As the organizer of the Vancouver En Plein Air Painters Meetup group, I wanted to create an opportunity for some of our members to exhibit their work. We rented the Flex Space at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery on Granville Island and welcomed visitors to our two-day exhibition last weekend.
The exhibition was a great success, with a steady stream of tourists, family, friends, and fellow art lovers dropping by. Alex Muraki offered free portrait sketches, which attracted visitors and added a lively, interactive element to the event. All five participating artists displayed our work, sold original paintings and greeting cards, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with the public.
I’m very excited to invite you to Beyond the Studio, a group art exhibition I’ve organized with four of my fellow artists from the Vancouver En Plein Air Painters.
Over the past couple of years, plein air painting has become an important part of my artistic life. I’ve loved getting outdoors to paint, exploring beautiful places around Vancouver and getting to know so many wonderful artists along the way. This exhibition is an opportunity for five of us to bring some of that work beyond the studio and share it with you.
I’ll be exhibiting a selection of my recent paintings, and I’ll also have a selection of my new art greeting cards available for sale.
Beyond the Studio Presented by the Vancouver En Plein Air Painters
Saturday, September 12: 11:30 am–5:30 pm Sunday, September 13: 10:00 am–4:30 pm
Federation of Canadian Artists — Flex Space 1310 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
The Flex Space is located along Johnston Street, just before you reach the Federation Gallery as you head toward the far end of Granville Island. Look for the open garage doors and our exhibition poster outside.
If you’re visiting Granville Island that weekend, I’d love to see you. Please drop in, enjoy the paintings and come and say hello!
What a beautiful place the flower fields are at the Richmond Sunflower Festival. Fields and fields of sunflowers, dahlias, marigolds and many other flowers. Hop on either the miniature train or the wagon to bring you to the flower fields. To the right of the flower farm is a wonderful country market full of local fresh produce and to the left of the flower fields is a lovely winery, serving several bottles made from grapes growing on the farm.
A delightful place to join a few friends to paint for a few hours.
It was supposed to rain much of the day, but it turned out to be quite sunny in the afternoon and evening, which was delightful for those of us who met on Granville Island for our Sunday painting session.
Feeling grateful for a beautiful sunset and a delicious meal at Tap & Barrel after several long days spent updating my artist website.
I’ll be back on Granville Island on September 12 and 13, exhibiting my paintings alongside four artist friends.
Here’s a retrospective of the 2026 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September of 2023. Our meetup group started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024.
Join us if you’re in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or search our name online for “The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters”. Enjoy the photos!
Enjoy photos of our meetup painting events…
April 6, 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
Painting near the new Japanese garden installation at Van Dusen and down along the shores by the pond. Ornamental cherry trees and the large green lawns attract people all spring, especially during the Japanese Sakura Festival.
We enjoyed a spectacular day of painting!
April 18, 2026 Sutcliffe Park, False Creek
The cherry blossoms were stunning in this small park just south of Granville Island. I love the blossom covered archways created by the branches of the trees above this sunny path.
April 12, 2026 Central Park, Burnaby
A fun day out, organized by my co-organizer, Peter.
April 19, 2026 Sutcliffe Park, Granville Island
We returned to Sutcliffe Park to capture more of its beauty.
May 3, 2026 Gary Point Park, Richmond
Tall ships, kite festival and the Kuno Japanese Gardens in Steveston.
May 10, 2026 Jericho Beach, Vancouver
A sunny day enjoyed under the shade of the big trees along the pathways and ponds.
May 23-24, 2026, VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Painting amongst the Fleur de Villes exhibits at Van Dusen is such a pleasure. This years theme was “WONDER, a Floral Celebration of the Natural World“. Both geographic locations as well as insects and flowers were depicted by florists from Vancouver and beyond.
May 31, 2026 Urban Sketch Walk, Granville Island
What a wonderful opportunity to join in the annual Urban Sketchers Vancouver artist walk and lecture series on Granville Island. I chose to participate in two walks and then listen to two followup lectures, ending in a sketch book sharing session.
June 5-6, 2026, Granville Island
I enjoyed the diversity of work in a painting exhibit by FCA artists in the Federation of Canadian Artists Flex Space, then participated in a wonderful workshop by well known Sunshine Coast artist, Jan Poynter, the next day. What a great couple of days!
June 7, 2026 Jericho Beach Park
Reworking my painting from earlier this month.
What fun to paint amongst the ducks and geese, shepherding their babies from pond to forest to grassland and back again.
