CORNMAN FARM at Dexter Plein Air

Cornman Farm painted at the 2015 Dexter Plein Air Festival

The Dexter Plein Air Festival has become one of the best events of it's kind in Michigan. Each year they just keep improving and making it a serious venue for artists and buyers. This is a 5 day event giving the artists ample time to create the designated number of paintings allowed to be entered as well as enjoying other activities related to art. As usual it starts with getting your canvas or paper stamped verifying those surfaces were blank at the start of the event. It's always a challenge to find that "perfect spot" to paint when you are involved in these competitions. One of the places I chose in 2015 was "Cornman Farm" What draws an artist to a particular place? What speaks to them?  In this painting it was part composition because the path from the parking lot draws the eye to the center of interest which I like. But more important to me was the moody sky and the spell it cast on the whole scene.

BRIGHTON PAINT OUT

Huron Meadows painted during the 2015 Brighton Paint Out.

In the last few years numerous plein air paint outs in communities have become very popular. Some sponsored by art centers, galleries or/and art groups. Whatever the driving force they give the artists an opportunity to create their work (usually) in a welcoming environment and the public an opportunity to observe the artwork being created. Good for the artist and good for the community. A win/win for everyone. I participate in as many as I can. At least the ones in my region and a few such as Glen Arbor or  Traverse City that are farther away. The Brighton Paint Out is one that is more local to me and one I like to enter each year. They have many scenic areas in town and in the surrounding area. The event coincides with their art fair and has it's own display. This is a two day event that starts with the stamping of the canvas/paper to verify that they were blank at the beginning of the event. Two paintings may be entered and are turned in at the end of the second day. 
I plan to attend the 2016 event in July.

PYRAMID POINT - GLEN ARBOR

This is one of the locations where Vivian and I painted 

plein air in the 2015 Glen Arbor Paint Out.

Once again I am in this beautiful area enjoying warm weather,

blue skies and doing what I love.

Today life is good. It is a mad scramble to finish before the 4:30 deadline. This is the first painting and then we move on to the second location and hopefully have two complete oil paintings for the art show this evening. Then we can relax, have a good meal, a glass of wine at the reception and enjoy the company of our artist friends.  Many stories are shared about our plein air experiences of this day. It's all part of the "plein air" experience and  I look so forward to the 2016 Paint Out.

Vivian Painting Pyramid Point

My painting of Pyramid Point

Dune View

DUNE VIEW

As seen from the #4 lookout along Pierce Stocking Drive 

on the National Lake Shore in Sleeping Bear Dunes.

I love coming to this part of Michigan. It is like a little piece of heaven. For a number of years now I have  participated in the Glen Arbor Plein Air Paint Out. It has become so popular that it is limited to 60 participating artists in the main event. Two more events have been added. A Sundowner on Thursday evening and a Quick Draw on Friday Afternoon. I was honored to have this oil painting "Dune View" selected as the 1st. place award winner in 2014. The image appeared on all the posters, flyers, postcards, etc. for the advertising in the 2015 Paint Out.  On the morning of the Paint Out we have our blank canvases stamped and spend the day painting on location in the fabulous landscape of this diverse area. These "wet" paintings are brought back to the Art Center by 4:30 framed and ready to hang for the big art show. Patrons are lined up at the door waiting to get in for a chance to purchase one of the plein air paintings. It is a wonderful event with all the trimmings. I am blessed to be part of it.