They say you’re never too old to learn something new. I also discovered at the Plein Air Convention that you’re never too old to make new friends—especially when plein air painting brings you together.
Read more by PleinAir reader Paul Friederichsen …
Doug Krell and I met at the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE) in Denver a couple of years ago. He’s from Scottsdale, and I’m from Atlanta. It was our first plein air event, and by pure chance, we ended up sitting next to each other during a class. A conversation sparked, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, we’ve attended the convention together in the Smoky Mountains and the Fall Color Week in Monterey, deepening both our friendship and our shared passion for painting.
Though our backgrounds are different—Doug is a physician, and I’m a marketing consultant—we are united by our love of capturing the world on canvas.
Recently, Doug suggested I visit Arizona to experience plein air painting with him in the desert. When a business conference took me to Las Vegas, I seized the opportunity to extend my trip and spend a long weekend in Scottsdale. I packed up my art supplies, shipped them ahead to my hotel, and was ready for an adventure.
Doug proved to be an incredible guide, leading me through landscapes I had never imagined. The desert, far from being a barren stretch of sand, was alive with an explosion of colors—vibrant ochres, rich purples, and golden hues that changed with the shifting light. On my last day, he took me to some of Scottsdale’s renowned art galleries before I flew back home, my heart and sketchbook full of inspiration.
As I recounted the experience to Eric Rhoads (CEO of Streamline Publishing), it struck me just how serendipitous it all was. Without PleinAir, Doug and I would never have met, I wouldn’t have traveled to Arizona to paint the stunning desert landscapes, and I wouldn’t have formed the bonds with so many other wonderful artists along the way.
Eric is absolutely right when he says that attending plein air events and surrounding yourself with kindred painters will expand more than your skills—and expand your family. Art has a way of bridging distances, forging friendships, and enriching not just our canvases, but our lives.
Editor’s Note: Don’t miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at PACE! The next Plein Air Convention & Expo is May 14-18, 2026 in The Ozarks. All training sessions are indoors on giant, high-def screens, with plein air paint-outs in the afternoons. Beginners and pros feel right at home, so register now to join us!
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