‘Appreciating the beauty’
Four local women artists show work painted ‘en plein air’
Four Humboldt County women artists — who share a love of painting outdoors, aka en plein air — are showing their work now at Big Blue Cafe, 846 G St. in Arcata. Artwork by Erica Brooks, who coordinated the exhibit, is featured along with pieces by Melayha Fluke, Amanda Morettini and Lynn Niekrasz. The artists’ colorful images capture the beauty of the North Coast.
“I’m excited to share my art and show at the Big Blue Cafe with these talented ladies,” Niekrasz said. “(Painting) together is always a pleasure and a great way to share ideas and learn new skills.”
Niekrasz, of Eureka, first met Brooks and Fluke about 13 years ago when they were all taking oil painting classes from local artist Michael Hayes.
“Plein air painting has become a passion since my first teacher took us out on location. The joy of being outside, hearing the sights and sounds of nature while you paint, is a true meditation,” Niekrasz said. “I have a studio also and enjoy the solitude of creating work inside when the weather doesn’t permit plein air.”
Her favorite images focus on water and light.
“I look for reflections, color that strikes me, but I can usually find something to paint in any setting,” said Niekrasz, who immersed herself in painting full time after she retired. And she continues her artistic education by taking workshops from local artists such as Jim McVicker, Stock Schleuter, Ryan Jensen and others.
“Redwood Art Association has been a valuable resource for showing art and accessing further education,” said Niekrasz, who is a member of the RAA, along with the other three exhibiting painters.
Niekrasz added: “Although I don’t have an art degree, I feel that the desire to create is something I’ve always had. My grandmother painted, and I want to carry on this tradition.”
Melayha Fluke — who lives in Eureka — is also carrying on a longstanding tradition of creating artwork.
Fluke got her start in art while living in New Orleans.
“I was a pastel street artist there doing … charcoal portraits. I did that for a living for 20 years,” Fluke said. “Then in 2000, my husband and I moved to Humboldt County, That’s when I started plein air painting.”
Fluke says she likes to paint outdoors because it helps her feel more connected to nature. She also enjoys painting people, still lifes and landscapes with people in them, she said.
“Some of my favorite subjects are the ocean, the rivers and the majestic hillsides,” said Fluke.
Brooks, along with Niekrasz and Nancy and Paul Rickard, established the Humboldt Open Paint Out, a competition where artists have a week to paint any Humboldt County outdoor plein air scene they want, with completed works later shown in an exhibit.
“The Paint Out has run annually for three years,” said Brooks, who lives in Blue Lake. “HOPO is a quite successful event for the Redwood Art Association. … Painting plein air is quite the challenge, but so exciting.”
Of her fellow artists, she said, “It’s nice to have someone to paint with, so we often connect with each other and make a plan. Over the summer, we would frequent the Fieldbrook Winery. Moonstone Beach is another favorite spot — and anywhere in Trinidad. Humboldt has such majestic scenery. We are very lucky.”
Brooks has a bachelor’s degree
in fine art and recently obtained an MFA from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco’s online program. She is currently pursuing a second MFA, she said.
Brooks — who works primarily in oils and specializes in pet portraits — is the current president of the Redwood Art Association.
Morettini says she got involved with oil painting in 2017 after finding herself with time on her hands as she recovered from a broken heel.
“My best friend, Erica Brooks, saw this as an opportunity to teach me how to oil paint in her studio. The rest is history, I have been in love with oil painting ever since,” said Morettini, who is “incredibly honored to be a part of a show with such amazing women artists in our community.”
She said, “Painting and showing work with these women is always an uplifting experience. They never fail to make me feel good about the art that I create.”
As a nature lover, Morettini says she really loves painting outdoors.
“My favorite days are those where I spend many hours outside staring at and appreciating the beauty around me while capturing it on the canvas,” she said. “I also enjoy paintings still lifes in the studio, but there’s nothing quite like plein air.
“Humboldt is jam-packed with beauty, so whenever I paint locally, I know I’m in for a treat,” said Morettini, who was born and raised in Humboldt County.
Some of her favorite painting locations are the beaches of Trinidad and any secluded spot along the Trinity River, she said. She also does some extreme plein air painting with the help of her climber fiancé.
“Amanda might be painting at the top of a redwood or hanging off a cliff,” said Brooks of her friend’s creative endeavors.
These four women artists have shown their work together before at various locations, including Ramone’s Bakery and Cafe, Old Town Coffee & Chocolates, Umpqua Bank and Arcata Pizza & Deli.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support that all of these local businesses have given us and our art throughout the years,” Brooks said.