Plein Air: Harness Your Inner Wolf Kahn

Practice Plein Air and Harness your Inner Wolf Kahn
at Widewater on the C&O Canal

Widewater is an area of the canal explored and painted by prolific artist Wolf Kahn. We'll assemble there on Sunday, March 17 from 9 am-1:30 pm for our next plein air outing.

In Mid-March, the weather is warmer but foliage has not yet blocked the stunning view of Widewater and the canal from above on Berma Road, also called Fletcher’s Trail. (This is accessible with a short walk from the parking lot). This site allows for us to paint at any elevation including on the canal or below on the edge of the Potomac.

This is what Wolf had to say: “Back to the C&O Canal. I have gone there to work in every season except winter (too cold!) and by now I know every turn in the canal within easy walk of a parking space. I have worked with the light behind me and the sun shining in my face - what the Italians call controluce. I have noticed that, as the sun changes position in the course of a day, my picture tends to change with it. The idea isn’t, after all, to be a copycat, but to use nature, its chaos and its geometry, as a jumping-off point for the imagination. Are the structures of nature primary, or is nature just a mode to discover structures that are pleasing or even necessary, to satisfy the mind?  What is there about the canal’s inherent gravity to give rise to such speculations?”

Location: 10790 MacArthur Blvd in Potomac, Maryland

We will meet below parking lots across from Old Angler’s Inn, by the first large sign greeting visitors before descending to the canal. Specific directions can be found here: https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/anglers-parking/. Map coordinates: 38.98133 N, 77.22825 W

Cost: Free 

Number of registrants: Up to 40 members and guests (Members may bring 1 guest.)

What to expect: We will check in by the large sign below the parking lot and above the canal entrance. Then we will paint at our chosen spots all morning.  After painting we will gather for an informal critique and picnic lunch by the canal at 12:30 pm. Please bring your lunch and a stool if desired. Restrooms are at the entrance to the parking lot.

What to bring: Paints, substrate, easel, stool, water, lunch, sunscreen and a hat. Pack light because there is some walking involved. Dress comfortably in layers and wear walking shoes or boots. Expect some mud.

Getting there: This location is accessible by car only. Specific directions can be found at: https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/anglers-parking/. Note that parking is somewhat limited and we strongly recommend carpooling.

Parking: Parking is somewhat limited as the lots fill quickly over the course of the day.  Early arrival is recommended as is carpooling. If you'd like to try to find a ride or carpool with other participants, please post a note in our members-only Facebook group.

Photos: Photos are permitted.

Rain date: March 21

Questions: Contact Lynn Lewis at lynnlewisstudio@gmail.com or Patti Connell at pattic9063@gmail.com.