Inception

"The Marco Island Outdoor Artists" consists of a group of painters who love to work outdoors, or "en plein air," and either live on or near Marco Island, Florida, or visit here regularly.  The group was formed by artist Phyllis Pransky (ppransky@aol.com) after she moved here from the NY/NJ area in 1990, and searched for a community of artists who shared her love of working outdoors in natural  light.  Not finding the spirit of comraderie she was seeking, Phyllis met with a few area artists, including her friend and fellow painter Joan Kroese, in 1992, and created  the Marco Island Outdoor Artists.  To schedule a series of painting sessions, lots of hours of work ensued, mostly for Phyllis as founder and president.  She scouts secure locations driving round the island, gets permission where needed, forms a schedule, notifies the venues and the artists, publishes the schedule, keeps e-mail addresses, maintains contact, follows up with thank-yous, and encourages visiting artsts to join in the fun: Phyllis keeps a schedule on her web site, http://www.phyllispranskyartist.com/ as part of her community service.  The Art League of Marco Island sponsors the group (239-394-4221). 

Meeting weekly, primarily on Wednesdays, the artists seek to document visually the extraordinary beauty of Marco Island and the surrounding area, including Naples and the Everglades.  Any artists who enjoy working en plein air and are visiting the area are most welcome and warmly encouraged to join in!  Participating is free: The Marco Island Outdoor Artists have no dues, and no rules except to be courteous and considerate of the concentration of other artists, and to leave the each location clean.  All levels of ability are welcome, and each artist brings his or her own supplies and tools.  Phyllis and Joan both paint in oils, but other members use watercolors, acrylics, pastels, pen and ink, or colored pencil.  The camaraderie of The Marco Island Outdoor Painters, reflecting Phyllis' founding and continual spirit, encourages artists to create with, learn from, and inspire one another.