting up a small still life for reference so please bring an object if you'd like to add something to it!

This is a free meeting but we recommend purchasing a drink or snack from the bakery if you can. We also ask that you respect their space by cleaning up when you are done and bringing materials that do not take up a lot of space and are safe to use indoors. If the bakery is particularly busy we may end the meeting early or move to the downtown library. Any changes will be posted here. Stay tuned for the April Plein Air poster!

[eugenepleinair]

Hello!

To prepare for the plein-air season we will be hosting some indoor sketch meetings!

Our first sketch meeting will be this weekend on Saturday, February 22nd from 3-4:30pm at Palace Bakery.

This is a free meeting but we recommend purchasing a drink or snack from the bakery if you can! We also ask that you respect their space by cleaning up when you are done and bringing materials that do not take up a lot of space and are safe to use indoors. If the bakery is particularly busy we may end the meeting early or move to the downtown library. Any changes will be posted here.

Some Additional Announcements!

1) Weather permitting, we will return to our bimonthly meetings in May of 2025. If you have any suggestions of locations or dates and times please let us know! Either by commenting or emailing [email protected]

2) This April will be my third year participating in PleinAirpril! PleinAirpril is a daily plein air challenge hosted by Warrior Painters. You can read more abot it here: Pleinairpril. Since I'll be outside anyways I'll be hosting a plein air meeting every Saturday! These meetings will be rain or shine and will most likely meet at Hendricks Park. If you're also planning on taking the challenge let us know! Amy and I are really excited to get back to painting with you all!

[eugenepleinair]

Eugene Plein Air September 2024 locations

Alton Baker Park: Thursday | Oct 24, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 4:00pm Meeting at the picnic shelter closest to the large parking lot. On the map it is labelled as game day parking. If the shelter is unavailable we will post the location here!

Access: From the main parking lot, follow the paved short path towards the river and covered picnic area. Closest bus line: 96, 12, 67. Closest water source: Restroom on the other side of the parking lot. Alton Baker Park Map: Link

Owen Rose Garden: Saturday | Oct 19, 2024 | 2:00PM-4:00PM Meeting at the Gazebo near the center of the park.

Closest Parking: Owen Rose Garden main lot Access: The path to the Gazebo is fully paved but some of the surrounded park is not. Closest bus lines: 52, 40. Closest water source: Owen Rose Garden restroom.

If you have any questions please feel free to message here or send us an email at: [email protected]

[eugenepleinair]

Eugene Plein Air September 2024 locations

Hendricks Park: Thursday | Sept 19, 2024 | 11:00 am - 1:00pm Meeting at the Hendrick's Park shelter. If the shelter is unavailable we will post the location here!

Closest Parking: The main Hendricks parking lot Access: From the main parking lot, follow the path north and across the road. Closest bus line: Emx, requires a walk uphill to reach the park. Closest water source: Fountain near the parking area/playground. Hendricks Park Map: Link

Wayne Morse Farm: Saturday | Sept 28, 2024 | 2:00PM-4:00PM Meeting at 585 Crest Dr, Eugene, OR 97405 near the parking lot. If we move further into the park we will post an update here!

Closest Parking: Wayne Morse Farm main lot Access: We will stick to the main paths near the shelter which are fully paved. Closest bus line: 24, requires traveling a few blocks to reach the farm. Closest water source: n/a

Livestream: Sunday | Sept 22, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:00pm. Postponed to October. If you have any questions please feel free to message here or send us an email at: [email protected]

[eugenepleinair]

Hello!

Unfortunately Amy and I made some scheduling errors and will have to postpone the virtual meeting that was meant for tonight. We plan on trying to reschedule for next month if possible. We also had to move the Saturday 9-28 meeting from 10am-12pm to 2pm-4pm. I apologise for any inconvience and hope to see you all on Saturday!

The poster and information above is edited to refect the new meeting times.

[eugenepleinair]

Eugene Plein Air September 2024 locations

Hendricks Park: Thursday | Sept 19, 2024 | 11:00 am - 1:00pm Meeting at the Hendrick's Park shelter. If the shelter is unavailable we will post the location here!

Closest Parking: The main Hendricks parking lot Access: From the main parking lot, follow the path north and across the road. Closest bus line: Emx, requires a walk uphill to reach the park. Closest water source: Fountain near the parking area/playground. Hendricks Park Map: Link

Wayne Morse Farm: Saturday | Sept 28, 2024 | 2:00PM-4:00PM Meeting at 585 Crest Dr, Eugene, OR 97405 near the parking lot. If we move further into the park we will post an update here!

Closest Parking: Wayne Morse Farm main lot Access: We will stick to the main paths near the shelter which are fully paved. Closest bus line: 24, requires traveling a few blocks to reach the farm. Closest water source: n/a

Livestream: Sunday | Sept 22, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:00pm. Postponed to October. If you have any questions please feel free to message here or send us an email at: [email protected]

[eugenepleinair]

Paintings from our August meeting at Tugman Park! I had so much fun painting with Amy and Allie last week!!! Seeing the influence of the hazy summer weather on everyone's paintings is so fascinating. I especially loved Allie's subtle approach to values and edges and Amy's rhythmic approach to texture.

Top two paintings [watercolor]: Amy Ticknor Graves - https://www.tumblr.com/artsinplay

Lower left painting [oil paint]: Allie Sieker - https://www.tumblr.com/allieseiker Also check out Allie's post with their painting in much better light!! https://www.tumblr.com/allieseiker/760648135965032448/had-a-great-time-plein-air-painting-with-amy

Lower right painting [casein]: Nico Oakley - https://cara.app/bewaremirror/all

[allieseiker]

Had a great time Plein Air Painting with Amy Graves and Nico Oakley. They started a neat little group called @eugenepleinair I wish I got more pictures but I had too much fun and was concentrating on just getting some sort of finished work bc I've never Plein Air painted before and I'm so used to taking a month on my paintings! Thank you Nico and Amy if you see this. You were both so lovely and welcoming! Hope to catch another meeting with you guys soon!

In case you're scared of trying a plein air group this is the one to try! Both Amy and Nico are teachers and are naturals about providing positive feedback and making you feel welcomed even if you're trying something new!

Amy used Gouache and she painted two beautiful paintings one of a light post and the other of a neat tree with swirls, she has a great eye for interesting details, her speed is impressive! Nico used Casein and they painted a gorgeous expressive landscape with remarkable use of color and balance.

[eugenepleinair]

Thank you for painting with us and for the kind words!!!!! Your painting turned out so well and it was so fun getting to meet you!! The vibrant foliage really shines in this picture and your soft approach to lighting is so satisfying to look at!