Category: Plein Air

Harford Plein Air 2022: I was awarded an honorable mention at the Quick Draw

Setting up my wall at Harford Plein Air 2022 Exhibition

When: September 16 – September 17, 2022
Where: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
Collector’s Preview: September 16, 2022, 6:30-9pm
Quick Draw: Saturday, September 17, 9am-Noon

This was a very well organized event hosted by friendly people where the artists were treated very well. On Thursday evening we were treated to a delicious dinner at a Havre de Grace seafood restaurant where the artists got the chance to mingle. Afterwards, we painted the streets of Havre de Grace at nighttime. The artists set-up their walls on Friday afternoon and we dressed-up for the Collector’s Preview on Friday night which was well-catered with food and drink. The entire event did not disappoint. On Saturday morning we participated in the Quick Draw where I was lucky enough to get an honorable mention. I can’t say enough good things about this event which I plan on participating in 2023.

Harford Plein Air 2022 Begins – Painting in Havre de Grace, Maryland

Painting a boat in dry dock in Havre de Grace, MD

In June, I was juried into the 2022 Harford Plein Air Festival. This event lasts 2 months; artists can begin painting at the beginning of July until mid-September. We are required to create 5 plein air paintings of Harford County, MD. Since I live more than 50 miles away, I’m allowed to create 2 of those 5 paintings around where I live. I spent 3 nights/4 days painting in the Havre de Grace area and have produced 5 paintings. I’d like to go back and paint more depending on my schedule for the next couple of months. I’ll report back once we get closer to the exhibition date which occurs in mid-September.

Adventure 2021 Plein Air Festival Quick Draw in Flemington

ArtVenture 2021 Plein Air Festival Quick Draw

When: October 15, 2021 9am-12am
Where: Lawn on Stangl, Flemington, NJ

ArtVenture hosts plein air artists for this fun “quick draw” event, membership not required. Paint from 9 to 12 in picturesque, historic downtown Flemington; with display, judging and reception starting at 1 pm, outdoors under the tent at “The Lawn on Stangl”, 50 Stangl Rd. All are invited to see some local art in action! Prospectus and registration: https://artventurenj.com/exhibitions

2021 Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival Quick Draw in Goshen, NY

When: October 15, 2021 9am-11am
Where: Goshen Farmers’ Market, Goshen, NY

The Quick Draw competition sign-in is from 8:30-9:00am.  Canvases require a separate Quick Draw stamping.  Judging will take place with the help of local community members in Goshen at 11:30am.  Everyone is welcome and eligible for prizes.  We hope that you will join us at the event.

The plein air festival is in it’s 6th year. Artists from around the country will paint “en plein air” in various locations around the Hudson Valley region.  Artwork created during the festival is exhibited publicly and offered for sale at the Wallkill River School as well as online from October 16 -31.  New York’s Hudson Valley is the ideal setting for plein air painting. The area is endowed with a rich history of art and has been a popular destination for many of America’s artists for over 150 years. Artist Andrew Lattimore is the judge of the competition.

Update 11/11/21: The Quick Draw was in Goshen, NY and you could paint anywhere within the town. This is a great little town to paint as it is very picturesque. Unfortunately, I was under the impression that the artist that judges the Plein Air Festival would also be judging the Quick Draw. Instead the judges are local business people. It’s for this reason that I would not enter the Quick Draw competition in the future unless it is judged by professionals in the art field. I would, however, go up and paint in beautiful Goshen.

Art Jam 2021 in Palmer Square, Princeton

Art Jam 2021 Poster

When: October 15-30, 2021
Where: 19 Hullfish Street, Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

A gallery exhibit of art sale featuring national and local artists to benefit local families at risk of, or suffering from homelessness. Visit homefromtnj.org for more info.

I have 10 small plein air paintings in this exhibit. The exhibition space is in Palmer Square which is a prime spot with very high visibility in Princeton. It’s also for a great cause: helping the homeless in New Jersey. I’ll post an update after the exhibition. There will not be an artist’s reception due to COVID… bummer.

Update: 11/10/21: This exhibition turned out to be very successful for me. On opening night, 4 of my paintings were sold. By the end of the exhibition, I sold a total of 9 paintings! I am very happy because it was for a good cause and it was also good for me as an artist.

Plein Air Plus, a plein air juried exhibition in Long Beach Island

When: September 26, 2021
Where: Long Beach Island Foundation, 120 Long Beach Blvd, Loveladies, NJ 08008

This Sunday is the opening for this plein air competition and exhibition. There are two categories: “classic plein air” and “plein air plus”. The Long Beach Island Foundation (LBIF) gave the artists a two month span (July – September) to create these works; all had to be created on Long Beach Island. I have four, small plein air paintings in the “classic plein air” category. I’ll update this post with my final thoughts and overview of the competition after the opening.