June 21, 2026 Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Painting amongst the remains of the western red cedar in this peaceful forest was a real treat.
The burn marks are from the early 1900’s, when all of this land was clear cut for lumber. Left over stumps and branches were burned, leaving behind these ghost like forms.
June 28, 2026 Terra Nova Park, West Dyke, Richmond
I love the vast open skies above the marshlands that stretch out in colourful ripples to the ocean at low tide. The protected area behind the dyke features Terra Nova Park, developed on the grounds of an early 1900’s farm. Trails meander through meadows and forests, passing by a pond and ending in the well used playground and picnic area.
July 1, 2026 Queen Elizabeth Park
I took the opportunity to try the Artists in the Park program by the City of Vancouver, where artists pay for a license to paint and sell their work in three of Vancouver’s parks. It was a fun experiment, one which I may try again for a longer period next summer. I was happy to have two friends join me. I didn’t paint that much, but I enjoyed meeting people and I even sold a few cards.
July 5, 2026 Maritime Museum in Haddon Park
A small park with a peaceful vibe. Love those summer evening painting sessions! And we got a beautiful sunset at the end!
July 12, 2026 VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Every time we paint in this park, there’s something new to see. The range of colours and the soft textures of the Astilbe plant, or False Spiria, aka Goat’s Beard, really caught my eye this time. We enjoyed sharing our paintings from around the pond.
My painting is a work in progress. I got the main shapes and background in place, now to add the colourful bands of flowers and the highlights of the late afternoon sun.
Here’s a retrospective of the 2026 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September of 2023. Our meetup group started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024.
Join us if you’re in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or search our name online for “The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters”. Enjoy the photos!
Our meetup painting events in photos…
January 5 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
While walking through the gardens, we met Gary, one of our group members. He does such lovely watercolours, with a limited palette of four paints. It’s amazing the variety of colour one can achieve with just four hues.
January 17, 2026 False Creek
It was a very chilly day in January, so cold that many of us stopped early.
We followed the sun around the seawall, gathering more painters as we went. After sharing our work, several of us gathered at an outdoor patio for a bowl of hot soup. So great to be in the sun in January!
March 1 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
The many varieties of heather were in full bloom on this day. Everyone found a good place to paint. I enjoyed laying down the beginning of my painting. More to come. We had a very good turnout this day, too!
March 8, 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
We came back for another session at the gardens. The Heather Garden was still in full bloom, backlit by the late afternoon sun. Perfect for continuing my painting.
March 28, 2026 Queen Elizabeth Park
The daffodils are out! The cherry blossoms are blooming! Despite the chilly weather, it was really fun painting at Queen Elizabeth Park. I made a little watercolour of the daffodils amongst the trees.
Here’s a retrospective of the 2025 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September of 2023. Our meetup group started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024.
Join us if you’re in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or search our name online for “The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters”. Enjoy the photos!
Our meetup painting events in photos:
October 5, 2026 False Creek
We painted on a chilly, sunny day at Charleson Park and Leg in Boot Square, False Creek. It was so chilly, our fingers got cold and we then followed the sun to meet up with more of our painters. A very pleasant afternoon.
October 13, 2026 Stanley Park
 Painting in this beautiful October sunshine at Stanley Park. Some of us wandered off to the tone and pulls others went to the lighthouse or painted the view across the harbor. Such fun to meet someone from a Washington Painting group as well and invite them to paint with us.
October 26, 2025 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
Myself and two friends met at the gardens for a chilly, but really nice painting session. We enjoyed being out and about at Van Dusen and painting together.
November 2nd and 8th 2025, English Bay
The Sylvia Hotel, an iconic sight in Vancouver. The beautifully coloured autumn trees along the beach provided for two, shall we say refreshing, painting days. It was cold, it was cloudy, but we were blessed with a few sunny breaks. Luckily, a few of my friends joined me for these two painting sessions at the Sylvia.
And that’s a wrap for 2025 with the Vancouver En Plein Air Painters Meetup!
Here’s a retrospective of the 2025 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September of 2023. Our meetup group started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024.
Join us if you’re in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or search our name online for “The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters”. Enjoy the photos!
Our meetup events in photos:
July 1, 2025 Tatlow Park with co-host, Peter
July 6, 2025 Van Dusen Gardens
Painting a cool pond on a hot day in July with our group at Van Dusen Gardens.
