Land of Resilience-John Meister

Excellent article filled with plein air painting tips (originally published 2018 but so timely for the upcoming PACE visitors from out of state): 

https://www.outdoorpainter.com/land-resilience-face-decay-new-mexico-plein-air-tips/?fbclid=IwAR2TCWxCrTYu5PbYM8Lnhs5Fcxm3bVKx5SKk8ob500e835prjRysSz8gswU

First few paragraphs: 

Plein Air Painting in New Mexico’s High Desert
By John Meister, 2018 President of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico
Article originally published in 2018

We call it the “Land of Enchantment,” and some people get it the minute they step out of the airport. Others spend years here before they realize it is part of them. For the visitor, the ancient history, the amazing sites, and the diversity of culture, provide a host of experiences. This is a place where stories are born. This is New Mexico.

As for me, I grew up in Austin, Texas and have now lived in Albuquerque for 28 years. It is where much of my family is from, so we made the drive from Austin, across the West Texas plains and into a terrain full of features that intrigued a young boy looking out of the rear window.

The city of my childhood essentially had two halves of the year — sticky-green summer and dense-wet winter. Now, living in a place with four distinct seasons, I appreciate the small day-to-day changes between each of them, and how moisture, temperature, and wind are players in a game to sustain life or break it down. Everything, from plants to mountains, must have a little extra advantage to survive here, and it is their resilience in the face of decay that produces the extraordinary landscape that we painters enjoy.

The Rewards of an Artist Residency

PAPNM Signature member, Nancy Silvia chosen as artist spotlight in Outdoor Painter - March 2022:

https://www.outdoorpainter.com/artist-spotlight-nancy-silvia/

First few interview questions:

How did you get started and then develop your career?

Nancy Silvia: From a young age I’ve identified as an artist, pursued an education in art, and have been painting my entire life. I don’t consider what I do a “career,” but my life’s journey.

How do you describe success?

Success means being able to continue to paint, achieve recognition for my accomplishments, and to exhibit and sell my paintings.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything that I see, particularly landscape. An artist may not always find inspiration easily, but if you just show up in the studio or out in the field, get to work, then inspiration will find you!

OPA published an article by Michele on how she uses Dynamic Symmetry. Congratulations. This article has generated a lot of excitement: 

Full article: Dynamic Symmetry in Paintings

First few paragraphs:

DYNAMIC SYMMETRY – And how I incorporate it into my plein air and studio and practice

Michele Byrne · Mar 14, 2022 · 22 Comments

We’ve all heard of the Golden Section, Dynamic Symmetry, the rule of thirds and harmonic armatures. And we’ve always been told to do a value study before we start a painting. However, in our rush to get started painting, many of us disregard it all and jump right in to putting brush to canvas.

Six years ago, I made a pledge to NEVER skip a value study before plein air painting. Soon after, I learned how to design my pieces with a “thrust map” as well. This is a simple 2” study done on a 4”x6” index card with pencil or markers. I indicate the Dominant Vertical (DV), Dominant Horizontal (DH) and Dominant Diagonal (DD). Ideally where all of these lines meet will be my focal point.

May 17-21

PAPNM Members on the 2022 Plein Air Convention and Expo Faculty:

1. Joe Anna Arnett
2. Michele Byrne
3. Albert Handell
4. Natasha Isenhour
5. Michael Chesley Johnson
6. Spike Ress

May 12 - Jun 19
 

Congratulations to the PAPNM Members accepted into the show: Lyn Bonham, Michele Byrne AIS, Jane Chapin AIS, Katherine Irish, Spike Ress  6th Annual AIS Impressions: Small Works Showcase

Wilder Nightingale Fine Art May 12-June 19, 2022 Taos, New Mexico

152 artists were juried into the exhibition from 1,304 entries!!Full acceptance list

June 3 - Aug 22. 

Invited PAPNM Members 

.          

Lee MacLeod.                 Barbara Coleman.       Spike Ress

"Storm Front".              "Raking Light at Ghost Ranch"    "Threatening Sky, Capitol Reef"

and

Diane Arenberg, Ranch Road

Jane Hunt, Through the Poppies

Carolyn Jeanene Lindsey, Family Farm

Richard Prather, Canon Tranquilo

Congratulations all*.

Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO.

June 3 through August 27, 2022.

Full acceptance List

*Please write to karen.halbert@gmail.com if you were also invited (put OPA in the subject line)

https://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/opa_show/2022-national-exhibition-convention-wet-paint-competition/

February 2022 Competition

2nd Place Overall

$300 Prize
"Resolute"
Jane Hunt
24x18 in., Oil

PAPNM Master artist, Joe Anna Arnett, did a demo on Art School Live in 2020. You may watch the replay here. 

https://www.joeannaarnett.com/

Breaking news! Paul's pastel painting, "Wine Shed" has received an Honorable Mention in the annual Pastel Journal Magazine's Top 100 contest! Image appears on Page 49 of the Spring 2022 issue, Landscape and Interiors category. Many thanks to Juror, Nancy Nowak!

2nd Place Overall
$300 Prize
"Couse House Poppies"
Chris Morel
11x14 in., Oil

Congratulations, Chris!! 

Joseph McGurl, Signature Member, Plein Air Painters of America, has revealed his selections for the winners in the PleinAir January Art Competition.

First, Second, Third, and People's Choice winners will each receive a cash prize, and all winners will be entered into the judging for the annual cash prizes, including the $15,000 Grand Prize and the Cover of PleinAir magazine for the best painting of the year. The annual winners will be announced at the Plein Air Convention & Expo on May 17th, 2022 in Santa Fe, NM.