After the Storm is by Joanna McCoy

CAMBRIDGE — What happens when eight women from the mid-Atlantic region embark on a journey to the Montana Rocky Mountains to paint plein air? Fun, laughter and artistic creations are produced!

Main Street Gallery is delighted to feature the results of this adventurous group with “Montana Paint” on view now through Aug. 30.

In June, 2013, Cambridge artist, Joanna McCoy and her mentor, Easton artist Nancy Tankersley, decided to travel to Montana to paint. In no time at all Ms. Tankersley lined up an entourage of painters to accompany the two.

The group of eight painted for six days in picturesque locations that included the Flying-D Ranch, the Gallatin River valley and deep into the Montana backcountry. The culmination of their trip found the group exploring and painting the northern loop of Yellowstone National Park.

Ms. Tankersley, who owns and operates the Easton Studio & School in Easton, teaches weekly classes and hosts workshops taught by nationally known instructors. An accomplished landscape painter of plein air alla prima, she is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters, the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, the Oil Painters of America, and the Salmagundi Club in NYC. She is also a master of studio landscapes, figurative, portrait and still life painting.

Cambridge veterinarian, Joanna McCoy, is a member of Main Street Gallery. She paints at every opportunity, especially when visiting her family home in Montana. Dr. McCoy has found that her love of the outdoors combined with her professional skills of observation have served her well as a landscape artist. Dr. McCoy has studied under Ms. Tankersley, Laura Era, Matt Smith, Dan Young, Ralph Oberg, Barbara Nuss, George Wright and Scott Christensen.

Other members of “Montana Paint” include Barbara Watson, Elinor Peterson, Nancy Davis, and Judy Bittorf.

Ms. Watson, of Waterloo Farm in East New Market, paints landscapes and wildlife around her beautiful waterfront farm and has been the Grand National Artist and has won several awards for her paintings.

Ms. Peterson of Bozman, has a lifelong love of farming, animals, flowers, and nature in general that is reflected in her artwork. In retirement she decided to pursue her interest in sketching and enrolled in classes taught by several local artists including Martha Hudson, Barbara Jablin, Mary Ekroos, Nancy Tankersley, Katie Cassidy and Diane Mullaly. As her skills grew, Ms. Peterson took workshops with Richard McKinley, Lorenzo Chavez, Kim Lordier, Ken Bachus and Ken Auster. Along the way, she has learned to embrace plein air painting as well as studio work.

Nancy Davis of Clarksburg, paints alla prima both outside and in her studio. Judy Bittorf of Sherwood, paints both plein air and in her studio.

The gallery will host a reception for the “Montana Paint” artists on this Second Saturday, from 5-8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The gallery is located at 518 Poplar St. across from Jimmie and Sook’s restaurant. There is parking on the street and behind the gallery.