The subject was the art of plein air painting.

The instructors: 30 artists from all over the country and as far north as Canada.

The students: everyone who was where the artists were painting plein air around the Boothbay region.

It began on Sept. 8 at the footbridge in Boothbay Harbor. Most of the 30 artists participating in the first ever A Stroke of Art event, held during Harbor Fest, selected a view to paint between the hours of noon and two. On Sept. 9, these artists joined members of the Oil Painters of America for the Great Paint Out at Grimes Cove or other locations at Ocean Point. Shoppers at the weekly farmers market on the Boothbay Common on Thursday were joined by all 30 artists who participated in a second two-hour quick draw. On Friday, artists painted at locations of their choice in the region. Some artists also attended the Harbor Fest Fishin’ for Fashion event on Saturday at Rocktide.

After each of the painting events Sept. 8-11, an art show and sale was held at a reception, each show juried by internationally known artist and art educator, Carlton Plummer of East Boothbay.

“The jurying was a challenge because of the limited list of awards to be given out — especially with so many excellent paintings,” Plummer said. “I was glad to see such a variety of techniques and ideas executed in oil and water media. I especially enjoyed mingling with the artists at the reception and getting to know them as individuals. It was an overall rewarding experience thanks to a well organized series of events.”

A Stroke of Art culminated in a final art show and sale at Harborfields on Sept. 13 with prizes, food and music. Plummer arrived at 9 a.m. to make the final determinations: who would be best in show, first place, second place.

Plummer's decision was based on each artist's overall body of work for the week while looking for the artist's emotional, personal touch. Was the artist taking a chance? Plummer said quality and the handling of the chosen medium had to be present in addition to the design work.

Just 90 minutes later, three ribbons were hung: best of show: Andre Lucero for “Golden Hour,” a 16 by 20-inch oil painting; second place: John Caggiano for “Calming Seas,” a 16 by 20-inch oil painting. Brad Betts received the only honorable mention for “Morning Shimmer,” an 8 by 10-inch oil on linen.

The People's Choice Award went to Mark Horton for “Maine Afternoon,” his 11 by 14-inch oil on birch panel completed during the Great Paint Out at Grimes Cove in East Boothbay.

In the Footbridge Quick Draw event, best of show went to Erin McGee Ferrell for “Wires + Bridge;” first place to George Van Hook for “On the Bridge”; first honorable mention went to John Butke for “Rowe’s Wharf,” and a second honorable mention went to Tony van Hasselt for “The Foot Bridge.”

In the Farmers Market Quick Draw event, first place went to Jodie Maurer for “Farmer’s Market” and second place went to Tony van Hasselt.

Why did Plummer select the paintings he did? He described Jodie Maurer's “Farmer's Market” — a bold oil of a close up of a woman and flowers: “It was in my face. Bold. I could imagine being near her and the scent of the flowers.”

Of Lucero's best in show, Plummer said, “This impressionistic painting grabbed my attention very quickly. André is a good, solid painter. He puts the paint to it like it's going out of style! His design is strong, the energy comes through his use of, and repetition of, colors; the light and darkness all work together in his diagonal treatment; the water is in your face, but not defined or refined .... I was this painting from the beginning.”

Lucero said he was “very happy.”

“I couldn't be more happy. It's been a great experience,” Lucero said. “Painting plein air you are alone most of the time, this week I was painting with other artists and we stayed together here at Harborfield's. We could talk shop, get to know each other. It was a good time.”

Mary Phelps of COCO VIVO Fine Art on Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor said over 120 paintings were completed. Each artist was expected to complete four, but some artists painted more.

Fourteen paintings had already been pre-sold by the 13th, and those that remained returned home with the artists. But not to fear! The paintings can still be viewed and purchased at www.cocovivofineart.com. Just click on A Stroke of Art on the homepage.

“Thanks to the community, the artists, Carlton Plummer, Lori (Pecor Reynolds) and the Boothbay Register, A Stroke of Art was a huge success,” Phelps said. “The community and the artists are for it; I already have volunteers for next year and the artists are excited to come back.”