Interview With Plein Air Painter Beth Cole
We were instantly struck by the movement and emotion in Beth Cole's paintings. Since the first time we saw her work in Instagram, we've been waiting for the right time to invite her to the homestead to teach. We're honored to have her join us for a weekend in the summer of 2025. Here are a few questions we asked the artist about her work and her process.
Please tell us a little about how you got started as an artist, especially as a plein air painter...
My first art love was piano which has been with me from a young age. In my mind painting and music are connected. I always told my husband “when I get older I want to paint.” At the empty nest stage I knew it was time. My only regret is not starting sooner, I absolutely love it. I started with studio painting but as I studied and grew, I began to understand the best teacher is nature. Observing its beauty first hand has taught me a lot and I am a life long student of it and painting in general.
Do you have any special training or technical experience in the arts
Before I began painting I owned a web design company which gave me training in graphic design through Illustrator and Photoshop classes and experience. I loved it. My clients were awesome and I was very busy. After about fifteen years it was time to push back from the computer and pick up a paintbrush.
I’m so glad I did. I have studied with many talented and generous artists, both online and in person. I always consider myself a student as I travel this journey of art and continue to learn!
What is your preferred medium and why?
I have tried all the things... watercolor, pastel, acrylic, charcoal and finally oil. I love working in oil because it is slow drying and gives me time to change my mind! Ha. I also love its layering and texture capabilities.
Can you talk us through your process of creating a new work? Do you start from sketches or some other inspiration?
I like to start with an idea that I have seen outside and painted plein air, or something that has caught my eye and I captured with a photo. I will take the idea and do a small thumbnail sketch with markers to see the big shapes and find the best composition. Sometimes I will also do a pencil sketch.
From there I will do a small color study to try it out. If I like it, I will take it to a larger version. If not, I might try another color study or even go back to the thumbnail stage and try again. It is all a process.
Which artists are currently influencing your work or what are you turning to for inspiration?
In addition to going outside for inspiration, I use Pinterest. I have a "Master Artist" board and "Inspiring Landscapes" board, among many others. I turn to these as well as books from my “library” to spark ideas or help with problem solving.
Some of my favorite master artists are Cornelis Vreedenburgh, William Dunn Knox, JJ Hilder, Chauncey Ryder, Emil Carlson. Living masters I admire greatly are T. Allen Lawson and Clyde Aspevig.
What is your approach to taking the “chaos” of the natural world and transforming it into something peaceful and calm?
I use thumbnail sketches to simplify the scene into 4-5 big shapes. Sometimes I move things I see into the sketch but usually I take things out. I try to use line and movement to lead the eye to the focal point.
As far as the “feel” of peacefulness and calm, that might come from the color palette I use which is toward the tonalist, kind of subdued colors. I always like to create depth and distance - and that leads to a peaceful feeling as well.
What is your process for choosing a color palette? Does this change or is your palette consistent across a body of work?
I choose the palette based on the idea I am going for. If the inspiration had mid day lighting, for example, I might change the time of day to early morning and adjust and light and shadow accordingly. It just depends on what mood I am going for with the painting.
How do you know when a piece of work is ‘finished’?
That is the million dollar question! Sometimes I have called a painting done, and down the road realized it was not finished and made adjustments that really made it better.
It works best if I can let a painting sit for at least two weeks or a month and look at it then. Often I will be able to see what I need to do next and that is very helpful. When I have given the painting adequate time to come into itself, and enough attention to the finishing touches, I will call it done.
What draws you into the world to paint plein air vs. in a studio?
I paint both ways, plein air and in the studio. I like to paint outside to get ideas and to observe colors, shapes, light, shadow, etc. We can always work from photos, but a photograph doesn’t give the same information you can gather from direct observation. Plus fresh air is good for body, mind and spirit. I love being in the natural world, I believe our Creator’s color palette is always perfect and it is a joy to behold.
What has painting landscapes as your subject taught you about yourself?
Oh wow, easy answer... how much I have to learn! How much I don’t know! I will always be a student of the landscape and painting. That is one thing I love about it, the challenge of learning more and improving. It is at once frustrating and thrilling.
What advice would you give someone new to painting who is intimidated to start the process?
Be gentle with yourself. You can’t get up one morning and run a marathon, right? Or play Clair de Lune the first time you sit at the piano. In the same way, learning to paint requires time and patience with yourself. One of the most helpful practices for me is to show up consistently. Doing the work has been so valuable. Lastly, keep your eyes on your goals and the vision you hold for your work. “Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt.
Are you currently exhibiting your work? If so where can we see more of it?
My work is currently available on my website at bethcoleart.com, where I post a yearly show, and from my studio gallery in Merna, NE.
Any future projects on the horizon you’re excited about?
One project is my painting retreat, The Gentle Landscape, hosted by Hunter Moon Homestead. Registration is open and you are invited!