Plein Air Events - FAR From Home

Display One

Lessons Learned

I just finished my second plein air event that was far from home, too far for me to drive (1,400 miles). I wanted to share the lessons that I learned in traveling/flying so far for a plein air event.

Logistics and Shipping:

• Organization was critical, there was a lot to do even before I left the house. I had to ship (Fedex) the finished framed works that I wanted to display and sell (in this event I had TWO large 7ft x 3ft panels for work). 
• I also shipped canvases and paint to my sister's house. 
• I weighed all of my art supplies and knew they would fit in my luggage - pochode, tripod and umbrella. 
• I printed all event information and put it in folders in my backpack! I needed to be aware of the schedule!

Shipping Art:

• A fellow artist and plein air pro did not have a lot of work for display. What she did do was frame and display the wet works she had created during the event. I thought that was smart as I had many works that I had to bring back home. Next time, I will ship less art and will live with having less art on the walls, I shipped too much!
• Some paintings that I shipped (well packed) were in gold frames, and several frames had chipped in shipping meaning that I could not use them!



Display Two

• I will not buy gold frames (plastic ones) from a certain company again. They chip and they are difficult to wire for hanging (putting screws into the plastic molding)--- this was tough as I had to wire a lot of wet paintings in the course of a week. 

Larger Canvas for Quick Draw:

• We started painting on Monday and the last day of the event was Saturday, The Quick Draw. For the Quick Draw, we had a mere 80 minutes! I was so impressed with the works produced, wow the talent here was amazing. 
• Save a larger canvas and frame for this event. I had only a 5x7 left as I had used my 8x10 frames (to replace those that had chipped) earlier in the week when I hung my works. 

Mental Strength: Prepare Yourself for No Sales:

• I loved that all 40 artists had two 7x3 foot panels. That was a lot of generous space! I stood near my art corner and talked to all visitors for hours, without any sales. I knew that salses might not happen, but I struggled with the mental aspect of having no sales, it was tough. Try to prepare yourself to accept not having sales. 

Limited Palette:

5x7 Aglow, nocturne

• My limited palette (weighs 3 pounds, all my tube paints). I took my standard palette and it worked beautifully: Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, Cad Yellow Medium, Permanent Red, Alizarin Crimson, Permanent Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulian Blue, Pthalo Green and Ivory Black. The only additional color that I took and used was Cobalt blue because I knew I was going to be painting bluebonnets!

Small Works:

• I painted 5x7s, 8x10s, 9x12 and 11x14. I painted about 3 works each day (starting with a 5x7 study). My favorite paintings were the 8x10s. My 11x14 painting did not turn out. I have now accepted that I love smaller works and have more fun with those. More 8x10 canvases and frames next time!
• My successes: Personally my most successful paintings were the 8x10s--- I painted a tractor and bike which I thought were good. And, I had a sweet little 5x7 nocturne which I also received complements on--it was one of my best in the show. 

Biggest Lesson Learned:

• Drive if you can, your car can be your mobile studio (and then you can take more canvases and frames).

It Just Makes Sense:

Go to the Artist centered events! Stay as long as you can at the Artist Reception, meet new artists, talk to them! I met many new faces --both hosts and artists at the Artist Reception. It was wonderful to talk to and meet new people--we are all artists, all participating in events together. I met some lovely people with whom I hope to maintain friendships.