Update 10/11/21: I exhibited four 8″x10″ plein air paintings for this exhibition and won an Honorable Mention for “Sun, Sand and Cellphone”. I’ll post this painting when I get it back from the exhibition as I didn’t have the foresight to photograph it beforehand.

The exhibition was well-attended but many of the artists. LBIF did a great job of hanging the show; the paintings and the exhibition space looked great.

Rutgers Arts: a plein air studio tour and fundraiser

When: October 2-3, 11am-3pm
Where: Rutgers Landscape & Nursery, 1051 US Highway 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551

Celebrate art, music, and community! Stroll the Nursery to meet artists creating on-site, each with work for sale. Blawenburg Bistro will be on hand with drinks and snacks for sale.

The event benefits Fisherman’s Mark, a Lambertville organization providing aid to area residents. Please bring contributions: non-perishable foods, diapers, personal hygiene items, and cleaning supplies.

This is a unique, fun event similar to “Art in Bloom” that happened in the summer. I’ll be plein air painting both days at this beautiful nursery and showing my work along with other artists

Visit RutgersLN.com or call 800-322-6008 for more info.

Update 10/11/21: This is a beautiful outdoor space to exhibit. It was sunny but hot. The nursery does a great job of setting up temporary walls where the artists can exhibit. The weekend was fun and I got a nice painting from the weekend to no sales… unfortunately. It was fun and I’ll participate in this event in the future.

“From Water” Exhibition at Atelier Rosal

From Water Artist Reception, Friday, August 20th 5-8pm

When: August 17 – September 11
Where: Atelier Rosal, 74 East Cherry Street, Rahway, NJ 07065

With The Rahway River Watershed Association holding their 1st annual Rahway RiverFest in Downtown Rahway, Atelier Rosal has curated works from local artists to expand the narrative and participate in the celebration of The Rahway River.Works by Joe Brown, Rodriguez Colero, Jim Fischer, Trish Gianakkis, Zev Jonas, Erin Karp, Debbie Livingston, Dave McGrath, Eric Miles, Harold Olejarz, and Francisco Silva will be featured.The exhibit will be on display from August 17th through September 11th. Gallery hours are 11-6pm Tuesday through Friday and 11-5pm on Saturday.Refreshments will be served during the reception. For your safety, Atelier Rosal asks that all guests follow CDC protocols and mask up during the event.

I have three plein air paintings in this exhibition. All of them having to do with water.

Update 8/20/2021: The reception was well-attended but not too crowded (which is nice during a pandemic). I was lucky enough to sell “New Hope Vibes” and “Bridge to PA” to the same collector! This is a great space with a two very friendly gallery owners. I exhibited here twice and have sold paintings both times.

Product recommendation: RayMar Wet Painting Carrier for plein air oil painting

Raymar wet painting carrier
The Raymar 8″ x 10″ wet painting carrier

My plein air experiences began with lugging around a heavy, large French easel that tenuously held only one painting on the easel stand. After doing this a couple of times, I decided that I needed a dedicated wet painting carrier that held multiple panels and was lightweight.

I’d like to mention that I’m not getting paid for this recommendation although I wouldn’t be against that. I just think this is a very good, useful product and it could be a good addition to your plein air equipment.

Why use a wet painting panel carrier at all?

  • To carry and store your wet paintings when plein air painting
  • It’s a necessary piece of equipment especially when you’re producing multiple paintings
  • Convenience! It removes the hassle of carrying a wet painting in your hands

Advantages of using the Raymar carrier?

Every company that produces a pochade box most likely makes a wet painting carrier. Sometimes, the panel carrier is incorporated into the pochade box and sometimes it’s an entirely separate item. The problem with both of these options is that they’re heavy. In comes the Raymar wet painting panel carrier. It has 3 slots that can hold six 1/8” painting panels back-to-back (although I only use it for three panels). It’s made of fluted plastic making it lightweight and waterproof.

NOTE: this product holds painting panels not canvases.

As a backpacker, I’m very conscious of how much things weigh and what a drag it is to carry unnecessary weight. This product’s light weight was a big selling point for me. The price depends on the size. I went with the 8” x 10” although they have different size carriers and multi-width carriers. My 8” x 10” set me back $35 (including tax and shipping). This seems a bit pricey for plastic but it’s worth the cost (and convenience) as it’s a very sturdy item.

Inside of Raymar wet painting carrier
Inside of the Raymar wet painting carrier

Above is the Raymar wet painting carrier in action. See the two canvas panels in one slot? It has a velcro closing lid and adjustable strap for easy transport

Summary

  1. A dedicated wet painting carrier will simplify your plein air painting process
  2. The Raymar wet painting carrier comes in different sizes (and multi sizes) to hold different size panting panels
  3. The carrier holds up to six panels back-to-back
  4. It’s lightweight and waterproof
  5. More info on the Raymar website at https://www.raymarart.com/collections/wet-painting-carriers

What do you use to carry your wet paintings when painting plein air?