Walter Porter
Bob Wornall
Ron Schlorff
Dee Transue
The Tucson Plein Air Painters Society (TPAPS) is very similar to the Ohio Plein Air Society (OPAS), of which I am a board member. Both organizations attract artists who work primarily outdoors, and support them through monthly paint outs and occasional exhibitions and competitions.
I met TPAPS members Pablo de Leon, Walter Porter, Ron Schlorff, Bob Wornall, and Dee Transue on a chilly afternoon when the day’s high was a crisp 43°. Since Walter said he frequently painted here at the Iris O. Dewhirst Trailhead into Pima Canyon—part of the Santa Catalina mountain range—Dee and I hiked up the trail with him for about 15 minutes. We were rewarded with a gorgeous site where there were literally too many choices to paint!
Some of us chose the fantastic view to the southeast, overlooking a valley in front of the Santa Rita and Tucson Mountains. Others painted Pima Canyon, where the fading sun cast pink notes on the mountain walls. As the evening chill set in, Ron suggested that it was time to pack up before the cougars came out—a detail I surely wouldn’t have know about on my own! Luckily, my paint bag was already packed, so Dee and I quickly headed down of the mountain.
I look forward to more opportunities to paint with this passionate group of artists! Unfortunately, Pablo was with us for only a short time so I hope to get his photo at a future paint out.
Thanks TPAPS members for a great afternoon!