Embracing Art and Nature: A Brush with Nature at Jacksonville Arboretum
- 4/19/2024
- Grace Stallone
Springtime at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) is always a delight, especially when it comes time for our signature event, A Brush with Nature (ABWN). This annual gathering is a celebration where art enthusiasts and nature lovers come together, uniting with the talented artists of the First Coast Plein Air Painters. We had the pleasure of chatting with Gail Beveridge, a dedicated supporter and plein air painter whose history with ABWN stretches back to the very beginning.
Reflecting on the event's origins, Beveridge shared, "I was co-chair with Mindy Hawkins then. We started it in 2011, and it was a fabulous event, a great fundraiser for the Arboretum!" Over the years, ABWN has blossomed into a beloved tradition. Initially designed to attract artists from across the Northeast, it began without any formal partnership, as Beveridge recalled. "It didn't begin as a partnership with the First Coast Plein Air Painters. At the time, it was like a gala, but it was a lot of work."
About six years ago, JABG found the perfect collaborator in the First Coast Plein Air Painters. This partnership was a game-changer, providing the painters a venue to showcase their enchanting works. "The First Coast Plein Air Painters handle all of the artists...the wet tent, the painting," Beveridge explained. "The Arboretum handles all of the site-specific stuff. It works out really well."
Beveridge, who has been painting for around a decade, humbly admits, "I don't really consider myself a plein air painter. But I do love plein air. It's a great discipline, allows you to really see and observe. So I like doing plein air for studies, and then I'll take them into the studio." Her favorite spot in the arboretum to capture on canvas? "Where the (falling water cypress) is, across from the pavilion and right down there along Jones Creek. It's just beautiful...the sun coming through."
Specializing in serene landscapes often featuring subtle figures, Beveridge's style is known for its subdued, limited palette that gives her pieces a magical quality. While oil paint is her medium of choice, she also enjoys using gouache for quick studies.
"(ABWN) is a wonderful event," Beveridge concluded. "All paintings are for sale...so to me, it's a win-win. The buyer gets a beautiful painting, and the artists and the Arboretum receive portions of the proceeds."
As we look forward to yet another year of A Brush With Nature alongside the First Coast Plein Air Painters, we're filled with gratitude for everyone who attends. Whether you're an art aficionado or a nature enthusiast, this event offers a unique, immersive experience. Mark your calendars, and join us next spring to support the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and enjoy the beauty of art in nature.