Pat McBride

There is something deeply mesmerizing about painting en plein air in the historic Village of Pinehurst. Usually, my easel is set up to capture the quiet, ambient charm of our local landscapes—the soft morning light filtering through the longleaf pines, or the steady, peaceful bustle of a morning spent sketching at the Sandhills Farmers Market. But when Labor Day Weekend rolls around, the entire atmosphere shifts. The air thickens with the rich, unmistakable aroma of hickory smoke, and the...

Painting The Holly Inn in Pinehurst was a true pleasure, as the historic charm and gracious elegance of the property offered endless inspiration. Working plein air allowed me to respond to the light, the architecture, and the atmosphere of the Inn in a way that felt both immediate and deeply personal. To see the painting in person, visit Casey Tulley Fine Art studio.

A sunlit afternoon in Pinehurst, where a procession of automotive masterpieces filled the Village streets, I set up my easel and found myself captivated by a 1949 Delahaye 135 MS — its flowing silhouette and liquid chrome seemed to pause time. When it won Best in Show, the whole village seemed to exhale. I’ll be back this May with paint on my hands and an eager eye for beauty. — Pat McBride