July 12, 2025, Burnaby Mountain with co-host, Peter
July 13 2025, Kuno Gardens
Painting at the Japanese Kuno Gardens, Gary Point Park, in Steveston, is always a fun place to paint with the view of the river, the interesting shaped trees in the Japanese garden, or just the park in general. One can also walk over to Steveston Village to paint the docks and the old cannery buildings.
July 27 2025 West Dyke
The West Dyke area near Terra Nova Park in Richmond is always a favourite location for our group. The tidal flats along the mouth of the Fraser River with the mountain views in the back ground, and the treed parkland to the east side of the Dyke, provide a lovely variety of views to paint.
August 3, 2025 Seymour River
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve with co-host, Peter.
August 17, 2025 Stanley Park
Stanley Park near downtown Vancouver has so much to offer. Here we are painting near Siwash Rock and Third Beach.
August 24, 2025 Richmond Sunflower Festival
Painting at the Richmond sunflower fields was a wonderful experience this year. The fields are expansive and offer a beautiful variety of flowers. The property also features several great activities, including a miniature railway, hay wagon rides, and the opportunity to see farm animals like cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. Before leaving the area, you can shop for fresh, local produce at the nearby farmers market or enjoy wine and charcuterie at the winery next door.
August 29, 2025 Granville Island
Granville Island, with all that it has to offer. I love painting near the duck ponds with its sweeping weeping willow trees.
September 7, 2025 Hadden Park
Painting to the upbeat music of the musicians playing live from the decks of a tall ship anchored just off shore. Hadden Park and the shoreline next to it are situated in front of the Maritime Museum. A fun way to spend a summer’s evening!
September 12, 2025 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
A couple of us showed up for this event. I did quick watercolour sketch.
September 13, 2025 Arcadia Beach
Painting at Acadia Beach near the end of Admiralty Trail, Pacific Spirit Park. It’s a small beach just west of Spanish Banks.
September 21, 2025 Marina Square, Coal Harbour
Three of us painted near Coal Harbour and Lost Lagoon. A lovely afternoon spent painting.
September 28, 2025 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
Near the maze at the top end of Van Dusen Gardens. A very pretty day for painting.
Presenting a retrospective of the 2025 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September 2023. We started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024. Join us if you live in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or just search our name online, The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters. Enjoy the photos!
January 12, 2025 Coal Harbour
January 19, 2025 Granville Island
February 9, 2025 Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park
March 2, 2025 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
April 6, 2025 Granville Island
Urban sketching on Granville Island with the Vancouver Urban Sketchers and visiting sketcher, Mike Daikubara.
April 13, 2025 Queen Elizabeth Park
April 19, 2025 Nitobe Gardens, UBC
April 26, 2025 Kitsilano Show Boat
May 4, 2025 Van Dusen Gardens
May 9, 2025 Deer Lake, Burnaby
May 25, 2025 Van Dusen Gardens
Fluers de Villes at Van Dusen Gardens, Downton Abbey theme. What a lot of fun to paint one of the installations at this event!
June 3, 2025 Spanish Banks
June 8, 2025 Commercial Drive
Painting with the Vancouver Urban Sketchers, on a very hot day for Italian days on Commercial Drive this day. Some of us found a cool café to sit in and draw the crowds. Gelato afterwards was wonderful.
June 14, 2025 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
Lovely day for painting roses.
June 22, 2025 Central Park, Burnaby
June 28, New Brighton Park, East Vancouver
July 1, 2025 Tatlow Park, Vancouver
July13, 2025 Kuno Japanese Gardens at Gary Point Park, Richmond
We held the first event of the year of the Vancouver En Plein Air Painters Meetup on January 12, 2025. It was a crisp, sunny day, with a light breeze and temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius. Location: Coal Harbour, Vancouver, BC Canada.
As always, we met up at our meeting point, dispersed to paint or sketch, and then met again at the end to chat about our work. It’s always fun to hear from others about their experiences and to ask questions about how they accomplished a look or technique in their work. We’re a friendly, nonjudgmental group, which leads to open and honest discussions and plenty of support.
I found a sunny spot out of the wind and off the nearby walking path by a small duck pond in the sun. I made good progress on my painting before my fingers got too cold. I’ll finish this painting either at home or back on site on a subsequent sunny day.
Enjoy the photos! Feel free to ask me any questions or to follow me on instagram: @cerinamaryan.
Maryan
Painting in progress.The beginning of a new painting.Happy to be outside, painting in the sun. Love this view. Duck pond near Georgia St in Coal Harbour, Vancouver.
Our group’s work, some finished, some in progress.
