Each brushstroke reveals a layer of history, embedded in colour.
The quiet hamlet of Rosebud will once again have its landscape memorialized in paint as artists gather for the Rosebud Art Collective's seventh annual Fall Paint Out, running from Friday (Sept. 19) through Sunday.
Over the three-day event, artists will spread out across the Rosebud area to paint scenes from life, from wheatfields to historic buildings, before showcasing their work at a pop-up gallery on Sunday afternoon. The exhibit opens to the public at 2 p.m. in the Rosebud Community Hall.
"We have over 70 artists coming this year," said Valerie Speer, the president and head coordinator of Rosebud Art Collective. A professional artist for over 20 years, Speer said that the event attracts painters from Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and across Alberta.
Speer believes the town's distinct atmosphere brings in artists of all levels of experience to paint its unique landscapes.
"Rosebud is a unique spot on the prairie because we're in the little river valley," she said. "It's kind of like a little oasis and has that kind of retro Boomtown feel."
While the weekend offers artists a chance to network and share their craft, it's also an opportunity to connect with nature and paint "en plein air," directly on location.
"Even if it's landscapes or buildings that you're familiar with, it's the interpretation, what the artist is experiencing, and how that's expressed in the work that often resonates with the audience in a really personal way and often in a way that people have never been able to express themselves," Speer said. "I think that's the magic about painting."
That magic, she added, resonated with farmers who have lived in the area all their lives.
"We have had local farmers buy artwork, and I think it's fun to turn farmers into art collectors," Speer said. "It allows people who live in the area anyways to maybe see the landscape through new lenses."
Beyond aesthetics, Speer said plein air painting plays a role in preserving the history and emotional essence of a place.
"It keeps the sense of the area alive," she said. "I want to capture my impression of a place, my feeling of it."
Speer also hopes that the visiting artists leave with more than just finished canvases.
"I really hope that they take away a new love of the prairie and of this part of the province where we live."
The Rosebud Art Collective partners with Wheatland County and the Rosebud Theatre to support art initiatives and community engagement throughout the year.