Schlatter’s Plein (Air) Truth

By Katie Dunn

Sun contributor

Claude Monet (1840-1926), a master of the Impressionist movement, is widely celebrated as one of the most instrumental and iconic plein air painters. His dedication to capturing the transient effects of light and atmosphere revolutionized—and disrupted—the art establishment. By painting outdoors, Monet immersed himself in the landscapes he depicted, bringing an unparalleled vibrancy to his work.

The technique known as plein air painting emphasizes the importance of direct observation and fosters a deeper connection between the artist and the natural world.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) understood the profound importance of being present in nature to portray its essence.

The creative endeavor that is plein air painting features prominently the sensory aspects of air, light, and the surrounding environment, making it a vivid and immediate experience.

“Painting directly from nature is essential…The impression of air and light, so necessary to capture, cannot be reproduced in the studio,” Renoir stated.

Nestled in Northern Michigan, Leelanau County offers an idyllic setting that continues the venerated tradition of plein air painting. With its stunning vistas of rolling hills, cerulean waters, and dense woodlands, the area provides endless inspiration for artists.

Right here in Glen Arbor, the Glen Arbor Arts Center annually hosts the Plein Air Weekend where myriad artists converge on the town to participate in a two-day painting event. It serves as a platform for creative practitioners to showcase their mastery of light, shadow, and perspective. This event is a summer pinnacle and, essentially, the foremost artistic gathering in Glen Arbor.

Glen Arbor is also home to artistic luminaries such as David Westerfield and Greg Sobran, who can often be found painting out in the fields of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. With their easels, canvasses, art supplies—surrounded by buzzing bees and bathed in the sunlight—Westerfield and Sobran are not just creating art. They are bearing witness to the surrounding beauty and passionately documenting it with each brushstroke.

Then there is Crystal Rivers Outfitters (CRO)—a seemingly unlikely venue for plein air art. Situated in the heart of Glen Arbor, it is most often associated with outdoor sports and recreational activities: kayaking on the Crystal River, biking on the Heritage Trail, and snowshoeing out in the Port Oneida Historic District.

To further enhance CRO’s repertoire, owners Katy and Matt Wiesen, enlisted plein air artist Stephanie Schlatter for an annual summer art pop-up on its grounds. This one-day event was established in 2019. Though it may seem unconventional for CRO, having an artist initiate this tradition aligns perfectly with CRO’s mission of providing a comprehensive and enriching experience.

The pop-up is a relatively new phenomenon where spaces are used temporarily to showcase art, crafts, fashion, food, and more. These pop-ups offer a fresh, ephemeral platform for innovators to connect with the public in somewhat unexpected ways. This trend has spread extensively, and has now reached picturesque Glen Arbor.

The idea of a plein air art pop-up on the patio of the M22 Wine Bar was Schlatter’s, and one that was readily embraced by the Wiesens.

“I thought it would be fun to spend a week painting their many properties or areas [that] their businesses serve, like the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Crystal River, the Heritage Trail, and such. And then showcase the art in a wet paint sale—in the spirit of artist residences,” Schlatter explained.

Katy recounted the nascency of CRO’s relationship with Schlatter, its evolution, and how Schlatter has become very much an integral part of CRO.

“Believe it or not, we actually started working with Stephanie all the way back in 2013. She approached us about bringing in some of her beautiful artwork to decorate our walls [at CRO] and sell to our guests. It seemed that at this time, she was early on in her Northern Michigan time. Fast forward 10 years, our M22 is bigger and the brand has grown, and her work is still a staple of our store,” Katy said.

Schlatter is a Grand Rapids-based artist with deep roots in Leelanau County. She resides downstate roughly six months of the year and summers on the south shore of Little Traverse Lake. Schlatter’s affinity for the area is rooted in her abiding connection to the natural landscape and its distinctive local culture.

“I first came to Leelanau in my early 20s, around the same time I was traveling to Europe a lot. Leelanau felt like the best of Europe to me. A slower pace of life, unbelievable beauty, rolling hills, agriculture, a vibrant farm-to-table philosophy, the inland lakes, and, of course, the crown jewel of life up here: Lake Michigan. And the community: quirky, charming, good-hearted characters who became a part of the fabric of my life,” Schlatter shared.

Schlatter is a purist, preferring to paint in plein air as it provides an experience unmatched by studio settings.

“I personally don’t believe in landscape painting when you haven’t studied from life on location. Working on location allows you to really study a location and notice the nuances. It teaches you so much and makes you such a better painter. For example, a photo will always make shadows black, but shadows aren’t black, and they’re so beautiful in real life. One of the many things that working outside teaches you,” Schlatter conveyed.

Schlatter’s plein air work evokes the Glen Arbor area’s radiant summer atmosphere through her use of color, brushstroke, and texture. Katy has a genuine appreciation for Schlatter’s creative practice and recognizes how she masterfully renders the spirit of the Glen Arbor area.

“What jumps out for me the most is her depth of color. The colors are extremely vibrant, and will just bring happiness to your face, and make you instantly feel Northern Michigan summer,” Katy said.

Katy is also highly attuned to the significance of incorporating Schlatter’s plein air pop-ups into the recreational district’s array of offerings, and how her artistry uniquely resonates with the community—locals, summer folks and tourists alike.

“We are constantly seeking ways to bring in more activity year-round—to keep people engaged and excited about Glen Arbor. Events like Stephanie’s are just another fun way to draw people to our awesome area…It is so fun to be able to say that she is a local artist from Grand Rapids who loves to showcase life along M22. You’ll notice barns, vineyards, and, of course, beautiful water in her pieces,” Katy explained.

For Schlatter, she finds personal fulfillment in returning to CRO each summer for this celebrated, much anticipated event. It is more than a creative exercise; it is a heartfelt reunion with a place that inspires her work and spirit.

“I’ve worked with them [CRO] for so long; it feels like coming home. I love their community-minded approach and dedication to serving the area. I am also an active person with an active lifestyle. I love kayaking the Crystal, running and biking on the Heritage Trail. It’s an excellent resource to connect with the land and experience nature,” Schlatter said.

Of equal importance, Schlatter’s plein air pop-ups are an effective and instrumental way for her to cultivate relationships with those who are passionate about the arts.

“It’s a great way for me as an artist to connect with my collectors and meet new people,” Schlatter said.

Glen Arborite, Darci Ricker, has admired Schlatter for years and was delighted to discover that she had brought her plein air endeavor to Glen Arbor. The venue has not only showcased Schlatter’s work, but has also made her more accessible. Schlatter’s presence on the grounds of CRO has provided art enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to engage with her.

“I first noticed her artwork at Black Star Farms and then at the M22 shop in Glen Arbor. The places Stephanie painted were all familiar and beloved, but there was an exuberance in her art that brought a new take—the color choices, the bold strokes—that simply can be described as joyful…Learning of her pop-up two years ago at the M22 patio, of course, I had to go watch her in action and introduce myself as a fan of her work,” Ricker said.

Schlatter approaches her next plein air pop-up at CRO with a fluid and intuitive mindset. She embraces the creative process with spontaneity and openness. Her unwavering commitment to artistic growth ensures that each of her plein air pop-ups brings a fresh dynamic to the Glen Arbor community.

“My favorite part about being an artist is you never arrive,” Schlatter mused.

Schlatter will, indeed, arrive at the patio of M22 Wine Bar on Aug. 8 from 3:30–5 p.m. where she will share her wondrous work and her ethereal, creative energy.