Easton Plein Air

Here's the serendipity of this week's escape: You can go today. Right now. Skip out on work and instead head to the beautiful Eastern Shore for Plein Air – Easton! 2010, which continues through the weekend.

An annual event for the past six years, Plein Air takes place throughout historic Easton (and Talbot County) and features artists painting en plein air, or "in the open air" amid natural surroundings. It also offers competitions, exhibits, gallery previews, studio tours, children's events and more.

The plan: If you go today — not saying that you will, but if you somehow end up crossing the Bay Bridge — start out at Coffee Cat, the local coffeehouse that serves as headquarters for Plein Air-Easton! It's located at 5 Goldsborough St. and it's where you can find out the locations of competition artists. In the afternoon, view a basket weaving demonstration before moving on to a gallery exhibit in the evening.

That's Monday's lineup, but each day has pretty similar offerings with increasing variety by the end of the week.

Some highlights include:

•Quick Draw: The Next Generation, a new painting competition that focuses on young artists of the future.

•Bay Hundred Studios Tour: More than a dozen artists open their doors for visits and conversations.

•Collector's Preview Party: A ticketed event that offers first chance to view and purchase competition paintings.

The details: Plein Air-Easton! Competition and Arts Festival, today through July 25. Most events are free. Go to pleinaireaston.com.