A Jersey couple has started a group for residents to try their hand at ‘plein air’ painting.
Starting in June last year, Helen and Matt wanted to create an art group that offered a cost-effective way for islanders to get creative.
‘En plein air’ is a style that gained popularity with French Expressionists and translates to ‘in the open air’.
The free monthly sessions encourage people to paint outside and capture the island’s best sights.
Matt and Helen who run the free sessions say everybody is welcome – regardless of painting ability.
Helen says: “Myself and my partner Matt started the group as there’s nothing really free and accessible for all ages to do art and the backdrop of our beautiful island.
“We love it! We have members that come that are old and young.”
The pair have also found the activity to improve their mental wellbeing.
Matt explains: “For me and Helen, we’ve suffered with a little bit of mental health issues over the year and I find that drawing is a good outlet.
“It’s a little bit of escapism but it’s positive escapism. It’s just a lovely thing to just go and just switch off.
“We were trying to look at things for us to do art-wise but it just seemed to cost a lot of money and we just thought to do a group for free to get like-minded people to come and join us.”
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