THE 2nd Annual Port Royal Plein Air Invitational
October 9โ11, 2026
Celebrating art, the Lowcountry landscape, and the many ways artists see the world.
There is something special about seeing artists gather in one place, each looking at the same landscape but finding something different to paint.
That was part of the beauty of 2nd Annual Port Royal Plein Air Invitational, held October 9โ11, 2026, in Port Royal, South Carolina at Windhorse Gallery & Marketplace
Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, directly from life. Instead of working only from photographs or returning to a studio, artists step into the landscape and respond to what is happening around them, the light, the colors, the atmosphere, and the small details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
In Port Royal, the Lowcountry offered plenty of inspiration, especially with the beautiful storm that came rolling through.
Seeing the Lowcountry Through an Artistโs Eyes
The Lowcountry has a character all its own. There are marshes and waterways, coastal grasses, changing skies, and the quiet beauty of places that feel familiar yet reveal something new every time you look.
For a plein air artist, the challenge is not simply to reproduce what is in front of them. It is to decide what matters most in that moment.
One artist might be drawn to the color of the water. Another might notice the shape of a palm tree, the movement of the grasses, or the way the afternoon light falls across the landscape.
The finished paintings reflect those individual choices. Even when artists are inspired by similar surroundings, no two interpretations are quite the same.
That is what makes plein air painting so interesting to experience.
The Process Behind the Paintings
Looking at finished artwork is one thing. Seeing the process behind it adds another layer to the experience.
A close look reveals brushstrokes, textures, layers of color, and the decisions that bring a painting together. Each artist has a different way of working, and each painting carries traces of the moment in which it was created.
Working outdoors also means responding to a landscape that is constantly changing. Light shifts, shadows move, and the atmosphere can change in a matter of minutes.
The artist has to observe, make decisions, and keep painting.
There is an immediacy to that process that makes plein air work especially engaging. The paintings are not only images of a place; they are also records of an artistโs experience of that place.
More Than the Artwork
One of the lovely things about an event like the Port Royal Plein Air Invitational is the community that forms around the art.
Artists have opportunities to share their work, exchange ideas, and see how others approach the same creative challenges. Visitors can look closely at the paintings, meet the people who made them, and discover different ways of interpreting the Lowcountry.
The gathering brings together the creative process and the finished work, giving people a chance to appreciate both.
The weekend concluded with the Wet Paint Party & Finale, where the completed paintings were unveiled. It was an opportunity to see the works together and appreciate the variety of perspectives represented throughout the event.
The Art of Seeing
The 2nd Annual Port Royal Plein Air Invitational celebrated the way of seeingโthe individuality of each artist, the inspiration of the Lowcountry, and the connections that happen when people come together through art.
It was a reminder that the world offers endless things to look at, and that each of us may see something a little different.
Iโm grateful to have experienced this celebration of art, creativity, and community. These photographs captured just a few moments from the weekend, but together they tell a story of the places, people, and artwork that made it memorable.
Thank you Windhorse Gallery for hosting such a beautiful event & Perrin Wood Working for letting me take over the workshop!
Thank you Brian and Happi for showing up and showing out again this year! and for the beautiful photos of me working!
XOXO
Emily
