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Who we are!
Owning an original painting by a Conference [SLAC] member is sure to please the most discerning taste.
View the exquisite collections of these world-class professional artists presenting varied styles in oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolor.
SLAC artists are self-representing.Visit their individual Web Sites to view hundreds of works and to inquire about purchasing information.
Phyllis Franklin
L. Diane Johnson
Linda Blondheim
Ruth Cox
Maureen Kerstein
Barbara Perrotti
Durinda Cheek
Sandra Babb
A note from the Signature Members:
The Southern Ladies Art Conference has it's roots in friendships made while painting together en plein air, which simply means in the open air. Each of us either attended a workshop, paint out, or other painting event where we met each other and became instant friends. As we looked for ways to continue painting together and supporting each other's individaul art careers, we happend on opening our homes to each other and showing our work as a group. This has allowed us to travel to areas all over the South while enjoying each others company.
There are many art groups that paint together, but since our members are scattered all over the South, this group is unique. As you view the connecting pages and learn more about each of us, we hope that the warmth of our friendship will show and you too will be inspired to create art friendships that bridge miles.
Mission
The Southern Ladies Art Conference providesa network for professional artists to explorenew painting venues together; support, enhance,exchange, enrich, inspire, critique and challengeone another to achieve greater levels ofartistic goals in each other’s individual work.SLAC activities will serve to promotepublic awareness of plein air paintingthrough corporate shows and education,and form an infrastructure which can be usedby other artistic agencies of like mindto create the same.
About Plein Air
SLAC believes that an authentic plein-air painting is done live, on location in front of the subject. It is begun on site and substantially completed while experiencing the landscape firsthand. More than one session may be required to complete it, and each of these should also be on location. Some minor adjustments can be done back in the studio, but not so much as to radically alter the work done on location.The perception of the plein-air subject is dependent on the conditions encountered while on site, and the artist's response to these is usually evident in the finished painting. Plein-air paintings that follow this standard tend to have a quality that reflects the immediacy of the artist's interaction with the subject.We have no preference as to style, materials used, or artistic interpretation. These are all personal choices that contribute to the unique expression of each artist while they paint en plein air. Likewise, we think honest work by novice or professional is equally valid. The challenges and rewards of plein-air painting are open to all.SLAC encourages all artists to make plein air painting a part of their creative experience. We welcome anyone with a sincere interest to contact us or join the Yahoo Groups message board "art conference" to interact with other lady plein-air painters in the South to grow careers and promote plein-air painting.*
Plein Air Tips
Linda Blondheim, Durinda Cheek, Diane Johnson and Bambi Setzer all set up for a painting en plein air at a pecan grove close to Warm Springs, Georgia
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Pack light.
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Wear comfortable clothes.
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Remember bug spray and first aid kit.
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Take a camera to use as a view finder. Using the camera this way helps narrow the visual field helping you focus on a small segment of the landscape to paint. Painting in the open air for the first time can be quite overwhelming because you want to paint everything.
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Take plenty of drinking water and a snack.
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Practice putting your equipment up and taking it down before your first adventure. Do some practice paintings in your backyard to get a feel for the differences in painting outside.
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When painting, focus on the main elements of the scene leaving out the small details. Work from a pre-toned canvas that you have prepared before you leave home to help speed painting progress. Get your darkest darks and lightest lights in first to establish the light source. The light source will change quicker than you think so getting the shadows established quickly is essential.
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Paint with a group or other individual for safety sake.
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Be prepared to stop and talk with those that see you painting. Have your business cards ready as well as brochures that show your completed work. You never know when you will make another art friend or client.
Membership - Join US
Who We Are - Past & Present
The Southern Ladies Art Conference (SLAC) was formally established in 2002 at St. Simons Island, Georgia, as nine artists friends - all Southern Lady Artists - finally had schedules that would allow for a week of painting, conference style. Before SLAC became the official title for the group many of us met in smaller groups to explore locations for painting en plein air - a term used to describe painting in the open air.
These small groups have become the network of Southern Artists friends that are presented here today. Please click on names that link to examples of individual artists' works and Web sites. Although some of our original group can no longer travel with us, they are still dear to our hearts. SLAC members, old and new, dating back to our beginning in 1999 are listed below.
SLAC
Phyllis Franklin
Thomaston, Georgia
1999
Carly Clements
Snellville, Georgia
1999
2003
Deborah Carroll
Amelia Island, Florida
1999
2003
L. Diane Johnson
Raleigh, North Carolina
2000
Linda Blondheim
Gainesville Florida
2002
Marsha Savage
Woodstock, Georgia
2002
2003
Ruth Cox
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2002
Maureen Kerstein
Savannah, Georgia
2003
Barbara Perrotti
Ormand Beach, Florida
2003
Durinda Cheek
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
2003
Bambi Setzer
Macon, Georgia
2003
2004
Sandra Babb
Ringold, Georgia
2003
Future Members
Membership into SLAC is by invitation. If you are a professional lady artist who lives in and loves the South and would like to join us, please send us an email, or talk with one of the current members.
