Bold, Bright Colors in “The Outsiders” Exhibit

Plein Air painting is a style that focuses on the outdoors — nature and urban landscapes.

Plein Air paintings by a group called “The Outsiders” at the  will be displayed until Aug. 27 in the Harrington Gallery.

The Outsiders are a group of seven to eight artists who came together because of their shared interest in painting outdoors. They have been together for 13 years, since four founding members came up with the idea in 1998.

Artist Nikki Basch-Davis said the group started informally but became something else.

“We started this just as a fun thing and it was really about friendship more than anything else and it grew more than we ever thought it will.”

Works by founding member Pam Glover, who died last year, are in the show. When she was young, Glover joined the painting group known as the “Society of Six.”

This group of artists rejected the somber tones of earlier California art for the palette of French Fauvists and its bright, bold and vivid colors. The Outsiders are heavily influenced by the Society of Six.

The group started with shows in Lafayette that mostly were fundraisers. Over the years, members have been involved in a few museum shows as well in exhibits in Moraga and Bakersfield.

Their show at the Firehouse began Thursday with a well-attended reception.

Julie Finegan, visual arts coordinator, was in charge of planning the exhibit and has been working on it for some time.

“I like the freshness, diversity and different styles that all the artists display in their work. There is a variety — everything from abstract to representativeness — so there is something for everyone,” she said. 

The Outsiders' work focuses on the outdoors but not just the coast and mountain scenery. Urban scenes filled with people and automobiles, historical places and fields dominate members' artwork. In this way, people can connect with the paintings and see the interaction of urban and nature.

Featured Bay Area artists are Basch-Davis, Ray Jackson, Judy Molyneux, Bill Rushton, Randal Sexton, Jerry Turner and Glover. 

Most of their paintings are scenes from the Bay Area and all over California. However, many paintings are of scenes around the nation and other countries. Each artist has a unique style, illustrating their diverse backgrounds.

Basch-Davis began her studies in Jerusalem and continued in London.

Molyneux lives in Bolinas, the main inspiration for her artwork.

Rushton began his art career with large environmental sculptures before switching to painting in the 1980’; his work often includes narrative.

Sexton joined the group five years ago and has been described as “one of the premier contemporary California landscape painters” by Jean Stearn, executive director of the Irvine Museum of Art.

Turner is very influential in the arts in the Bay Area.

Each artist has a favorite subject.

“I like to tell a story with my artwork," said Basch-Davis. "I like seeing things that will make people wonder and question what is really going on [in that painting]. This is my favorite type of artwork to see, but I also like other styles as well.”

A very important aspect of the group is learning from everyone’s work.

“I like the colors everyone uses in their paintings; it really draws you in to the artwork," Sexton said. "I’m very inspired by everyone else’s paintings.”

Harrington Gallery hours are Wednesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A donation of $2 is suggested.