Whats up for 2009

I've   never really expected to be blogging about events more than the painting process as I originally put this blog up to remind me what I have learned in my artistic journey.  But the events that I have been fortunate to be a part of has been so much fun and I do learn a lot too from other artists that I meet and from the experience itself.  Lets take Plein Air Easton for example,    this is the very first plein air event that I joined three years ago.   Last year was my third year to be juried into this event and every year I always seem to learn something new and add to  my overall artistic growth.    Just seeing the quality art hanging at the Academy Art Museum  by other competing artists , seeing how they paint the same subject you have seen and maybe painted too and their choices in design and composition is a worthwhile learning experience in itself.    

Last year's  Plein air Easton was  special for me because the Academy Art Museum had purchased one of my paintings for their permanent collection.

           Oxford Moonrise    11 x 14   oil 

Permanent Collection Academy Art Museum

 I also won an honorable mention for another painting "Oxford Boatyard"  .    At the end of the event I had sold a total of five paintings so I was very happy and greatful.    

The people that make Plein Air Easton a success are really the big number of volunteers  that work so hard for the Artists and the show itself.   Many thanks go out to them, and also to our hosts who  graciously open their homes to us.      

Another Event that I had participated in last year is Paint Annapolis  hosted by Mapapa ( the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters.)  Again, another good event to meet great people and good artists.     I stayed with my hosts who again were very nice and hospitable people.     

Hopefully I get into good shows again this year,  so far I have just come back from the  2009 CM Russell Auction ,  the first time for me and it was great. I will write about the CM Russell Auction on my next post.  I have to get ready for my 2nd paint North Carolina Plein Air event coming up next week.     Then my painting  "Silent Rush" will be in San Antonio Texas for the 2009 Salon International in the Greenhouse Gallery.  

Silent Rush 20 x 30 oil 

 I hope to write about the events when I  return.