Outside painting

POLSON - Painters from Brazil to India - as well as 16 from Polson - participated in the 8th Annual World Wide Paint Out Saturday, according to organizer John Davis.

"Polson is the first town in Montana to register with the event," Davis said. "It's popular out east, but we want to get it going out west."

Sponsored in part by the Sandpiper Gallery, participants met at Riverside Park Saturday morning before scattering to various locales, trying to find the perfect scene to paint. The day cooperated, with sun rays and gorgeous clouds spotting the sky.

"We just wanted to get people out to enjoy painting outside," Davis said. "There's no competition; it's more of an event."

Local participants stayed in the park or visited other areas in town to try and find the perfect picture. The relaxed pace of the event let artists enjoy the day and the moment, according to participant Margery Christensen, who painted a shelter area in Riverside Park.

"This isn't really my comfort zone but I'm having fun," she said. ‘It's a great experience and just the perfect day to do it, too. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone brings in at the end of the day."

While the international event is three days long, Davis said the Polson group would only paint on Sept. 11. Once the paintings are completed, artists submit them online so people can observe their work and see different landscapes from around the world.

"The only requirement for entry is you have to be somewhere on the planet," Davis said jokingly.

For Mission Valley residents, this was their first time to participate in the world-wide paint out, but Davis is hoping the success of this year will only increase interest.

"Painting outside is where I think I learn the most," Davis said. "It's battling those ever-changing elements: the clouds, wind, light, wildlife. I hope even more people get into it next year."

To view submissions from worldwide participants, visit www.ipap.homestead.com.