This is the first year since 2003 we have opened membership to new members. We have not added new members because organizing larger groups to travel and stay in each other's homes is difficult. However, these days, with gas prices so high, we are finding that we need to find and have locations that are closer to the core group allowing at least some of us to be able to paint together more often.
We are looking to add in new members that can possibly offer host painting locations that might be half way between some of our current members.
To be a member you must be willing to host at least one SLAC event either in your home or find suitable housing for those wanting to attend your SLAC event every year or so. This location does not have to be your home.
A SLAC event is just an informal time to paint together. It is not a professional event. Everyone is expected to pitch in and help with anything the host needs help with to accommodate the group. Meals are Dutch treat always.
You must have a professional web site and know or be willing to learn how to manage a SLAC artist blog. The SLAC artist blogs help us support each other in our individual professional careers.
You must be a lady artist, live in and love the South. The definition of a lady is defined as any one of the Southern Magnolia Types found in the book/movie Steel Magnolias. In case you have forgotten... Steel Magnolia's come in all personality types and probably more than you can find in the book. They are our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends and sometimes debate partners. The sisters of SLAC have found a type of sisterhood bond that only steel magnolia's understand.
All yearly expenses for the web are split between the group members each June when the web is renewed and we learn what the expenses are.
Lastly, all the current members of SLAC must agree to adopt you as our SLAC sister and you must agree to adopt all the SLAC sisters as yours. Usually this process is a matter of being invited as a guest to a few SLAC events so everyone can get to know each other.
Regardless if you want to officially join SLAC or just want to paint with members of the group close to you, please get in touch and let us know about you. Having a network of artist friends sharing the joys of plein-air will allow all of us to have more paint opportunities in locations we may not have thought about and we look forward to painting with you.
Guests
From time to time we invite guests to come participate in our special events. Some of our guests are listed below.
Cheryl Ritter
Ocala, Florida
2000
Sandy Smith
Florida Panhandle
2000
Karen Ann Patton
Ormond Beach, Florida
2004
Mary Jane Volkmann
Gainesville, Florida
2004-5
Catherine (Katina) Radwanski
Atlanta, GA
2006
Martha Thompson
Macon, GA
2005-6
Carolyn Molder
North Carolina
2006-7
Jan Heberger
North Carolina
2006-7
Diana Pratt Dice
Lilburn, GA
2006
Mureen Smith
Albany, GA
2006-7
Retreat Information
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Georgia - 2009
Painting Retreat
March - April
Host - Phyllis Franklin
Painting the azaleas at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia has become an annual event. This year members will enjoy 10 solid days of painting together, fun and fellowship.
A porch exhibit at the Callaway house located inside the Callaway Longleaf community is planned as another fun activity that provides a way for members to show their work in a unique way.
Siesta Key, Florida - 2009
Painting retreat
Siesta Key
January
Host Durinda Cheek
Southern Ladies Art Conference members enjoy getting together to paint, attend gallery and museum exhibits and fellowship for a full week in the lovely area of Siesta Key, Florida. Host cottage is within walking distance of the beach and other local attractions.
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Georgia - 2008
Painting Retreat
March - April
Host - Phyllis Franklin
Painting the azaleas at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia has become an annual event. Member enjoy a solid week of painting together, fun and fellowship.
A porch exhibit at the Callaway house located inside the Callaway Longleaf community is a fun activity that provides another way for members to show their work in a unique way is planned.
Siesta Key, Florida - 2008
Painting retreat
Siesta Key
January 14-19, 2008
Host Durinda Cheek
Southern Ladies Art Conference members enjoy getting together to paint, attend gallery and museum exhibits and fellowship for a full week in the lovely area of Siesta Key, Florida. Host cottage is within walking distance of the beach and other local attractions.
Callaway Gardens - 2007 - Cancelled
Painting Retreat
March - April
Painting the azaleas at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia has become an annual event. Member enjoy a solid week of painting together, fun and fellowship.
Siesta Key, Florida - 2007
Painting retreat
Siesta Key
January , 2007
Host Durinda Cheek
Southern Ladies Art Conference members enjoy getting together to paint, attend gallery and museum exhibits and fellowship for a full week in the lovely area of Siesta Key, Florida. Host cottage is within walking distance of the beach and other local attractions.
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Georgia 2006
Painting Retreat
March - April
Painting the azaleas at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia has become an annual event. Member enjoy a solid week of painting together, fun and fellowship.
A porch exhibit at the Callaway house located inside the Callaway Longleaf community is a fun activity that provides another way for members to show their work in a unique way.
