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Plein-Air Painting Workshops Held at Buckhorn Inn

For years now Rachael McCampbell has been leading plein-air workshops in the Smokies. Offering Buckhorn Inn as a home base for a painting trip has been a highlight. “I fell in love with the Buckhorn Inn the minute I walked in. The historical charm and beauty of the rooms, the property’s private setting and the views of the mountains really struck me. And of course the stellar food and friendly staff make this time in the mountains a perfect ‘Art-cation’,” she states.

McCampbell has been a professional artist her whole life. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she lived and worked in Italy, England, New York and Los Angeles, moving back to Franklin, TN in 2008. Having been raised on a farm in south Knoxville, the landscape always resonated with her. “We had a lease with the National Park for 10 years in Cades Cove. This was back when you could run cattle and horses there. We had a temporary residence (where the rangers lived) and spent glorious weekends in the mountains playing in streams all day. My love of the Smokies was cemented in my childhood.”

Rachael’s art is inspired by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Plein-Air Painting Inspired by Smoky Mountains

Sharing her love of the mountains and its inherent beauty is what inspires McCampbell to lead these trips each year. She also plans her painting time each year around the scheduled display of the synchronized fireflies in early June. “The magic of sitting in the dark watching the emergence and dance of these unique creatures is incredibly special for my guests. We have been honored to be invited to observe the fireflies and foxfire on a private property that abuts the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
McCampbell’s workshops are for 7 nights. She takes the group to different locales to paint, gives demonstrations and works with each student almost all day long. They gather before dinner to discuss all aspects of art and McCampbell sometimes does a second demo in the evening or a powerpoint presentation discussing art. “The trip is highly educational and hands-on but also very personal. My prayer is always that the folks who come on my trips become lifelong friends and painter buddies—and they DO!”

For more information, or to register for the 2024 painting workshop, please visit Rachael’s website http://Www.rachaelmccampbell.com