Painting in the open air with Brett LaGue

By Matt de Simone

Contributing writer

Editor’s note: This article is the seventh in a series of articles that will feature all 14 artists that will be participating in the 2019 Open Studios-Botetourt tour on October 26 and 27. Each week leading up to the two-day event, The Herald will feature one artist – highlighting their passion for their chosen artform.

Just outside of Ed Bordett’s studio in Fincastle, passersby may see a tall figure hunched over a small easel while clutching a palette dotted in earth tone oil paints. The artist paints in his favorite creative environment: the open air.

Brett LaGue has spent the past decade in Botetourt County occasionally setting up an easel on a street corner and documenting a beautiful summer afternoon.

LaGue was born in Indiana but grew up in Vero Beach, Fla. with aspirations of working in the advertising industry. He graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. (as did Bordett). With a degree in graphic design and illustration, LaGue started out in Richmond and ended up locally as the creative director for an advertising agency.

“The more responsibility I had and the more computers became prevalent— the less actual art I ever got to do,” LaGue said when explaining the transition from 20-plus years working in advertising to becoming a full-time visual artist. “Mostly, I just stared at a box all day and met with people. It was a ‘now or never’ type of thing. Hey, I’ll take five years and if [becoming a visual artist] works out, fine. If it doesn’t, I can always say I did it.”

LaGue grinned. “It’s been 11 years.”

LaGue started out as an abstract artist. He’s now known for his “plein air” art, or pieces painted outside in fresh air. “I’ve always been an outdoor person,” LaGue explained. “Since I started painting I realized, hey, I get to go outside and play.” Currently, LaGue spends time competing in plein air competitions all over the country.

He tries to keep his interests ever-changing from a creative standpoint. LaGue isn’t the type of visual artist who sticks to one medium. “I do a lot of different things because it keeps you fresh. Sticking to one thing has never been my way. I do a lot of plein air because I love being outside and sketching.” LaGue not only paints outdoors (and in) but he is also a talented digital artist as well.

As far as what the community can expect from LaGue during Open Studios-Botetourt, he plans to bring a piece of the northeast. “I’m sure I’m going to have things from Bucks County, Pa. and the Hudson Valley (New York) because that’s where I’m going in October,” LaGue said.

Before Fincastle holds its self-guided tour of local art, Bucks County, Pa. is set to welcome LeGue and many other artists to the Bucks County Plein Air Festival (October 1-6) where they’ll set up and perform for Newtown, Peddler’s Village, and Doylestown.

Open Studios–Botetourt’s “Art in the Country” takes place on October 26 and 27. For more information on LaGue and the event visit: //www.openstudiosbotetourt.com.