Exhibition - February - March 2006
The Harris Art Center - Calhoun, Georgia - 2006
Southern Landscapes
February 1 thru March 17, 2006
Southern Ladies Art Conference, exhibit and sale at the Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall Street, Calhoun, Georgia 30701
February 1 thru March 17, 2006
Oils, Acrylics, Pastels, and Watercolors all done in the open air or from plein air studies and for sale. Opening February 1, 2006 and running through March 17, 2006.
Harris Arts Center Link >
Savannah February - March 2006
Exhibit
Host Maureen Kerstein
Savannah Plein Air Group ExhibitCity MarketSavannah, GeorgiaFebruary 1 - March 17- 2006
Siesta Key, Florida January 2006
Painting Retreat
Host Durinda Cheek
Southern Ladies Art Conference members enjoy getting together to paint, attend gallery and museum exhibits and fellowship for a full week in the lovely area of Siesta Key, Florida. Host cottage is within walking distance of the beach and other local attractions.
Exhibition - October - December 2005
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia - 2005
The Southern LandscapeOctober 7, 2005 through December 31
Southern Ladies Art Conference, exhibit and sale at the Discovery Center Gallery, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia.
Oils, Acrylics, Pastels, and Watercolors all done in the open air or from plein air studies and for sale. Opening October 7, 2005 and running through December 31, 2005.
Exhibit Pictures Link >
Painting Event - June 2005
Ringgold, Georgia - 2005
June 23-29, 2005
Plein-air painting in and around the surrounding expansive hills and private gardens of Northwest Georgia and Southern Tennessee. Local PBS station produced a 30 minute program about the SLAC event, to be posted here as soon as it has been aired.
Locations FeaturedTown of ChickamaguaTown of RinggoldRock CityChattanooga
Exhibition - October - November 2004
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia - 2004
En Plein Air October 6, 2004 through November 30 art works by Plein Air Georgia & Southern Ladies Art Conference Callaway GardensDiscovery Center Pine Mountain, Georgia
Oils, Acrylics, Pastels, and Watercolors all done in the open air and for sale. Opening October 6, 2004 and running through November 30, 2004.
Painting Event - October 2004
Ormond Beach, Florida - 2004
October 25-31, 2004
Painting Plein Air in Ormond Beach located on the east coast of Florida. The event included much time painting on the historic Ormond Loop, 23 miles of inland tidal marshlands weaving east and west of the Halifax Intercoastal Waterway. Paintings were also made of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and there was a brief visit to Princess Place Preserve on Pellicer Creek. A special evening paint out was held on the Ormond Riverfront in Ames Park.
Locations FeaturedHistoric Ormond LoopPonce Inlet LightOrmond Riverfront, Ames Park
Painting Event - March 2004
Gainesville, Florida - 2004
March 1-7, 2004Plein air painting in and around the surrounding area of beautiful Gainesville, Florida.
Florida State ParksPaynes Prairie State PreserveSan Felasco Hammock Preserve State ParkPoe SpringsO'Leno State ParkStephen Foster Folk Culture Center State ParkLake Alice at the University of Florida
Painting Event - January 2004
Inaugural SLAC Art Exhibition - 2004
A Breath of Fresh AirJanuary 11, 2004 - January 31, 2004
The first gallery show of the Southern Ladies Art Conference opened January 11th with an artist's reception. Don't miss this beautiful display and sale of extraordinary plein air paintings held at On the historic Thomaston, Georgia Square inside the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council Gallery.
View the Show...Thomaston, GeorgiaJanuary 2004Read The Thomaston Times Article
Painting Event - October 2003
Blue Ridge Mountains
Plein Air Painting in the Blue Ridge MountainsTuesday, Oct. 7 - Monday, Oct. 13, 2003Painting by the Toccoa River, fields of baled hay, valleys with smokey mountain vistas, cows and winding dirt roads are some of the scenes awaiting the plein air artist attending the second biannual SLAC event for 2003.Full Details...
Exhibition - October 2003
Callaway Gardens - En Plein Air - 2003
En Plein AirAn exibition of Art Works by Southern Ladies Art Conference & Plein Air Georgia.Oils, pastels and watercolors were all created in the open air and available for sale.
SLAC Web Site
Welcome to our newly designed site for the Southern Ladies Art Conference! Our new designed is dedicated to making it easy for clients and galleries to navigate, locate and secure the work of member artists. We'll also feature the latest news about SLAC events, member accomplishments and other features about plein air painting. We hope you enjoy viewing and cruising the site!
Painting Event - May 2003
Callaway Gardens
Members and guests meet to paint at the exquisite Callaway Gardens, GA. Read more in a report by the
Thomaston TimesThomaston, GeorgiaMay 2003
Painting Event - July 2002
St. Simons Island
Painting on the beautiful Island of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Locations Featured: Cannon's Point, Fort Fredrica, Christ Church, the Atlantic Ocean beach, Sea Island Causeway. Complete article can be found HERE.
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