‘Alive in the moment’: Braithwaite’s paintings featured in city building

Pastel artist Arlene Braithwaite will be showcasing her open-air paintings at the "In the Moment" exhibition in Cedar City, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Arlene Braithwaite, St. George News

CEDAR CITY — For pastel artist Arlene Braithwaite, plein air – that is, open-air painting – is mentally refreshing.

The community will be able to perceive pastel artist Arlene Braithwaite’s paintings at the “In the Moment” exhibition through July 31 in Cedar City, Utah | Photo courtesy of Arlene Braithwaite, St. George News

Community members will have the chance to view Braithwaite’s paintings, which will be on display through July 31 at the Cedar City Municipal Office Building. The exhibition “In the Moment” includes many recent plein air pieces, along with larger studio work.

The following quote from the Dalai Lama sums up the “living in the moment” process of plein air painting for Braithwaite:

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.

According to a press release from Braithwaite, she understands that art isn’t the only field of study that requires total immersion in the present, and she thinks it’s important that all people look for and appreciate those moments in their individual fields.

“May I suggest the gratitude those of us in these disciplines should feel for the opportunity to be so alive in the moment?” she said.

For her, finding this focus and gratitude has its own challenges for an artist working in plein air painting.

“When an artist is on location, they must focus on continual changes of light and shadow,” she said. “Absolute engagement in the present is required.”

When it comes to studios, she said they provide less on-site distractions and unchanging light; however, she said, finished work in a studio can seem “more structured and less spontaneous.”

The “In the Moment” exhibition will be available for viewing in the city municipal building Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paintings may be purchased by bringing the painting’s tag to Artisan’s Gallery at 94 W. Center St. Work; however, art purchased by locals is requested to stay in the exhibit until July 31, after which it can be picked up at Artisans.

Event details

  • What: “In the Moment” exhibition featuring pastel artist Arlene Braithwaite.
  • When: Through July 31, Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Where: Cedar City Municipal Office Building, 10 N. Main St., Cedar City.
  • More information: Paintings can be purchases by bringing painting’s tag to Artisans Gallery, 94 W Center St., Cedar City.

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