Murphys, CA…The en plein air oil paintings and pastels of the Calaveras Outdoor Painting Society (COPS) will be featured the month of July at Hovey Winery Tasting Room, 350 A Main St., Murphys. A duo of talented local artists – Sunny Sorensen and Judie Cain– will fill the tasting room walls with their original art, all created on location in Calaveras County and beyond. An artist’s reception will be held in their honor from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July12. Complimentary appetizers will be served and wine will be available by the glass or bottle.

COPS is an organization of local pointers who enjoy painting directly from life, mostly natural landscapes. “In 2011 I rounded up a few candidates who thought they’d like to paint en plein air together,” said Sorensen. “No meetings, dues, potlucks or instruction. The idea was to show up and paint, and that’s what we did.”

“Painting in the field means the artists must pay more attention to that which is in front and around them than the camera,” she added. “It’s all in the process and it’s all good.”

Sorensen spent childhood summers in the Sierra and after leading backpack trips in the high country, she knew she needed to paint outdoors. “I love it because it’s immediate – chasing sun light and shadow with paint – and there’s always something new to discover,” exclaimed Sorensen. “It’s such a rush. The light changes so quickly, you have to fast dance the brush to get it down.” She teaches plein air workshops locally and life drawing at Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis. Her work has been shown in local and Bay Area galleries, the Haggin Museum and in Mexico.

Judie Cain, a native of Burlingame, studied at California College of Arts, attended numerous workshops and studied with select professionals. She has taught oil painting fundamentals and color workshops locally and in the western United States and has been represented in galleries in Washington, Oregon, New Mexico and California. She also paints in gouache, an opaque watercolor. “Plein air painting is to art what Haiku is to poetry, describing the time of day, season and emotion of the moment in light and shadow,” relayed Cain. “Painting with the COPS group for the past three years, I’ve discovered some of the most spectacular destinations in our County. After many years of studio painting, I’ve rediscovered the passion and excitement that may have been missing in my works. I’m more spontaneous and focused. The camaraderie of painting with like-minded artists is not only fun, but enlightening and mind expanding.”

“We’re hoping that you, too, can enjoy these incredible works of art with all of your senses, just as these artists experienced while painting en plein air,” said Jan Hovey. “Bring your friends, enjoy a glass of wine and celebrate this marvelous group of painters.”

Hovey Tasting Room is open daily from noon to 5:30 p.m. and until 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 728-9999 or visit hoveywine.com.