By Laura Walter

Chestertown is one of the various Eastern Shore towns that hosts a plein air event each year, putting all of Kent County, Md., on display. Paint the Town 2024 brings artists and audiences to a four-day span of creativity from April 25 to 28. Artists have the chance to explore downtowns and countryside, as they paint en plein air (outdoors, in the open air).

On Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., artists will gather to display their finished work in a Wet Paint Show and Sale at the RiverArts Main Gallery (315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown). On Sunday, artists can also do a Quick Draw event, where they have one day to create and display their work.

There are prizes for the Quick Draw, “Best in Show” and “Best Body of Work.”

“Past plein air artists have raved about our broad range of options for memorable paintings: Historic Chestertown’s 18th and 19th century homes and streets, its bustling Saturday farmer’s market, the old waterman’s village of Rock Hall, the rural landscapes and views of the Chester River and the Bay,” event organizers said.

Painter Maggii Sarfaty is one of the artists who loves plein air work, so she’s always game for these artistic events. In fact, it’s a thrill.

“The majority of plein air painters … paint their work in about one to two hours,” she said. “The light is so fast and fleeting, and literally as you’re standing in front of a scene, you see a sundial of shadows, so you have to be true to what you see in the first few minutes … it’s about working quickly and capturing light. So we have to work fast, fast, fast!”

She’s a professional artist who also had about 20 years as a decorative/mural painter. Now she enjoys creating more of her own compositions.

“I have been falling in love with plein air painting, so I do as many competitions as I can,” Sarfaty said.

At the events, “Most people will try to paint as many things as they can, just in hopes that one is a super gem … we want to produce as much as we can.”

Some participants are pros, while others are newer to art, or trying painting seriously now in retirement. Sure, it’s a competition, but the satisfying part is “are you going to make something that someone’s going to want or love? … Do what you love, and if you’re doing it really well, people are going to love it to. So, I’m painting for me.”

Sarfaty loves the Eastern Shore, both living and painting. The skies are big, the sunrises beautiful, and the water a welcome reminder of her childhood.

She also enjoys creating nocturnes (night scenes) because the glowing light is so interesting—and less likely to change. “Unless the store lights are on timers and turn off at 10 p.m., which has happened to me!” she laughed.

Painting in a secluded area can be tranquil, but in more populous zones, “it’s fun to talk to people. I figure if people want to ask me about the work, they might also want to buy the piece because it’s a view that they enjoy, and now it has personal meaning.”

The Chestertown plein air event is special because it’s accessible to participants, first come, first served (not juried). Also, “My grandfather was a graduate of Washington College, and it feels special to me walking around the same places he was as a young man, sitting around the fountain in the square.”

Learn more about Paint the Town online at chestertownriverarts.com/paint-the-town.