Good News - Grand Canyon Plein Air Event

I got the good word that I am being re-invited to the Grand Canyon Celebration of the Arts "Plein Air on the Rim" plein air event next September.  The 2011 event was very rewarding for me in a number of ways, and I'm excited that I'll be working again with the wonderful people at the Grand Canyon Association.  Also, the event is an important fund-raiser.  The web site says:  "Proceeds will be dedicated to funding an art venue on the South Rim that will preserve and showcase the spectacular collection of historic and contemporary paintings owned by Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon Association. This permanent art venue at the South Rim will help to ensure that future generations of Park visitors will be able to experience Grand Canyon art at its finest."  I hope you will also come out and support this worthwhile event.

Our explorations of Carmel continued yesterday, and we spent our time gallery-hopping.  Carmel has some excellent ones, and it was nice to see some good California "contemporary realism" in person.  Some of my favorites were Ken Auster, Ray Roberts, Michael Obermeyer and Brian Blood.  I also got to see a lot of older work by folks like Edgar Payne, Guy Rose and Hanson Puthuff.  I even ran into Randall Sexton, who was delivering some paintings. I also explored Carmel's curious trees - eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and others.

Today we're looking for interesting houses to paint and also Point Lobos, which I remember from my last visit has some spectacular scenery.  Time to charge up the camera batteries!

Just as a reminder, my studio painting sale continues.  I'm posting sketches and demos daily.  If you would, please check it out at my studio store - http://johnsonstudiostore.blogspot.com/

Scouting with a Camera

Trina and I have made our way to Carmel, California, for a week of exploration.  We last came to the area thirteen years ago.  This time, we've come with the intention of scouting for plein air painting spots.  I might want to set up a painting retreat here for myself and other painters.  (Stay tuned!)

We drove up from the south along California Highway 1.  This is one of the most scenic routes in the country, and as we found, one of the most harrowing in a rainstorm.  Between San Simeon and Big Sur, we had heavy rain and small rock slides.  Rocks the size of cinderblocks bounced into our lane, forcing us to swerve around them.  (And yes, into oncoming traffic!)  In a few places, the road was one-lane-only and controlled by traffic signals because of "slip outs" that had occured recently.  At one slip out, we were stopped by a light where we had a steep cliff on our left and a torrent rushing along the roadside to our right.  I wondered how fast that torrent had to run to undermine what pavement was left and to send us all hurtling 600 feet down to the Pacific.  That stop light seemed to stay red forever.

The storm that we went though on Highway 1

Now that we're safely in Carmel, I'm looking forward to scouting.  But I'm doing so only with a camera.  Although I threw the pastel gear into the car at the last minute, I don't think I'll paint.  Sometimes scouting with a camera is better, so long as you're using your "painter's eye" while taking photos.  One of our cameras has a GPS built into it, so that'll be handy for finding the good spots next time we're here in full painting regalia.

By the way, even though I'm on the road, my studio painting sale continues.  I'm posting sketches and demos daily.  If you would, please check it out at my studio store - http://johnsonstudiostore.blogspot.com/

Editorial Changes and About the Studio Sale

Painting at Red Rock Crossing, Sedona, Arizona
photo by Trina Stephenson

You may be wondering where today's painting for sale is.  I did promise to post these demos and sketches here as I clean out my studio.  I am still doing that, but I have decided to post them instead to my studio store blog.    The reason is this.  In the past, I've used the blog you're reading now mostly for education.  If you're like me, you probably don't like sudden changes in editorial direction.  In this blog, you are most likely expecting an enlightening tip on the process of painting.  So, I don't want to disappoint my faithful readers.  If you want to follow the sale - and I hope you do - please go to http://johnsonstudiostore.blogspot.com/ .

We now resume our normally scheduled program, already in progress.

A Guerrilla Painter's Notebook II

A little over two years ago, I wrote about Carl Judson's A Guerrilla Painter's Notebook. The book mentions that it is only the first volume, so I wrote that I was looking forward to the next one. Well, it's here - A Guerrilla Painter's Notebook II. And just like the last one, it's a really good read.

