Artists who participated in this year’s Plein Air — Easton! event are still blogging about the experience, but California artist Kim VanDerHoek managed to sum it up in a 10-point post with advice for anyone considering the event in the future.
A scene outside of Easton, Maryland
VanDerHoek outlined what newcomers to Plein Air–Easton! might want to know on her News From the Easel blog. Although some of the items she listed were warnings on how to avoid pitfalls at the event, the gist was that the Maryland competition is indeed the premier plein air contest in the country. “Honestly, I’ve never been treated so well at a painting event,” she wrote. “The organizers do such a great job that it was easy to forget all the behind the scenes things that had to take place for everything to run so smoothly.”
“Have a Seat,” and the view that inspired it
At one point, VanDerHoek warned that a painter might have to guard against having too much fun — the opportunities for after-hours shop talk can make the next morning’s painting session a bit bumpy at first.
“Have a Seat,” by Kim VanDerHoek, 2013, oil on panel. She reports that this piece immediately sold.
VanDerHoek ended the piece by noting that “there is no guarantee that next year I’ll get to return … but you better believe I’m going to paint my butt off and try.” Read the whole post here.
