1. Jeffrey Gatrall 2. From left, Elizabeth Stone, Makayla Williams 3. Lisa Thompson, Deborah Rubin 4. Robert Masla, John Robinson, Jackie Brodeur 5. Susan Barocas 6. Painters Robert Masla, Kathleen Hession, Jeffrey Gatrall 7. Susan Barocas 8. Colby Gottert, Lily Gottert, Frank Gregory 9. Allison Ryan, Paula Gottlieb, Joan Kalus, Satya Jimenez, Amy S. Klein 10. William Sharp 11. William Sharp’s equipment 12. David Brewster Cover: Robert Masla
1. Jeffrey Gatrall 2. From left, Elizabeth Stone, Makayla Williams 3. Lisa Thompson, Deborah Rubin 4. Robert Masla, John Robinson, Jackie Brodeur 5. Susan Barocas 6. Painters Robert Masla, Kathleen Hession, Jeffrey Gatrall 7. Susan Barocas 8. Colby Gottert, Lily Gottert, Frank Gregory 9. Allison Ryan, Paula Gottlieb, Joan Kalus, Satya Jimenez, Amy S. Klein 10. William Sharp 11. William Sharp’s equipment 12. David Brewster Cover: Robert Masla

Photos and text by Jerrey Roberts

Ten area artists hit the streets of Northampton last week for the Arts Night Out “En Plein Air Painting Festival.” En plein air is a French term used to describe painting outdoors in natural settings.

Jeffrey Gatrall, Kathleen Hession, Robert Masla, Susan Barocas, David Brewster, William Sharp, Paula Gottlieb, Frank Gregory and Deborah Rubin were divided into three downtown locations; Elizabeth Stone worked solo, drawing free charcoal portraits on the steps of City Hall.

Passers-by left the sidewalks to stroll among the artists, watching them work and asking questions.

Kirk Peterson and his wife, Christine Yario, of Easthampton, were watching David Brewster quickly and expressively work a small paint roller across his canvas on the lawn of Memorial Hall.

“It’s not shopping, it’s not eating. It’s creative,” Peterson said.

Barocas, of Northampton, also painting at the Memorial Hall venue, said, “I think artists are happy when they’re working. It’s contagious. I think it’s inspiring and they (passers-by) might take it home with them.”

Barocas taught math and computer science at Northampton High School until 2010, but now teaches math part-time at Springfield Technical Community College and devotes most of her time to art.

At 5 p.m., the public was invited to join in the festival by painting with watercolor kits in front of First Churches of Northampton, courtesy of Chartpak. Few did, because it began to rain and continued for about an hour.

Artists Rubin and Gottlieb, who were stationed on the courthouse lawn, found shelter on the porch.

Masla gave a watercolor demonstration under a large umbrella at the church and about 10 folks watched during his 90-minute talk. Jackie Brodeur and her husband, John Robinson, of Westhampton, were among them. Brodeur is a member of Hilltown Plein Air Painters. She said she enjoyed seeing the artists’ different styles and equipment and appreciated the dedication to their work.

“People were helpful in giving out information and were open to questions,” she said.