The first outdoor show of my season is this weekend, in Breckenridge, Colorado. I bought my own tent this year, after borrowing one from a friend the last two years. I did some research and ended up buying a Caravan tent. It is similar in style and just as easy to use as the EZup tents, but heavier and more substantial. If I did lots of shows I would probably have a Light Dome or something of that type, but they are much more expensive. For less than $400, the Caravan tent should be a good fit for my needs. I plan on two shows this year. The second one will be in Evergreen in August.
This painting will be available at the Breckenridge show. I painted it last summer at a local pond, and as I was painting, fishermen were pulling out fish after fish. I titled it "Good Fishing". It is one of my few plein air paintings. I need to paint outside more, but find it a bit frustrating as the light changes so often. People keep telling me it will improve my painting skills, but I don't see any improvement yet. I should do it more....I need the practice. I throw away or wipe off about three of every four I do. When I get one that works, it feels good, but mostly it is just plein frustrating!
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If it makes you feel any better, I still get frustrated painting plein air - and I've been doing it for 15 years. But even if your turp off all your outdoor pieces, the time you spend outside observing light and color will show in your studio work.
ReplyDeleteSo I have another 14 years of practice so I can only turp off half of them instead of 3/4? Yikes! I know, it is good for me....like medicine!
ReplyDeleteThe paintings I have done outside so far have been with watercolors. I've enjoyed it so far. The painting beautiful. Good luck with the show.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, Yes plein air can be frustrating at times but the rewards are definitely worthwhile. Let us know how you like the tent. I've yet to take the plunge and buy one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the show, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteI liked the "plein frustrating" comment.
I just bought my field easel but haven't ventured out of the house with it yet. Call me chicken if you will but I think I'll try using it in front of my house and paint something in my garden to get the feel of being in the public eye. I like to paint in private and total quiet so this will be interesting.
Anthony, it sounds like you have it down! In Colorado it can be more difficult to paint outside in watercolor because it dries so quickly with our lack of humidity.
ReplyDeleteLori, I will let you know about the tent. I think, based on my trial of putting it up in my driveway and the heavy weights my husband made for it, it will be great.
Carol, I don't like painting while being watched either, so I always find a place away from where people might be walking! It is more a matter of the light constantly changing as clouds come over and the sun moves than anything else. You think you have it down, and you look, and it is different!
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip on the tent. I love this colorful painting
ReplyDeleteLori, I will post the pros and cons of the tent and let you know!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste! I hope the tent does well for us. At least it isn't supposed to rain, but it will be pretty warm I think.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean,but plein air painting is wonderful. When I am out there, to me it's just my short hand notes, just a sketch. I try not to think. Doing small 4x6 or 5x7's help. Happy painting to you. By the way your work is amazing.
Thanks for the encouraging words Joan. My sister is here for the next two weeks and I know I will be getting lots of plein air practice!
ReplyDeleteLovely work Joanne, stick with the plein air, it really will come together when you least expect it. Less wipers -more keepers!
ReplyDeleteA great goal Liz! I like that...less wipers, more keepers! My sister just left after 10 days here and we didn't get to paint once! I need to get out there again....
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