Painting in Monroeville Alabama: My First Plein Air Paint Out in Harper Lee’s Hometown

Kill a Mockingbird – Paint the Town Event

The Paint the Town event was truly amazing. I enjoyed every moment of it.

When I arrived in Monroeville, it was just as I had imagined. The town square was so picturesque—like stepping straight into classic Main Street America. There was a sense of nostalgia everywhere you looked.

As I walked around exploring the little town, I couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like when Harper Lee lived here and wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, or what the town must have felt like during the filming of the movie.

It was such a delight to experience it in person.

We began the event with a wonderful Meet the Artist gathering. There were so many people there, along with lovely snacks and drinks, and it was such a joy to meet everyone. The evening ended with a special treat — a concert held inside the historic courthouse. It was a beautiful way to begin the weekend.

The next morning it was time to paint. When I woke up, there was a light sprinkle of rain. It was gentle, and I hoped it wouldn’t last long. I set up my easel and began my first painting of the courthouse, finding a spot in front of Mid-South Insurance. The people there were incredibly kind. They even made a post about me painting in front of their building, and comments people made while walking by were so sweet. It was more encouragement than I could have hoped for.

After finishing the painting, I turned it in and joined the other artists for a lovely lunch. It was such fun getting to talk with and meet so many talented painters.

Later, I walked behind the courthouse where I met a tour guide who shared something fascinating. Each year, the town performs a reenactment of To Kill a Mockingbird. There is a small amphitheater where rows of wooden chairs are set up, along with three small houses built as props for the play — the homes of the Finches, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo Radley. During intermission, the audience actually moves into the courthouse where the final scenes are performed.

I thought this was one of the most wonderful traditions I had ever heard of.

Inspired, I sat down with my copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. I wrote out a passage about Mrs. Dubose, stained the paper with ink to give it an aged feel, and then painted a small rendering of her house. I placed it in a small glass frame. By the end of the day, I was happily tired and went to bed early, knowing I wanted to create the other two pieces the next morning.

Saturday morning arrived quiet and overcast. It was peaceful, giving me time to reflect on the passages I had written and the many layers of meaning within the book. It left me feeling incredibly grateful to be there, painting in a place so connected to such an enduring story.

I completed the other two houses and turned in the finished triptych.

To my complete surprise and delight, the piece won the Purchase Award. The Main Street organization purchased the work, and it will now hang in their town. I was deeply honored — truly at a loss for words.

Later, I also met the young woman who purchased my courthouse painting. She works at a local bank and told me that she has always admired offices that display paintings  and enjoys hearing about them. She smiled and said, “Now I have a real painting to put in my office — and my own story to tell.”

That moment alone made my entire day.