As Anne and I prepare our palettes for the upcoming 2026 season, I find myself reflecting on the profound bond between geography and plein air art — painting on location.
Magic happens when we bridge the world of art and geography, as in capturing the highest tides in the Bay of Fundy.
I believe that plein air painting is much more than a hobby; it is a vital way of imprinting the landscape onto our soul. Because we immerse ourselves for a few hours into the landscape, we recall so much more. It’s not like snapping a tourist photo and moving on.
As plein air artists, we recall the July heat and wind at Long Point Lighthouse near Twillingate, Newfoundland …
the smell and sound of a violent downpour near Petit Saguenay, Quebec, or in Pakaskwa and Neys Parks, Ontario …
the brilliance of spring colours at Nova Scotia’s Lawrencetown Beach …
or the rise and fall of monster tides at Baxter’s Harbour.
Yes, plein air painting is far more than a simple outdoor hobby. It’s where we move from being passive observers to active participants. This intersection of art and geography links our creative expressions directly to our landscape.
Our interactive community map has already garnered 40,000 views, proving just how much we all crave that spatial link to our surroundings. The current 2026 map includes over 50 paint-out sites.
The map has become a digital bridge between traditional fine art and modern spatial exploration. Our map is viewed worldwide. Artists outside the region have contacted us to plan their visits to the region, based on the map.
I invite you to witness this connection firsthand starting May 7th at Granary Park, as the Plein Air Artists of HRM begin our weekly Thursday sessions. In the Annapolis Valley, the season begins at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University.
We paint regardless of the weather—whether it is a “Nova Scotia sprinkle” or a foggy morning—because we believe there is immense beauty and a unique “mood” to be captured in a storm.
For a truly world-class experience, do not miss the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival from June 16th to 21st, held along the breathtaking Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark (drone footage video).
You will see incredible artists in action, translating the raw structure and light of the coastline into masterpieces.
Whether you join us for a session or just stop by for our friendly group critique around 1:30 pm, you will discover that there is no single “right” way to see the world.
Let’s celebrate “The Geography of Outdoor Art” together this season.
POSTSCRIPT
For anyone interested in exploring/developing Artificial Intelligence in creating a live interactive global plein air map please contact me.
Ernest Blair Experiment 