The last couple of weeks have been busy. The Pacific Artists Co-Op Gallery has been a little short-staffed, due to two artists being out for medical issues, so I have been picking up extra days in order to help out. When I’m not there, I’ve been out painting with my friend, Sandra Pearce, for the 4th Annual Coastal Plein Air Art & Wine Festival put on by Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA). And when not doing one of those things, I’ve been trying to promote Paw Prints in the Ledger, write book #3, sleep, eat, etc. Today is the first “day off” I’ve had since the beginning of September and my goals are to get a blog post out, triage my email, and follow up on a potential lead for placing my book.
Plein Air Competition Explanation
If you are familiar with plein air, paintings, or competitions, feel free to skip this part. For those who aren’t, here is a quick explanation of what I mean by painting for the competition.
When something is painted en plein air, it means it is painting on site, as opposed to in the studio. Before the mid 1800’s, painting on site was essentially impossible because paints had to be carefully mixed by artists before they could be applied. In 1841 American artist John G. Rand patented the collapsible tube of paint. Shortly afterward, the possibility of photography began to make itself known. As a reaction against everything the artists of the Impressionist movement took their tubes of paint and started painting outdoors, working to paint the impression of the changing light.
Ever since, outdoor painting has been well regarded and incorporated in various art movements. In the last twenty years a thriving market of magazines and competitions has catered to the plein air crowd. Rules of competitions vary, but it’s safe to share a few usually ironclad guidelines.
- Artwork must be painted outdoors, on location (What on location means can be debated. Car painting, for example, is normally frowned on.)
- Artist can only make minor adjustments to paintings off-site. (How minor a point of great debate, with some organization creating very narrow rules.)
- Artwork surface must start-off blank. Pre-toned canvas, paper, or gessoed canvas is allowed.
Within these guidelines, I’ll share my current set of paintings. Help me pick out three for the competition.
September 3, 2025 – Taft (Four Brothers Area)
Taft is the area at the southern end of Lincoln City. It’s a lovely area with a lot of tourists, beach, and wildlife.
For this first day of painting, I had a little trouble “getting my eye in”.
Painting 3, tentatively titled “Three of Four” is leading the charge for best of this day. Painting 5, “The Rock”, is a favorite, but unfinished.
September 5, 2025 – Fogarty Creek
Day two lead Sandra and I a short distance south to Fogarty Creek State Park. This was my view, and you can see Sandra’s easel on the right of the photo.
The first painting I did was practically identical to Sandra’s, but SOOOOO different. It amazes me that we can stand six feet away from each other and come up with such different pieces. (Sandra didn’t feel comfortable sharing her piece here, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.)
I believe Painting 4 “Fogarty Castle” needs something on top to balance the bottom. Painting 2 may acquire a pair of walkers. I don’t have a firm idea about which of paintings 2, 3, or 4 is my favorite.
September 9, 2025 – Depoe Bay Park
For this day, I decided to go out of my comfort zone and do a very busy, architectural scene. I then pivoted to trees. I’m not sure either of these paintings will make the cut.
September 11, 2025 – Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
On this final day, Sandra and I agreed we were running out of steam. Apparently, that works for me, because I’m very happy with the day’s painting.
I suspect painting 2 and 4 won’t make the cut, though I could change my mind about 4. Do you have a favorite?
Differences
I took this photo of Sandra with her painting of the same view as painting 4, both of which were painted as spot 2. Aren’t the differences amazing?
Vote
I wish I knew how to drive a real “vote” on these paintings in order to help me select the three to frame up and take to the show. Drop me a line, but I suspect I’ll have to choose on my own!