In this one, Carl, who is the founder of Judson's Art Outfitters and the inventor of the Guerrilla Box, of which I'm a big fan, goes on more adventures. He paints Nevada and France, experiments with acrylics and explains his color choices for his oil palette. One of my favorite essays, though, talks about a 26-foot panorama he did of the landscape around his home. Covering 24 panels, the panorama is a beautiful piece. I enjoyed reading the detailed description of how he went about painting it and managed to achieve a consistent "look" among all the paintings. (Tip: He unified the skies after he'd painted them.) It got me excited enough to consider perhaps a similar project.

Here's a picture of Carl out in the field, pondering his panorama:

I recommend the book, and it'd make a nice stocking stuffer for your favorite plein air painter. (I'm sure stuffing your own stocking is perfectly OK!)

A Guerrilla Painter's Notebook II by Carl Judson. 32 pages, and more images than I want to count. $9.95. Visit http://www.judsonsart.com/pleinair/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2071&idcategory=88 .

On another note, I want to mention again my upcoming painting retreat in Sedona for the week of March 26th. This program is only for intermediate to advanced painters or professionals. Participants are expected to be comfortable with painting outdoors and their chosen medium. Painters may work in any medium, but I'll be working in oil or pastel.

For the retreat, group lodging is included that has cooking facilities so participants may make their own meals. Artists are expected to stay at the lodging to ensure an "immersion" experience in which painting is talked about in casual conversation, and impromptu demonstrations, outings or group critiques may result.

This is not a workshop with formal instruction, but I'll demonstrate daily and offer end-of-the-day critiques. I'll also guide you to some of Sedona's prime painting spots.

Price is $1000, which includes six nights lodging (arrive Sunday, depart Saturday). Food is not included, but we'll have a kitchen. The retreat is limited to four participants. (Spouses and non-painting partners may be included, depending on the lodging.) If you're interested, please let me know right away. I need to have four committed by Thanksgiving in order to secure space. I hope you'll join us!

APAA Pastel Workshop - and a Painting Retreat

Look closely to see the student at the bottom!

This past Saturday I taught a one-day plein air pastel workshop for the Arizona Pastel Artists Association.  One of the problems with large plein air workshops is finding adequate backup space.  Even if the weather is predicted to be perfect, the forecasts themselves aren't necessarily perfect.  So, you need a backup space.  This space is also handy for lectures and critiques.  We found a great space at Crescent Moon Day Use Area, right under the feet of Catheral Rock.  We had our very own group picnic shelter and restrooms.

For this day, they weren't forecasting perfect weather.  In fact, they were predicting clouds and showers.  The morning started somewhat ominous.  As I drove toward Sedona, I saw heavy-bellied clouds dropping showers over Bear Mountain and the Mogollon Rim.  But we ended up having a great day.  The sun broke out and shed a warm light on Cathedral Rock.  Beautiful, puffy clouds ornamented the blue sky.  We got some really nice paintings out of the day.

One of my demos, a 5x7

I want to announce a special painting retreat for the week of March 26th.  This program is only for intermediate to advanced painters or professionals. Participants are expected to be comfortable with painting outdoors and their chosen medium. Painters may work in any medium, but I'll be working in oil or pastel.

For the retreat, group lodging is included that has cooking facilities so participants may make their own meals. Artists are expected to stay at the lodging to ensure an "immersion" experience in which painting is talked about in casual conversation, and impromptu demonstrations, outings or group critiques may result.

This is not a workshop with formal instruction, but I'll demonstrate daily and offer end-of-the-day critiques. I'll also guide you to some of Sedona's prime painting spots.

Price is $1000, which includes six nights lodging (arrive Sunday, depart Saturday).  Food is not included, but we'll have a kitchen.  The retreat is limited to four participants.  (Spouses and non-painting partners may be included, depending on the lodging.)  If you're interested, please let me know right away.  I need to have four committed by Thanksgiving in order to secure space.  I hope you'll join us!